it is all us

our tears dry as

salty trails in the nor-wester

that heated wind

slides forcefully within the rubble

it continues

restlessly toward the sea, our lives

emergency

that digs our sides and cuts our shoulders

it is all us

that hot breath knows it holds everything.

The shock is opening to reality and the stories coming out of loss just drop me into tears. We are seeing the community work together, we see the people supporting each other as we naturally do - kia kaha to all.

Update - 148 confirmed dead, 50 still missing, 55,000 properties don't have water.

political hoodlum - quaint praise

I agree with Hone's assessment that maori MP's within big parties are used - "They are trotted out to do a speech, and then kicked out of the room when the decisions are made." That is the political reality.We have seen this many times as Metiria Turei the Greens co-leader confirms,

"I have seen that played out in Labour and in National where the Maori voice is ignored or subsumed. You saw that in Labour with the foreshore and seabed legislation," she said. "We have seen that with National consistently, particularly with the way Georgina te Heuheu has been treated ... she is one of their senior MPs but is not treated like a senior MP."

Of course the defenders defend

Labour's transport, infrastructure and associate Maori affairs spokesman Shane Jones labelling him a "political hoodlum".

That is a compliement but Jones won't get that. Labour's Maori Affairs and Treaty of Waitangi spokesman Parekura Horomia, in his roundabout way, confirms Hone's words too

When asked if he thought he was being ignored because he was a Maori MP in a largely Pakeha party, Horomia replied: "When you are a minority and you have been doing this like I have for 30-plus odd years, you soon learn and know very well when you are getting nought ... you have to be tough enough to understand that is the environment you are working in and make sure you make the best shot to ensure you utilise the leverage.

It is an issue and the major parties pretend it isn't an issue - but the people know because it is obvious. What to do about it? I'd like to see more fractionation of the big dinosuar parties so that we have more parties representing more interests. Then, after elections, they can coalease into groupings based upon their overriding philosophies. We must not be afraid of small parties - they are the future and they can work together, even though there have been failures in the past and the relentless propaganda from the dinosuar parties is negative towards such ideas.

waiting

These are dark days for Christchurch/Otautahi - the shock is beginning to wear off and the losses are becoming obvious - people have died, people are gone and there are still people fighting for life within the rubble, hoping for rescue - arohanui to all.


It is difficult being far away, thinking of the familar streets walked down, and the buildings paused by. I want to drive down to help, I want to do something but small circles my feet make and there is little I can do. So many waiting to hear who has gone and waiting to recognise a name, a friend, a workmate a person with family and loved ones, a person with hopes and dreams and a life history, a whakapapa.


To all people of Christchurch/Otautahi especially my kin of Ngai Tahu whanui, my thoughts and heart are with you all.

Update - Good Ngai Tahu communication and information on this facebook page

Hone walks for us all

Hone has quit the maori party. We have a new, unleashed force in politics and Hone will be great as an independent. We can begin to build a waka that can represent maori interests in the way we want. Kia kaha Hone - lets get to the mahi.

Stuff

In a joint statement released after the Maori Party council finished its hearing today, Harawira and Maori Party president Pem Bird said neither wanted to see the party "destroyed by in-fighting". "We have come to the point where it is agreed it would be best for myself [Harawira] and the Maori Party to part ways and focus on issues," the statement said. Harawira would continue to serve as the Tai Tokerau MP and would stand at this year's election as an independent MP or as a member of another party. The joint statement said Harawira would not stand for any other seat and the Maori Party would not stand a candidate for his seat at this year's election.

In his own statement released this afternoon, Harawira acknowledged "the devastation caused to the people and the communities of Christchurch" by the earthquake, which he said was "rightly in the hearts and minds of all New Zealanders" at the moment. He said he was "extremely disappointed" that the findings of a disciplinary committee were released yesterday. "I did not lead the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed March from Te Rerenga Wairua to Parliament that gave birth to the Maori Party, to see it destroyed by infighting five years later, and I understand the vital importance of putting the problems of the past few weeks behind us so that we can all move on," he said. "I am comfortable with the view that we have come to a point where we can all agree that it is best for me and the party to go our separate ways, and to focus on the issues that are crippling Maori people, and indeed Pasifika and Pakeha people living in poverty throughout this country. "I also agree that in the best interests of advancing our people's future, we focus on the issues rather than the personalities, and that we not speak disparagingly of one another."

Well it is done and now we can get on with the job - maori party I will not vote for you - Hone let's get that new maori party sorted bro and let's provide the representation that maori deserve and require.

Update

The hikoi is on and hopefully Hone will be up front

A hui today for a proposed hikoi to protest against the Marine and Coastal Bill have agreed upon official dates for leaving and arriving in Wellington.

The hikoi will be against the Government rushing this Bill through parliament after over 6000 submissions were received and not one change done to it.

11th of March 2011 is the date the hikoi takutaimoana will leave from Te Rerenga wairua.

The hikoi will begin with a karakia timatanga at dawn.

The proposed date of arrival in Wellington will be Tuesday the 22nd March 2011

It will take 11 days to travel the 1100 kms from Te Rerenga Wairua to Wellington

Hat tip tangatawhenua.com via Maui St

earthquake

A massive earthquake in Christchurch - news just coming in - kia kaha and much arohanui to all.

The cathedral tower is down

RadioNZ

The Standard

Stuff running report

Just spoke to mate - it is bad, buildings down, dust and tears. He is okay but many are not.

Confirmed deaths on radio and dozens of people trapped.

Mutiple fatalities in multiple locations including buses crushed by falling debris - radio

most if not all of the Christchurch civil defence leaders are in Wellington at a conference and the airport is down so they can't get straight in

power out to 80% of the city

rescue teams being formed to search collapsed buildings

65 confirmed dead - up to 200 perhaps still trapped in collapsed and burning buildings

Update - 75 confirmed dead, 300 still unaccounted for - over 120 people pulled out of rubble overnight

scratching in the gutter

The welfare working group has come back with their recomendations and they have been predictable in their nastiness and destructiveness to our society. Their mindset is twisted - they blame the beneficiaries - I find their whole argument nonsensical and venal and i don't engage with anyone going down that line - no point - they are beyond.

Stuff

More than three quarters of all beneficiaries will be forced to seek work or face cuts to their payments - a single 'Jobseeker Support' benefit that would replace the dole, domestic purposes, sickness and other benefits and require all but the most seriously ill and disabled to look for work. Which would increase the proportion of beneficiaries presently subjected to work testing from 37 per cent to 77 per cent. That would more than double the numbers required to look for work from 133,200 of the 360,000 people presently on a benefit to 277,200.

Of course the obvious fact that there are few jobs is ignored because Rebstock dosen't care - it is all the fault of the beneficiaries, they need to get out there and she will provide the pointed stick to get them moving.

''There are currently few incentives and little active support for many people reliant on welfare to move into paid work. Long term benefit dependency can be avoided if investments are well targeted and timely. "Enabling people to move into paid work reduces poverty and improves outcomes for key at-risk groups, including young people, sole parents, disabled people and those who are sick.''

We knew this was coming and now we'll see how much more political capital brand-key will expend defending and implementing it.

Good post by Danyl at The Dim-post on another disgusting aspect of their recomendations

we know you will know

The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya has just tabled a report at the UN. I haven't read it yet but reports show that he highlights the "extreme disadvantage" of maori in this country. All of the maori party spin and brand-key lies and disinformation cannot hide the truth of the shame of this country. Maori are the indigenous people of this land and maori are disadvantaged. The promise of the maori party was around this disgrace not the bullshit spin being spun. The answer is simple - tino rangatiratanga. Protests at the fake sporting event. Pressure and marches to show that we will not go from our land.

Stuff

The Special Rapporteur cannot help but note the extreme disadvantage in the social and economic conditions of Maori people in comparison to the rest of New Zealand society," the UN report says. "This disadvantage, which manifests itself across a range of indicators, including education, health, and income, is certainly detrimental to Maori people's ability to act in partnership with the Crown, as contemplated under the Treaty of Waitangi. "The Special Rapporteur notes that this disadvantage especially manifests itself among Maori people living in urban areas." Anaya notes that "regrettably" New Zealand continues to incarcerate Maori at a high rate. He said Maori made up 51 per cent of the prison population despite making up only 15 per cent of the total population. "In addition to the negative impacts on individual incarcerated individuals and their families, high incarceration rates have a potentially significant impact on Maori political participation, as the New Zealand electoral law specifies that citizens who have been sentenced and imprisoned lose their voting rights," the report says.

Reality hurts for those who pretend not to see - but reality is everyday life for those who are within it. No one who can think is unaware of these statistics and what they mean. It is time to wake up - it is time to deal with why this is happening.

retrospective promises

When I posted about maori boycotting the rugby world cup I envisioned a different scenario than the one we have now. For instance in my version I had the maori party leading the hikoi and the protests at the rugby world cup - but the maori party are leading nothing. I thought that the maori party would lead but that is not how they see themselves. Tariana recent video entilted "Keeping our Promise", is professionally made and she talks of the

"two things that maori party supporters asked the maori party to achieve in their first term of government - to repeal the foreshore and seabed act and provide a way for maori to go to court" 

Tariana declares that they have achieved that and the problem is that the bar has been raised.

Tariana also is keen to describe how the Bill abolishes crown title and introduces recognition of customary interests. Customary title is described as "giving iwi development rights" - and she talks about those rights pertaining to, say - "sand mining and further oil exploration"! Thanks for letting us know your agenda.

Without bating an eyelid she praises the select commitee process, saying,

"people will be able to have a say" 

The body language just after these lines tells the story.

Iwi leaders have said the hurdle of customary title is a biggie and Tariana explains that because of the racists the

"government gets incredibly nervous from their polling about what it means for them, if an election were to be called."

What the - who calls the election? But don't worry all of that is just "political realities".

and Tariana also says that the maori party job is to open the doors to enable whanau, hapu and iwi to negotiate their own positions on this issue (the foreshore and seabed repeal) and the maori party have done that. -

"so, we've kept our word to keep the door open  and allow people to get in here basically to negotiate their own deal" 

Tariana states that the Bill has to go through or it will revert and all of the new rights will be lost and it will be much harder for iwi because,

"the government won't be under any obligation to in fact listen to them, or to put anything in place".

Umm Tariana isn't that the party you support - even against the wishes of the people?

The message is clear. Tariana says expectations are too high and that

various iwi have been prepared to accept settlements of between 1% and 3% of what has been taken from us ... when measuring achievements of what has happened with the foreshore and seabed has lifted the bar... and created, not only an opportunity, but the maori party has set a precedent that for the first time ever, our people in numbers, have been able to access ministers of the crown in a way that they never have been before - when you're in opposition you get no opportunity... we have to build relations in this place because unless we do that, the door will always be shut to us.

Of course Iwi have been prepared to accept whatever crumbs they have been offered - a good analogy with the maori party position. So, the lines have been set and the "We've kept our promise" is the big theme for this and probably the election. It is an interesting framing because I cannot recall the big promises as such - but if you want to present your argument, you create strawmen and then proceed to argue - the "promise" line is in that catagory. It is made up and irrelevant. My view remains unchanged - the Bill is a farce and reduces maori rights and the maori party should listen to their people and not support it.

visual poem

driven to power

insatiable and inert

into a mixer

I've been helping with the Pupu Power Project - concreting the floor and the walls of the old race used by the gold-diggers. When not barrowing concrete for 30 metres I get to make the mix - that means shovelling, lots of shovelling. I'm enjoying helping with this community project and working 10 hour days with the 20 others high up above Mohua (Golden Bay), I'm enjoying the 30 minute walk up the track as the sun is coming up and the birds begin and i'm enjoying the pure physical exertion of the hard mahi.

chained by your insensitivity

Sometimes i get accused of being too sensitive, of finding offense when none is intended. That may have some truth - who knows. I do believe that too often some people just do not consider others or the ramifications of what they say or do. This example is from where I live. Needless to say the use of these effigies is disgusting to me but the symbolism with this one takes insensitivity to a new level. Am I too precious?

we say NO

Privatisation - most don't want to sell state owned assets as evidenced by this TV3 Poll

In a 3 News Reid Research poll, we asked 1000 voters if New Zealand should partially sell off some state-owned assets. A total 60 percent of respondents said no, just 30 percent said yes.

But regardless of public opinion, Prime Minister John Key still wants to push ahead with the plan to sell up to 49 percent of three state-owned power companies as well as Solid Energy.

“It does show you that we’ve got a job to do, to make sure that New Zealanders understand the merits of this programme,” Mr Key said today.

Doesn't that sound a lot like what the maori party are saying about the repeal of the Foreshore and Seabed Act?

And what about these iwi who are salivating at the prospect of these privatisations - time you listened to the people instead of the gnat lines I think.

Hat tip The Standard

wetlands massacre

Wetlands under threat from the bottom of this country to the top. Why oh why are we letting this happen - growing cows for money has a lot to answer for.

Rob Guyton has good information on the threat to Waituna Wetland in Southland, including reproducing some letters to the editor.

Environment Southland might try to halt further dairy farm development in the Waituna catchment in a bid to prevent the area's internationally significant lagoon from suffering irreversible damage. Monitoring of the lagoon, southeast of Invercargill, revealed high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous in sediments were threatening to "flip" the lagoon from an ecosystem with clear water featuring aquatic plants and fish species to one with murky, turbid water dominated by algae. When The Southland Times visited the lagoon this month with Environment Southland water quality scientist Kirsten Meijer, she showed us black mud on the edges of a tributary to the lagoon. "There's a lot of sediment going into the lagoon and the mud goes black (instead of being brown). It smells like sulphur, no oxygen, nothing can live in it," she said.

And further north in the Waikato

Hundreds of thousands of fish were found dead in the Whangamarino Wetland, near Te Kauwhata, last week. The fish were killed by low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, according to the Conservation Department. "The drought at the end of 2010 exposed large areas of the wetland and rapid plant growth occurred in areas usually under water," Mr Hutchinson said. "High rainfall in January, compounded by the baked dry ground in the catchment, meant water rapidly ran off into the wetland and water levels remained consistently high for about three consecutive weeks." Mr Hutchinson said resulting decomposing plant matter started a bacterial process which depleted oxygen in the water. "This was shown further by the layer of oily scum present on the surface of the water, which was natural oils released by decomposing plants, the dark black colour of the water and the soft, wilting emergent vegetation starting to break down," he said. "The decomposition is also identifiable by an unpleasant smell, very similar to that from a compost bin." But a wetland resident, who did not want to be named, said the decomposition smelled more like sewage. "I have lived here since the 50s and I have never seen anything this bad before," he said. "It's an environmental disaster. This wetland is dying."

So down south dairying is identified as a major if not THE major factor in the degradation of the Waituna Wetland and black mud is an identifier, but in the Waikato, one of the most intensive dairying areas, the black mud is supposedly because of the drought and then big rains - I'll let you draw your own conclusions...

I have posted about wetlands here.

RIP Dame Judith Binney

Dame Judith Binney has died and my aroha goes to her whanau and friends. A great person and a big loss for this country.

From Radio NZ

She specialised in the history of Maori and Pakeha engagement and produced acclaimed biographies and histories. Dame Judith believed it was important that New Zealand's story should be known, making it accessible to the general public with her well-written and well-researched books. She won several awards for her work, including the 2010 New Zealand Post Book of the Year and General Non-fiction Award for Encircled Lands: Te Urewera 1820-192. The book documents Tuhoe's quest for self-government of their lands, granted to them in law more than a century ago. The Tuhoe people honoured her by bestowing a Maori name, Tomairangi o Te Aroha. Dame Judith was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2006, was a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and an inaugural Fellow of the New Zealand Academy of Humanities. She served on the Waitangi Tribunal and the Historic Places Trust Board.

Maps says it all with this post from December 2009

Despite her relatively low public profile and her relatively small bibliography, Binney has exercised more influence over New Zealand's intellectual and arts communities than any other contemporary historian. She is revered by anthropologists and sociologists as well as by historians, and her work has energised poets, painters, and film-makers, not to mention museum curators.

Rest in Peace Dame Judith Binney

Maori Party panui - keeping our promise

I dislike being negative about the maori party - hell I voted for them and have supported them and specifically Pita and Tariana from nasty attacks - on The Standard for instance.

I have recieved a panui from them about their position on the alternative to the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

In the interests of fairness I'm going to put most of it up, and in the interests of brevity I'm pulling all the bullet points into paragraghs

Keeping our Promise - Marine and Coastal Areas (Takutai Moana) Bill

Tena koe marty, nga mihi nui ki a koe - We made a promise during the 2008 elections to repeal the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act and restore access to the courts. When we entered into a relationship with the National Party, our promise became a milestone in that agreement. That milestone has been a key priority of our work in Parliament over the last 18 months. The Bill, which delivers on our promise, is at a crucial stage and the public has been bombarded with negative messaging that has gained traction. marty, we hope you will be able to take the time to read through the points we make below. It is imperative that our constituents get information directly from the Maori Party that is not skewed with misinformation but instead focuses on what the Bill is trying to achieve and what outcomes there will be for tangata whenua and all New Zealanders.

Kia ora.

KEY FACTS

Abolishes Crown title and recognises customary interests (mana tuku iho) of all coastal iwi. Customary interests include a right to protect wahi tapu; and a right to be consulted on conservation and resource management. Allows iwi to claim customary title. Customary title is a property right that includes customary interests plus all minerals except gold, silver, uranium and petroleum; all newly found taonga tuturu, development rights, and a right to develop a plan which regional councils must recognise and provide for. Restores the right of access to court. If negotiations with Ministers do not reach agreement, tangata whenua can take their title claims to court. The Crown has to prove customary rights were extinguished, not iwi.

KEY STATEMENTS

To turn our back on this Bill, would be to break the promise we made to our people in 2005. If the Bill isn't passed, the law that deprived our people of their day in court, of their mana moana will remain in force. Is this what the people want? Is this why we marched? The Bill does not give us everything we wanted, but it is a step forward. If others have a better plan for repealing the FSSB Act, let's see it. The Bill reopens the door that was slammed shut in 2004, and allows tangata whenua to have a longer discussion on customary rights. The Bill does not settle the issues, but it keeps them alive. The Maori Party can advocate for customary rights and tikanga, in the Bill, but only tangata whenua can negotiate and settle matters of mana tuku iho. The decision to support or oppose the Bill is a matter of strategy: do we take a step forward, knowing we still have a long way to go? Or do we retire from the battlefield, and try to rejoin the fray some time in the future? That is the choice facing Maori people, and we will be guided by them.

CHANGES FROM SELECT COMMITTEE

The Attorney General will be recommending the House amends the Bill to require any recognition of customary title through negotiated agreement be given effect through legislation. This means that every such agreement will be subject to full Parliamentary and public scrutiny. This will dispel any concerns about future governments doing shoddy deals.

There are some frequently asked questions and answers like these ones

Can the Government decline customary title over lands that have been confiscated?

If an iwi is declined title, it will not be because their land was confiscated, so no the Government and Court can not decline title solely on the basis of confiscation. Iwi who have had their land confiscated are still eligible to claim customary title.

Why can't we just repeal the Seabed and Foreshore 2004 Act and create a Marine and Coastal Bill to replace the 2004 Act with conditions that are more acceptable to Maori?

Repealing the Act but not replacing it will cause uncertainty and the law cannot allow uncertainty. Therefore Parliament cannot repeal the Act without replacing it with legislation.

Can a moratorium be placed on mining licences that affect the foreshore and seabed?

The Maori Party asked for this but the Government declined it.

I'm not going to fisk this but let it stand as is.

It is interesting to read their framing of the debate - accept what we can and fight for more another day, if you've got any better ideas then lets hear them and so on. Unfortunately my opinion has not changed and I am opposed to this Bill and amongst my reasons for opposing it are the impossible (see good comment from BB in comments) hurdle of actually getting awarded customary title, and the legislation solidifies maori rights as inferior to private owner rights.

The maori party have said they will abide by the wishes of the people "we will be guided by them" (the people) - now the battle for those wishes is engaged in earnest.

Aroha mai for all the crossing out but I decided when I started the blog that I would stand by what I write and not delete.

the point is sharp

Titewhai Harawira has the right to say what she likes and her words will be weighed with everyone elses words. Yes she is Hone's mother but as she says, "I have the right as a kuia of Nga Puhi... I am an executive member of the New Zealand Maori Council. I have been there for the last 40 years." The anger is growing and strong words often flame anger - I cannot say whether it is a good or bad thing to call Pita Sharples a "gutless dog" and also accuse Tariana Turia of using the party to make herself "look good". But Titewhai has the right to say it and I agree with much of what she says as anyone reading this blog knows. The time for worrying about hurt feelings is past - there is too much at stake - we need to be brutally honest now because we are not fighting to the death - we are fighting for life - the life and mauri of the maori party.

Footnote - Titewhai has said sorry to Pita Sharples for her insult to him. He has accepted it. Good mana from Pita and I am pleased the apology has been given.
I have just watched this interview with Hone - It shows the man, his mana, and his heart - he is a leader.

lines being drawn

We are beginning to hear and see more examples of maori asserting their mana and kaitiakitanga within their rohe. We saw it here and also here.

Tangata whenua have stated that they don't want filming of the the hobbit on Mt Ngauruhoe.

... five weeks out from the scheduled start of filming for The Hobbit prequel, local Maori are set to put their foot down and refuse permission for the Oscar-winning director to use the central North Island mountains again. The iwi considered them sacred.

It's a pity they don't provide more context around the last sentence. I don't imagine it will adjust the views of the filmmakers but it would help the public understand, perhaps. Of course the filmakers just move to another mountain - I wonder what tangata whenua will say when they come to their ancestors.

Interesting to note that

Peter Jackson's production company has been allowed to divert water from a Waikato stream to create the lush green pastures of Middle Earth - in the middle of a hot New Zealand summer.  Environment Waikato, the regional council, has granted consent for 3foot7 Ltd to take up to 890cu m of water a day from a lake and stream in the Hinuera Valley, near Matamata. It will be used to irrigate 4ha of land planted on the Hobbiton set - the home from which Bilbo Baggins will set out on his quest in The Hobbit. This will give a rich green appearance to Hobbiton, reminiscent of Tolkien's beloved English countryside.

We really are bending over backwards to help them make money, aren't we.

painted on ears

How long will the leadeship of the maori party keep their heads in the sand regarding their bogus repeal of the Foreshore and Seabed Act? Well they have both come out in support of the process and the reporting back without amendment but they are up against it because the membership are not happy.

Te Paati Maori Ki Waitemata -

Yesterday the Maori Party members of Waitemata hosted a public hui where the Te Taitokerau MP, Hone Harawira, addressed the electorate. In response to the MP's address the hui stated: 1. We have total confidence in the elected Te Taitokerau MP, Hone Harawira. 2. Further, we request that our Te Taitokerau MP, Hone Harawira, be returned to caucus without further ado. 3. Finally, we are appalled at how the mana of our Rangatira has been treated in the isolation process, excluding him from important matters and issues that affect Te Iwi Maori katoa ie: Te Takutaimoana; Mining on our whenua; Privatisation; G.S.T increase; and other legislative bills before the house. The Te Taitokerau members in attendance will be attending the Maori Party Council hui to lodge their dissatisfaction at the lack of proper process taken without proper consultation and communication to the Te Taitokerau electorate.

Tamaki Makaurau say

Maori Party leaders are facing a vote of no confidence from an Auckland iwi over the Foreshore and Seabed replacement bill. Tamaki Makaurau elders likened the party's support for the new legislation, in the face of substantial objections, to trampling on the mana of their ancestors. Spokeswoman Ngaire Te Hira said the bill was not what people marched the length of New Zealand for back in 2004. Kaumatua and kuia of Tamaki Makaurau are preparing for a hikoi to oppose the bill.

Another hikoi - yes maybe that will get the message through but I am not optimistic about that because of these type of delusional statements from sharples and turia.

Pita Sharples says “We've been negotiating every way right up until last week and we actually won a little clause which lightened one of the tests and right up until last week also iwi were making submissions on it so it’s sort of been the Maori people's bill in a way.” Yes Pita that is the opposite of what the people are saying

Tariana Turia says about Hone (without irony) that, "He has no respect for our authority. He has no respect for this environment. He doesn’t have any respect for the coalition agreement that we all signed up to and that we all agreed to. And he has no respect for the party itself.” That seems similar to what people said about her when she left labour doesn't it?

The maori party have obstacles and they are Pita and Tariana. Tangata whenua are not happy and they will show it.

a yawning gap

Ok - who leaked the plans to mr trotter?


http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2011/02/could-it-happen-here-scenario-inspired.html


This post is amusing until you begin to try to reconcile mr trotters known views on matters maori and the scenario painted. The purpose of the post? Who knows - it is a rehash of a previous effort (Lew sums it up well in the dimpost comments as. "just last year’s masturbatory honkey revenge fantasy, rehashed to suit current events" ) - it could be over excitment at the events in Egypt but my interpretation is the purpose of the post is to generate fear and distrust of maori. Oh and also to have a go at the 'race traitors'.

Hat tip - Dimpost

kia kaha Egyptian people

I don't pretend to understand the middle east - the countries, the people, the politics. But I do recognise the historic events in Egypt. Mubarak has gone - the 18 days of street protest have toppled this dictator - people power has won - but there is so much to do to protect the people and support freedom.

Good analysis and information  here and here and here and here.

kia kaha Egyptian people

we know better than you

The maori party are really disappointing at the moment. Many people are outraged about the truncated deliberation process and the early reporting back of the Bill replacing the Foreshore and Seabed Act but not Tariana Turia. Apparently she says, the decision to fasttrack this was "made last year". What? That seems very strange to me. Attorney General finlayson has made some big calls too, such as this one -

Members of the committee had also wanted to see legal advice about tests for customary title the Government received on the bill but Mr Finlayson said it was his choice to refuse to release that.

I bet you don't want that information coming out.

The most contentious part of it is the test for customary title -- continuous use and occupation since 1840 -- which Maori critics say is too hard to meet. Mrs Turia said her party had campaigned on repeal and for the right to go to court and it achieved those things, even if it remained unhappy with the tests. Mr Finlayson told reporters he did not intend to move on the test issue, which he considered honest and objective.

Finlayson laughs off the outrage saying there is no point in further deliberation because, "Well everyone's position was very well predetermined" why bother asking for submissions then - a big fake process leading to a predetermined decision. No one is fooled - it isn't even subtle. This is a foul brew concocted by these weaklings.

first, shine the spotlight in their eyes

Professor Jane Kelsey is leading the battle against this TPPA. Prime minister key has been spotlighted and with the next round of secret negotiations in Chile starting on 14 february, who knows what else they will give or sell away. This change of position from key would allow the government to be sued. Are you happy with this maori party? Do you actually believe that this is good for maori?

Voxy

In November last year, Prime Minister John Key described as "far-fetched" the idea that investors could sue the New Zealand government directly in a secret international tribunal to enforce rules in the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). This week, US trade negotiator Barbara Wiesel said that was no longer New Zealand's position, according to TPPA critic Professor Jane Kelsey. In response to questions about New Zealand and Australian positions during a briefing to civil society in Washington on 31st January Ms Wiesel said "New Zealand had retracted the Prime Minister's statement. It is not their position."

What does it mean?

The Key government is happy for pharmaceutical firms in the US, Australian banks or Singapore-based Brierley Investments to sue the New Zealand government for millions in compensation if they think new laws or policies are unfair or unreasonable or erode their profitability", said Professor Kelsey.

Why the change in position?

"Either John Key did not know what his negotiators were proposing to do when he described investor-state enforcement as "far-fetched"; or he was lying to the New Zealand public; or he has buckled to pressure from the US, and possibly his own Minister and officials, to agree."

And why is this so important?

"This proposed bill of rights for foreign investors is even more frightening when government has announced assets sales and privatisation of ACC, policies which failed in the past and required the government to step back in."

Some may say that all of these areas are unconnected but just watch - they are all connected - when brownlee said the 'for sale' sign was up he was deadly serious.

good respect

This setting of the mauri stone at the site of the new community support building at Middlemore hospital is a good example of how different worldviews can be respected. Not only is the maori belief system respected, all others are as well as staff were able to put other meaningful items in with the mauri stone.

Manukau Courier - Stuff

Burying a mauri stone is a mark of respect to Papa, the earth mother, and bestows a blessing on the site and the buildings placed there. Counties Manukau District Health Board's chief executive Geraint Martin placed the mauri stone in the burial box. The ceremony was led by kaumatua and saw staff members place special items in the box.

No one loses from this approach - we all gain, no matter what we believe.


 

strings animate puppets

Well we knew the repeal of the Foreshore and Seabed Act was a farce and now they prove it. Morgan at Maui St hangs rightful blame and shame on Te Ururoa Flavell for allowing this to be presented back without amendment. Why has this come back early? The puppetmasters has decided - that's why - and the puppets dance a merry jig.

Stuff

After receiving nearly 6000 submissions on the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill, most of them opposing it, the Maori affairs select committee yesterday decided on a majority vote to send the bill back to Parliament with no changes and a recommendation that it be passed into law without amendment. The committee had until February 25 to report the bill back and surprised Parliament yesterday when it suddenly announced its decision. Labour, Act and the Greens, who all oppose the bill, criticised the move, saying the Government was trying to rush through the legislation.

Attorney General finlayson says

"One has to get beyond the political rhetoric and focus pretty coldly and toughly on the principles involved in this legislation and we'll have a debate."

Wants to be kingchris i think and have Iwi bow to him and his behind the scenes deals.

Prime Minister Key says

As for submissions being ignored, he said there was always a majority view among submitters. "Often it is coming from one group that is more engaged and interested. We don't look at the numerical basis, we look at the arguments," he said.

That is about the level of key - don't worry about the 80% opposed - "let's work as a team and do it my way".

Moon has popped up

Maori history expert (sic) Professor Paul Moon from AUT believes the latest stoush around the bill is nothing more than politicking. He thinks those opposing the bill are just doing what politicians do. "All the parties are now vying for attention at the beginning of Parliament in election year," he told Newstalk ZB. "They're trying to do whatever they can, look for any excuse I think to gain some traction." Paul Moon says what is more important is how the bill will actually operate once it's passed into law.

Yeah that's it... we know that paul but it doesn't dimish from the shoddy process and disregard of the majority of submitters submissions opposed to this.

What about the maori party - what do they have to say? can't find anything. I don't wonder too long about what lines they will say - gnat lines 100%. The people can go to hell.

your hand's on fire

I don't like Winston Peters and his party but I do admit he is a savey political player. Chipping away at public awareness - a quote here, a quote there. That seems to me a good plan to get back into parliment. He has many supporters out there and they believe in him and what he says.

Waatea News

Mr Peters says his fellow Ngapuhi has woken up to how little Maori had got in exchange for his party's support for a John Key government, “The UN declaration has not helped one Maori in this country. The home insulation programme has been trialed in two places, Ngapuhi and Ngati Porou, which happen to be the two warmest places where Maori live. Whanau Ora is $20m over four years ... this is really a failed programme when you look at the financials of it and I don’t think the majority of Maori people are going to be fooled by this,” he says.

They are sharp lines and he finishes with subtle humour

Mr Peters says Hone Harawira shouldn't sit by the phone waiting for a call to join New Zealand First.

There is no doubt the key and the gnats are afraid of peters - hell I am too. goff has said he will get into bed with anyone - it could be peters. I cannot conceive of Hone and peters working together - that is just not a goer.

We will see what happens this week with the maori party disciplinary hearing for Hone but the more I mull it over the more I believe being independant may be the best way for Hone to go.

the distance between

I am impressed with the way Hone is handling the turmoil at the moment. His press release was masterful. Hone is continuing to focus on kaupapa maori and the fact that he has a right and obligation to speak out. I was particulary impressed by his ideas expressed in the second release

This suspension though, coming right over the top of the disciplinary procedures suggests that the constitution is really just a smokescreen to stop me from raising issues which are close to our people’s hearts and pockets, but which threaten to derail our cozy relationship with National.

But I simply cannot do that.

• We should recognise that Maori people are simply not happy to support a relationship with National while food prices go up, petrol prices go up, electricity goes up, house prices go up, rents go up, and GST gets whacked on top of everything, while this government gives millions of dollars in tax breaks to the rich.

• We should acknowledge the reality that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, and that our people are getting hammered every step of the way, and not because I say so, but because every single economic commentator is saying so.

• We should not only be saying we want GST to be taken off food in the next budget, we should also tell the PM publicly that we did not support the last GST increase, and that any further increase in GST will be a coalition-breaker.

• When Tariana Turia’s voters say that the most important issue for them is the Maori language, then we should be calling for Maori to be compulsory in all primary schools.

• When government says that 60,000 children started school last week, 12,000 of them will leave without being able to read and write, and that most of them will be Maori, we should be demanding that government cancel any further bailouts for big business, and instead spend the money on ensuring that all Maori kids can read well, write well, count well and speak well by the time they’re 10, and that we will achieve that by 2014.

• We should oppose the government’s Marine and Coastal Areas Bill because it does not give us the title that our people marched for, and because most of our people do not support it. We should instead ask that the 2004 Bill be repealed and a moratorium be put on the FSSB for a couple of years to see if we can come up with a deal acceptable to Maori, while accommodating the wishes of other New Zealanders This bill does not do that and we should not feel embarrassed about opposing it.

• We should come out hard against the privatisation of the nation’s assets. Privatisation of the telecommunications industry has put billions of dollars of hard earned kiwi dollars into the hands of overseas interests every single year while thousands of Kiwi workers, many of them Maori, have been simply dumped at the roadside. NZ Rail is the same, NZ forestry, NZ banks – this government’s plans to sell of the rest of the nations assets must be stopped, and we must lead the charge to stop them.

The fact of the matter is that although there have been some small gains, Maori communities have been heavily hit all round the country by this government’s policies, and our people want us to step away from National and look at whats happening.

We have been swallowed up by the National juggernaut, we are seen as merely the Maori face of a government that is hurting Maori people, and we are no longer being seen as active defenders of the faith.

I agree with all that and that is why I believe Hone is a true leader and showing his leadership qualities daily - he is expressing the views of many maori - not dictating what they should believe. And to cap it all off he shows humility and that is why the people will follow him.

I know I don’t have all the answers. I know my colleagues have just as much to offer as I do, but I also know that our people are crying out for us to reconnect with them, with their lives, with their situations and with their hopes and dreams.

I know that I have been wrong with some of the things I have said, and some of things that I have done. I do struggle with authority and I know that I could handle my relationships with my co-leaders and my colleagues better than I have, but I have been selected by the Tai Tokerau to be the Maori Party candidate for the 2011 election, and I am ready to be that candidate

Hone is showing his quality as the pressure increases, there is still a wee way to go and I hope he continues to stand strong and stay controlled.

now what said I then

I have been looking for the quote from goff saying that he wouldn't work with Hone and Kiwiblog has just put it up - along with the current goff statement which says he would not rule out working with anyone, including Hone. As DPF states - it has only been two weeks between the two, opposite statements.

Come on goff get it together.

How about this scenario

Hone expelled
Goff rolled
Jones elected leader
Hone joins labour
Maori vote for labour
labour govern again with greens

I know, I know,  ... look, I can't stand labour but things are going to get very difficult with another 3 years of the gnats.

Hat tip - Kiwiblog

the belly is ripped

The reason given by sharples for why Hone has been suspended by the maori party is strange. he says the maori party wanted to start the new parlimentary year off with everyone in agreement and "... Tuesday's sitting is the beginning of the parliamentary year and the party wanted to make sure the speeches given in the general debate are those of the caucus, and not what Mr Harawira "might like to dream up"." So this is a decision made to keep Hone quiet, to keep a pleasant face, to not make waves. And somehow this decision has nothing to do with the upcoming disciplinary hearing - yeah right. After years of dealing with Hone and "dreading the day" when he was supposed to suspend him, sharples now expects us to believe it is just coincidence that the day after waitangi day and 3 days before the hearing, somehow the straw that breaks the camel's back lands. Sorry pita that is bullshit. The instructions were given and then carried out - simple really. And pita should realise that Hone isn't dreaming his concerns up - you are delusional pita.

As for Hone - the time has come. Do not let this foolish bunch dictate the game but also do not leave - let them expell you and then when you come back they will be revealled in their true form. Stand strong and continue to represent the people. These events will rip the belly of the maori party and people will need support. Focus on the issues that are affecting the people - that is the kaupapa and important. Keep the angerpot simmering but don't boil it too hard. Smile at them often.

sharples and turia have already lost - they just don't know it yet.

I have just listened to maori party president bird say that they are following the advice of chen and they are correct. One of the recommendations is to fix the problem quickly - whose kaupapa is that? Who says that things have to be sorted quickly - why? Why not take some time so that views can be sought and people can have their say?

No - I suspend you!

Hone is now suspended from the Māori Party's parliamentary caucus. I am of the view that the Māori party have forgotten what leadership means - it is a right given BY THE PEOPLE. Leadership is not telling people they don't understand, or that they are wrong or just naive. That is not leadership - that is arrogance. The Māori party may feel able to go ahead with 50.01% of the people behind them but they will just smash what they have built. This is not the last chance for maori to have political representation - unless key is telling sharples and turia things that we don't know - the Māori party is the latest and not the last in continued fight for fairness and equality.

Kim at He Hōaka discusses the difficulties of The Māori party and I agree with her excellent analysis.

dirty truthy

the treaty

The waters around Waitangi are so polluted after the storm that they have issued warnings not to eat shellfish or swim, on the weekend of the rememberance of the signing of the treaty of waitangi - that is symbolic. When you combine that symbolism with the maori party releasing the findings that maori make up over 40% of Taranaki's unemployed yet are 14 percent of Taranaki's population, the symbolism of the dirty water is made real, right in front of us. The inequity is all around us - in all the statistics, in people's lives. The maori party way of fixing this, of being government and supporting the gnats agenda, has not done anything, other than make it worse for people and harder for them.

Hone preempting Pita's speech? well the gloves are off but hone's backers have been pretty quiet and that isn't a good sign. Perhaps hone would be better as an independant as Morgan at Maui St says. Any new party will not get off the ground now and sorry hone, the greens will not want you. Independant means you can pretty well say what you like, which will be a good thing.

the treaty?

sure we could go through the different versions with their different meanings, the misinformation, the lies, the fact that many didn't sign or those that did, signed the maori version. But you know, I can't really get the thought out my head of 40% of the unemployed in Taranaki are maori...

we used to have trees here

I love trees and forests. There is so much value in trees - as shelter, as food sources but mainly as themselves - a vital and perfect part of our world. We have cut a lot of trees down here - I cannot stand seeing the pictures of the loggers standing beside a massive kauri that they have just killed - yuck. When the opportunity to plant native forest comes along the lure of quicker money entices some larger groups away - But there are many conservation, activists, trusts, maori and community groups who work very hard to plant and pest-proof areas to save. Thank you to all people involved in this. This report (see correction below) however shows how bad it really is

In figures released by Conservation International, New Zealand's forests are placed only behind Indo-Burma as the most at-risk forest ecosystem in the world.The world's 10 most threatened forest regions have all lost at least 90 percent of their original habitat, and are home to at least 1500 plants which are not found anywhere else. New Zealand's forests were home to 5 percent of its endemic species, Conservation International said, and invasive species, such as rats, stoats and possums, posed the most serious threat to the flora and fauna of New Zealand.

It is shameful but we must get over that and get on with the solutions. Those solution must be holistic and see the wider, interconnected view, otherwise it will just create other, sometimes worse, problems. How do you come up with solutions that haven't been thought of and discarded many times? Well Charlotte Squire at Happyzine had the same dilemna with how to save the Mokihinui River. She conceived of an idea called Wild Energy. She got judges, she got the concept sorted and then launched the competition to come up with alternative ideas of how to generate the power that they expect to get from the dam damn they want to build. The competition ended with 14 ideas - from all around the world. Go and read the entries and add your vote to the hundreds of other votes already cast. Good ideas? Bad ideas? who can say - at least they are ideas.


The greens have come out with these good points

National's $54 million cut to the Department of Conservation's budget was a reckless gamble with the conservation estate, given the extreme level of threats our plants and animals face," Green Party conservation spokesman Kevin Hague said. "If we love our unique spaces and the plants and animals that live there, we'll need to re-prioritise the way we spend our money." He said he planned to introduce a Member's Bill into the House to place complete protection over native plants and animals, since many species still remained unprotected.

A Bill is a start but we need a change in consciousness as kevin says - got any good ideas?

Correction - Kiwiblog has a link to a good article by David Young at Pundit which looks into why this survey and the claims about this country's placing are incorrect and an error. That is good news - sort-of.

spits of reign

The latest Household Labour Force Survey figures show unemployment has risen. yes we know about the global recession and financial stack of cards but what has happened to the initiatives to generate meaningful employment options for people. Cycleway? job summits? This government blames the unemployed for being unemployed and they are going to let the 'market' sort it out and that will put many more people into that status - that is how their system works. It is based on inequality.

No Right Turn

The Household Labour Force Survey is out, and it shows that unemployment has spiked again to 6.8%. 158,000 people are now out of work - an increase of 53,000 since National took office. In addition, an extra 92,000 have given up and left the labour force, while we have an extra 31,000 long-term unemployed.

I latest breakdown of the figures show that

The figures showed the rate of unemployment for those aged 15-19 was more than 25 percent, that Maori unemployment was 15.5 percent and Pacific Islanders unemployment was 13.5 percent.

Have no illusions - things are going to get a lot worse with the gnats in for another 3 years. Lew at Kiwipolitico tells it like it is and it is very scary. Labour are toast. The Greens are struggling with cutthrough but at least provide some opposition. The maori party have different priorities. What to do?

Communities and people together is the only answer. We may or may not be able to stop or slow them down (we will try though) but we must strengthen our connections and bonds. Every storm passes and when it does, the destruction becomes apparent. The tears can flow and then we rebuild together, as communities.

step aside love

News that The White Stripes are no more is sad but inevitable. Jack White is amazing and Meg is too. As a team they surpassed anything that could be imagined.

It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve What is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way

Some thoughts on the maori party and how they could learn from The White Stripes.

Sometimes it is just time to go seperate ways and to go with those sentiments is the way to go. The maori party should consider this duo's example - it preserves what is "beautiful and special" - hasn't the maori party said that they have achieved what the wanted this term and that couldn't have happened without them being there. They had the courage to set the party up and go forth into no-mans land and even though I disagree and have been horrifed at some of the things they have supported - I still respect them for what they have done. The hope and aroha the formed the maori party and made this historic advance is beautiful and special and should be preserved.

The leadership have led the way and now it is time to step aside and allow the next leaders to come through. Age is a factor and even more importantly it is time to have a break, to put your feet up a bit and spend time with your whanau and teaching our young. Yes things will change within the party and the direction will be different but that is okay. You did what you did and now it is time for others to do what they will do. You have done your bit in this sphere and your voices and knowledge would be much more valuable out with the people. You could be very powerful voices. The new leadership will invigorate the maori party and you will be able to watch with pride as your party matures and grows and becomes effective in helping our people and eveyone in this country. Think it through Pita and Tariana - another 3 years? With all the changes the gnats have forecast? - do you really want to go through that. I ask you to not destroy what you have built but preserve it for all of us, for our children and everyone in this country - be special and beautiful - let the new shoots come forth.

release the text of the TPPA

I've mentioned the TPPA here. This agreement is very dangerous for all of us and it is astonishing that the country positions, including this country's, won't be known until after they sign and it cannot be changed - what are they hiding?

Frogblog

The governments of nine countries are currently negotiating in secret for a far-reaching agreement called the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). John Key’s Government doesn’t want us to see the NZ position or any of the text until it is signed and sealed and cannot be changed.

The TPPA is being branded a free trade agreement, but trade is only a minor part. As well as trade, the agreement covers foreign investment rules, empowering foreign companies to sue our government, opening our services to more international competition, restricting our right to regulate, pharmaceutical costs, intellectual property rights, and preventing use of government procurement to help local firms.

It would give special rights to foreign investors, including the ability to sue governments for passing laws that might affect their profits – like Philip Morris is threatening against countries that have introduced plain packaging of cigarettes – and threatens the survival of Pharmac that makes medicines affordable to New Zealanders.

Civil society groups, like TPP Watch, are currently campaigning to have the draft texts of the TPPA and the various country positions released for public scrutiny. 

Go here to read the open letter to prime minister key. Sign on to the Release the Text campaign here.

Hat tip - Frogblog

big money = big holes

This information was sent to me by a reader of mars2earth. How anyone could believe that mining Papatūānuku will be good for anyone other than overseas giant corportations is beyond me. The evidence is all around and it is very disturbing indeed.
ODT

Giant Chinese energy company Qinghua Group - with more than $12 billion of mining assets - is assessing several billion-dollar projects across the South Island. The west coasts of both the North and South Islands, with onshore and offshore iron-ore deposits, are being assessed for possible sites for a port purchase and steel mill construction. The South Island West Coast's specialist hard coking coal is a key ingredient for steel manufacturing. Edward LancasterOtago and Southland lignite deposits could be used for petrochemical or briquetting plants. Qinghua's joint venture partners Greywolf Gold-mining, incorporated in March this year, are spearheading project analysis, saying Qinghua has $10 billion to spend in New Zealand in 2011.

"We had hoped to make announcements in the new year, but the [three New Zealand] visits by Qinghua have been attracting attention," said Mr Lancaster, whose company directors include brother Michael and son Jolian.

Mr Lancaster said meetings were being sought through the offices of Prime Minister John Key and Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee, but the Pike River disaster had prompted deferral of meetings "for several weeks", he said.

10 billion to spend - if you just care about money that will be hard to resist but luckily more people care about the environment, global warming and the effect upon all peoples especially our pasifika cousins. Ngāi Tahu must oppose these developments for our children and their children.

Mr Lancaster described Qinghua Group as the largest private Chinese mining company and "the Chinese version of BHP Billiton in Australia", the world's largest diversified resource group. Mr Lancaster said Qinghua was also looking at prospects in Russia, South America and Africa. In New Zealand, Central Otago coal seam gas deposits are also in the mix, possibly for power generation to places such as Queenstown or Alexandra. The group is also thought to be seeking permit holdings in ironsand on the Kapiti coast and Manawatu River. There are also plans to acquire a coking coal field near Collingwood.

The focus of the current negotiations is to buy rights to an estimated 2 billion tonnes of southern lignite, half of which could be converted to petro-chemicals or lignite briquettes. Greywolf has also separately acquired coal permits near Buller, covering about 5000ha. "We [Greywolf] are paving the way for Qinghua. They are the one with the [financial] power behind them," Mr Lancaster said. Qinghua Group bosses have visited Central Otago, the West Coast and Marlborough in recent weeks looking at coal seam gas for electricity generation, hard-coking coal deposits with a view to building a steel mill, and lignite for petrochemical conversion. Chartered flights across the South Island have included meeting several southern mayors and visits to mine sites, Mr Lancaster said.

The process is already underway and yes they would have to get Overseas Investment Office approval and would be compliant with the Resource Management Act, and all regulations applicable to mining in New Zealand but we have heard brownlee say that "we are open for business" and we know how money-hungry these politicians are. Pesky regulations won't get in their way only the people can stop them.

In many countries the indigenous people are at the forefront of opposing mining - I know many individual maori who are also opposed to this but I'd love some iwi to come out strong in defence of Papatūānuku.

underreported struggles 46

Ahni at Intercontinental Cry has some very important underreported struggles this month.

UNESCSO was singled out for its lack of interest in protecting the Philippines Island Province of Palawan. The UN organization declared the island a Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1990; however, today, there is a concerted effort to hand it over to mining interests--putting at risk the island's delicate ecosystem, several endangered species and the local indigenous population.

A South Australian court slammed the door on a massive copper-gold exploration project on the Kokatha's ancestral lands. In its judgment, the court stated that the Kokatha's rights as well as the significance of the area and their longstanding and consistent opposition to mining, ultimately outweighed the potential value of the project. The ruling is a major victory for the Kokatha, who have been struggling to secure their land rights for more than 20 years.

Botswana's Court of Appeal reversed a 2010 High Court ruling that denied the Kgeikani Kweni (San) access to water on their ancestral lands. Celebrating after the decision, a San spokesman said, "We are very happy that our rights have finally been recognized. We have been waiting a long time for this. Like any human beings, we need water to live. We also need our land. We pray that the government will now treat us with the respect we deserve."

The Republic of the Congo became the first African state to adopt a law for the safety and equal rights of Indigenous Peoples. James Anaya, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, said of the groundbreaking legislation, "it provides an important example of a good practice in the region for the recognition and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples."

FUNAI, Brazil's department of Indigenous Affairs, issued an order restricting entry to lands near the site of the planned Belo Monte hydro project, following indications that Isolated Peoples are living there. However, despite the restriction, FUNAI decided to gave its approval for the controversial dam project. If the dam is completed, the isolated peoples would be displaced.

And many more - please visit Intercontinental Cry and read about these struggles.

Anake moves on

Te Runanga o Ngāi Tahu Chief Executive Officer Anake Goodall has quit his role to pursue other interests. Anake came in at a difficult time for the iwi and has worked for just about 4 years to help bring the Office together. There have been decisions made that I didn't agree with and although my personal dealings with Anake were a little  mixed - I do believe he has made a positive difference for the iwi and I thank him for his mahi and wish him all the best.

The Press - Stuff

Te Runanga o Tribe chairman Mark Solomon said he was reluctant to accept Goodall's resignation as he had ''completed an enormous body of work ... over the past four years''. 'Anake has accomplished the major outcomes that he set out to achieve when he took on the role of CEO, that of consolidating the iwi organisation and delivering dynamic outcomes for the benefit of tribal members. ''He will be difficult to replace.''

Te Runanga o Tribe - classic LOL

Goodall said he was leaving with a great sense of achievement. ''My job was to unify the Te Runanga Group and build the infrastructure that would enable Te Runanga, as our leadership, to have high expectations of the tribal organisation,'' he said. ''It was also my role to embed Ngai Tahu values, voices and faces across the wider portfolio of our work. After four years, I am confident that the foundations I intended to build, have been built.''

I would have liked a more positive strategy for employing iwi members and a better approach to farewelling iwi members that have contributed via their mahi. There are existing Ngāi Tahu in senior roles within the office at the moment but i cannot say that I can see any of them able to step up to the role. That could be an outdated view because I contracted to the Office at the same time as Anake came in and left a year or so after that. But one thing is for sure the role MUST be filled by a member of Ngāi Tahu whanui - there can be no compromises on that.

Footnote - There is a list of Anake's many achievements here and this acknowledgement from our Kaiwhakahaere is good too.

I wish to publicly acknowledge the fact that Anake has dedicated some 25 years of his professional career to our tribal development. He began his journey with us in 1987 as we presented Te Kerēme (the claim) to the Waitangi Tribunal and then, as Claims Manager, was a key member of the team that drove and then delivered the Ngāi Tahu Settlement. Upon taking up the role of CEO, he has worked tirelessly to consolidate our tribal institutions to be ready for the next stage of our intergenerational journey. Thank you Anake.