Fantastic new Te Waipounamu Maori Heritage Centre in central Hokitika.
Congratulations to all. It doesn't get much better than this.
Hat tip - Introducing Maori Lifestyles and Roarprawn
Showing posts with label good. Show all posts
Showing posts with label good. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
New leadership for NTHC
Good news that Ngai Tahu Holdings Corporation finally has a new Chair.
Mark Solomon, Kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, announced today that Trevor Burt and Catherine Drayton have been appointed as Directors on Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited (NTHC), with Mr Burt appointed as Chair.
Both appointments are for three years and commence 1 August 2009.
All the best for your mahi.
Mark Solomon, Kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, announced today that Trevor Burt and Catherine Drayton have been appointed as Directors on Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation Limited (NTHC), with Mr Burt appointed as Chair.
Both appointments are for three years and commence 1 August 2009.
All the best for your mahi.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Mandela = forgiveness
Happy birthday for yesterday Nelson Mandela.
The reason that this man is considered special is that after years of jail, on release, he didn't go all out for revenge on his captors. Most of his captors were surprised by that. Most of the world looked on in admiration at his tolerence and ability to forgive.
Good lesson for our country on forgiveness and the assumption that maori would be vindictive if given power - they wouldn't.
The reason that this man is considered special is that after years of jail, on release, he didn't go all out for revenge on his captors. Most of his captors were surprised by that. Most of the world looked on in admiration at his tolerence and ability to forgive.
Good lesson for our country on forgiveness and the assumption that maori would be vindictive if given power - they wouldn't.
key to being bendy
bendy white knight and non-minister
I'm a bit torn. On one hand I like the idea that folic acid is not going to be out in our bread and I am pleased the decision has/is now being made to back out. But on the other -how did we ever get to this. The non-minister has been saved from looking completely silly by the white knight of popularity - key. He is very bendy. I hope he doesn't bend too much when the racists put the pressure on around such issues as the Foreshore and Seabed.
And really, isn't bendy good if he bends the way you want him too?
Saturday, July 18, 2009
a stealthy approach works, and we all gain
This is a really good initiative that should be widened.
"Officers in the Central Police District, which includes Palmerston North, Wanganui and New Plymouth, are trained to say a simple karakia (prayer) and sprinkle holy water at the site of any fatal incident."
"Palmerston North-based Senior Sergeant Gordon Rongonui started the practice in 2002, when he began teaching tikanga Maori lessons to 738 Central District officers."
"Rather than them calling me out all the time ... we came up with a small karakia prayer card, about five lines, one side in Maori and the other in English, that anyone can do."
What a simple practical way to help get the people doing the practice. Make it easy, is the way to go.
"All that it is, is lifting the spirits and sending the spirits back to God, to heaven."
"It's all to safeguard the dignity of the person, the dignity of the family and the dignity of all the people around them."
"Dead criminals were treated the same as victims, Mr Rongonui said."
"When you go in, you always treat the deceased with respect. They could've been mongrels when they were alive but they were also someone's husband, someone's father, someone's child."
Senior Sergeant Gordon Rongonui has trained the officers to treat these deceased people with respect and within a maoritanga framework. It doesn't matter if you believe or not, or if you were bad or not. What matters is that you have died and for that, you are accorded respect. I agree with this approach and i think it does help the spirit move on.
I also like the way this has been introduced , without big fanfare, very stealthy.
And who has gained and who has lost? Well I can't think of any losers out of this, perhaps the atheist's will complain or maybe the really severe racists, but the winners far outweigh them.
The winners are everyone in this country. Our whole country gains when maori tikanga is incorporated into society. We need more of this stealthy approach, as well as the big protests. We need more maoritanga incorporated into our society. Well done Gordon Rongomai.
"Officers in the Central Police District, which includes Palmerston North, Wanganui and New Plymouth, are trained to say a simple karakia (prayer) and sprinkle holy water at the site of any fatal incident."
"Palmerston North-based Senior Sergeant Gordon Rongonui started the practice in 2002, when he began teaching tikanga Maori lessons to 738 Central District officers."
"Rather than them calling me out all the time ... we came up with a small karakia prayer card, about five lines, one side in Maori and the other in English, that anyone can do."
What a simple practical way to help get the people doing the practice. Make it easy, is the way to go.
"All that it is, is lifting the spirits and sending the spirits back to God, to heaven."
"It's all to safeguard the dignity of the person, the dignity of the family and the dignity of all the people around them."
"Dead criminals were treated the same as victims, Mr Rongonui said."
"When you go in, you always treat the deceased with respect. They could've been mongrels when they were alive but they were also someone's husband, someone's father, someone's child."
Senior Sergeant Gordon Rongonui has trained the officers to treat these deceased people with respect and within a maoritanga framework. It doesn't matter if you believe or not, or if you were bad or not. What matters is that you have died and for that, you are accorded respect. I agree with this approach and i think it does help the spirit move on.
I also like the way this has been introduced , without big fanfare, very stealthy.
And who has gained and who has lost? Well I can't think of any losers out of this, perhaps the atheist's will complain or maybe the really severe racists, but the winners far outweigh them.
The winners are everyone in this country. Our whole country gains when maori tikanga is incorporated into society. We need more of this stealthy approach, as well as the big protests. We need more maoritanga incorporated into our society. Well done Gordon Rongomai.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Two good blogs worth checking out
The blogosphere is a great way to learn.
Two blogs that i would like to mention are:
http://bottlebroke.blogspot.com and http://maorilifestyles.blogspot.com/
Both of these blogs are worth checking out. It is just so great to see quality sites that put up interesting posts on wide ranging subjects. Especially subjects as satisfying as art and lifestyle.
Visit these blogs and add your comments, i am sure both Feddabonn and Adrienne will make you welcome.
Two blogs that i would like to mention are:
http://bottlebroke.blogspot.com and http://maorilifestyles.blogspot.com/
Both of these blogs are worth checking out. It is just so great to see quality sites that put up interesting posts on wide ranging subjects. Especially subjects as satisfying as art and lifestyle.
Visit these blogs and add your comments, i am sure both Feddabonn and Adrienne will make you welcome.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Nice protection of endangered skinks
The critically endangered grand skink (Oligosoma grande) Landcare Research
Nice. Good story about saving endangered skinks. (not the pictured one above)
"A community conservation project in Central Otago aims to reintroduce critically endangered lizards.
The Central Otago Ecological Trust pilot project, supported by the Conservation Department and Landcare Research, plan to release 12 Otago skinks into a protective enclosure at the Aldinga Conservation Area near Alexandra."
"Trust chairman Grant Norbury said, "There has been a lot of depletion of lizards in Central Otago because the land has changed dramatically with farming, viticulture and pastoral use."
The lizard population in the area had also been heavily predated because of introduced pests such as cats, he said.
The lizard population in the area had also been heavily predated because of introduced pests such as cats, he said.
Work was continuing near Conroy's dam to recover vegetation in a 14ha area surrounding the enclosure.
If the pilot were successful the trust wanted to expand it and introduce wild skink and other species, including the Duvaucel's gecko and tuatara, he said."
A good example of people working together to conserve the environment and ecosystems. Thanks.
MGMT supporting Chris Knox
Great band and great cause. All the best Chris and whanau.
"Touring Brooklyn band MGMT will DJ at a fundraising night for iconic Kiwi musician Chris Knox, who suffered a stroke last month.
Knox and his reformed band The Tall Dwarfs were scheduled to open for MGMT at three sold out shows at Auckland venue The Powerstation next week.
But Knox suffered a stroke on June 11 and will be unable to perform.
After two weeks in hospital latest reports said he had returned home to relearn skills that have been impaired by his stroke.
MGMT, one of last year's biggest bands thanks to hit singles Time To Pretend and Kids, will DJ at the Bacco Room on July 20.
Tickets cost $20 and all proceeds will go towards Knox's recovery"
Great video from a fan.
"Touring Brooklyn band MGMT will DJ at a fundraising night for iconic Kiwi musician Chris Knox, who suffered a stroke last month.
Knox and his reformed band The Tall Dwarfs were scheduled to open for MGMT at three sold out shows at Auckland venue The Powerstation next week.
But Knox suffered a stroke on June 11 and will be unable to perform.
After two weeks in hospital latest reports said he had returned home to relearn skills that have been impaired by his stroke.
MGMT, one of last year's biggest bands thanks to hit singles Time To Pretend and Kids, will DJ at the Bacco Room on July 20.
Tickets cost $20 and all proceeds will go towards Knox's recovery"
Great video from a fan.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Building with nature
Affordable low cost housing - now that is an achievement worth going for.
"Increasing the demand for homes made from a repackaging of papatuanuku, the earth, is what a low-cost housing project in the Far North hopes to achieve.
Auckland University's Engineering School has been leading research into the performance of uku housing - a building method which involves mixing earth, flax and cement to use as a base material.
The research aims to "equip rural Maori communities with the knowledge to use their own earth and labour to build desirable housing"."
Using natural materials to build (as much as you can) is good for the environment, good for the community and good for the people.
"Increasing the demand for homes made from a repackaging of papatuanuku, the earth, is what a low-cost housing project in the Far North hopes to achieve.
Auckland University's Engineering School has been leading research into the performance of uku housing - a building method which involves mixing earth, flax and cement to use as a base material.
The research aims to "equip rural Maori communities with the knowledge to use their own earth and labour to build desirable housing"."
Using natural materials to build (as much as you can) is good for the environment, good for the community and good for the people.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Starlight Reserve for the stars, the peace, the night.
Lake TekapoI agree with this proposal to create a night-sky reserve in the Tekapo and Aoraki region but I find some of the rationale for the proposal interesting.
"A newly-formed working party, involving the Mackenzie Tourism and Development Trust, has confirmed its intention to pursue New Zealand's first starlight reserve in the Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook region.
"We are going to ask for funding and support from the Government and local authority to cover expected costs in the future," chairwoman and former Cabinet minister Margaret Austin said yesterday."
"The importance of recognising and protecting the night-sky as a renewable resource and part of the cultural heritage is crucial to this area and to New Zealand.
We are very good at promoting tourism in daylight in this country and we need to be just as successful at night to double our business," she said."
It's not about the stars, or the peace, or the darkness, it's about the money.
We have other values in our society, apart from money, and those other values need to be recognised. They are just as valuable.
"Tekapo was being promoted as a mixed site with nature and biodiversity, exceptional landscapes, cultural aspects, tourism, astronomy and a quality night sky. ..
It is hoped the dream of a starlight reserve with international status will become a reality if the World Heritage Committee accepts the thematic study at their conference in Rio de Janeiro next year."
Good luck with the bid, I hope it succeeds.
"A newly-formed working party, involving the Mackenzie Tourism and Development Trust, has confirmed its intention to pursue New Zealand's first starlight reserve in the Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook region.
"We are going to ask for funding and support from the Government and local authority to cover expected costs in the future," chairwoman and former Cabinet minister Margaret Austin said yesterday."
"The importance of recognising and protecting the night-sky as a renewable resource and part of the cultural heritage is crucial to this area and to New Zealand.
We are very good at promoting tourism in daylight in this country and we need to be just as successful at night to double our business," she said."
It's not about the stars, or the peace, or the darkness, it's about the money.
We have other values in our society, apart from money, and those other values need to be recognised. They are just as valuable.
"Tekapo was being promoted as a mixed site with nature and biodiversity, exceptional landscapes, cultural aspects, tourism, astronomy and a quality night sky. ..
It is hoped the dream of a starlight reserve with international status will become a reality if the World Heritage Committee accepts the thematic study at their conference in Rio de Janeiro next year."
Good luck with the bid, I hope it succeeds.
Puketutu gets reprieve from treated waste
PuketutuWhat fantastic news.
"A plan to dump more than 4 million cu m of treated waste on to an island sacred to Maori has been scuppered by the Auckland Regional Council."
I posted about this here. It just seemed insane to me and so insensitive to local tangata whenua.
"The 195ha island has been extensively quarried since the 1950s, leaving the southwest portion of the island "a series of water-filled voids", ARC documents say.
But an ARC/Manukau City Council consents panel this week rejected Watercare's bid, saying the dumping of waste would leave the island in a worse state and have "irreversible and adverse effects" on local Maori."
"The island was inhabited by Maori for up to 300 years up to the 18th century, and is considered waahi tapu (sacred).
At least 47 archaeological sites have been identified on Puketutu, though it does not have a high heritage rating, coming 240th of 242 listed geological sites in the Auckland region.
Iwi opposed the Watercare proposal."
Congratulations to the ARC/Manukau City Council consents panel, you have taken maori views into consideration and given them the weight they deserve. This will only lead to good things for your region.
"A plan to dump more than 4 million cu m of treated waste on to an island sacred to Maori has been scuppered by the Auckland Regional Council."
I posted about this here. It just seemed insane to me and so insensitive to local tangata whenua.
"The 195ha island has been extensively quarried since the 1950s, leaving the southwest portion of the island "a series of water-filled voids", ARC documents say.
But an ARC/Manukau City Council consents panel this week rejected Watercare's bid, saying the dumping of waste would leave the island in a worse state and have "irreversible and adverse effects" on local Maori."
"The island was inhabited by Maori for up to 300 years up to the 18th century, and is considered waahi tapu (sacred).
At least 47 archaeological sites have been identified on Puketutu, though it does not have a high heritage rating, coming 240th of 242 listed geological sites in the Auckland region.
Iwi opposed the Watercare proposal."
Congratulations to the ARC/Manukau City Council consents panel, you have taken maori views into consideration and given them the weight they deserve. This will only lead to good things for your region.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
John Minto - still going strong
A letter in today's Press stood out to me. Mike Graham from South Brighton says:
“It was refreshing to read a letter agreeing with John Minto (Ardas Trebus, June 11). Almost all your correspondents who write in response to Mr Minto's articles are negative.
I suspect that many of these people are still suffering from the hangover of associating Mr Minto with the Springbok tour.
His comments should be based on what they say, not on some longstanding paranoia about his previous associations.
I challenge readers of Minto to open their minds.
It is the job of a good columnist to be inquiring, informative and provoative. At times, we need to get up each others noses in order to promote healthy debate.”
Good points Mike and it is worth remembering what a contribution John Minto has made for our country. he is a hero in my book. I don't always agree with him 100% but I have always liked the way he has stood up for others. He has constantly championed the worse off, the people that often cannot speak for themselves. He is still active, still going strong. Kia kaha John
Community spirit in Motueka
This is a good story about a community working together to protect and provide comfort for elders.
"Motueka's new, state-of-the-art community hospital will be opened tomorrow, ending a 16-year fight to retain a public hospital in the town.
The 45-bed hospital was constructed by the Friends of the Motueka Community Hospital Trust, which was formed in 1993 when the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board threatened to close the existing hospital.
The trust has spent the last 16 years raising funds, purchasing land and working towards the building of the Courtney St hospital, and it will finally realise its dream tomorrow.
The hospital will be used primarily for aged care, although it also has four beds for medical patients. Mr Inglis said the new hospital would be a big asset for the community because it "will keep the families together"."
Keeping families together with elders in our lives, that is worth working towards.
On a slightly different note I am not sure if I know of any name more abused than Motueka. Anyone who doesn't care pronounces it 'mot-chew-ay-car' when the actual pronunciation is closer to 'more-two-ear-ka'.
"Motueka's new, state-of-the-art community hospital will be opened tomorrow, ending a 16-year fight to retain a public hospital in the town.
The 45-bed hospital was constructed by the Friends of the Motueka Community Hospital Trust, which was formed in 1993 when the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board threatened to close the existing hospital.
The trust has spent the last 16 years raising funds, purchasing land and working towards the building of the Courtney St hospital, and it will finally realise its dream tomorrow.
The hospital will be used primarily for aged care, although it also has four beds for medical patients. Mr Inglis said the new hospital would be a big asset for the community because it "will keep the families together"."
Keeping families together with elders in our lives, that is worth working towards.
On a slightly different note I am not sure if I know of any name more abused than Motueka. Anyone who doesn't care pronounces it 'mot-chew-ay-car' when the actual pronunciation is closer to 'more-two-ear-ka'.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Waka ama smashed
These people were very lucky.
"A high school teacher was slammed against breakwater rocks as he attempted to rescue students from pounding seas as their waka sank off Port Taranaki yesterday."
"Mr Poole said the waka ama (outrigger canoe) team had no intention of leaving the safety of the harbour for their 2pm training session but were caught by rising seas, which swamped the boat and forced them past the main breakwater."
"The waka was smashed to pieces after the crew used it as shelter, swimming to the breakwater during lulls."
We know about people being taken by the sea.
"A high school teacher was slammed against breakwater rocks as he attempted to rescue students from pounding seas as their waka sank off Port Taranaki yesterday."
"Mr Poole said the waka ama (outrigger canoe) team had no intention of leaving the safety of the harbour for their 2pm training session but were caught by rising seas, which swamped the boat and forced them past the main breakwater."
"The waka was smashed to pieces after the crew used it as shelter, swimming to the breakwater during lulls."
We know about people being taken by the sea.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Christchurch Art festival and Ngai Tahu
Nice information about the upcoming Christchurch festival of the Arts and Ngai Tahu's involvement on the TRONT website.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu is proud to be part of the 2009 Christchurch Arts Festival. For the past 10 years Te Runanga has been supporting Ngāi Tahu arts and artists and building relationships through the festival. Tā Tipene O'Regan is the festival Patron and has helped shape its development so that today it has grown to become the premier festival in Te Waipounamu.
This year Ngāi Tahu presents two major works Waharoa:Storybox and Snare/mahanga.
So much to talk about... my suggestion is to visit the TRONT website and have a look - they have done an awesome job!
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu is proud to be part of the 2009 Christchurch Arts Festival. For the past 10 years Te Runanga has been supporting Ngāi Tahu arts and artists and building relationships through the festival. Tā Tipene O'Regan is the festival Patron and has helped shape its development so that today it has grown to become the premier festival in Te Waipounamu.
This year Ngāi Tahu presents two major works Waharoa:Storybox and Snare/mahanga.
So much to talk about... my suggestion is to visit the TRONT website and have a look - they have done an awesome job!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Good writing here
Sometimes good writing just has to be commended.
This first piece by Chris Trotter is awesome. I won't give it away but it is well crafted and delivers a real kick. Which I happen to disagree with.
The second is from Jeremy Clarkson the outspoken host of that car show. He is very witty, and amazingly I agree with him. We must get serious about alternative energy cars and we must really consider the true cost of producing a car rather than just look at fuel economy.
Enjoy
This first piece by Chris Trotter is awesome. I won't give it away but it is well crafted and delivers a real kick. Which I happen to disagree with.
The second is from Jeremy Clarkson the outspoken host of that car show. He is very witty, and amazingly I agree with him. We must get serious about alternative energy cars and we must really consider the true cost of producing a car rather than just look at fuel economy.
Enjoy
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Good job Radio NZ National, that really does sound like us
I really have to say a big thank you to Radio New Zealand National. The effort that they have put in to get their announcers to speak Te Reo is outstanding. And offers a good example of what can be done. It is so great to hear our language on the radio. Just as impressive is the wide range of audio files available so it is easy to listen again to programmes you missed. Their maori archive is extensive and interesting. The last one I listened to was from Sunday with Chris Laidlaw. He had maori MP's talking about a recent maori parlimentarian conference they had been to. Its well worth a listen.
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