Te Whare Marie, a specialist Maori mental health service, have four vacancies which are based in Wellington. So the opportunity exists to be part of an exciting, innovative and creative Maori multi-disciplinary team developing and implementing the Specialist Maori Mental Health Service. Te Whare Marie is a progressive Kaupapa Maori service committed to providing regular clinical and cultural supervision, professional clinical career pathways, regular in-service training and support towards external education. The positions are available are:

For an application form and job description, please contact Flo Belworthy, HR Administrator, Mental Health Services, Tel: 04 385 5999, ext 6408 or Florica.Belworthy@ccdhb.org.nz.

The closing date is 24 June 2005. Good luck!

We here at RANGIKAINGA would like to offer our support to the Westpac Chopper Support Appeal. This is a invaluable service, rescuing over 1000 people last year. You can contribute by calling 0900 4CHOPPER (0900 424 67) to make a $20 donation, text DONATE to 8833 to make an instant $3 donation, donate through online banking or drop into your nearest Westpac branch to make a donation. Please remember, the next person saved by the Chopper could be you or your whanau.

And BIG THANKS to all those who sent messages of support for our baby boy, Atutahi. He is doing really well and his iron levels are increasing as expected (thank goodness that's all it was!) We had a great suggestion come in regarding the benefits of stinging nettle, which is a great source of iron (3 times greater than the iron found in spinach). Once again, the medical professionals here in the Waikato were second to none - many thanks to Doctor Annette Hill for suggesting that the blood test be done in the first place.

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Here is a brilliant online business that I hope we can all support - Maori Auctions offers a wide range of categories, with an increasing array of Maori products up for auction. From a set of small Mako Shark earrings, a pair of Raupo Poi, to a Tino Rangatiratanga tongue stud, this site has something for everyone, so get online, login and start bidding.

Just a reminder, that Bright*Star Training will be holding, their Essential Update on Finance, Tax & Law for Mäori Organisations Seminar. The aim of this course is meeting best practice and ensuring compliance in financial management, tax and commercial law. The course is going to be held in Wellington on the 25 & 26 July at the Portland Hotel and in Auckland on the 28 & 29 July at the Heritage Hotel. Presenters include Damian Stone, Ngati Kahungunu, from Bell Gully. Check out their website for more details, this is definitely something not to be missed.

The Budget 2005 will be presented by Finance Minister Dr Michael Cullen this coming Thursday. Will he opt for tax cuts or prefer to spend more money on education and health? Have the leaks softened the impact of this Budget or is there a surprise up Dr Cullen’s sleeve? Is Tau Henare right, and could this be a lolly-scamble? Well, let’s wait and see. We will be providing commentary and opinions in the next issue. Keep you posted.

Fair Trade Fortnight is coming up soon and Oxfam, Trade Aid and the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand will be organising a series of great events around New Zealand to promote Fair Trade. Fair Trade is about paying poor producers a fair price, and helping them gain the business skills and knowledge to work their way out of poverty. Since the global push towards privitisation and deregulation many of these countries (in which my indigenous communities are trying to survive) have been told up open their market and allow the wonders of capitalism to emerge. What has been happening instead is that large and prosperous countries provide subsidies in the billions to assist their own farmers. The result is declide in market prices which prevents these smaller countries to compete in the market and ultimately results in unfair trade. For info on Fair Trade events around the country click here.

Huia Publishers has recently released: Forty Years of Maori Protest by Aroha Harris. This book provides a glimpse into the world of contemporary Maori protest - looking at the role of the Waitangi Tribunal and the opportunity to prepare, present and negotiate Treaty settlements; Maori language made an official language; Maori-medium education; Maori health providers; iwi radio and, in 2004, Maori television. 'At least one lesson of the Hïkoi 2004 is clear: rather than never repeating, history is fated to repeat, and repeat again, until its lessons are learned.' This softcover book retails at $44.95.

For those of you who haven't taken a look at Wikipedia then you should do so. Wikipedia is a web-based, free-content encyclopedia that is written collaboratively by volunteers. It consists of 195 independent language editions sponsored by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. Its purpose is to create and distribute, worldwide, a free encyclopedia in as many languages as possible. Wikipedia is one of the most popular reference sites on the Web, receiving around 60 million hits per day. Check out what they have to say about Maori.

Children’s author Melanie Drewery, Ngati Mahanga, and artist Ruby Bay has been named a finalist in the 2005 New Zealand Post Awards, in the Picture Book Category for her recently released book Koro’s Medicine. Koro’s Medicine is also available in Maori as Nga Rongaa Koro. Twenty outstanding New Zealand children’s books, published in the preceding twelve months, are short-listed for the Awards each year in early February. The winners will be announced 19 May 2005.

Represent an exhibition featuring new works from artists Jolene Douglas, Ngati Pu Hapu of Ngati Maru, Ngati Raukawa, John Bevan Ford, Steve Gibbs, Ngai Tamanuhiri, Ngati Kahungunu, Gregory Glasgow, Jason Hicks and Baye Riddell, Ngati Porou, Whanau a Ruataupare, will be showing at the Pencil Gallery in Gisborne from 10 - 29 May.

A reminder to all that the International Indigenous Conference at Victoria University is being held June 22-25. If you are interested have a look at their link or if you want to contact the organiser, email Gloria Clarke.

Darwin came to New Zealand. Check out the link to read his discription of Aotearoa.

If you are interested in Maori news and information check out Radio Waatea.

Here's another interesting page called Tree Totem that may be of interest to you.

Last week we received an unprecedented amount of emails to the Feature"Culture = Crime" in Issue 13 which critiqued a ‘60 Minutes’ documentary called ‘The Maori Challenge’. All supported the view that Maori culture is not synonymous with crime, that Maori culture is not just about aggression and that young people need to be supported more and judged less. The documentary made some dangerous assertions, focusing on a narrow premise and spoke to Maori who could affirm this narrow view. After reading an article in the Rotorua ‘Daily Post’ over the weekend, it was encouraging to see that the youth in question (young people in Rotorua) had a more positive perspective, and were engaging in more proactive approaches that helped them understand what it is like to be young in today’s world. However, the so-called ‘Maori Challenge’ was seen by many, and probably affirmed the worst fears of some viewers. So, I’d like to know if anyone is doing (or willing to do) a follow-up story, showing the everyday struggles and successes of young Maori people in Rotorua? If so, please send an email to Nikolasa. For those who wrote, thank you for your inspiring responses.

Did someone say ‘Star Wars’? Great to see so many Maori actors in the cast of the newest Star Wars films.

It's New Zealand Music Month people – have you bought at least one CD, tape, or record to support a Kiwi artist? Or attended a concert? Or even tuned into your local radio station and heard or requested a Herbs track, or that one from Dalvanius, or even something from the Dawn Raids crew? No, well, you better get you c-walk on and get out there and support New Zealand, Maori and Pacific Music – start with this month and carry it on through your lifetime…

For all you dance crews and dance enthusiasts, get ready for the TOA TOA Urban Maori Pacific Dance Champs 2005. This is the Original FREE Hip-Hop-Kapa-Haka Dance Competition in Aotearoa for Rangatahi aged 14 – 21, with Two Categories: Open Section & Secondary Schools Section. Heats are being held all throughout Auckland, starting on the 8th of October, with the finals being held at the Auckland Zoo on October 15th. For more information visit the competition homepage, call 09 6207441 or write to Torotoro,111 May Road, Mount Roskill, Auckland for entry forms. The ingredients you need to win are some Kapa Haka moves mixed with some Hip Hop Flavas, add your own special ingredients from your own Kulture (Asia, Pasifika, Jazz, Flamenco, breaking, even cheerleading) and HOLLA! You are in to win great prizes! So get your teams together and enter now. Chyup.

Another reminder that the Seventh YMLC 2005 (Young Maori Leaders Conference) is being held 20 & 21 June 2005 at the Wellington Town Hall. Previous Young Maori Leaders Conferences began in 1939 and the most recent was in 2003. Issues considered at YMLC in this millennium have been inter-generational transfer of Maori leadership skills and the development of individual skills for hapu, iwi and national development strategies for the next two decades. "Ka tu, ka ora! Ka noho, ka mate!"

And since last week's story on the American Cyclist adorning himself with moko, only to be forced to remove it by his sponsors (Issue 13) received a lot of attention, what do you think about this issue of intellectual property – Austrian Ski company Fischer recently released a ‘Maori Series' of skis and ski poles – with such names as Atua, Kehua, Rangi, Watea and Riu, they are finding a market on Northern Hemisphere ski fields, and with winter only around the corner, will find their way here. Now, how is it that an Austrian company is marketing its product using Maori names and images? How inappropriate and objectionable do you find this? Click here to see a short video showcasing the skis (it may take some time to load if you are using a dial-up connection - but it is worth seeing for yourself). If anyone knows more of this story or would like to comment on this issue, please send an email to potaua@tangatawhenua.com

The Lions are Coming… and the Maori are Ready.

Results from the Long Distance Nationals held in Wellington have been posted on WakaAma.com. Te Au Rere Roto Hoe is coming up on the 28th of May – this 10km paddle will be on ‘Te Roto iti kite a Ihenga, otherwise known as the beautiful Lake Rotoiti. Contact Ally Roger by email or call 07 362 8091.

It has been an amazing week in the Netball National Bank Cup. Round Six saw the Rebels beat the Shakers 49-39, the Magic out-shoot the Flames 54-37, the Diamonds overwhelm the Flyers 51-39 and the defending Champions, the Southern Sting slump in a third loss-in-a-row to a resurgent Force team. This puts the Magic in first place with 16 points, with Diamonds and Force sharing 2nd at 13 a piece. There is only one round left before the semi-finals. The Championship game is planned for the weekend of the 10th – 12th of June. Nail-biting stuff. So, who’s your team?

So after a bruising week in the Rebel Sport Super 12, the Canterbury Crusaders and the Warratahs sit at the top of the table with 44 points each after 11 games. We’re into the business end, with the Semi-finals looming, and while it looks like Canterbury have a strong lead-up to the finals, the Chiefs, Bulls, Hurricanes and defending Champions, the Brumbies, are hard out training right now. For the teams, good luck. For the fans, if you can’t be there, pass the remote.

And finally, cheers and good luck to the legendary Michael Collins - departing from the Waikato Chiefs family after 9 historic seasons and heading up North. It’s been awesome. Respect too for Peter Sloane from the Auckland Blues who leaves as Head Coach after four years. Choice one fullas.