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 Xenotransplantation
is the surgical transfer of cells, tissues, or especially
whole organs from one species to another and is an issue
that requires more discussion and debate within our community
today. Many of us know of someone who has received a cell,
tissue or organ transplant, and artificial implants such
as titanium hips or plastic pacemakers are routinely introduced
into humans, but do Maori guide the development of this
technology, or are we merely the recipients?
 Starting
in March, Toi
te Taiao: the Bioethics Council will be talking to Maori
about the significant issues associated with Xenotransplantation,
how it impacts on tikanga, what extent it can be incorporated
and how it influences Matauranga Maori. Toi te Taiao are
asking the public of New Zealand to consider whether animal
transplants of cells, tissues or organs should be used in
humans. What do you think? Is it acceptable to mix, say,
pig genes with human genes? What are the risks associated
with this technology? And is the Government looking to legislate
xenotransplantation research in Aotearoa-New Zealand?
In the 21st Century, it is essential that Maori are involved
in these scientific discussions, though, if we are to make
an impact, it is crucial that more information be made available
and more discussion had. While the medical applications of
this technology appear positive, the cultural and ethical
implications remain unclear. Without informed discussion,
we may face a genetic emergency; without spiritual protection,
we could upset nature’s delicate balance – however,
if we remain uninvolved in these discussions, we will remain
disconnected from any decision making. Please take a look
over Toi
te Taiao discussion document or prepare your own submission
to present at the Hui and if you would like to discuss this
issue more, I urge you to send a message here.
Have a Happy Valentines Day and a choice week
whanau.
Potaua
Managing Director
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 The
Koanga Maori Theatre Company founded by Don Selwyn in
2003, presents the Wellington premiere of Rena Owen’s
powerful play as part of Fringe
NZ 2005. Owen's play Te
Awa i Tahuti – the river that ran away runs
from the 15th - 19th of February. Tickets
are available now.
 Te
Uhi a Mataora present the exhibition Ta
Moko: A History of Skin between Fri 25 February
- Fri 4 March. The venue is still to be confirmed. This
organisation is dedicated to the "to the promotion
of ta moko as a living, breathing and dynamic artform
worn as a symbol of one’s identity and origin".
Ka pai!
 Te
Aho Mutunga Kore – The Changing Art of Maori Weaving.
This exhibit opens on February 25 at the Auckland Museum
and is one of the first major international touring
exhibitions to celebrate the art of raranga, Maori weaving,
and explores the ways in which this art form has "developed,
reasserted and reinvented itself". Collections
on display include those of the Hetet and Te Kanawa
whanau.
And for parents in Hamilton, Village
Skycity Cinema would like to invite you to their
first Crybaby Session for 2005. The Cinema is screening
the comedy SPANGLISH on Wednesday 16 February at 10am.
Free tickets are only available to mothers, fathers
or caregivers (1 adult per child) attending the screening
with children under 5. Tickets are available now but
are limited so get in quick. For more information call
(07) 834 1222, or email Village
Sky City.
We here at RANGIKAINGA would like to congratulate
and support the following three Maori leaders appointed
to significant roles within international agencies:
Aroha Te Pareake Mead of Ngati Awa and Ngati Porou
has been reappointed to a second term (2005-2008) on
the Governing Council of the IUCN
World Conservation Union. The IUCN is the world's
largest and oldest environmental organisation. Based
in Gland Switzerland, the IUCN is a unique Union in
that its members comprise both governments and NGOs.
Aroha's reappointment is Councillor with special responsibilities
for indigenous peoples globally.
Catherine Davis of Te Rarawa has been selected as one
of five people globally to participate in the Indigenous
Fellowship Programme 2005 through the United
Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Fellowship will enable Catherine the opportunity
to study the work of the United
Nations in general and the very important area of
the rights of indigenous peoples in particular. The
Indigenous Fellowship Programme will run from 2 May
to 23 September 2005. Click here for further information
on the work of the Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Sandy Gauntlett of Ngati Paoa has been appointed to
the Advisory Group/Steering Committee to the UN
Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat to
assist in the completion of the composite report on
Article 8(j) and related provisions - traditional knowledge,
innovations and practices of indigenous peoples in relation
to conservation, utilisation and sharing of benefits
of biological diversity.
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 The
British Government has announced changes to its Working
Holiday scheme – visas will now only allow
Kiwis to work 12 months out of a two-year stay. This
could bring expatriates home sooner or mean that fewer
Kiwis will be heading over to the UK.
Hmmm Beer. Now for the story of two cousins from the
Rangitikei who have added kawakawa leaves and spring
water from Poupatate Marae to make an indigenous ale
called ‘Taa
Kawa’. If you’ve tasted this brew, send
us an email with your rating.
 And
this Saturday the 19th February will see action aplenty
at the Tanatana Marae 'Bring and Buy Market Day' –
the Waimana Valley will come to life with stalls, food
markets, batons up, wharewhare and raffles. So if you’re
near Waimana next Saturday, come and try our World-famous
Waimana Sausages.
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 Winston
Peters, MP for Tauranga and NZ
First leader, has had a Private Members Bill selected
from the Parliamentary ballot. The Bill seeks the removal
of all references to the Treaty of Waitangi and its
principals from all New Zealand legislation. ACT MP
Stephen
Franks, in Issue
#34 of ‘Unfranked’ states “in a page
and a half the Peters' bill lists sections from 27 Acts
containing the words "the principles of the Treaty"
or variants, and simply repeals those sections. It also
omits those words "from every preamble and every
schedule" of those Acts, and it revokes "every
regulation made under any of" those Acts where
it "contains references to" those words. The
bill has gained National Party support. We at RANGIKAINGA
will be following this story as it develops.
 Tame
Iti has been charged by Police with two counts, following
the dramatic welcoming of the Waitangi Tribunal during
the Ruatoki hearings of the Urewera claim three weeks
ago. Iti is being charged with discharging a firearm
without a license and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Two further charges, reckless discharge of a firearm
and dishonouring the New Zealand flag were dismissed.
Iti has pleaded Not Guilty and will appear in the Whakatane
District Court.
 For
information on Maori Party list and electorate candidates
click here.
Ngati Aukiwa have left Stony Creek, a 2275ha station
known as Waikohatu located 10km south of Mangonui, after
a 49-day occupation. The station land is being held
in a land bank by the Office of Treaty Settlements (OTS),
and was to be eventually returned to Ngati Aukiwa as
part of a Treat of Waitangi settlement. However, setbacks
in negotiation have seen this process delayed.
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Those interested in an excellent online Maori web forum
should check out Aotearoa
CafePortal - this site has almost 1000 registered
users and has over 11,000 posted articles covering a
wide array of topics. The site is informative and has
an active kumara-vine.
Another site of interest is Maori
in Oz, this portal is full of information and has
useful search facilities. Thanks to Arini Poutu, the
Editor of The
Poihakena Post: Maori News In Australia
for the link and apologies to the whanau at the
Post for the typo in Issue
2.
Update - The World
Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education (WIPCE) has
extended their deadline for abstracts until 28 February.
Contact WIPCE
for further information.
Check out www.maori.org.nz
- if you haven't done so already. It's a great site
with something for everyone.
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If you are interested in
an art exhibit with a political dimension check out Signatures
- 'He tohu o te wa' open from 8-18 February at the
Auckland City Library. The exhibition examines the Declaration
of Independence 1835 - and features work of the Rauru
collective of Maori artists, artists include: Regan Balzer,
Te Arawa, Ngahina Hohaia, Taranaki,
James Webster, Ngati Mahuta, Tracy Tawhiao, Ngai
te rangi, Tuwharetoa, George Nuku, Ngati
Kahungungu, and Bethany Edmunds, Ngati Kuri.
 Around
4000 people moved and grooved at the Raglan
Soundsplash, celebrated over Waitangi weekend. Some
of the finest reggae music in the land was heard over
20 hours, with groups Katchafire,
Trinity
Roots (in what was their final performance), Fat
Freddy’s Drop and Britain’s Blood
& Fire Sound System rocking the joint.
For those in the know, Def Poetry Jam will be live
and alive at the AK05
festival thisMarch. Check the site
for more details, ya hearrrd…
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Here are the dates for the NZ
Men’s Hockey 3-game test to be played against
Malaysia
-
1st Test Thu 24th March
Hamilton
-
2nd Test Sat 26th March
Auckland
-
3rd Test Sun 27th March
Auckland
The Northern News reported that last weekend saw the
open men's Touch entries down in numbers at the annual
2005 Pa Wars tournament staged at Waima. Hard, rugged
fun was had by all and the final saw saw Te Rangimarie
winners over runners-up Te Puke. The social mixed section
attacted 22 teams (including players of ALL ages, the
winners were X Road who beat Venem with Shokiz and Te
Rangimarie equal third. Next year will see Pa Wars celebrate
its 10th birthday.
Waka Ama enthusiaists should check out the Tirohanga
Waka Ama Regatta at Paihia Beach, Bay of Islands
on 19 February 2005 at 10am hosted by Tirohanga Waka
Ama
Sprints. For more information on races and updates check
out the Waka
Ama website.
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