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"First they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up, because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me. " - Pastor Martin Niemoller
 When Dissent
becomes Terrorism
In a series of early morning raids, the New Zealand Police forced entry into the homes of social activists, students, environmentalists, Maori sovereignty activists and trade unionists throughout Aotearoa, confiscating computers and files and arresting 17 people, amongst them Maori leader and Tuhoe freedom activist Tame Wairere Iti, under various firearms and weapons charges. The justification? A pre-emptive strike on suspected terrorists.
Terrorists.
 The word itself sends apocolyptic shivers up my spine. We were told by the media and alerted by stunned whanau that 300 Police were making simultaneous raids in Auckland, in Hamilton, in Whakatane, in Wellington, in Ruatoki, in Palmerston North, everywhere - all in the name of catching terrorists. The Police and the media started talking publicly about automatic weapons, napalm and molotov cocktails, secret training camps in the Urewera National Park, conspiracies to harm the public through mass terror. It seemed unbelievable. Terrorists were everywhere. 17 people had been arrested, hundreds more raided and the public were told to await the trial, where evidence would be presented to prove beyond doubt that we had terrorists in our midst.
Almost two weeks after those initial raids, we have since been told that at least 14 of the 17 people arrested may face criminal charges under the Suppression of Terrorism Act 2002 - STA (only yesterday we heard that 5 of those charged will not face STA charges, the remaining cases are still in the hands of the Solicitor-General). This Act is a series of State-sanctioned directives, used against particular individuals or groups suspected of supporting violent anti-Government forces - it comes largely from the American, British and Australian experiences post-911. Most of those detained remain in custody (at the time of writing, three people had been granted bail yet name suppression on the majority remained) and the country itself seems to be ripping in half.
Again - Terrorists.
 On the one side are whanau who agree that action was necessary to avoid future public harm by a small group of trouble-makers; on the other side, we have whanau fearful of further state intrusion, with the harsh judgement of "guilty first, innocent later". To personalise this again, on the one side is Winston Peters and on the other, Dr Pita Sharples. Winston is saying that if the evidence is conclusive, job well done; if not, at least we know - Matua Pita is saying that the raids themselves are unjustifiable and that they are a direct attack on human rights everywhere.
My personal opinion is linked to the opening whakatauki. During my short life time, I have heard about people being bugged by the State because of their political views. I thought they were just being paranoid. Seems like I was wrong. Also was told by my koroua and kuia that it had happened to our Tuhoe people many times before in the past because the Government wanted our Urewera lands and that it would happen again in the present. Seems they were right. As a young activist, I was alarmed that groups and friends I supported and knew were being targeted. Our Maori community was already under-fire for the violence inflicted on Maori children; now the sound of seige had just gotten louder.
 While some await the trial of the Urewera 17, others have taken to the streets in protest of the raids and to challenge the justification of the legislation. Tigi Ness, father of Che Fu, took his whanau and music to Ruatoki to play and to start the healing process after such the traumatic experiences faced by them. Tuhoe joined with whanau, hapu and iwi throughout the motu to march, and activists throughout the World linked together to challenge the workings of the Act and the actions of the Police. Solidarity protests have taken place around the world including Australia, Germany, Greece and Canada. In Montreal around 25 people gathered outside the UN Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on Monday the 22nd of October at lunchtime to denounce the current wave of state terror by the New Zealand Government against Maori sovereignty, peace and environmental justice activists. There have been hikoi in Wellington, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Whakatane and Auckland. The internet is alive with action, meetings are being held to discuss the implications of the raids and a Constitution of the People and for the People is again being discussed.
 The letter sent from Tame Iti to the motu from his Waikeria prison cell is both heart-rendering and soul-stirring (click here for a translation.
Dr Paul Buchanan, former CIA consultant and Terrorist specialist, pointed out in an interview given to the NZ Herald, that the Terrorist Suppression Act 2002 was focused on external threats and those who would support it; however we are now seeing it as a "rediretion of the thrust of the act towards domestic terrorist acts" - but this act was NEVER designed to deal with domestic terriorism. It had been argued during the reading of this bill that it would not infringe upon public activism, which most certainly is being done now.
Ironically, New Zealand has recently announced its candidacy for the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, for the period 2009-2012. Just don't anyone mention the International Declaration of Indigenous Rights or these raids.
 So what's going on? We'll have to meet back here to find out. My guess is the legal case is slippery, the media circus frenzied and the truth never revealed. As an activist, I am scared for the future as dissent can now be labelled terrorist activity. As a Maori, it is again unfortunate that we collectively carry a divisive issue inside our hearts and minds, As a member of the Tuhoe whanau, when will the State stop detaining our leaders who seek the return the Urewera back to the people from whom it was stolen, and as a New Zealander, I feel ashamed that our country again fails to live up to the ideals and standards it preaches.
All in the name of Terrorism.
Links of interest:
Thank you for the amazing feedback to the Feature 'Did you Vote?' on the recent Local Government Elections in Issue 15. One person wrote and said simply "ae", while another said they didn't as no candidate made the effort to meet with them personally, instead promoting themselves by billboard and by flyer. Low turnout was attributed to apathy, non-relevance of the council and a lack of information around the issues - "more about the personalities than the policies" in one constituency. We were very fortunate to be informed about Pauline Allen, a Registered Nurse who was elected Whangarei DHB Board Member (we hope to have an interview with Pauline soon) and would like to congratulate whanau across the country for making the choice, for taking the stand but who were not successful this time around. I still think we should meet together to share experiences and work toward the next elections but more on this later...
Also many thanks to you those of you who wrote in response to the reader who stated our panui was too entrenched in "aggrievence mode". We will publish some of those responses in future issues and continue to ask for your comments.
 Google Maori Update: Native Affairs has picked up on this project and included it a piece about Maori and Digital Innovations, you can check out the story by clicking here.
We have an upcoming article in Mana Magazine about this project (in the Xmas issue) and will be featured on the LAST EVER show of Mai Time, so keep a look out! Whanau, we are still desperate for assistance with the translations and would appreciate any help you can give. If you can help, click here and email us, we can't do this without you. (Note: we hoped to be completed by Parihaka Day/Nov 5 but alas, no - with 1200 words & phrases to verify, we hope to be done before Xmas - promise) 
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| Congratulations to Sir Howard Morrison, his dedicated team and all those local and national health provders who came together in Rotorua to support Sir Howard Morrison's Fight for the Future. It was a spectacular success, with over 600 people attending the 2-day health expo and it was impressive to see so many people learning more about their own health. The event was held in conjunction with Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Lakes District Health Board, NZ Blood and Korowai Aroha and has evey possibility of evolving into a national programme of community wellness and health information. We'll keep you posted but for now, thanks to Sir Howard Morrison for starting a much needed initiative.
The NGA MAIA AGM will be held 23-25 Novermber at Houmaitawhiti Marae in Okere Falls. The kaupapa of this AGM is "Ruia taitea kia tu ko taikaka anake". The powhiri will take place on the 23rd and will begin at 10am. Registrations and Panui will be available soon. Contact ngamaia_admin@xtra.co.nz for more info or phone 09 376 0309 or fax 09 376 0301.
 Meihana Durie and Jackson Green are the inaugural recipients of Massey's Peter Snell Doctoral Scholarships in Public Health and Exercise Science. The scholarships support research aimed at keeping New Zealanders healthy and provide payment of doctoral fees and an annual stipend of $25,000.
Mr Durie (Ngati Kauwhata, Rangitane, Ngati Porou, Rongo Whakaata and Ngai Tahu) is Co-Director of Maori Language Studies and Health and Fitness programme manager at Te Wananga o Raukawa in Otaki. He is the son of Massey Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Maori) Professor Mason Durie and Professor Arohia Durie, who heads the School of Maori and Multicultural Education Professor. He has a Diploma of Teaching and Bachelor of Education from Massey and a Master in Te Reo Maori from Te Wananga. His doctorate research explores the relationship between Maori wellbeing, activities that increase physical fitness and the role of kawa (conventions, protocols).
Mr Green, who has a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science with first-class honours from Massey and currently teaches sport and exercise science at the Palmerston North campus, will research the relative importance of body composition and physical activity in the development of insulin resistance for his doctorate.
The scholars are based at the University's Research Centre for Maori Health and Development at both the Wellington and Palmerston North campuses, supervised by centre director Professor Chris Cunningham, Associate Professor Snell and Dr Steve Stannard of the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health.
The Push Play Walking Challenge is starting 2 November 2007 at Red Square in Tauranga. This annual walking event will have people visiting some of the great sites in our central business area. Ten checkpoints will be set up in the area and participants need to visit at least 6 to go in the prize draw. Before beginning, you need to have a Push Play Day Passport (free of charge) that gets “stamped” at every checkpoint visited. Checkpoints open at 11.30 am and people can start their walk anywhere, but must hand their passport in at Red Square by 1pm in time for the prize draw. Contact Penny
07 578 0016 ext 829.
 A partnership between Manawatu Primary Health Organisation (MPHO) and Best Care (Whakapai Hauora) Charitable Trust is delivering more services to more patients and in a more culturally responsive manner.
Recenlty, the success of the partnership was recognised, with MPHO and Whakapai Hauora winning the Business Partnership Award at the 2007 MidCentral Primary Health Awards 2007. The Award recognises businesses demonstrating how they collaborate or integrate with other health service providers to achieve improved health outcomes for their clients. It was judged by DHB board members, community and funding division representatives and presented at a function attended by about 400 people at the Palmerston North Convention Centre.
Whakapai Hauora was also successful in winning the Excellence in Maori Health Services Award and MPHO Provider, Aorangi Health Centre in Feilding, won the General Practice Team of the Year Award.
MPHO was formed in January 2005 and provides primary health care services directly and through contracted providers. It has 25 contracted general practice providers and delivers a range of free services, including diabetes and chronic care.
Whakapai Hauora commenced service delivery in 1993 and is the health, social service and educational provider arm of Tanenuiarangi Manawatu Inc, the Mandated Iwi Authority for Rangitaane O Manawatu. It operates a general practice and also provides a range of Iwi services including Whanau Ora Health Services, social services, cancer co-ordination and nursing placement.
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| There will be a series of Street Parties being held in Otahuhu for those neighbours wanting to get to know one another and find out what support services are available in the area. If you would like to be a part on this event hosted by Thomas Henry and Auckland City contact Thomas Henry 270 4966 or 021 128 7985,
or email otahuhumaoriwardens@yahoo.co.nz.
We've received emails of exchange and encouragement from our brothers and sisters of the Mohawk Nation. If you want to learn more, please check out their website
MNN Mohawk Nation News www.mohawknationnews.com.
 A final reminder - Nau mai, haere mai ki te ao puoro Maori, ara te ara puoro e whakanui nei tatau i te reo, nga waiata me o tatau manu tioriori Maori. Tihei mauri ora!
Come and see nine world-class Maori performances in one spectacular show at the Wellington Town Hall on Friday evening 2 November 2007. PAO PAO PAO is a fantastic opportunity to experience the rich and vibrant World of Maori Music or Te Ara Puoro. This bilingual showstopper includes kapa haka, jazz, taonga puoro, hip hop, pop and stunning vocals.
The line-up for PAO PAO PAO 2007 is Moana & the Tribe, Whirimako Black, Toni Huata, 4 Corners, Zero T, Ngatai Huata, Te Aratoi - Riki and Rewi, Pacific Curls and the awesome Torotoro dancers. Many of these performers are now touring extensively overseas so it's a rare chance to see some of these groups like Moana and the Tribe and Pacific Curls perform in Aotearoa as well as celebrating a top line-up of diverse Maori musicians.For more information on the artists go to www.maoriart.org.nz
PAO PAO PAO is a smoke-free and whanau-friendly event with limited seats available. You don't want to miss out on this awesome experience.
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketek at www.ticketek.co.nz . Tickets cost $30.00 per adult, $15 per student with ID, children (3-12 years old) and kaumatua. (Transaction fees apply). Group discounts are also available through Wellington and Otaki schools, marae and some learning institutions.
Na reira, e te iwi, nau mai, haere mai!
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 Another TradeMe aution of note - Mount Manganui man who whakapapas to the Mataatua waka, is selling the domain names www.tinorangatiratanga.com and www.tinorangatiratanga.co.nz each for $50,000 Buy Now, the starting bid is for $30,000. The auction runs until Saturday 3rd November. Reaction to the auction has been mixed.
According to the seller, his intention has never to sell the domain for $50,000 but rather is using the auction to promote the sale and hopes that the
auction is won by a collective group, an iwi or those involved in the TR movement. The seller is not adverse to keeping ownership of the sites if they are not sold and
feels that his role is "in securing the domains safe from the wrong hands", though one respondent reminded the seller that
by keeping the domain and not selling it for profit his goal to keep the domain safe would be achieved.
The fight and sale for domains is not new in 2004 when the domain www.MaoriParty.co.nz was registered by Stuart Parker who offered it to the Maori Party for an incredibly high price and instead began redirecting it to sites like the US KKK website, the site is now registered by a Wine Company in Essex, England. The www.MaoriParty.org.nz site was registered by Michael Redman, who still maintains ownership of the site, which incidently is currently for sale. The Maori Party in the end registered the name www.MaoriParty.com and the site receives millions of hits each year.
Nikolasa's comment on the TradeMe auction was to say "This is just a suggestion whanau, for future reference, you can register ANY domain name for $8.15 (.com, .org, .net, .biz, etc.) from Aplus.net (.co.nz are more expensive with the cheapest being $24.50 by 1stdomains.co.nz). I'm sure there are other companies that offer similiar rates. I'd like to see more marae, hapu and iwi begin registering names so that we can be assured these taonga kupu are protected and not simply sold to the highest bidder."
We've heard that BNZ will be making Te Reo Maori one of it's eight options available at their 420 ATM machines by the end of the month. Also available are English, Maori, Japanese, German, Korean, French, or one of two versions of Chinese simplified or traditional. The option will be available to all users of the ATMs not only BNZ customers and once a language has been choosen all preceeding transations will automatically use the selected language.
FoMA AGM & Conference will be held 9 November 2007 at Kingsgate Hotel in Hamilton and registrations are now closed. The FoMA Annual General Meeting and Conference is a highlight on the calendar of members and the wider FoMA network of private and governmental interests alike. Whakawhanaungatanga as well as heavy-duty discussion and strategy are the order of the day. The
Conference Programme is now available and can be viewed here. For more info contact FOMA info@foma.co.nz 04 474 1480.
 We were pleased to hear that investment banker Brett
Hiirini
Shepherd who was born in Kirikiriroa/Hamiton has been named Outstanding Maori Business Leader of the Year by Auckland University's Business School. Mr Shepherd of Ngati Maru and Ngati Tamatera descent has been Deutsche Bank New Zealand chief executive since 2002 and has acted as business adviser to iwi and Maori organisations. He was presented with the award at a ceremony at Auckland University.
Brett has been involved in the Investment Banking Industry for nearly two decades. During this time, he has advised on over $15 billion of transactions including major multinational, New Zealand and Australian corporates on domestic and cross border mergers and acquisitions, IPO's, equity and debt capital raising. He is a board member of the NZ Council for Infrastructure Development, and the NZ Institute, which are both non-profit organisations that focus on developing solutions to issues that have a major impact on New Zealand's economic and social future and can contribute to improved prosperity and social outcomes for all New Zealanders. Brett is also an advisor to Black Grace, New Zealand's leading contemporary dance company.
Mr Shepherd, 45, said he was humbled by the award and credited his business success to having a hunger for knowledge and taking a whanau approach to work. "In my position, you have to have empathy for other people and personal integrity," he said. "A key driver for me in accepting the award is continuing to be a role model for Maori and other people in business."
Mr Shepherd attended Church College and completed a Bachelor of Management with honours at Waikato University.
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| Moana Jackson has kindly put together a primer on the allegations of terrorism made during the week 15-19 October 2007. The following is an abstract of the document which is a "must read":
The events that have unfolded since the recent “anti-terrorist” Operation Eight in Tuhoe and elsewhere have left many whänau and communities confused, hurt and traumatised. Politicians have urged people to withhold comment or criticism until the judicial process has been played out but the flaws in the process to date plus the very real hurt that has been caused, particularly in the Mäori community, calls for some clarification.
Indeed the fact that the Crown and other agencies such as the Police Association have continually made self-serving and often inaccurate comment has increased the confusion and made the need for clarity even more pressing. This Primer therefore attempts to address the concerns of many people, Mäori and Päkehä, and to clarify some of the major issues involved. It accepts the need to be vigilant against the prospect of genuine harm to the community but questions the veracity and motives for labelling Mäori and other activists with the fear-laden term “terrorist”.
Click here to view the full text.
 Tapu Te Ranga Marae, in association with Peace Movement Aotearoa and several independent environmental activists, invites all those concerned about the recent 'terror' raids to a hui on human rights in Aotearoa at Tapu Te Ranga Marae, Island Bay, Wellington on the weekend of 3 and 4 November 2007.
A hui to identify common concerns and to develop positive relationships and strategies for dealing with the issues arising from recent events (the programme is available online). "As people living in Aotearoa New Zealand it is our responsibility to resist the injustices done by our government, in our names" [from the Not in Our Name Pledge of Resistance].
Childcare provided, bring sleeping bag and blanket, koha appreciated (overnight stay and food is usually about $25 each). Please advise us of any special dietary requirements.
To help us prepare, if you are planning on coming to the hui, please RSVP by 1 Nov to Caroline Ward, email carolineclaire@free.net.nz or tel 04 976 7080, 0274 857 122.
The Conference on People's Sovereignty on Natural Resources which was held recently in Bangkok, Thailand have made their voices heard in response to the recent terror-raids on Maori activists, environmentalists and peace activists here in Aotearoa. The conference which included social justice activists from over 50 organizations across 15 countries in Asia and the Pacific are aware through personal experience of how governments manipulate the label ‘terrorism' to suppress national movements for social justice and self-determination.
The resolution expresses solidarity with the people of Tuhoe and other communities in Aotearoa that are being terrorized by the New Zealand state in the name of ‘anti-terrorism'. They denounce the labeling of Maori sovereignty activists as ‘terrorists', and the New Zealand government's refusal to support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as the actions of an illegitimate colonial power. They condemn the New Zealand government's use of the Terrorism Suppression law to justify blockades, searches, arrests and detention without any attempt to show due cause and go on to call for the immediate release on bail of those who have been arrested and an end to the current abuses of police powers of search, seizure, arrest and detention. Finally they resolve to campaign against the New Zealand government's candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council. |
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| 2007 National Maori and Pacific Psychologies Symposium: Claiming Spaces will be held 23-24 November at Kingsgate Hotel, Te Rapa, Hamilton/Kirikiriroa. This Symposium is about Maori and Pacific Psychologies moving from the margins and claiming legitimate space within the discipline of psychology. The symposium content reflects diversity of interactions which are occurring between Maori and Pacific worldviews and psychology. This event is open to all, hear a diverse range of presentations relevant to mental health, wellbeing, cultural concepts, interventions, and identity. Over 40 presentations run across three streams; all of which make a connection to the theme of “Claiming Spaces”.
Contact Maori and Psychology Research Unit for more info or click here to view the Official Programme.
The Language, Education and Diversity Conference 2007 will be held 21-24 November at the University of Waikato in Hamilton. This international conference focuses on the impact of increased cultural linguistic diversity, at both national and supernational levels, and its consequences for the theory, policy and practice of language education. For more info contact: led@paardekooper.co.nz.
Sixteen emerging researchers whose work draws on distinct Maori knowledge are getting the chance to make a difference for New Zealand through fellowships from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.
The students, working at universities and research organisations, are recipients of Te Tipu Putaiao Fellowships, a scheme through which the Foundation offers fellowships to Masters, PhD and Postdoctoral students of any ethnicity studying a science, technology or engineering discipline. Successful applicants are focusing on diverse research subjects ranging from protecting indigenous fish species and restoring their habitats, to developing novel applications from fungi and flax, understanding how parent-child conversations build literacy and numeracy skills and investigating Maori identity and innovation on the Internet.
Nine of the students are studying at Masters level and will be funded up to $34,500 each per year for up to two years from the Foundation. Four are completing PhDs and will each receive up to $107,500 for up to three years. A further four fellowships are for Postdoctoral studies, with the students each receiving up to $264,000 over three years. The money goes towards tuition fees, research related costs and to support the students while they are studying.
Fellowships are awarded for research that contributes to four areas – economic growth, environmental sustainability, improving social well being and exploring the interface been indigenous knowledge and science.
Maori development research is an important focus for the Foundation with more than $3 million invested each year on behalf of the New Zealand government towards developing a research pathway of skills and knowledge in areas that address distinct Maori issues and that will benefit New Zealand.
The successful applicants are:
- Hannah Rainforth, Victoria University of Wellington (Masters)
Protecting our freshwater shellfish: status and restoration options for K a kahi (freshwater mussels)
- Sam Nowland, Victoria University of Wellington (Masters)
From sea to land – the final emergence of the Wairarapa
- Sharene Borrell, University of Waikato (Masters)
Sedimentation and its effect on an estuarine habitat
- Derek Richards, University of Otago (Masters)
Environment influences on rocky reef habitat, kelp forest productivity and paua/kina populations
- Cara Hansen, Lincoln University (Masters)
Measuring the impact of cats on Kereru on Horomaka ( Banks Peninsula )
- Raymond Tana, University of Waikato (Masters)
Evaluating broad-scale migrations and site specific spawning events in torrentfish
- Ani Kainamu, University of Otago (Masters)
The future sustainability of cockle populations
- Jennifer Nickel, University of Waikato (Masters)
Revealing Moriori origins via DNA analysis of living descendents
- Margaret Forster, Massey University (PhD)
Synergies and opportunities for environmental protection (Whakaki Wetland)
- Simon (Whetu) Edwards, Massey University (PhD)
Digital Transformations: Maori identify, innovation and organisation on the Internet
- Rebekah Fuller, University of Hawaii (PhD)
Fungi and Polynesia: New Zealand and Cook Island M a ori ethnomycology
- Tia Neha, University of Otago (PhD)
Me Maumaharatanga nga Korero o nga Whanau (parent child conversations linked to numeracy and literacy skills)
- Dr Phillipa Te Paea Pehi, University of Otago (Postdoc)
Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata. Improved co-management of customary fishery reserves
- Dr Bronwyn Lowe, University of Otago (Postdoc)
Whakapapa and whitau properties of the Dunedin Botanical Garden harakeke (flax) and wharariki (coastal or mountain flax) collection
- Dr Gail Tipa, KTKO Ltd Consultancy, Dunedin (Postdoc)
Does cross-sectoral collaboration hold the key to M a ori achieving their environmental goals? Using Mahinga Kai as the vehicle for exploring opportunities
- Dr Christopher Hepburn, University of Otago (Postdoc)
Using local ecological information and matauranga in management strategies for mataitai and taiapure
Congratulations to you all and good luck with your research. Thanks also to
David McLoughlin for this panui.
 $3.6 million Vote Education Maori is becoming available in just over 3 weeks. The government is offering 40 lucky people $30,000 per annum (TAX FREE) for 3 years to become Maori medium primary school teachers.
- Are you, or do you know of someone who are competent in te reo?
- Have you/they been in paid or voluntary work for the last 6 years?
- Are you/they looking to give something back to whanau, hapu and iwi?
- It is time for a career change?
If this is you or someone you know then think seriously about the Tohu Ako Paetahi: Ma te Reo, a Bachelor of Teaching: Maori Medium. It's new and innovative and it's about making successful learning for our tamariki fun, enjoyable and totally relevant!
Applications need to be into TeachNZ before 18 November 2007, click below to download the key forms. Or visit their website and check the info out for yourself.
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|  Often we've heard that the way we discipline our children is part of our cultural traditions, but evidence would suggest that in fact it is yet another sad post-colonial legacy, a legacy that thousands of whanau seeking to change.
New Zealanders hurt their children more than any other OECD country in the world and Maori children are five times more likely to be killed than non-Maori kids. The latest victim to come to light is Jyniah Te Awa of Manurewa who died recently with a woman now being charged with the murder of the baby.
It was disturbing statistics and incidents such as these that propelled a group of concerned Maori individuals from around the country to stand together to say "enough".
Te Kahui Manaaki Tamariki Trust (te kahui means the gathering of forces) was further endorsed in Auckland yesterday. The Trust has support from more than twenty national organisations ranging from Te Putahi Paho ( the national TV Electoral college) to local whanau advocates and also the Mana Ririki Summit-who are also committed to providing a coordinated Maori effort to prevent child abuse and family violence.
More than seventy people, representing both service providers & concerned individuals, gathered yesterday at the Nga Kete Wananga marae in Otara to endorse the aims and objectives of the Trust. Their support joins other high profile individuals including Ella Henry, Donna Awatere-Huata, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, Donna Hall and Chief Justice Eddie Durie.
Ella Henry, one of yesterday's hui's Convenors read several written observations from some of those early Missionaries that had been compiled by Maori Writer and Historian, Rawiri Taonui, including the following from William Colenso written in 1814 who wrote:
'Their (Maori) love and attachment to children was very great, and that not merely to their own immediate offspring. They certainly took every physical care of them; and as they rarely chastised (for many reasons) of course, petted and spoiled them. The father, or uncle, often carried or nursed his infant on his back for hours at a time, and might often be seen quietly at work with the little one there snugly ensconced'.
Ella Henry asked the hui what had happened to change this state of affairs?
"Together with the dual evils of colonisation and urbanisation in the 1950s which has resulted in an intergenerational cycle of poverty, alcohol & drug use, hopelessness and frustration, these are all contributing factors. We say this not to excuse the actions of child-abusers but more as an analysis of what has happened to te iwi Maori over the last 150 years" she said.
"The Trust in the first instance will get behind Hone Kaa's Summit on child abuse, Te Mana Ririki, which will be held towards the end of November. Te Kahui will need to consolidate its foundations and work on raising the funds needed for a secretariat to service the all important information collation and the communications arm of the new Trust" he said.
The official launch of Te Kahui Manaaki Tamariki and the fund-raising schedule will be annouced before the end of the year.
"Working Together", a National Conference on Offending by Young People will be held 26-28 November at the Wellington Town Hall. This is a practical conference on responses to offending by young people and is sponsored by the Ministries of Justice, Social Development, Education, Health and the NZ Police. In addition to being a great networking opportunity, this conference is designed to support and strengthen NGO services and partnerships with government; raise awareness of developments in research, policy, legislation and services, and their implications for practitioners and provide an opportunity for discussion around major issues facing the youth justice sector.
 Great to see that our rangatahi continue to represent at international levels, Xbox 360 NZ Ambassadors (made up of the some of the Dziah crew and the famous Aitken triplets, have taken out the World Hip Hop title the World finals held in Belgrade, Serbia on Saturday 20th October. Denmark took the silver and South Africa took bronze. The team won with four vs one, number one judge rankings.
The crew is made up of the Aitken triplets, Joanna, Danica and Kelly Aitken and 3 Dziah members, Ma'alona Mafaufau, Jan Book and Allister Salaivao who qualified to represent NZ in the event over 6 months ago at the National Championships in NZ. The Aitken triplets have competed previously in Aerobics, holding over 10 national titles and World Silver and Bronze medals. The Dziah boys have also competed in previous World hip hop events in LA, taking out the silver in 2005.
The sisters became interested in hip hop in 2005 after they saw an international event held in LA straight after the aerobics world championships. They have always loved dancing and see it as a way to create positive change.  Also great to see the Aitken triplets excell in other areas,
each having all previously received double university degrees, Danica with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce, Kelly with a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science and Joanna with 2 degrees in Architecture.
Danica works as the New Zealand Marketing Manager for Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices, Jo as an Architect for Jasmax Architecture and Kelly runs her own training academy, Achieve Academy of Sport and Fitness, which specialises in elite sport training and corporate training programs. Inspired by the huge popularity of hip hop dance, Kelly's company has just expanded into the hip hop domain through Achieve Hip Hop, an up and coming hip hop dance school based in Central Auckland. |
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| We'll be bringing you the results of the Te Arawa and Maori Sports Awards next issue...
And we could really use more sports panui whanau - upcoming events, scores, tips, players of mention, teams on the rise, coaches of excellence. If you have Maori sports news to share, we'd love to hear from you.
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