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 When one of the whanau mentioned that Lorraine Kerr (Tuwharetoa, Ngati Awa) had recently been appointed as the first Maori President of the New Zealand School Trustees Association, I had this big smile, couldn't help it. A few years ago, I read a story on Lorraine which showed her enthusiasm for learning and teaching, and talked about her decision to get involved as a school trustee at her children's school. Her sincere desire stemmed from her belief that whanau should be pro-actively involved in their children's education. She was inspirational then, and is now an example which we can all appreciate and applaud.
Another group which should be appreciated and applauded are all those who registered to vote at the next general election. Awesome especially to all those who registered for the first time – there were 10,280 of you who signed up, which is amazing. The next election is shaping up to be one where more Maori voices will be heard alongside each Maori vote.
 The other amazing thing to happen was the potential creation of a new seat in Parliament, with the probability of a new Maori electorate. Every 5-6 years (coinciding with the Census), Maori of voting age are asked to select the voting roll they wish to be registered on (General or Maori), and are placed in the electorate to which they reside; this option has been available since the switch from First Past the Post (FPP) to Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system in 1993, although the history of the Maori seats goes back to 1867.
This year, the Maori Electoral Option was launched, with actors Pio Terei and Shavaughn Ruakere asking Maori to “make your choice” (Kei a koe te tikanga) in a campaign that showed the many faces of Maori, and was heard in many parts of the World (for instance, Australia, America, Spain and even in the island paradise of Niue). After four months, an incredible 21,588 Maori made a move between the rolls – 7,294 people went from the Maori roll to the General roll, and 14,294 switched from the General roll to the Maori roll. Of the ten thousand newly registered voters, 2,366 selected the General roll, while 7,914 decided to find their representatives from within the Maori electorates.
 We'll have to wait for the 2006 Census figures to be released to see whether a new seat has been added, but speculation has been rife. Will the new seat take up West Auckland and the North Shore? Will it be in the Western Bay of Plenty? Will Ngäti Porou have their own seat? Will the South Island be separated from Wellington to have a purely South Island seat? Or will South Auckland and North Waikato be grouped together? Most bets are on a seat which halves the current Te Tai Tokerau electorate, taking in sections of Auckland; while I have my own preference.
Either way, Maori and democracy have been showing great signs of mending a relationship badly damaged over the years. Being a minority ain't easy, especially when Maori were once the majority. But what we have seen are signs of adaptability and commitment that can't be faulted. Some people say democracy, like justice, is blind; I tend to think that democracy actually encourages and applauds diversity, allowing every person to have their say based on their cultural and social experiences.
So, ae, congratulations to all who made the move and registered, double congratulations to those who registered for the first time and a triple, no quadruple congratulations to Lorraine Kerr and whanau – good luck in your new position.
We've included a new page on TangataWhenua.com which provides details on all the current Maori members of Parliament. Click here to check it out.
Just a reminder that the Tangata Whenua.com Forum is now open. Click here to read what others have to say and to share your thoughts. 
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 The North Shore Hospice recently appointed Tina Parata as their first whanau liaison.
Ms Parata has been working in the health and nursing professions her entire adult life. "Usually I've worked with mothers and babies and this is a natural progression, helping people at the end of their lives," she told the North Shore Times.
Ms Parata's whanau are from lower North Island. "On her father's side her grandmother is Muaupoko and her grandfather is Ngati Toarangatira.
North Shore Hospice chief executive Mike Franklin says the Maori liaison role wasn't the type of position that could just be advertised in the newspaper.
"It has taken us four months to find the right person. We wanted the search to be a consultative process to find someone that would be accepted and trusted by local iwi," he says."
"Ms Parata will attend hui and meet with Maori families to spread the word about hospice services. "Maori cope very well with death and dying. My job will be to get out there and help local iwi become aware of what we can offer them," she says.
Mr Franklin says the appointment of a hospice Maori liaison is the first of its kind in the Auckland region".
(North Shore Times, 3 August 2006). Anyone interested in finding out more about the hospice or meeting with Ms Parata can phone: 09 486 1688.
 Applications are now invited for the Manatu Hauora and Te Matarau Whanau Ora Awards 2006 (.pdf file) to be presented in Wellington on 3rd November 2006. A Registration Of Interest (ROI) process has been developed to reduce the time required to prepare a comprehensive application form. Up to 25 Maori health and disability service provider organisations will be selected from this process and invited to apply for a Whanau Ora Award. Click here to download their "how to apply" document.
 The Ministry of Health wants feedback on a new plan that describes the actions to be undertaken over the next 5 years to improve Maori health. The plan is outlined in the discussion document – Whakatataka Tuarua: Maori Health Action Plan 2006-2011.
This discussion document identifies specific initiatives for Whakatataka Tuarua and seeks feedback from stakeholders. It also provides background information which:
- sets out the context for the development of Whakatataka Tuarua: Maori Health Action Plan 2006–2011;
- highlights the key lessons and challenges related to implementing Whakatataka: Maori Health Action Plan 2002–2005; and
- proposes particular priority areas for Whakatataka Tuarua.
There are several ways to let your thoughts be known, the easiest is to email your submission to: gavin_koroi@moh.govt.nz. If you would like to submit it another way click here for details.
Submissions close at 5pm on Thursday 17 August 2006.
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 The Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund for 2007 is now open. The purpose of the Fund is to support events which commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and promote nation building and community building. It is designed to encourage a wider spread of communities participating in Waitangi Day events. Grants made in the past have ranged from $200 to $20,000, with the average being $5,300. Proposals are accepted until 5pm on 29 September 2006 from community organisations to support activities which are consistent with commemorating Waitangi Day. Click here for more details. Or if you have any questions or require any further information, phone 04 496 6352 or email.
The Ngaitai Iwi Authority Special General Meeting will be held on 26 August at Torere Marae, Opotiki. The SGM will commence at 10am. All returned Voting Papers must be received by post no later than 1pm, 25th August 2006 or in person at the Special General Meeting. For more info contact:
Carlene Davis, Info@ngaitai.iwi.nz, ph: 07 315 8485.
 Maori Auctions has announced that they will be holding their first annual Maori Auctions Web Awards.
Luana Noble ( Ngai Tahu)
of Maori Auctions says that "these awards are a way to gain recognition for you and your website. They bring prestige and more traffic to your site, and they enhance your credibility as a webmaster. We all want to know that our creativity and hard work are appreciated. After all the time and effort you've put into creating your site, you deserve some recognition!"
Criteria to apply:
- Website must have relevance to Maori, contain information regarding Maori.
- Your website can be a forum, personal whakapapa website, your own artist website, a Maori business website, anything as long as it pertains to Maori.
- International Maori websites are welcomed.
- All sites are manually checked and any site that is not relevant to Maori will not be accepted for the voting poll.
- These web awards will run from 1 August 2006 and will be drawn on the 1 December 2006.
Every website will be judged on the following: The layout, graphics, information, the way your website is navigated, professional look as well as the amount of votes received from the people.
Award Categories are as follows (these links will take you to the forum site to vote):
Best Maori Forum,
Best Maori Trading Website,
Best Maori Youth Website, Best Maori Sports Website, Best Maori Experience Website,
Best Maori News Service Website,
Best Maori Blog Website,
Best New Maori Web Site or Re-launch,
Best Maori Artist Website,
Best Maori Business Website,
Best Maori Directory Website,
Peoples Choice Award,
Maori Website of the Year.
If you wish to apply for Maori Auction Website Awards please email, with the website you would like listed in the poll, which category you think it may fit and the websites URL. Tell your clients to vote for your website and you're on your way.
Alternatively you can go directly to their forum and submit your website by clicking here. Feel free to vote for TangataWhenua.com!! ;) Kia ora!
 The Whanganui Northern Cluster Collective update hui will be held on 12 August at TWOA Papaoia Campus in Palmerston North. The Northern Cluster will be holding a consultation hui to update hapu and whanau members on the progress of their claims. All whanau with an interest in the Waitangi Tribunal. Claims of Ngati Hekeawai, Ngati Hari, Ngati Urunumia, Ngati Rangatahi, Ngati Hinewai ki Kakahi, Tanoa and the Tutemahurangi Whanau are invited to attend the hui which begins 12pm. For further information contact:
Ray Wi,
ph: 07 895 828,
fax: 07 895 8282.
 Aotea Maori Performing Arts Committee present the AMPAC Festival 2006. The regional Kapa Haka competitions for the Te Matatini Festival in February 2007. The festival will be held on 26 August in Whanganui. For further details contact:
Sandra Julia, ampacfest@auaha.co.nz, ph: 06 759 6920,
fax: 06 759 6921. Their website is still under construction but be sure to check back soon.
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 Recently, whanau told us of a conference, Te Ohu Whenua a Tau, which aimed to celebrates Maori farmers succeeding in agribusiness. Considering significant Maori involvement in this industry we wanted to learn more about the conference and asked the following questions of the conference organiser, April Bennett, Chairperson of the Steering Committee.
Te Ohu Whenua Hui a Tau is a joint initiative between Massey University and Te Puni Kokiri to promote and showcase positive Maori development and business in agriculture, horticulture and forestry.
Te Ohu Whenua Hui a Tau will be held September 7-8 2006 at
Massey University in Palmerston North. To download a registration form click here.
Tena koe April - could you please tell us a little about yourself? Who are you and how did you come to be in your position?
My tribal affiliations are Ngati Tuwharetoa, Waikato, and Tuhoe. I've been a member of the steering committee for Te Ohu Whenua Hui a Tau for three years, including this year. I came to be in this position when the previous Chair stepped down due to his study commitments.
What is Agribusiness?
Agribusiness refers to the various businesses involved in agricultural production, such as farming and horticulture.
What is the conference all about, when, where and who will be in attendance? Who will most benefit from attending the Te Ohu Whenua conference?
 The hui aims to meet the development needs of Maori in agribusiness. The goals of the conference are to celebrate Maori success in agribusiness, advance Maori development in agribusiness, provide a forum where Maori in agribusiness can network, share ideas and learn from one another, and familiarise Maori in agribusiness with the staff and facilities at Massey University. We think we can add the most value through the hui for committees of management, trustees, owners and managers of small to medium sized Maori-owned land blocks. This is our primary audience.
Can you give us an overview of Maori participation in Agribusiness?
It is estimated that nearly a third of the Maori asset base, or 3.1 billion worth of assets, is in agriculture, fishing and forestry. Two thirds of these assets are in the agricultural sector.
Considering the significance of Maori input into Agribusiness what are some opportunities and challenges facing Maori farmers?
 According to the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (2005), some of the global economic opportunities for Maori farmers and growers lie in sheep and beef meat production (where many Maori landowning groups are already positioned), diversification to dairy farming, and innovation in horticulture. Some of the challenges facing Maori landowning groups, in general, include a lack of experience at governance and managerial levels, difficulty in accessing finance (Kingi, 2005), and managing the tension between being kaitiaki on one hand, but producers on the other hand who may be carrying out activities that can have adverse impacts on the environment.
What is the future of Maori in Agribusiness?
 I think Maori agribusiness will prosper into the future, as it is doing so currently (Kingi, 2005). However, I think the shape of Maori agribusiness will change as more Maori landowners, who have traditionally been involved in pastoral agriculture and forestry, diversify their land use in response to regulatory changes that may be introduced to address the pressures on the natural environment caused by farming.
To watch a Te Karere story on last year's conference click on the following links: dial-up 56k or Broadband 128k. To read a story on last year's conference click here.
 Te Ohu Kaimoana, the Maori fishing body, has announced that it has reached the half way mark in handing over fishing assets to tribes. The body's chief executive, Peter Douglas, says the process is ahead of schedule and he's optimistic about its progress.
Handovers to Hauraki and Ngati Kahungunu mean 24 of New Zealand's 57 iwi have received their assets, equivalent to 49 percent of total fishing assets.
The mainly fishing quota and shares in fishing companies were given to Te Ohu Kaimoana under a series of treaty settlements with the Crown.
They are intended to be passed on to tribes who meet standards of governance and management set down by legislation (Radio NZ, 5 August 2006).
 Econet Wireless New Zealand (Econet), an African-Maori joint venture which is seeking to develop a third mobile phone service in NZ, claims that Vodafone's monopoly of 900MHz spectrum is a serious obstacle to investment. GSM mobile phone services consider the 900MHz spectrum particularly valuable because its signals can cover a wider area than signals in the higher frequency spectrum, so there is less need for towers in rural areas. "Last month Communications Minister David Cunliffe released a discussion paper on renewal of spectrum rights in the 800-900MHz bands, the main frequency bands for mobile phone services in New Zealand". Rights will be offered to existing holders "subject to a case-by-case review". Submissions on the paper close on August 25 (Sunday Star Times, 6 Aug).
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 National Radio: The Sunday Feature: Ratana Re-visited - The final of a two-part documentary reveals one of the most colourful periods of New Zealand history. While thousands remain loyal to this pan-tribal organisation today, few know the true depth of Ratana's contribution to our political and spiritual landscape. This programme will be broadcast on Sunday 13th at 4.06pm. You can hear it by tuning in to your radio (FM 101), on SKY Digital (Ch 101) or online by clicking here (this is a live audio stream so to catch the programme be sure to tune in at the time detailed above).
 The Waikato Times (5 August 2006) reports that the Rotorua District Council's new bylaw to ban repeat offenders from its central business district will result in police targeting Maori. City councillors voted 12-1 this week to ban criminals with five or more convictions for dishonesty from the central business district. Mayor Kevin Winters said surveillance cameras would be staffed by citizen volunteers, who knew who to look for and could pin-point offenders as soon as they entered the CBD area.
Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick and Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell do not support the ban. Ms Chadwick says "I am not convinced it is a member's bill I would want to put my name to." Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell said that if the plan went ahead it would lead to "ethnic profiling" with Maori the obvious targets. Click here to read why a top civil rights lawyer says this new bylaw is "fundamentally flawed". Click here to read and to share your thoughts on this topic in our Online Forum.
The Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Judith Tizard announced recently the appointment of one new member and the reappointment of an existing member to the Maori Heritage Council of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
 The new member, Rima Edwards of Kaitaia, has chaired Te Runanga o Muriwhenua for 18 years, and has been a member of the Tai Tokerau Maori Trust Board since 2001. He was a Kaitaia Borough Councillor for six years and has held numerous offices in Maori and other community organisations. Rima is a cultural and accountancy consultant in the Far North.
Waaka Vercoe of Whakatane, who is being reappointed for a further term, is a kaumatua with skills in local government. His participation in site protection activities under the Resource Management Act 1991 for Environment Bay of Plenty and his work as Maori Policy Advisor on that body for over a decade has brought considerable knowledge and experience to the Council. He is also on the Runanga o Ngati Awa Board. Both have been appointed for three-year terms from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2009.
The Maori Heritage Council, established under the 1993 Historic Places Act, ensures that in the protection of wahi tapu, wahi tapu areas, historic places and historic areas of Maori interest, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) meets the needs of Maori. The Council assists iwi to develop programmes for identification and conservation of these areas (Press Release: New Zealand Government).
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RANGIKAINGA would like to congratulate Lorraine Kerr ( Ngati Awa,
Tuwharetoa) for being the first ever Maori woman president appointed to the New Zealand School Trustees Association,
Te Whakaroputanga Kaitiaki Kura O Aotearoa. Ms Kerr has been a school trustee since 1989 and has been a
strong
advocate of Maori parents and whanau getting involved as school trustees so that their children can be better represented in education.
Ms Kerr, who will take over as president in October, said she would push for more Maori involvement in schools
and work to provide better training for new school trustees.
Click here to read a 2001 article about Ms Kerr in Kokiri Paetae (p.8). Click here to read NZSTA's press release.
 On 3 August, Hawea Vercoe, Tumuaki (Principal) at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rotoiti met with the LTNZ Cultural Manager, Mr Roger Maxwell to discuss LTNZ concerns over their use of the word Kura in place of School on their school's buses.
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rotoiti has been embroiled in an ongoing debate with
LTNZ over the use of the word "kura" on their buses. LTNZ regulations (Amendment Aug 2005) states that the word school must be displayed on the front and back of buses that are transporting children to and from school.
 Because the medium of instruction at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rotoiti is Te Reo Maori, Tumuaki Hawea Vercoe didn't think twice about what language would be displayed on the front and back of their new buses. Mr Vercoe consulted the LTNZ regulations and noted that the word school must be displayed, so as "kura" is the Maori word for school, and as their kura is a
total immersion Maori school, Mr Vercoe felt it was appropriate for them to
use "kura" in place of school.
Mr Maxwell outlined LTNZ's position on this issue that is "as long as Te Kura Kaupapa o Te Rotoiti displayed the international pictorial signage on the bus they could also use the Maori word "kura" as well", there are some minor issues, such as the actual pictorial to be used, the dimensions of the pictorial, and the placement on the bus, that need further clarification. Mr Vercoe says that 'Yesterday's meeting was an example of what can happen if you are true to your beliefs and are able to provide 'the powers that be" with a well grounded solution to concerns that they have over your adherence to any particular 'regulation'.
 "Our kura is all about educating people in Te Reo Maori, by using Maori in the classroom, around the school, encouraging parents to korero at home too. We encourage our tamariki (children) to "korero Maori I nga wahi katoa" (speak Maori everywhere) and now we are also legally able to use our reo on our bus - "Tauke" (Awesome).
"Our community is very proud of our "KURA" and I am pleased that LTNZ has respected that, however there is still a lot of work to be done in order for Te Reo Maori to be given the recognition that it deserves as an official language of this country" Mr Vercoe concludes.
If you want a t-shirt or just to show your support - Contact: Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rotoiti, ph 07 362-7718, Fax 07 362-7741 txt 027 253-7204 or email. Kura Shirts can also be bought on TradeMe, click here to view available listings.
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 Full RESPECT to Dziah, who recently returned to Aotearoa after winning silver at the World Hip Hop Championships in Los Angeles (they were ranked 8th in the world in 2005). The crew isn't new to it all - they've won the annual Toa Toa Urban Dance Champs for the past two years and also the recent Mai FM Missy Elliot Competition where the winners perform at her concert.
 The group of 8 boys from Otara and Mangare raised the $45,000 needed to attend and were one of four NZ groups competing. The groups were each given two minutes to perform and spent months perfecting their piece. Dziah's choreographer, Billy Paea, said one of the group's dreams was to start their own dance company in Mangere, after this
phenomenal
win, this dream will soon become a reality! If you want to find out more about their current studio please feel free to contact them ph: 09 274 7966, or visit Unit 8/28 Lovegrove Cres, Otara.
Click here to check out a streaming video highlighting Dziah's background and goals. Click here to view TVNZ video of Dziah being welcomed home.
 The Youth in Local Government Conference will be held
25-26 September 2006 in
New Plymouth. The conference theme for 2006 is 'Purutia te Kiwai Kete o nga Rangatahi', which is about taking up the challenge! Kiwai in its simplest term refers to the ‘handle' of a kete. In this sense, the kete itself needs to be embraced, one handle by Local Government the other by young people. It also symbolises the balance that is needed to encourage ‘inclusion', ‘understanding' and ‘leadership' with and for young people. Balance is necessary to move together into the future. Equally important is that we nurture and hold on to the contents of the kete… as there is no use having an empty kete. Click here for more information and here for registration details. Late registrations begin 20 August.
 Recently in Hamilton, budding young business people from Melville High School, Hillcrest High School, Fraser High School, Fairfield College, Te Kura o Te Kaokaoroa o Paatetere and Cambridge High School presented the findings of their projects, which examined the workings of six successful Maori businesses, at the inaugural Rangatahi Business Competition. The teams were taught, mentored and coached by Waikato Management School lecturers, mentors and senior Maori students.
"Organised by Hamilton City Council, the competition is one of 12 projects nationwide being supported by the Ministry of Youth Development through the Youth Development Partnership Fund.
The competition consisted of 4 steps with the purpose of
encouraging "Maori secondary school students to aspire to the heights of excellence in their endeavours, as well as encouraging higher educational goals with a particular focus on education in business and entrepreneurial skills." The businesses to open their doors to the students included, Tohu Wines, Huia Publishing, and Kia Kaha Clothing, Law firm Rainey Collins, online media company SOL Media, and restaurant Kai in the City."
 "The quality of the work put into this project by the various schools and the support from all the businesses involved was fantastic," said Youth Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta, one of the judges for the competition, with Hillcrest High School winning the competition the top prize.
 Students from the school received $2,500 prize money for their work, which involved pairing up with Tohu Wines.
"The common thread among all the businesses studied was that they each positively reflected culture in their operations, which was a key driver of success - particularly for those operating in international markets," Nanaia Mahuta said.
Click here to read an overview of the Competition Night.
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 A carbon-fibre ZRE outrigger paddle is up for auction on Trade Me. The proceeds will go towards the Heart 2 Heart Foundation, a foundation helping children (and their parents) who have congenital heart disorders. Wakaama.co.nz has featured a short piece on this story, click here to view it. The auction ends 10 August at 9pm.
 The Whale Island Ocean Challenge will be held in Whakatane on 2 Sep 2006 (29km). It's an ocean race for ocean crews
and is open to all senior paddlers (19 years and older). Organised by the Tuatara Waka Ama Club in association with:
For more information contact, Howard Hyland, tuatarawakaama@xtra.co.nz, ph: 07 308 8490,
027 213 0986.
 Mangere-Otahuhu Netball Centre 2006 prizegiving will be held on Saturday 18 August at David Lange Park in Mangere. The Mangere-Otahuhu Netball Centre invites the community to its netball prizegiving day at 9.00am. Market stalls, BBQs, giveaways and lots more will be on offer. Te Wananga o Aotearoa will be taking enrollments and registration for 2007 Netball Season will commence. The senior mixed grand finals will be at 12.30 pm and a mini tournament will start at 9.00am. Register your teams now! For more information contact:
Thomas Henry, goodaytom@yahoo.com, ph: 09 270 3546.
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