"People walking the Routeburn track need nappies for the trip, according to bogus, yet realistic, Department of Conservation signs.
Printed on cardboard in the familiar green and yellow colours, the signs bear even the authentic department and Great Walks logos.
But that is where the similarities end, with messages advising people to wear nappies and directing people to a public toilet up a steep rock face."I'm a fan of absurd humour. Good on you.
"The previously undiscovered asteroid came within 8,700miles of Earth but astronomers noticed it only 15 hours before it made its closest approach.
Its orbit brought it 30 times nearer than the Moon, which is 250,000 miles away."
"The tumbling rock was only 23ft across. Similar sized objects pass by this close to Earth about twice a year and impact on the planet about once every five years.
Astronomers believe the object, called 2009 VA, would have almost completely burned up while entering Earth's atmosphere, causing a brilliant fireball in the sky but no major damage to the surface."Those shooting stars are amazing.
"The Nasa NEO programme aims to detect and track at least 90 per cent of the 1,000 asteroids and comets that approach Earth and are larger than 0.6miles in diameter, by 2020.
They monitored a 100ft asteroid that whizzed 45,000 miles above the Earth's surface on March 2 this year. A similar sized object slammed into Tunguska, Siberia in 1908. The impact created a blast so powerful it levelled 1,200 square miles of forest."It is important to recognise our similarities - the places where we are the same. One of those places is our utter dependence upon mother earth. And our utter vulnerability. We are all alike in that place.
"Kaikoura tourism operator Whale Watch has been handed the Supreme Award at this year's Responsible Tourism Awards in London.
It was declared the overall winner for developing a tourism initiative from the ground up. The awards honour operators across the world that seek to ensure that local communities and environments benefit from tourism as much as possible."This really is a good operation and initiative - sure it's not perfect but it is an ecofriendly, ecocultural tourism icon now and we should be proud of it and it's achievements.
"Independent commissioners appointed by Manukau City and Auckland Regional Councils had rejected Watercare Service's bid to put biosolids on Puketutu in the Manukau Harbour, saying it was not a good way to fix the quarry-damaged island.
They said dumping treated human waste on a waahi tapu, or sacred place, would have a major effect on Maori cultural values."Sounds fair enough doesn't it - but watercare has other ideas.
"Watercare has decided to go ahead with the plan, using a power it has under the Resource Management Act to overrule Manukau City's finding that the whole island was waahi tapu."
Watercare says the treated waste is valuable and it would make the island better by rehabilitating parts gouged out by quarrying since the 1950s.
It wants to dump the solid waste - containing less than 10 per cent treated human waste - on the island as fill, slowly rebuilding the original terrain lines obliterated during the quarrying.
Asked yesterday whether Watercare should be making decisions about the extent of a waahi tapu, acting chief executive Gary Swift replied in a written statement that: "These are all issues that we shall now be working through with the parties who have appealed the decision.
"We maintain it is in the best interests of all Auckland water users that we continue to advance this case."
Watercare has also challenged the decision by the Auckland Regional Council - which unlike Manukau had the power to say no to the project - to reject permission for discharges, stormwater diversion, the taking of groundwater and the undertaking of 12 million cubic metres of earthworks while rebuilding the island.
The ARC/Manukau City Council consents panel said the dumping of waste would leave the island in a worse state and have "irreversible and adverse effects" on local Maori.
The island is marked as a waahi tapu in the Manukau district plan, and many Maori groups oppose putting sewage there.
The Makaurau Marae Maori Trust this week appealed against Watercare's decision to the Environment Court, saying it was not for a wastewater company to decide if the island was sacred.
It said only the tangata whenua - in this case the marae group - could decide whether to lessen the island's waahi tapu status."
"This trailer - The Good Soldier is a documentary about the conversion of five soldiers to the cause of peace. The veterans come from different generations and conflicts. With the exception of the Korean War, every slaughter starting with WWII is represented."
"As the directors state in the press notes:
"The simple revelations of their soldiers’ hearts, the wetness of their eyes, the emotion of the music that says what they cannot, the pauses and quietness, even the absence of narration pull at the psyche and whisper, “Does it really have to be this way?”
It does not really have to be this way, as long as we fight to prevent it."Do you know who knows about war? The ones killing and the ones getting killed.
"A coalition of environmental and American Indian groups sued two federal agencies Monday to stop the mass slaughter of bison that migrate outside Yellowstone National Park in search of food.
During the last decade, federal agencies working with the state of Montana have captured and shipped to slaughter more than 3,300 bison to prevent the spread of an animal disease to cattle.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, asks for the National Park Service and Forest Service to be barred from participating in the slaughter program.
The plaintiffs contend the two federal agencies are ignoring their responsibility to preserve the animals. It also says claims the threat of the disease, brucellosis, has been overstated."
"Yellowstone's 3,000 bison comprise one of the largest concentrations of the animals in the world. Bison once roamed North America by the millions before being largely wiped out in the late 1800s.
In early 2008, when the bison population had topped 4,000 animals, more than 1,400 bison were captured and shipped to slaughter."Irony time
"Brucellosis first came into the Yellowstone region through the cattle of early by European settlers."And this is where the problem comes in
"During severe winters and when bison numbers are high, thousands of the animals try to migrate to lower elevations outside Yellowstone in search of grass for grazing. But under a 2000 agreement between Montana and the federal government, the animals can be killed to prevent any contact with cattle."Stop the killing - you have already driven this beast to extinction and back. The bison are an ecosystem not just a big cow. Let the indigenous people work with the environmentalists to create a solution.
"They've since allowed some bison to linger outside the park in areas where cattle no longer graze. And last year, with financial backing from several conservation groups, the agencies leased a corridor through a private ranch adjacent to Yellowstone, allowing a small number of bison to access Forest Service land outside the park."
"Under Oranga Whanau, groups of three kuia will visit pregnant Maori women to identify welfare issues."help, support community - it is the only way to make a difference.
"Under the scheme, the three "nannies" will work in a team visiting mothers in their regions. Dr Sharples said it followed a smaller trial that iwi in Ngati Kahungunu undertook this year.
The "nanny principle" puts into practice the cultural way older people relate to younger people in the same non-threatening way that Maori wardens work.
"It works really well. One puts the kettle on, one natters about the whakapapa, the other one cuts the cake," the minister said."Brilliant! This is an innovative initiative that uses lessons from our history and past and incorporates them into our society today - I love it!!!
"Nga Pae o te Maramamatanga, the Maori Centre of Research Excellence, organised the symposium.One of the best things about this initiative is that it is maori helping maori in the maori way.
Sociologist Dr Tracey McIntosh called for researchers to re-evaluate what impact their research had in terms of changing behaviours and negative social indices.
Researchers needed to move towards using research models which didn't view Maori as victims and a recognition that gang, domestic and other forms of violence weren't isolated to Maori in New Zealand.
"Violence is a national and international problem but it is our problem," said Dr McIntosh. "We must own it."
"It is a catch-all - it's an opportunity to help people before issues become issues."
"Near the end of his interview with Maori broadcaster Willie Jackson on Radio Waatea this morning, Harawira said Goff should be "lined up against the wall and shot".
Harawira: "I'm about to hammer Labour again, over Phil Goff saying I should be suspended, you know, from politics – the cheek of the bastard..."
Jackson: "Careful."
Harawira: "Him and his mates, no seriously, him and his mates are responsible for the passing of a piece of legislation described as the single largest land nationalization statute in the history of Aotearoa. Now if I should be suspended for swearing, him and his mates should be lined up against the wall and shot," Harawira said.Well you can't say that hone isn't consistant. i agree that phil whatshisname should stick to his knitting - he has no credibility.
Harawira was referring to the passage of the Foreshore and Seabed Act, which National and the Maori Party are in the process of repealing.
Goff's office said the Labour leader would be holding a press conference early this afternoon to respond to Harawira's latest outburst."
"Iwi representatives on the troubled Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust have quit in protest over a shakeup of the project's management.
Three iwi representatives have resigned following the layoffs of four salaried administrative staff, including chief executive Jim Mylchreest.
They are also concerned about the trust's direction, particularly a proposed tourism development, and plans to charge visitors."
This is what consultation is all about. It is about discussing and mulling and considering and contemplating. Trying to ram things through too fast is as bad as doing nothing."A spokesperson for Ngati Koroki Kahukura, Tao tao Tauroa, said the representatives had no choice in offering their resignations because they had been put in a "vulnerable situation".
Mr Tauroa said other iwi had trusted them to look after some of the most precious native wildlife New Zealand had to offer and they had to show that they were up to the task."We were particularly concerned at the newly proposed strategic direction and the lack of time given to consider the proposal, which includes a tourism development and the introduction of a charging regime. Manu whenua feel these require wider debate and consideration.
Up until October the administration staff had been responsible for filing reports that met their requirements under a memorandum of understanding with other iwi.
"Maungatautari is a phenomenal conservation restoration project which has captured the imagination and support of the community. Manu whenua believe it is essential for the community to have the required say in the project's future. He said that before the meeting representatives were concerned they hadn't been given enough time to talk with constituents about the decision to axe the four administrative staff."
Listen to tangata whenua - really listen."Mr Tauroa was pleasantly surprised by the subsequent commitment to consult with Maori."
It (the resignations) has worked because there are no two ways about it – they have to talk to us about it. They don't have a trust without iwi," said Mr Tauroa."
"Survival director, Stephen Corry, said today, ‘The Totobiegosode are the most vulnerable uncontacted tribe in the world. A tragedy is unfolding right before our eyes – and the satellite camera’s lens. "Why are these people so vulnerable?
"The Ayoreo-Totobiegosode is the only uncontacted tribe in the world currently losing its land to beef production."
"There are several different sub-groups of Ayoreo. The most isolated are the Totobiegosode (‘people from the place of the wild pigs’). Since 1969 many have been forced out of the forest, but some still avoid all contact with outsiders.Their first sustained contact with white people came in the 1940s and 1950s, when Mennonite farmers established colonies on their land. The Ayoreo resisted this invasion, and there were killings on both sides.
What are the ranchers doing?In 1979 and 1986 the American fundamentalist New Tribes Mission helped organise ‘manhunts’ in which large groups of Totobiegosode were forcibly brought out of the forest. Several Ayoreo died in these encounters, and others succumbed later to disease."
"The ranchers, from Brazilian company Yaguarete Pora S.A., are operating on the tribe’s land in Paraguay despite having their licence suspended by the Environment Ministry in August for previous illegal clearance.Last year Yaguarete, together with another Brazilian company, River Plate S.A., destroyed thousands of hectares of the tribe’s land."
They are clearing the forest, the home of the Ayoreo-Totobiegosode tribe, using bulldozers alleged to belong to Jacobo Kauenhowen, owner of a large bulldozer business in a nearby Mennonite colony.
‘This is a serious threat to the Totobiegosode. The illegal deforestation carried out by Yaguarete in Paraguay is continuing without any control whatsoever,’ said the Paraguayan NGO GAT, which is working to protect the Ayoreo’s lands.Action to take
Act now to help the Ayoreo
Write a letter to the Paraguayan parliament using Survival’s online letter-writing tool.
Donate to the Ayoreo campaign (and other Survival campaigns).
Write a letter to your MP or MEP (UK).
Write to the President, your senators, congressmen or other elected officials (US).
Write to your local Paraguayan embassy (you can find their address through embassiesabroad.com)
And what lessons can we learn?
Let's use technology to keep an eye on the miners. Let's set up a google map of potential mines, or dams, or wild rivers. We need to keep the message simple and use everything at our disposal. And we need to support other people around the world. we need alignment.
"In July 2009, a group of 30 indigenous elders and leaders from Ampilatwatja, in Australia’s Northern Territory, walked away from their community to escape the Northern Territory Intervention and regain control over their own lives. 3 months later, the Ampilatwatja Walkoff continues."
and “On July 14 2009 we, Elders from the Ampilatwatja community, walked out of our houses and set up camp in the bush. We are fed up with the federal government’s Northern Territory Intervention, controls and measures, visions and goals forced onto us from outside. We felt we were outcasts and isolated from all decision making -there has been no meaningful consultation… We therefore have no intention of going back there. We intend to stay here until our demands are met. Richard Downs"What are these interventions?
Ampilatwatja community, 350 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs, is a “prescribed area” under intervention legislation. This means, as well as blanket alcohol and pornography bans, Aboriginal welfare recipients have 50% of their benefits “quarantined” — put onto voucher cards that can be used to buy only basic necessities.Richard has been travelling around Australia talking about the issues facing his people. His website is here.
As part of the intervention, the government compulsorily acquired community land through a five-year lease.
The protest camp is located outside the boundaries of the lease, three kilometres from the community, and has been joined by more than 200 people at times.
"Question - What led you to walk out of your community?Good on you richard - kia kaha with your fight for rights.
Answer - Total disempowerment... we have no rights. We don't have equal rights, the Racial Discrimination Act has been taken away, and the control measures [are] coming in, enforced by the federal government. Our voice has been shut down, we've been locked out of any negotiation, engagement or consulting, and it's not worth living there. So we agreed it's not right and we need to get out and create some attention... "
"Labour leader Phil Goff says if one of his MPs made the sort of comments, they would be suspended from the party. He says New Zealand is a country where there is one standard for all and Mr Harawira's breach of that standard has appalled all New Zealanders including Maori. Mr Goff says he cannot recall another situation where an MP has made deeply offensive statements towards another ethnic group in the community."
"So until the Hui A Tau which is being held at Oraka Aparima Colac Bay Riverton, on the weekend of the 20-22nd of November is over, we wont mock, prod, slap, dig, cajole, criticise or praise anything or anyone in relation to the elections."And yes Hui a Tau is very important so that kanohi ki te kanohi can occur. We are one tribe with 43,000 registered members and as i have said many times our kin connections are more important than our differences.
"The public is set to get their say on the future of the upper Rangitata River.I have had and sometimes still have, real issues with DOC. But i'm pleased to give credit when it is due. DOC wants public imput and that is the way to do it.
The management of recreational opportunities will be outlined in a Department of Conservation discussion document, and DOC wants the public to be involved."
"O Tu Wharekai (the upper Rangitata River and Ashburton lakes) is one of three wetlands around the country managed as part of DOC's Arawai Kakariki wetland programme."Thank you for using the maori name.
"DOC community relations programme manager Gemma White said the area is the most intact freshwater and braided river ecosystem remaining in the high country.
"We want public feedback and comment about where and how public recreation opportunities are provided within this important area." Ms White said the Arawai Kakariki programme was aimed at restoring wetlands with the assistance of the community and increasing knowledge about methods for wetland restoration along the way.
"In addition to its outstanding biodiversity, O Tu Wharekai is highly valued for its recreation opportunities."
The discussion document is available to the public for comment until November 30."Sustainability is not about locking people out it is about letting people in. The more we realise we are part of the ecosystem, we are part of nature - then the more holistic approach we will take with the ecosystems and the more success we will have in setting up sustainable approaches that allow recreation, conservation, relaxation.
"Road workers have uncovered what could be the bones of a family of moa while building a highway near Taupo.Now that is good work. Thank you road workers for stopping and contacting the necessary people including iwi. That is exactly what should happen.
They immediately stopped work, moved to protect the site and called archaeologists, iwi and the council."
"Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper said initial investigations indicated the bones were between 2000 and 3000 years old.
Once the bones were identified, they would be returned to Taupo, where the council, iwi and archaeologists would discuss what would happen to them.
"For me personally, I would like to see these remains brought back to Taupo where they can be protected as cherished artefacts for the people of Taupo," Cooper said."Once again excellent. Discuss the options and include iwi. And use the discovery of the taonga to build stronger community - to bring people together. Well done and thank you for giving us a good example of how we can anything to build community.
"MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 05 November 2009
Hone Harawira, Maori Party MP for Te Tai Tokerau
TO PARIS OR NOT TO PARIS
Last month I was up in Europe as part of a parliamentary delegation to the European parliament, and while there decided to take the opportunity to skip away to Paris for a day. Now it seems like everyone back here is all in a tizz about it - so here's the scoops.
I met with the person chairing the meeting, the night before I went to Paris, and we discussed a wide range of issues that would be coming up the next day, including trade, illegal immigration, parliamentary activities, local government, music, art, history, travel, and other matters of interest (including the imminent visit of the All Blacks).
I also talked with other MPs and officials who would be at the meeting the following day, and discussed a number of issues including sporting relationships and European perceptions of New Zealand.
And I met with one of the European MPs from Finland with whom I discussed the similarities between the Saami people and Maori, and made tentative arrangements for a future visit to Finland to see how the Saami parliament was run.
Because of the range of issues we had discussed, I decided to ask the chairperson whether she would mind if I skipped the next day and went to Paris. When my request was translated for her she burst out laughing and said how she'd love to come but she had the meeting to chair, so I told her I would make up for it by introducing her to some All Blacks when she came down here!! She positively glowed with happiness at the thought, so after all the speeches were over I did the honourable thing and closed the evening with a haka which brought the house down.
AND YOUR QUESTIONS ARE ...
Did you go to Paris outside of formal arrangements of the delegation? Yes.
Did you consider your Paris excursion to be a breach of parliamentary protocol? Yes, but not a breach of the requirements of the trip because I discussed the issues which would come up the next day with the chairperson and other European MPs before going.
Did you miss anything from the meeting you didn't attend? No. I checked later and found out that most of the issues that were discussed, I'd canvassed with MPs the night before.
Did you think your Paris excursion was a drain on the NZ taxpayer? No. I paid for that part of my trip myself.
Do you think you should have to pay any of my trip costs back to parliament? No - given that I notified the chairperson before going to Paris, covered all the issues before going, and have had follow up contact with European MPs who were there about future activities.
Is this the same as your trip to Alice Springs? No. Different place, different time, different issues.
Would you do it again? Hard to say. You take the action you consider to be appropriate at the time, but I wouldn't rule it out.
Any chance of you getting another overseas trip? That's for somebody else to say.
Did you enjoy your day in Paris? Hell yes. A man would be dumb to go to Europe and not take the opportunity to visit such a wonderful city and see such iconic places and images. I'm glad I did it.
Any flak from your party leaders about it? No. Not yet.
Any adverse reaction from your constituents? No, not at all. In fact, every comment I have had has been really, really positive. In fact one Pakeha lady stopped me to say she loved my article about the Paris trip and said she could picture the places I talked about as I described them. The only adverse comments I've had are from the press."
"Ngai Tahu leader Mark Solomon's Kaikoura runanga remains one of only two South Island runanga not preparing for elections to the iwi board.
Mana Solomon, a 31-year-old nephew to the tribal leader, said while 16 other runanga had either run or were planning elections, Kaikoura had done little to inform whanau about candidates."
"He was angry that the tribe's website says only that the runanga is "still discussing process". Watch out - you might get a taina email :) (This is supposed to be funny thus the smiley face)
"I don't know what that means. What's happening now is disgraceful. It's a basic democratic right to vote and yet we've got no idea."
"Tront chief executive Anake Goodall said Ngai Tahu legislation was vague about how it could elect members. But it wasn't good enough that the tribe had taken so long to sort out the electoral process. Mr Goodall said Kaikoura would likely miss the deadline for elections, but he hoped they would complete the process by the end of March."End of march!
"Vedanta plans an open-cast mine on Niyamgiri mountain in the eastern state of Orissa. Activists believe the mine will destroy the area's ecosystem and threaten the future of the 8,000-strong Dongria Kondh tribe, who depend on the hills for their crops, water and livelihood. They hold it and the surrounding forest as the sacred home of their god Niyam Raja."This report shows the truth
"The British government openly criticised mining company Vedanta Resources over its treatment of local tribes in a sacred mountain area of India where it plans to open a bauxite mine.Who is vedanta?
In an unprecedented attack on a FTSE 100 company, the government ruled that Vedanta "did not respect the rights" of the area's indigenous people; "did not consider the impact of the construction of the mine on the [tribe's] rights"; and "failed to put in place an adequate and timely consultation mechanism". The report concluded that a change in the company's behaviour' was "essential"."
"Controlled by billionaire Anil Agarwal, Vedanta Resources is India's largest copper mining firm and a major aluminium and iron ore producer. Most of its assets are in India, although it also has copper operations in Australia and Zambia. Through Vedanta, Agarwal has become one of India's richest men."There is widespread opposition to this mine.
The ruling (outlined above) is the third major embarrassment in five months for Anil Agarwal, Vedanta's founder and executive chairman. In June an environmental award was withheld at the last minute when details of the Orissa mine were brought to the jury's attention and in August India's environment minister admitted that the project should never have been approved."
"They (British Government) are not the only ones that have been highly critical of Vedanta with Norway's sovereign wealth fund ejecting the mining group from its list of approved investments on the basis of a poor reputation on the environment and human rights.What is the ecosystem like there?
"Niyamgiri Hills, named after the Niyamraja, the main deity of the Donagria Kondhs, are one of last untouched wildernesses of Orissa. Rising to a height of more than four thousand feet, it is the source of Vamshadhara river as well as major tributaries of Nagavali rivers. Niyamgiris form a distinct phytogeographical zone because of its height and its highly precipitous topography . It has some of the most pristine forests in Orissa. Niyamgiri flora is of ‘great phyto-geographical importance’ as the hilltops harbor high altitude plants with Himalayan/North Indian and Nilgiri/South elatives of crop plants such as sugarcane (protected under the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources.
Niyamgiri hills are home to a number of vulnerable wildlife species including tiger, leopards, elephant, sloth bear, pangolin, palm civet, giant squirrel, mouse deer and sambhar, etc, most of which are in the IUCN red list of endangered species. It is also a part of migration corridor of elephants between forests of Kondhmals and of Kalahandi/Koraput. Niyamgiri hills are also home for rare birds like Hill Myna and Hornbill and are one of the few habitats in Orissa for the King Cobra. Recently, the Golden Gecko has been discovered for the first time in Orissa from the Niyamgiri hill which happens to be the only known habitat in the state."This video tells the story - Mine - the story of a sacred mountain
"Pat Harrow Ecan councillor said the specific mention of tangata whenua values in ECan's regional policy statement, as is required by law, was "discrimination".That was bad enough and showed how those two should not be there. And now this.
"Environment Canterbury councillor Bronwen Murray denies she misled the council over a perceived conflict of interest.
Mrs Murray is one of four councillors under investigation by the Auditor-General's Office for having potential conflicts of interest in water use.
She, Angus McKay, Pat Harrow and fellow South Canterbury councillor Mark Oldfield met office representatives last week to explain themselves after voting against proposed water management charges in June. All four councillors hold water consents."Oh dear!
"American Wins Men’s NYC Marathon For First Time Since ‘82”And then it started...
"The man who won the marathon is Mebrahtom Keflezighi, who immigrated to the U.S. when he was 12, became a citizen and later trained in youth, college and professional level distant running programs. But from the moment Keflezighi won the marathon this past Sunday, the dispute erupted online: Should Keflezighi’s win count as an American victory?"and
“Meb Keflezighi, who won yesterday in New York, is technically American by virtue of him becoming a citizen in 1998, but the fact that he’s not American-born takes away from the magnitude of the achievement the headline implies…As Racewire says,
Given our disappointing results, embracing Keflezighi is understandable. But Keflezighi’s country of origin is Eritrea, a small country in Africa. He is an American citizen thanks to taking a test and living in our country.”
"Keflezighi did exactly what anti-immigrant reform activist say immigrants should do. He came to the U.S. twenty-two years ago legally as a refugee and became a "naturalized" citizen a few years after. So even when immigrants of color enter the U.S. "the legal way" they're still not welcome."And a comment from Tammy Johnson sums up my reaction,
"I bet that he's American enough to be stopped by the NYC PD or to have a cab pass him by. I bet he's American enough to be denied healthcare because of a pre-existing condition (Being a Black man in America.) And he's already proven that he's American enough to be another Black man targeted by mainstream media as the source of every problem you can think of. Oh yeah, I've got your "American enough" CNBC!"Is citizenship determined by longevity? Or is it shared experiences? Conscious decision making? Undergoing birth and death within the country? Or are you a citizen when you look like everyone else - read 'white' not 'brown' or 'black' or 'dark'. Would this have occured if he was born in sweden?
"Prime Minister John Key today announced the controversial Foreshore and Seabed Act is likely to be repealed.Likely - a funny word - if something is likely to happen - will it happen?
Mr Key told reporters today a final decision was still likely to be months away."
"Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples – whose party sees the act's repeal as a touchstone of its relationship with National – told an Anglican Church hui last week that the Government would scupper the act after months of consultation."Sucker punched again pita - don't trust forked tongues.
"The Foreshore and Seabed Act was written in response to a Court of Appeal case that suggested iwi able to prove continuous customary use of the foreshore and seabed might have a claim to freehold title.Well, what can i say. i'm not counting my chickens just yet. the fundamental principle for me is that it is up to the crown to prove that maori don't have customary rights, not the other way round. When that is agreed to then we can sort the rest of the policy out.
The act stopped Maori seeking title through the courts, but opened the door to compensation. However, it was attacked by Maori as a massive land grab, causing protests and giving birth to the Maori Party."
14938 (2009). Metiria Turei to the Minister of Conservation (02 Oct 2009): What is the status of his response to Meridian Energy's offer of a land exchange in relation to the proposed hydro dam on the Mokihinui River; what advice has he taken, what public consultation will occur, when will the decision be made?No consultation with the public. Fake consult with maori. Consider the situation especially in relation to the next election. Decide to swap do you think Tim? - after all, it's good for business. I'm thinking along the lines of - minister of destruction.
Hon Tim Groser (Minister of Conservation) replied: Meridian Energy's land exchange proposal is currently being considered by the Department of Conservation. The department has received advice from a number of experts in relation to the ecological values, recreation and planning matters which are affected by the exchange proposal. As part of the land exchange consideration, the department is required to consult with Iwi in accordance with its responsibilities under section 4 of the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998. The Conservation Act requires it to consult with the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board. The Conservation Act does not require the department to consult with the public where an exchange is being considered. The consultation phase of the process has been completed. The department is now considering all the matters with respect to the exchange proposal and once this has been completed a final decision will be made."
"The Environment Court has appointed a judge and three commissioners to consider the appeal against TrustPower being granted resource consent to build a hydro scheme on the Wairau River.A a good mix of skills to be able to distill all of the arguments and make an unbiased call?
Judge Gordon Whiting, of the Auckland Environment Court, will preside. Judge Whiting holds an economics BA and a law degree from Otago University and was admitted to the Bar in 1968.
Helen Beaumont, former assistant parliamentary commissioner for the environment (2000-2007), has been appointed a commissioner for the hearing. With a professional background in environmental chemistry, she has focused on environmental health and the connections between the quality of the environment and human well-being.
Commissioner Dr Alex Sutherland holds a Bachelor (first-class honours) and Masters of Engineering and a PhD in civil engineering and mathematics.
In 1967, Dr Sutherland joined the University of Canterbury as a lecturer in civil engineering and was engineering dean from 1987 to 2005.
The third commissioner, John Mills, graduated from Lincoln University with a degree in agricultural commerce in 1975.
He owned and managed a 3000 stock-unit sheep and beef farm in the Te Anau Basin from 1981-1999 and served on the Southland Regional Council from 1989-1998, seven of those years as deputy chairman."
"TrustPower received consent last year to build a 48-kilometre canal on the southern side of the river and take about 60 per cent of the river's flow to produce 72 megawatts of power for the $250m project."Department of Conservation - what do they say?
"Nelson-Marlborough conservator Neil Clifton said DOC was not opposed to the hydro development but wanted to protect bird habitat and food sources.And this is telling -
The deal meant TrustPower would leave more water in the river during the summer nesting period, he said.
DOC has agreed to a flow-sharing regime that will see TrustPower get the first five cubic metres per second (cumecs) above the minimum flow and two-thirds of any flow above that.
Minimum flows at the scheme's intake, above Wash Bridge, vary from 10 cumecs in summer to 20 cumecs in spring."
"TrustPower community relations manager Graeme Purches said DOC would not receive any money."I oppose doing these deals. Save the stilts and stuff the river?
"The Government is poised to implement a key election pledge requiring parents on the domestic purposes benefit to find work or training once their youngest child turns six.Bill - why are these people unable to work? The system itself has put them in that catagory - why attack them? Saving money? - Don't think so - you could save heaps more by catching some the big dodgers.
Sickness and invalid beneficiaries are also in the Government's sights, with plans to make it tougher to sign up and stay on either benefit indefinitely."
The proposals are expected to be considered by the Cabinet before Christmas
Mr English said the invalid group was being looked at.
"Effectively we have 80,000 people where officially the welfare system has said they won't work again. We think that's a waste of those people and of their potential so we want to look at how to encourage more people off those longer term benefits."
