The Climate of Change. We've all noticed it – from the late winter storms to the dry summer months, the weather has been…. different. 

A couple years back, I sat with some childhood friends and we started talking about how things had changed over the 25 years since we used to hang out down by the creeks in Fordblock, Rotorua.  We talked about the change in food (pre-McDonalds, when Fish-and-Chip Fridays ruled), the change in fashion (although I have seen 80s clothes making a come-back), the change in attitude and respect (where has it gone?), the changes within the environment (oh, for clean waters) but mostly, we talked about how weird the weather was.  One of the bros said that his nanny noticed it because her garden picked up the changes, while another said he noticed it when he went for a walk around the Block and got sunburnt, even though the sun was behind clouds – it was because the ozone hole was getting bigger, he said.  We all shrugged our shoulders and thought there wasn't much more that could be done to change things back.

My Koro Ginger (Te Rangianiwaniwa Rakuraku) would often read the movement of the clouds and say "it's going to rain soon" even though we could see no clouds in the sky; early in the morning, he would feel the wind with his nose and say "the sun's about to rise" even though we were standing in complete darkness; there were even times when he would watch the birds and say "today will be good" basing his judgment on the calls the birds would make.  I trusted his weather forecasting skills more than those given on TV, because he lived outdoors and had an affinity with the elements.  Just before he passed away, he said that he had noticed for some time that things were changing – with the people, with the land, but mostly with the weather. "We're all linked…" he told me, " …but not everyone realises it".

So it has been with great interest I hear and appreciate the growing calls of concern about the state of our climate – for some, the doco-movie "An Inconvenient Truth" (out on DVD November 21) by former US Vice President Al Gore is a major catalyst.  "This is not a political issue, this is a moral issue -- it affects the survival of human civilization," he stated.  "Put simply, it is wrong to destroy the habitability of our planet and ruin the prospects of every generation that follows ours."  For Gore, the planet is too hot, our reliance on oil is unsustainable and we are all in dire straits.  While we here at RANGIKAINGA are still yet to see "An Inconvenient Truth", it is easy to agree that if nothing is done now, we will all be in (bigger) trouble very soon.

The United Nations introduced the Kyoto Protocol Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1997 – this attempted to assign mandatory targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to all signatory nations (Aotearoa-New Zealand is one of over 150 countries to ratify the Protocol; the US and Australia, to date, have not, while others have been granted exemptions).   It was fascinating to see how countries wriggled, wrangled and arm-wrestled over the pros and cons of the Kyoto Protocol, especially here in Aotearoa. It was interesting in how we here in Aotearoa treated the global opportunity to "heal the World" and I was totally amazed to be at a whanau hui in Waimana, when one of the cousins asked about how Sink Credits and Carbon Credits would affect Tuhoe. Chyuup to that, I thought.

Now we know the climate has been changing since the beginning of time, well, at least in the Maori World. When Te Kore prevailed, there were no elements, merely their potential. When Te Po ascended, all was deep and dark and moving, and then when Te Ao Marama emerged, the brilliance of being broke forth, absorbing some of the essence of the previous two and formulating a new beginning. The children of Ranginui the Sky Father and Papatuanuku the Earth Mother continued movement by upholding an ancient struggle between right and might. Navigation was possible through the listening to and the reading of nature, and our tupuna were told that things were changing, even back then. Some of the Fleets would return from deep ocean travels noticing subtle changes in the weather patterns – these were interpreted as omens then, as they are now.

So what can we do about it? Well, I'm not sure, to be quite honest.

So-called experts continue to debate, discuss and deny whether there is any evidence to prove that climate change will lead to humanity's ultimate demise. So while politicians and scientists argue the merits of various environmental policies all I know is that something is definitely up and we need to start doing something about it. I hear about alternatives like cooling the planet, burning less carbon (in NZ dioxide emissions in 2003 were 37 percent higher than they were in 1990), using more solar and wind power (but no to nukes!!!), more reforestation projects (especially native forests), greater home and office insulation efficiency, greater use of bio-fuels and a re-think on all means of transportation, consumerism, fuel, industry, life – hear, hear I say. Just please, let us know how we can help. I read this quote from Greenpeace on climate change which made me think a little bit harder today...

"Climate change is changing our world. Within the lifetimes of children being born today, it may challenge our survival as a species."

Let's get onto it now whanau – while we all still can ~

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We received great interest in the sound recordings that were provided in Issue 16, and felt that it would be helpful to include several more. One interesting programme produced by the Overseas Programme Exchange Service and narrated by Selwyn Muru presents scholarly views of the Treaty of Waitangi (30mins).

These interviews were prompted by statements made in 1968 by Mr W. B. Kawiti, chief of Ngati Hine and a direct descendant of Kawiti; one of the signatories of the Treaty. W. B. Kawiti argued that the haste with which the Maori Affairs Amendment Bill had been enacted made a mockery of the Treaty. He pleaded with his tribe and all Maori people to boycott the celebrations.

In response, interviews were recorded from speakers such as: Reverend Kingi Ihaka, Dr. Doug Sinclair: Medical Practitioner, Hamilton and President of University Maori Graduates Association, Graham Butterworth, Historian, expert on Maori politics and editor of the Kaunihera Maori magazine and Koro Kapunga Dewes: lecturer in Maori language in the Anthropology Department at Victoria University of Wellington.

Another recording that you may find of interest is a two-part programme from 1984, when Tangata Whenua were marching for the second time in a decade. The Waitangi Day protest walkers began their kotahitanga hikoi from Turangawaewae Marae en route to Waitangi. In the first part of the programme (27mins) narrated by Haare Williams, speakers include Sir James Henare, Tuaiwa (Eva) Rickard, Judge Eddie Durie, Henare Tuwhangai, Ratima Rolleston, Pateriki te Rei, Hohua Tutengaehe, Matiu te Hau, Tupi Puriri and Tony Simpson. Haare Williams reads the poem 'Hikoi'.

In the second part of the programme (27mins) Haare Williams asks interviewees about what the hikoi means and what they expect it will achieve. Speakers include Taina Waipouri, Mere te Amo Lucas, Maanu Paul, Father Michael Shirres, Peter Ransland from Toronto, Tuaiwa Rickard and David Williams. The song 'I Believe' is sung by Tuaiwa Rickard and Pumipi Taituha.

There are two other recordings regarding the Principles of the Treaty that may be of interest, they can be found by clicking here.

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A final reminder that the second National Maori Business Expo will be held in Otaki from 10-12th November. Its aim is to increase innovation and excellence by giving Maori businesses an opportunity to display their products and services. It will also be a chance to network with other entrepreneurs.

Daphne Luke, from Te Arahanga o Nga Iwi, who are organising the Expo says that exhibitors such as Aotearoa House, an on-line retail firm in Auckland, Manaaki Solutions from Paihia specialising in indigenous leadership and project management, as well as UML human resource consultants in Wellington and Levin showcase the range of Maori enterprises which contribute to the growth of the national economy. Innovative products at the Expo include KaniKani Kids of Otaki, who weave contemporary materials with traditional techniques to create dancewear, and TaaKawa indigenous ale.

The keynote speaker at the Expo dinner is Ngahiwi Tomoana, Chair of Ngati Kahungunu Inc, who oversees the iwi's extensive operations in fishing, aquaculture and the construction industry. Other speakers include Dover Samuels M.P. and Professor Whatarangi Winiata of Te Wananga o Raukawa.

Te Arahanga o Nga Iwi has planned a varied programme of events including Mentoring Moments, where aspiring business owners can discuss their plans with professional advisers on-site, a dynamic fashion show, carving, kapahaka and weaving demonstrations, as well as activities for the children.

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Maori innovation and business success features heavily in this issue, for this reason we have featured the following key links which highlight the dynamic creativity which typifies our community. TPK features a useful site which provides case studies of 30 Maori organisations who shared their knowledge and experience of governance in three reports (also available on the website) jointly published by Te Puni Kokiri and the Federation of Maori authorities.

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TangataWhenua.com is pleased to announce that RANGIKAINGA has received an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) by the National Library of New Zealand - Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa - you can now find us by searching the National Library of New Zealand Catalogue.