Te Matarau will be holding a 'Provider Innovation' Conference in New Plymouth from Wednesday 23 February to Friday 25 February 2005. The conference will focus on developing a collaborative forum in which ideas are shared among both Maori health community providers as well as other community-based providers. Email Te Matarau for more information.

For those of you in Wellington wanting to enjoy the sweet taste of Taakawa Beer with some indigenous kai - check out Kai in the Bay. Thursday the 24 February Ginette McDonald will be speaking so if you feel like a bit of fun, check out the kai and korero and have a "scintillating meal with Ginette - actress, comedienne, television drama producer and director, creator 'Lyn of Tawa'", an entertaining speaker, MC and debater. $55 per person for a 5 course meal and a glass of beautiful Tohu wine. Email or ring 04 3836 442 to book your seats. Thanks to Bill Hamilton for the link!

Ngati Tuwharetoa have signed an agreement with the Corrections Department and the Government to discuss issues such as lowering re-offending rates and improved community integration. Click here to read more.

The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa's Waitangirua branch is today launching a 20-week programme intended to promote better exercise and nutrition among 50 of its members - this will be run in conjunction with a local Maori primary health provider and is aimed at cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and strokes, which are the single biggest cause of death in this country. Maori and Pacific men aged over 35 on average die 8 to10 years earlier than other men. Good luck and best wishes to everyone involved.

.

If you haven't checked out TAKOA Rua-mano - then it might be time you do - This publication is a great networking and linkage resource. It supports the needs of whanau, community organisations, Government groups and commerce. TAKOA Rua-mano contains more than 2000 listings and includes information on Marae, Iwi, Social Services, Business, Justice, Education, Government, Training, Arts, Health Services and Education Scholarships. TAKOA also has some great iwi maps available for download.

Please remember whanau, this year’s Hui Taumata 2005 is being held in Wellington March 1-3. The Hui Taumata celebrates 20-years of Mäori Development by again re-focusing, discussing and planning a collective way forward. Strategic approaches have been gathered around three key themes (as mentioned in Issue 1), with solutions being sought during this exciting 3-day event.

The New Zealand Government has recently announced a surplus of $4.5b ($1b better than expected) - this coupled with the lowest unemployment rate should mean increased economic benefits for Maori...but does it?

And for those ‘whanau investors’ amongst you, a little advice – the next time you’re walking around town, notice which shops are filled with customers. We made one such observation while out shopping for our son, Atutahi, and saw that kids clothing store ‘Pumpkin Patch’ was very popular. If you had insight enough to buy shares in Pumpkin Patch when first listed (@ $1.25 per share), you would be rejoicing in the fact that the Patch did amazingly well in 2004, posting a record profit, and lifting the share price to $3.43 – that’s an increase of $2.18 per share! In just a few months!! While the share market isn’t the usual place to find Maori investing money, it is becoming increasingly popular, so learn more about this interesting market and if you want to discuss (or exchange information) please email us.

The Maori Party is delighted to announce the candidate for Ikaroa Rawhiti is Atareta Poananga. The list candidates are Atareta Poananga, Glenis Philip-Barbara, Dave Hawea, Ngatai Huata, Reimana Johnson. Selection hui were held at Uepohatu Marae, Ruatori; Whakato Marae, Manutuke, Holy Trinity Church Hall, Gisborne, Wairoa,

The final hearing of the Urewera Claims to the Waitangi Tribunal will be held in Maungapohatu from today, running until Wednesday.

Maungakiekie, otherwise know as One Tree Hill was again in the headlines, as two Pohutukawa trees were planted, one by TV presenter Paul Holmes, despite objections by the Auckland City Council and Ngati Whatua. Many in Auckland were seeking a replacement of the lone Pine lost in 2000 to political action – this Pine itself replaced a sacred Totara tree which had been felled by a farmer for firewood. If you get the opportunity, read the inscription on the Obelisk on the Hill. Very interesting.

A Lake Taupo subdivision has drawn opposition from some of the landowners, unhappy with the development of 90 hectares of lakefront near Acacia Bay into residential housing lots, tourist chalets, fishing cottages and a 44-room hotel. Hiruharama Ponui Incorporation had leased the area to Symphony Properties for 80 years, although it is unclear whether the dispute between Symphony Properties and affected whanau members had been addressed.

Te Mana Akonga, the Maori tertiary students association, are calling for an urgent hearing of a Waitangi Tribunal claim that the student loan scheme breaches the Treaty. Lodged five years ago by former Victoria University student Reweti Wiki, Te Mana Akonga argue that the scheme is discriminatory because degree-qualified Maori borrowers take, on average, two to three years longer to repay their debt than Pakeha graduates and so pay more in interest for the same qualifications. Te Mana Akonga maintain that free education is a taonga protected by the Treaty of Waitangi and that Maori were never consulted on the scheme, creating another breach. Te Mana Akonga wanted changes, such as universal student living allowances, that would benefit all students, not just Maori. It also says Maori language courses, certificate and diploma programmes at tertiary institutions should be free for all students. It hopes the claim can be heard this year.

RANGIKAINGA would like to congratulate Peter Adds, Te Atiawa, in his new appointment as Tumuaki of Te Kawa a Maui, head of Victoria University's School of Maori, Pacific and Samoan Studies. Mr Adds is completing his PhD on aspects of the tribe's history and is researching the portrayal of Maori and Te Ao Maori in the broadcasting media, Treaty settlements and the negotiation process. Also, Alice Te Punga-Somerville has been appointed to the new position of lecturer in Maori and Pacific literature in Victoria University's School of English, Film and Theatre. Dr Te Punga-Somerville was one of 14 candidates to attend a PhD course at Cornell University in the United States and was also awarded a Fulbright Scholarship. Kia Ora Korua.

Here are a number of excellent websites - Toi te Kupu is a database of published Maori language resources. Ma Te Reo is a Government funded programme established in 2001 to support projects, programmes and activities that contribute to local level Maori language regeneration. One funding round is held each year. Round Five (2005) will open on Monday 4th April 2005. It will close on Friday 29th April for hard-copy applications, and on Friday 13th May for on-line applications. And Matapihi is a selection of pictures, sounds and objects from New Zealand’s archives, galleries, libraries and museums.

Tearaway Magazine is the Voice of New Zealand Youth and is also online. During term-time, Tearaway is distributed through most New Zealand secondary schools. Holiday issues can be picked up from Soundz, Jay Jays or Blockbuster Video and, depending on the area, in public libraries and other outlets. Pick up a copy and has a squizz...

South Gate Music Presents the Reggae Sound System - this webpage is a valuable online resource for Reggae music in Aotearoa-New Zealand as it displays the intimate link between Reggae and the Word and has a good set of Reggae links.

The award winning Maori language children's programme 'PUKANA' is currently looking for a new Presenter to replace Reikura Morgan who will soon be leaving her 'on camera' duties to work behind the scenes. So if you have a high degree of fluency in the Mäori language, love working with children, are based in Auckland (or are willing to move there), between 18-25, can sing, and are up for a challange contact Matai Smith for more details.

Looking for an exciting night out? Then check out Te Toki Voyaging Trust's 'Hula with Haka' - a evening of Hawaiian and Maori artists and groups celebrating indigenous dance. Monday 21st Feb. Doors open at 7.00pm (concert at 7.30pm) at the Academy of Performing Arts at the University of Waikato. Tickets cost $10.

For those interested in waka in the Pacific, both contemporary and traditional, a really interesting site is available. Te Ara Encyclopeia of New Zealand offers an array of information. In particular the site focuses on waka, ocean voyaging, locating land, the decline and renaissance of waka and recent voyages.