In 2001 hundreds of glass plate negatives and vintage prints created by William Henry Thomas Partington were discovered and put up for auction. Through the generosity of local iwi and Community Trusts, the Whanganui Regional Museum was able to purchase the collection.

It is with great excitement that on Friday 7 December 2007 Whanganui Regional Museum will open Te Pihi Mata - The Sacred Eye, an exhibition of Partington's images.  This collection has a strong focus on the Whanganui region.

Laughing at Tuhoe Pain - We recently had the displeasure of watching TV news reporter, Ali Ikram singing "Let's Hear it for Tuhoe karaoke style' - it can also be viewed on YouTube (where you can comment on it).

Peace Movement Aotearoa ask that if you are of the view that this video is insulting and offensive, please feel free to express your views to TV3 - the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) lists TV3's contact details for this purpose as:  TV3, Private Bag 92 624, Auckland. Tel 09 377 9730, fax 09 366 5999, or email standardscommittee@mediaworks.co.nz. TV3's Chief Executive is Brent Impey. Please send a copy of your complaint to the BSA, email info@bsa.govt.nz. If you too saw it broadcast, please make a note of the time and date, and you can then use the online form on the BSA web site at http://www.bsa.govt.nz/complaints-intro.php to register your complaint.

Although, the website broadcast of the video is not a breach of the Broadcasting Act 1989 there is nevertheless an expectation that they should follow the broadcasting standards for radio and TV which include the following criteria: good taste and decency, balance, fairness, no discrimination, accuracy and the privacy of the individual - all of which appear to have been breached by this video. There is a link to the list of broadcasting standards and other information on the BSA web page 'Making a Complaint' at http://www.bsa.govt.nz/complaints-intro.php.

Known colloquially as a ‘vegetable caterpillar', or awheto, and also by its scientific name of Cordyceps robertsii, the fungus is the flagship project of emergent biotechnology enterprise and charitable trust, Whenua.biz.

Since its inception in 2004, Whenua.biz, New Zealand's only Maori biotech company, has focused on determining the bioactivity of a range of substances found in indigenous forest fungi, motivated by a strong desire to recover and develop the traditional Maori knowledge associated with it.

Project Manager, Mark Ross, says there could be significant benefits involved, not just for Maori but for New Zealand industry as well.

“We are concerned that in Maori land use there are options out there that aren't being developed, particularly involving environmental sustainability. We want to bring western scientific knowledge and traditional Maori knowledge together to result in meaningful benefits and tangible returns, not just for Maori landowners but for the R&D science providers and the New Zealand nutraceutical industry as well.”

The awheto is the complex which develops between the caterpillar host of the Porina moth and invading Cordyceps fungus. The fungus infects the caterpillar to the point where all that is left is the original epidermis filled with fungal mycelia in a wormlike structure, hence the name ‘vegetable caterpillar'.  The awheto was used traditionally by Maori for food, medicine and for making tattoo ink. Click here to read the full article.

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They are inviting you to a heavily discounted event so she is able to share her skill and expertise of wealth creation to our friends and associates of Katakata Ltd.

• When:  Thursday 6pm-7.30pm
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There are several Te Puni Kokiri reports that we'd like to draw your attention to. TPK recently released their For Maori Future Makers report which seeks to help enhance understandings of the future opportunities and threats for Maori. A dedicated Futures Research Team was established in June 2006 to focus on developing an understanding about positioning Maori in the future economic system (looking out to the year 2030), and to create a foundation for further analysis. The purpose of this report is to:

• Create an informed understanding of the possible future drivers of influence affecting how Maori participate in both the future New Zealand and global economic systems
• Focus attention on the decisions that need to be made today to ensure active participation and shareholding of Maori in future economic systems

The aim is to share ideas and stimulate debate within Government as well as with all major Maori groups. Through the debate we would like to enable individuals to actively make positive decisions about their place in the future.

Three other reports that are definitely worth a look are:

• Historical Influences - Maori and the Economy, TPK, 2007
• The Maori Commercial Asset Base, TPK, 2007
• Maori Participation in the New Zealand Economy, NZIER, 2007

The Labour Party recently voted down including the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in the Education (Tertiary Reforms) Amendment Bill.

The tertiary reforms legislation was considered, in committee, late Thursday afternoon. Te Ururoa Flavell sought to move two amendments, one to specify consultation with “local hapu and iwi, Maori staff and students” by tertiary institutions in the preparation of proposed plans; the other to insert the phrase “acknowledge the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi” into section 159G of the Education Act which determines the principles guiding how the Tertiary Education Commission operates.

"These were hardly revolutionary, earth-shattering changes" said Mr Flavell. “They are just two ideas, about how to make progress in achieving a constructive and mutually respectful relationship between Maori and the Crown. What the vast number of submissions to the select committee told us was that for a Treaty relationship to be meaningful, it needs to be at all levels of the tertiary education system. Our two amendments, were ways of making the Treaty visible".

Labour, National, NZ First, United Future and the independents voted against the move. The Green Party voted in favour of the amendments, Mr Flavell commended their "commitment to Treaty justice" and reminded the other parties that New Zealanders are counting up the number of times political parties vote down the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi".

Background: Under the Bill's current provisions, an organisation can choose not to consult with Maori in the preparation of a proposed plan. The Maori Party proposed an amendment to specify that, in the preparation of a proposed plan, tertiary education organisations would be required to consult with Maori.

Award-winning designers of new software aimed at improving the teaching of Maori have been congratulated by Minister of Education Chris Carter and Minister of Maori Affairs and Associate Education Minister Parekura Horomia.

The developers and designers of Te Tuhi a-Hiko won the prestigious Telecom Users Association of New Zealand Business Internet Award 2007 for Education. Te Tuhi a-Hiko (Digital Writing Tool) is the first interactive writing tool designed specifically for students learning te reo Maori.

“Te Tuhi a-Hiko takes an innovative and exciting approach to enhancing students' writing in te reo, which was recognised by the TUANZ award judges,” Chris Carter said.

Te Tuhi a-Hiko CD-ROM supports Maori medium students in years 5-8 and incorporates visual and audio elements to enhance the learning experience. It was created to appeal to the students. Whakairo (carvings) are used as the navigation icons throughout the resource and are a metaphor for the journey that a piece of writing takes as it is developed.

Opononi Area School deputy principal Rawiri McKinney was one of three students at Auckland University to receive a Master of Education degree with first class honours this spring (Edmonson, Northern News, 14 November 2007).

His 50,000 word thesis has been nominated for the Research in Education Association's Rae Munro award which recognises excellence in research with implications for teacher education. Mr McKinney interviewed nine year 13 students at his school to identify factors that had helped them to reach the seventh form.

Mr McKinney felt that much of the current research focused on why Maori were failing so he took if from a positive angle and looked into why this particular group had achieved.

What he found was that students in the study group all had a mentor or role model they looked up to, respected and trusted. Their inspiration came from someone quite close. You could almost pinpoint where they got it from." said Mr McKinney. Another important success factor was positive peer pressure and understanding the importance of education in minimising poverty in their whanau. Students were also grounded in Te Ao Maori - the Maori world - had strong links with their marae and grandparents who were positive role models.

"While a stable home environment was important, parental influence became less of a determinant of success when students gained more independence in their teenage years. The findings have led Mr McKinney to set up a mentoring programme at the school. Year 11, 12 and 13 students pick a teacher they feel comfortable with who monitors their academic progress and helps them to follow the right path to their chosen careers."

Mr McKinney is descended from south Hokianga hapu Te Hikutu and Ngati Korokoro.

He täpapa ki ngä whakaaroranga a te Atua kaha rawa i te wähi ngaro. E whakahönore ana i te whare o Kïngi Tüheitia, te käwai whakahere i ngä taura taniwha o te motu. Pötaea. He apakura, he möteatea ki ngä manu korokï, ki ngä whakakai pounamu ki te pö. Rätou, kua takahia te ara o Täwhaki-nui-a-Hema. Täoki koutou i te urunga o moengaroa. Kei ngä puahonga hukarere, kei ngä köawa kärohirohi, tënä koutou, tënä tätou. Paimärire.

This year marked the 24th year since the formation of what was to become Te Wänanga o Aotearoa. What emerged from that initiative almost a quarter of a century ago, driven by like-minded members of the Te Awamutu community, was a training and educational institution based on Mäori philosophy and values. It has blossomed into a nationwide institution that today employs almost 1000 staff and provides tertiary education to more than 40,000 students.

From humble beginnings, Te Wänanga o Aotearoa has grown to become one of the country's largest tertiary providers, offering a diverse range of educational options for New Zealanders of all ages. Since opening its doors, more than 200,000 students have benefited from the education it provides. For many it has re-ignited a passion for learning dulled by an educational system that did not appeal to all in our community. For tens of thousands it has provided an opportunity to become re-acquainted with Aotearoa's only indigenous language.

For others it has offered a chance to become better versed in the history of this country. The scope of our courses ranges from trade training to degree, from excellence in te reo Mäori, to a mastering of the skills and requirements to provide social support to those in need within our community through our Diploma in Social Work. Some students have enhanced their entrepreneurial skills through small business training, while others have increased their skills and employment opportunities through computing training programmes.

From the kaumätua and kuia, who have expanded and perfected their knowledge through a diploma in Te Arataki Manu Körero, to the rangatahi who have re-engaged with learning though Te Wänanga o Aotearoa, I thank you all for your faith and commitment to our kaupapa.

The Wänanga has experienced momentous growth and has been embraced and nurtured by many in our community. It has flourished through the commitment of staff and supporters, encouraged by the institution's inclusive ethos. These are exciting times for Te Wänanga o Aotearoa. We have emerged from a period of consolidation better placed to serve the evolving needs of the people of Aotearoa.

Thank you all for your support. We welcome the challenge of continuing to provide the opportunity to all in our community who choose to embrace the gifts of education.

Bentham Ohia
Pouhere (CEO)