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 Transformative Praxis. Over the last decade, it has been intriguing to watch as Indigenous Knowledge has been acknowledged by mainstream leaders, policy makers, developmentalists, aid organisations, and funding agencies. It is a tribute to those who have fought to have indigenous ways of knowing, of understanding and of explaining the world around them accepted as authentic, legitimate, relevant, valid and necessary to successful and sustainable development. For example, the United Nations now acknowledges the value of traditional knowledge systems, particularly, in achieving its Millennium Development Goals. This fundamental shift from ‘top-down' government-based programmes to ‘bottom-up' community-based initiatives has meant that finally indigenous communities are able to self-define, self-direct, develop and self-determine sustainable solutions to the issues that their communities face.
Similarly, there has been recognition of the need for holistic understandings of the link between aspects of society that formerly were compartmentalised. These holistic frameworks are something that indigenous communities have known intuitively for a millennium and have championed long before it was in vogue to due so. These understandings acknowledge the connection between such things as: economics, politics, culture, spirituality, education, health and society.
 Maori community-leaders, scholars, researchers and academics have been at the forefront of this revolution of indigenous praxis. Leaders, such as Linda
Tuhiwai
Smith, Fiona Cram, Ranginui Walker, Mason Durie, Graham Smith, Russell Bishop, Fiona Te Momo, Margaret Mutu, Ngahuia
Te Awekotuku, Linda Nikora, and Moana Jackson (to name a few) have helped to shape the theoretical landscape of indigenous inquiry and research as well as Kaupapa Maori Theory. These foundations continue to influence emerging Maori researchers.
So it was with great interest that we recently received a request from a Maori Masters student asking TangataWhenua.com to use our networks to help locate the whanaunga of a unique taonga that is being stored at the British Museum in London. What follows are his words and we ask you to please take the time to read them and if possible send his panui out to as many people as possible. Kia ora!
Ko Maungapohatu te maunga
Ko Ohinemataroa te awa
Ko Toikairakau te tipuna
Ko Hamua to hapu
Ko Kane Te Manakura taku ingoa
Tena koutou katoa, I am a Masters student currently completing a research portfolio through the University of Auckland. The kaupapa of my portfolio is hybrid forms of Maori material culture, taonga that have been created utilising both Maori and Pakeha materials, techniques and technologies.
In particular, I am focussing on a Maori flag held in the British Museum in London that has no known provenance. This flag (pictured below) is woven using whatu techniques from muka and is adorned with kaka feathers. It bears the face of a tipuna and a tuatara, both of which are embroidered onto the kaupapa of the flag using red woollen thread.
This flag was found in a storage facility of the old Museum of Mankind in London in the 1980s. It was found in a box and had no accompanying documentation: no collection history, no name, no iwi/hapu histories, not even a catalogue number. In short, nobody in the museum/academic world knows anything about this amazing taonga. It sits in a darkened storeroom without the songs and stories of the land from which it came to keep it company.
Who made this flag, why was it created? How did it come to be in a museum on the other side of the world? The intention of my work is to bring to light the history and whakapapa of this powerful taonga. Ultimately, I hope to reconnect the flag with the people who made and used it. I have been working with this taonga for over a year now and am about to embark on a journey around Te Ika a Maui in attempt to learn its whakapapa. I hope to speak with people in various communities about this flag and other aspects of hybrid Maori material cultures over June and July 2006.
I am convinced that this flag is of such importance that someone out there remembers it. If you know something of this flag I would appreciate it if you could contact me (see contact details below). Nga mihi nui.
Contact: Kane Te Manakura, 09 373 7599 ext.
88491
or 021 155 1154, manakura@gmail.com, Post: c/o Prof. Harry Allen, Museums & Cultural Heritage, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1020.
 Thanks to all who have taken the time to sign up and post their comments on our Online Forum. The korero has been both rich and diverse. This week we have added a forum which discusses the recent controversy surrounding the Kapa Haka stamp series set to be sold by New Zealand Post.
 We've also received several interesting responses to our feature on Capitalism and Ethical Consumerism. One
particularly
insightful response came from Ella Henry, a
renowned
leader and ardent champion of self-determined and self-directed Maori Development. We've posted her response on the Forum and encourage you to take time to read it and respond. Remember we need you to bring life to this online community, join us and creating a space that is evolves and develops, so korero mai!
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 The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) is holding its annual Hui Whakapiripiri 2006 for Maori health researchers at Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington from 10 to 11 August 2006. The purpose of the hui is to promote current Maori health research and researchers, to encourage the participation of emerging Maori researchers, and to create linkages and networks between the Maori health sector and research developments. The theme of the hui is Whanau tu, whanau ora (Families standing tall and strong – the wellbeing of the individual within the collective). Keynote speakers include: Professor Piri Sciascia,
Professor Mason Durie,
Professor Kekuni Blaisdell and
Tariana Turia.
The HRC would like to extend an invitation for participants to present papers at Hui Whakapiripiri. While presenters should keep the conference theme in mind, this should not restrict their paper. The HRC would like to encourage emerging Maori health researchers to participate in this forum. Each conference presentation should be 20 minutes long and presenters should be willing to answer questions on their research at the end of their presentation.
Abstracts of up to 200 words should be submitted to Anna Deason adeason@hrc.govt.nz by 1 June 2006. All papers should have a title and presenters should provide full contact details (including email and phone) as well as the name of their institution or organisation. The HRC Secretariat in conjunction with the Maori Health Committee will review and select the successful papers for presentation.
An online facility for registrations will be offered closer to the time.
 Recent research published in the New Zealand Medical Journal indicates that Maori are three times more likely than non-Maori to be admitted to hospital with pneumonia. These findings are based on observational studies undertaken at Waikato and Christchurch hospitals. They also found that Maori admitted to hospital with pneumonia tend to be much younger than non-Maori, and are more severely ill.
The research argues that these ethnic disparities are of major concern, and policy planners should consider further interventions to improve the efficacy of anti-smoking campaigns and to undertake studies of pneumococcal vaccines for Maori.
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We noted that there was great interest in the Boil-up link we provided in Issue 7. Well we found an even better one (complete with photos!) on the Maori-in-Oz website, in fact they have a great Maori kai recipe page. This site is also running an interesting poll (located on their homepage, bottom right) on whether a marae should be constructed in Australia. Definitely worth checking out!
 Wairarapa Maori go hi-tech (Wairarapa Times Age, Dawson, 17 May 2006). "Finding out what is happening in the world of Wairarapa Maori is now easier than ever before. A useful and well-designed website, www.wairarapamaori.com, aiming to keep people up to date with what's going on around the region by holding a "hui in cyberspace", is up and running and looking for feedback.
The site is the initiative of the He Kahui Wairarapa group, supported by REAP, and has been online since March.
Website developer and He Kahui Wairarapa member Makuini Kerehi said keeping people linked was the prime motivator for establishing such a site.
"It was for lots of reasons, mainly to keep everybody in touch with what's happening, especially the people who don't live here. They can check out what's going on."
She said the site was still in its early stages of development but that big plans are afoot for it.
This is definitely a site worth checking out. Click here to view their panui page which lists upcoming events, like festivals and kapa haka competitions. The site also features photos of some local kaumatua and rangitahi, and information about the various Wairarapa marae, iwi and hapu.
 The Maori Language Commission's website Matariki.net.nz reminds us that in recent years there has been an upsurge of awareness among New Zealanders of the place of reo Maori language in both the history and future of Aotearoa. This awareness is part of a process that helps us to be increasingly conscious of our unique cultural identity.
"They go on to say that "the next step is an appreciation of the wider cultural traditions of Maori and one of the most significant celebrations in the Maori calendar is Matariki. The renaissance of this ancient Maori celebration and its tradition is a chance for all New Zealanders to remind ourselves of the very special place we occupy in the world." For information on Matariki events around Aotearoa click here. Kia ora!
 Te Awa Tupua – The Whanganui Iwi Exhibition will be closing at Te Papa on Saturday 27 May 2006. The exhibition was developed in partnership with the Whanganui iwi, the exhibition opened November 2003 to present the stories of their past and the challenges and hopes for their present and future, through taonga (treasures and objects), photographs, video footage, and computer interactives. The closing weekend of Te Awa Tupua – The Whanganui Iwi Exhibition features a line-up of free events and entertainment, all from the Whanganui region. Free entry. Click here for the Closing Events schedule. For more information contact: The
Enquiry Centre, mail@tepapa.govt.nz, ph: 04 381 7000.
Maori Television serves up a feast of laughs in the premiere of a hilarious new comedy series, Kai Korero which will air Tuesday May 30 at 9.30 PM ( MTS Press Release). The six-part series brings together top acting talents George Henare (Ngati Porou), Annie Whittle, Vanessa Rare (Ngati Pukenga, Ngati Porou, Ngati Maru) and Geoff Dolan in a multi-cultural sitcom about two families who meet each Sunday for food, whanau and funny moments.
Sports scientist Ken Spalding (Dolan) and his physiotherapist wife Charlotte Rata (Rare) have two children - handsome budding league player Humphrey (Tainui Tukiwaho) and pro-Maori university student Ma (Kura Forrester). They also share their urban home with Pa Wiremu (Henare), Charlotte's staunch Ngati Porou father, while posh Muriel Spalding (Whittle) is Ken's mother.
Made by Auckland-based Front of the Box Productions, Kai Korero is written by Kath Akuhata-Brown, with storylines from comedian Pio Terei.
 Addtionally, Takataapui, the only show in Aotearoa for gay, lesbian and transgender Maori, returns to Maori Television for a fourth series (Tuesday June 13 at 10.30 PM). Crimes against takataapui, queer characters in soaps, HIV, takataapui on the marae and the art of drag are among the topics tackled throughout the 20 episodes. Rural takataapui and Maori takataapui living in Sydney will be included in the show for the first time.
This series will also feature a special to mark the 20th anniversary of the passing of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill.
Broadcast in both Maori and English, Takataapui is hosted by entertainer Ramon Te Wake (Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua), actress Tania Simon (Ngapuhi, Ngati Rehia, Ngati Kura, Ngati Torehina), and dancer Taane Mete (Ngati Kahungunu).
New Zealand Post is defending cartoon kapa haka images on a new set of postage stamps. Some Maori have described them as ugly and insensitive, and want them withdrawn. The five cartoon-style stamps depict Maori kapa haka stances. New Zealand Post say they are fresh and contemporary, and plan to issue them on June 7 (Dominion Post, 19 May).
 Rotorua's deputy mayor Trevor Maxwell is defending the controversial cartoon-style stamp series which depicts Maori kapa haka performers ( Daily Post, 18 May 2006).
Mr Maxwell, a Ngati Rangiwewehi kapa haka tutor, said he had been in contact with New Zealand Post during the planning stages of the stamp series and thought they were fine for release.
New Zealand Post stamps general manager, Ivor Masters, said representatives from national museum Te Papa and Te Puni Kokiri, the Ministry for Maori Development, were also consulted on the stamps (NZ Herald,18 May 2006).
The stamps have caused a row with a Rotorua stamp collector. Mr Ion, a former Rotorua stamp and coin shop owner and a stamp collector for more than 60 years, who suggests that the series is in bad taste.
Te Arawa kaumatua Anaru Rangiheuea and Rotorua kapa haka performer Anaru Grant, whose image appears in promotional material for the series, also want them withdrawn. What do you think whanau, have you seen the stamps? Are they tasteful or yet another example of mainstream misrepresentation of Maori culture? Post your thoughts on our Online Forum. 
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If you are looking for Maori Graphic Design look no further, check out Phase Illustration. Phase illustration is Visual Imagery, Imagery that Motivates, Stimulates and Inspires. Phase illustration is owned and operated by
Creative Director, Brandon Terekia.
This innovative company is
an Invercargill based ‘virtual design studio' delivering a comprehensive Maori design service specialising in print media and web applications. Past projects have included tailor made promotional material, educational resources & web-based initiatives.
Corporate identities, online marketing initiatives and visual merchandising having been some of their more recent endeavours. With strengths in graphic design, web design/hosting, copywriting, multimedia and online marketing Phase illustration provides the most extensive design services currently available on the New Zealand market. From brochures to custom power-point presentations, websites to direct mailers, web-hosting to corporate uniforms, Phase illustration has a unique solution for any challenges that Maori Businesses may encounter. Terekia believes in the importance of 'down to earth' customer focused and user-friendly service resulting in a mutually beneficial and enjoyable experience.
Over the coming year Terekia is looking to develop Phase illustration into an online web design studio specialising in custom web design, web hosting, web solutions (online marketing) rich internet applications, and content management systems tailor made for small to medium Maori businesses and organisations. Well worth a look this one!
 Looking for a job? There is a vacancy for the position of Team Leader - Natural Resources Policy for the Gisborne District Council, New Zealand's first unitary authority, combining the functions of a territorial and regional authority. It has recently adopted an innovative set of corporate values. The Council is looking for an experienced professional to lead a small natural resources policy development team.
 For this role we need a person who can make connections with individuals and groups who want to get the district moving, as well as with those who wish to ensure this is done in a sustainable manner. Experience with either a territorial or regional authority, or possibly both, would be useful. Private sector experience would also be a plus, as would an understanding of Tikanga and Te Reo Maori.
If you wish to discuss this exciting opportunity, please ring Hans van Kregten, Council's Manager, Environment and Planning on 06 867 2049. Closing Date/Time: 5.00pm, Friday 9 June 2006. An application form and information package can be obtained from their website and email jobapp@gdc.govt.nz for a Job Description.
Disappointment at Funding for Maori Development (Press Release, 19 May 2006). The Council of Trade Unions Runanga is expressing disappointment at the lack of support for Maori development in Budget 2006. "No new funding was allocated to Vote Maori Affairs. Instead the Minister of Maori Affairs has abandoned existing programmes in order to support the Maori Potential Framework, still under development," said Sharon Clair, CTU Vice President Maori. "Dr Cullen's budget has reallocated money away from existing initiatives in Whanau development, local level solutions, direct resourcing, capacity assessment and building capacity in Maori communities." The Maori Party has also denounced the budget for stripping money from "the meagre Maori Votes across Government and putting these funds into their new bureauspeak policy ideas" they also
have criticised the dumping of funds for Maori scholarships.
The CTU maintains that "the new funding appears to change the focus from building on the strengths, assets and needs of Whanau, hapu and iwi, towards purchasing partnered interventions, tools and investigative studies to strengthen Maori leadership, governance and management," she said.
"What will happen to all those capacity building initiatives at a local Maori community level? How will Whanau, hapu and iwi progress existing initiatives?"
On the flipside the Press reported that "Maori are welcoming the Government's $23.9 million injection into improving the resources, knowledge and skills of Maori during the next four years."
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The Ngati Wai Trust Board will be holding their Special General Meeting on 24 June 2006 at 171 Lower Dent Street, Whangarei. The meeting will commence 10am. For more information please contact:
Ngati Wai Trust Board, ngatiwai@xtra.co.nz, 09 430 0939.
 "Last-minute negotiations between top Government ministers and Tainui were under way over a deal to give the tribe some form of control over the Waikato River (NZ Herald, Stokes & Berry, 22 May 2006). Talks intensified yesterday ahead of an expected announcement by Prime Minister Helen Clark today on the state of negotiations and the Government's commitment to resolving Tainui's Waikato River claim. At the heart of the matter is Tainui's right to manage the river. The outcome of last night's negotiations is likely to form the basis of how the Government will handle the tribe's claim.
The Herald understands that senior ministers, including Treaty Negotiations Minister Mark Burton, Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia and Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen, were involved in conference-call negotiations with the tribe last night. The group is understood to have met senior tribal members, including chief negotiators Lady Raiha Mahuta, mother of Tainui MP Nanaia Mahuta, and chairman Tuku Morgan.
Mr Morgan said yesterday that negotiations were at a delicate stage and declined to comment further. But the Herald understands the tribe's negotiators have been pressured to make progress in time for the Prime Minister's announcement.
 A senior tribal source, who declined to be named, said the tribe had had to wait almost 150 years for the river's return, and would not be bullied into a decision to serve the Government's interests.
The river and the tribe's west coast harbours were excluded from its $170 million 1995 treaty settlement. It is understood talks have become bogged down in details of a possible tribal co-management role and how much influence Tainui should have on who has the use of the river's water.
Tainui is likely to be seeking recognition of its customary authority over the river, title to the riverbed and acknowledgment of its view on indivisibility, sharing decision-making rights on water allocations, probably financial compensation for the 1860 confiscation of the river and definitely an agreement to clean up the river. Click here to read on. Despite growing speculation that a deal would be signed this week, negotiations continue and reports suggest that there will be a settlement within the next 12 months. TangataWhenua.com will update you on this story as it comes to hand.
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For whanau in Queenstown wishing to deepen their understanding of Te Reo Maori, a 5-day course will be held 4-7 July between 9am-4pm. Hinemoa Peke
and Ringiringi Manwaiti will be guiding the course which will assist all levels and stages of those learning Te Reo. The cost for this is $40.00, which includes everything, course fees, kai and accommodation
(ka pai!). The venue is yet to be determined so if you are interested please get in touch with Kiiri Dell as early as possible, ph: 03 442 3345, 027 274 4591. Children are welcome but are parent's responsibility.
 The Whakatane Beacon recently reported (3 May 2006) that the Tuhoe Education Authority has developed an innovative IT project using the information they gathered to support the claim taken by Tuhoe to the Waitangi Tribunal. The project, titled, Digiop, "takes
advantage
of the wealth of information collected, and translates these into digital stories for use as teaching/learning resources. The project designed to build capacity to produce digital narratives combines a mixture of media images, voice, video and animations. This resource will be trialled at Te Wharekura o Ruatoki and
eventually
the digital stories will be available to teachers and students (Years 7-13).
 You also may find it of interest that there is a Te Reo Version of Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a global and multilingual Web-based cooperative free-content encyclopedia. It exists as a wiki, a type of website that allows visitors to edit its content; the word Wikipedia itself is a portmanteau of wiki and encyclopedia and is often abbreviated to WP by its users. Wikipedia is written collaboratively by volunteers, allowing most articles to be changed by anyone with access to a computer, web browser and Internet connection.
 A press statement released by Te Mana Akonga, the
National Maori Tertiary Students' Association has suggested that Maori students today are distraught at the cuts to Maori student scholarship funding, released in the Budget 2006. An initial $2.1 million dollars has been cut from the Manaaki Tauira grant with the news the programme is to be "wound down". Manaaki Tauira currently provides financial assistance to over 9,000 Maori students per year.
"Maori students are absolutely distraught at the removal of this grant" says Veronica Tawhai, Kaituhono of Te Mana Akonga, the National Maori Tertiary Students' Association. "The continued attacks on Maori student support funding have already devastated what few resources we have. Manaaki Tauira was the only grant of its kind, open to all Maori based on need. Its removal is the final straw in the breaking of Maori tertiary students hopes for any assistance".
Started in 1991, the purpose of the Manaaki Tauira grant is to provide financial assistance to Maori in tertiary education. It is granted on commitment and involvement in Maori communities, and financial need.
The abolishment of the Manaaki Tauira grant is a result of a Ministry of Education assessment, which claims the grant was ineffective, and will now be used to fund a initiative aimed at better equipping secondary school teachers to educate Maori students. "Where's the $130 million taken in the race-based funding review, meant to be replaced by needs based funding? What about the $600 million savings on the interest free student loans policy? Why take our few million? Manaaki Tauira may not be a significant amount in the scheme of things, but it was absolutely treasured by us - it made a difference".
"Maori students have got the government's message loud and clear: real assistance for Maori development is a dream they never intend to deliver on. Te Mana Akonga will now be working to address the shortfall in resources, as well as trying to get this much needed form of support reinstated" concluded Miss Tawhai.
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 The National Conference of Te Kaiawhina Ahumahi, Social Services Industry Training Organisation, Ko Wai Ka Kite, Ma Wai e Tohu (Random – Expect the Unexpected), will be a chance to challenge contemporary thinking around the growth and development of rangatahi, as well as acknowledge and share new and innovative concepts. The theme Ko wai ka kite, Ma wai e tohu – Random, Expect the Unexpected is inspired by the rangatahi expression ‘Random' which reflects the creative, innovative and sometimes chaotic environment that people working with rangatahi operate in. Speakers include:
Dr Manulani Aluli Meyer presenting her paper, " Random as Beauty: Indigeneity in the Context of Youth" and Lloyd Martin. The conference will be held 18-20 June at the Wairakei Resort in Taupo. For more information contact:
Louise Edwards, louisee@tkaito.co.nz, ph: 0800 558 558.
 For those of you who dig the beats and fancy yourself a bit o' a star, Off Da Hook presents its, Dance - Song -Rap - Beatbox Competitions 2006. The regional heats will begin on the 17th of June from 5:00-7:00pm.
Groups need to be at the venue at 4.00pm for a practice run through and admin work
Door Sales: $5.00.
Entry Fee Teams: $20.00 per school/group $2.00 per performer (more than 10). Venue: to be confirmed. Secondary School Performers must be 18 or under.
Sections will include: Performance Section (Primary & Secondary),
Battle Section (Primary & Secondary),
Song Section, Rap - Beatbox section.
All Regional Competitors Qualify for National Schools Comps Hamilton 2006. For more information contact:
Te Kawe Ratu,
Ph: 07 828 9013,
Fax: 07 828 7070,
Home: 07 854 6864,
Mobile: 029 1202 085, tekawe@rakaumanga.school.nz
- Gisborne Regionals June 17th
- Auckland Regionals June 24th
- Nelson Regionals July 3rd
- Christchurch Regionals July 4th
- Dunedin Regionals July 5th
- Wellington Regionals July 7th
- Palmerston North Regionals August 12th
- Nationals (Hamilton): Oct 5th - 7th 2006
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 While looking for Matariki events around Aotearoa we happened upon a great site about the Maori sport, Ki-o-rahi, a traditional pre-European Maori ball game. This great site tells us that it is a fast running contact sport, played on a circular field, involving imaginative handling and swift inter passing of a "ki" (ball). Before the arrival of Europeans, Ki-o-Rahi was played by Maori throughout Aotearoa. Often different tribes would play different adaptations of the game.
A tribe which had especially strong and fit ball players among its members could sometimes be solicited for help by another tribe preparing for war. A messenger would present a "ki" or "poi" to the chief, which would represent an invitation to join the tribe in battle. Diverse ball ("ki") games have always played a major part in Maori culture, and ball games were often played between tribal clans if one tribe organised an entertainment
Strangely enough (and to some sadly) in 2005, Ki-o-rahi "was
adopted by global fast-food chain McDonald's and will be taught in 31,000 American schools as part of their physical education curriculum.
McDonald's created the programme Passport to Play to teach 15 ethnic games to seven million primary school children in the United States. Ki-o-rahi was chosen to represent New Zealand. To read the full story click here. If you have any thoughts on this please email us.
Wakaama.co.nz has featured a great link to a wicked video of 4-man outrigger canoe surfing at Makahiki (15 mins). Click here to view it, it's awesome. Be sure you have a fast connection.
 The Stuff (Ford, 21 May 2006) recently reported that "two of this year's rising stars, Tanerau Latimer and Cory Jane, appear near certainties to be included in the Maori All Blacks. All will be revealed a week today when the team is announced the same day as the All Blacks and Junior All Blacks.
"It has been a real juggling act working out who exactly will be available with the other coaches like Graham Henry," said Maori coach Donny Stevenson. "Basically I have had to rank the players I want and if the others want one of them I get the next best ranked player." Latimer (Bay of Plenty) has cut his teeth in the Crusaders this year deputising for Richie McCaw. Jane (Wellington) has been the big success story in the New Zealand sevens team.
Fellow sevens specialist Liam Messam, who has been playing Super 14 for the Chiefs, should also make the side. The Maori play a warm-up game in Sydney against New South Wales next month before heading to San Francisco to play USA and Ireland A, and then Canada in Edmonton. Paul Tito and Jono Gibbes are front-runners for the captaincy."
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