act act act and art

My call on the ACT party is that the party is just about over. I think the party will not make it in the next election. Low polls, the rodney mistakes have been critical, and the looney side of the party are just digging bigger holes.

For instance muriel neuman's speech about 'one law for all' - Good post on the Standard. And from Russell Brown

Now muriel is one of these people that believe little pale-people were here before maori and taught them everything they know - you know the stuff - maori were dropped off here as slaves, pregnant to their chinese overlords and so on. Utter shit of course but there are a few 'believers' here. So what are the pearls of wisdom from muriel? From her speech. 

"There is enormous support in New Zealand for an end to racial division. That was evident in the overwhelmingly supportive response Don Brash received to his Nationhood speech in 2004. And as we know, in essence, that speech promoted the race relations policies of ACT.

Opposing Maori privilege will require real courage. There are big issues and big challenges ahead: the proposed foreshore and seabed legislation; the United Nations Rights of Indigenous People (which even Labour would not support); the Maori seats in Parliament; Maori seats on councils; Treaty principles being inserted into legislation; the whole Whanau Ora programme, which appears to be underpinned by racist policies. Any proposal based on race should be vigorously opposed."

ACT have every right to be frightened - the signs are written - slippery slope time. And they look at the maori party and think WTF. But the aspect they don't consider is that the maori party is determined to look after maori and they don't care what non-maori think. ACT do not have the same freedom. Of course they say they don't care and with loopies like newman and her theories for getting votes, you could almost believe they don't care - but they do really care - otherwise they wouldn't be in parliment - they would be out there making the big money.

Cactus Kate has a couple of very good posts from inside ACT. Well worth a read.

Maps has an amazing post about an 'art raid' to multi-millionaire Alan Gibbs 'neverland' property. At times hilarious and sad, the post describes the large art works privately owned and asks some great questions about the role of art in political discourse and the intentions of art buyers and the political uses they encumber some art with.

racial profiling - Lazy and idiotic

Racial profiling - we see it a lot here as well.

"As police officers accused of abusing people of color continue to be routinely acquitted, as the federal government heightens airport security checks of passengers from 14 mostly Muslim nations, and as Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and local sheriffs continue to unfairly target and inhumanely treat dark-skinned immigrants, it’s clear that racial and religious profiling continues to be standard operating procedure."

Time to start a conversation about racial profiling



The thing is, it is lazy as well as offensive. The idiocy of the logic brings tears to the eyes.

Hat tip Racewire

dialect differences

I really must again commend Tahu Potiki for his website/blog - there is some really great information there.

For those interested in the dialect differences between Kai Tahu and northern iwi I encourage you to go and read this paper.

... "Harlow (1979) carried out a vocabulary comparison of regional dialect variation in an effort to measure cognacy between Maori dialects. One word needed to significantly differ from another to be considered not cognate so words that had a simple vowel change alone such as inu and unu were still considered cognate. In that study some dialects were considered to be only 65% cognate such as Tuwharetoa and Kai Tahu or 74% cognate such as Ngai Puhi and Waikato. This displays a high degree of vocabulary variation amongst all dialects of Maori with the South Island (Kai Tahu) dialect being the least cognate overall. Not surprisingly the greatest level of cognacy with the South Island is with Ngati Porou and Kahungunu confirming our knowledge of Kai Tahu-Kati Mamoe whakapapa connections and Kai Tahu language features that are shared only with the East Coast dialects.

... "As interaction increased between Kai Tahu, European and other iwi, and missionary driven education introduced a standardised Maori alphabet, the Kai Tahu dialect came under threat. Apart from Watkin’s solitary publication all religious and educational material utilised by southern missionaries was printed using the standardised alphabet.

We can only grow knowledge when that knowledge is shared. Many of us live a long way from our marae and home, but our hearts are still there and that is why using modern forms of communication to build and strengthen communities is so good.

Thank you once again Tahu and keep up the posts.

Day of Action for Rivers on 14 March

The international Day of Action for Rivers is on 14 March. Twenty-three actions in fourteen countries have been organized so far. That's pretty good - it is time for more action to protect our rivers. A couple of examples.

"The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), is working hard again for the restoration of the Indus River by demanding decommission of its existing dams.

Based in the Hunter Valley of Australia, the No Tillegra Dam Group have planned a meaningful, symbolic action. They have arranged a "Walk for the Williams River," where participants will walk the length of the river from the top of the proposed Tillegra Dam site to Nobby's Head at Newcastle.

No activites for this country. We have had a number fo activites around our rivers recently, whether the gathering for the manawatu river, russel norman's canoeing down our polluted rivers, the various damn dam ideas and irrigation scheme proposals. It would be great to coordinate with these world events, it would strengthen all people who participate and raise awareness of the issues around protecting our rivers.

Hat tip Intercontinental cry

will the media bite

I have blogged before about my opposition to the sea turbines suggested for Kaipara harbour - it is not the way to go and is likely to have severe impacts upon the snapper fishery.

Hone has waded into the debate.

From NZH

"The outspoken Maori Party MP told members of the Kaipara Harbour community in Dargaville they should drop chains and anchors into the harbour to protest against a planned sea-turbine power project.

And he suggested illegal action was sometimes necessary to get the message across, citing the case of a man who fired shots from a rifle at a fishing ship.

"My view is that they [the community] have got to send very clear signals about their opposition to the proposed turbine," Harawira said.

"If people are not listened to then they should take the action they want to. If they do, it's their business not mine.

Now the fact that Hone, as a member of parliment, is suggesting that illegal action is sometimes necessary, doesn't really bother me but it is a problem. And that is because we are about to have another media show -that is where everyone is up in arms around hone and whether he should have said it or not. It provides a distraction for fake outrage that focuses attention away from other issues - like mining our national parks for instance or raising gst. It gives the gnats some breathing space.

Hone is one of our leaders with charisma, courage and mana and we need them.

Sometimes less is more.

This way of life - beautiful movie

Just beautiful

"The film portrays the intimate life of the Karena family. In their early 30s, Peter and Colleen have six kids and 50 horses. We follow them up into the Ruahine ranges and down to their hidden beach camp. Against these isolated backdrops we explore family relationships, their connection to nature, their keen survival skills and their absolute intimacy with each other and their horses.Regardless of their hardships, the Karenas manage to never lose sight of the magic in the everyday.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Karena children. Untamed and unafraid, the idea of risk is alien to them. To watch seven-year-old Aurora expertly ride a massive stallion bareback with no more than a rope halter asks us to reexamine our ideas of what children are capable of.

In This Way of Life, the Karenas unite their philosophy with their circumstances, turning hardship into a meaningful and satisfying life.

http://www.thiswayoflifemovie.com/

We can live the way we want - it is possible. And it is possible to raise our children respectfully. Keep your eyes open for this movie - it will be enlightening.

successfully revitalising Ngāi Tahu culture

One of the team's of heroes within the office is the Ngāi Tahu Fund team led by Ana Rolleston.

What fantastic mahi this it; to work to revitalising Ngāi Tahu culture.

"The Ngāi Tahu Fund is an initiative to provide resources to Ngāi Tahu whānui, rūnanga, hapū and whānau groups to strengthen Ngāi Tahu cultural excellence.

Five funding rounds have been completed, contributing over 3.86 million to communities throughout New Zealand.

We have received over 566 applications and the Ngāi Tahu Fund Committee, which comprises Ngāi Tahu leaders and funding experts, approved 338 applications that included people wanting to investigate their whānau whakapapa and history, workshops on traditional arts like weaving and carving plus environmental revitalisation projects.

Mission of the Fund

Toitū te Kawa

Toitū te Rangatiratanga

Toitū te Ao Tūroa

Toitū te Kaikōkiri

Toitū te Iwi

"Strengthening Ngāi Tahu cultural excellence through sustainability, innovation and tenacity"

Thank you so much for this - it is much appreciated. And a special thank you to the assessment committee who are leading us wisely.

"The Assessment Committee is comprised of: Jane Davis (Chairperson), Rakiihia Tau, Te Ao Hurae Waaka, Iain Hines, Piri Sciascia, Suzanne Ellison and John Prendergast.

resonance and rice

Might pay to turn your sound down on this one.

Mystery - it is all around us

Ampilatwatja walk-off update

I've posted about the Ampilatwatja walk-off before.

The article below is by Richard Downs, spokesperson for the Ampilatwatja walk-off against the Northern Territory intervention.

"The government business manager (GBM) for Ampilatwatja and a representative of department of indigenous affairs were told to leave the Ampilatwatja protest camp on February 14 as they were not invited.

The agents turned up at our meeting with the APY lands people without notice. The GBM was informed we no longer have any relationship and they were not welcome.

The GBM's excuse was that he had to inform me that minister Jenny Macklin has now given approval for us to bring the condemned tin houses from Ampilatwatja to put up at our camp. But he was aware we had already been given approval by the people and Barkley Shire to take them as they were going to be demolished.

Previously, the GBM had stated we were to return the buildings and to first get approval to remove them. Our reply to him was: “Take whatever action you desire as we were not returning them.”

At the meeting, they asked if it was okay to take photos of the building. They were both told clearly to leave and not take any photos of the house as it had nothing to do with them. But on our way back to the camp both were seen wandering into the house. I informed them both they were arrogant, ignorant and had shown no respect to the people. They were both informed with colourful language to remove themselves from the site. They were slow in doing so until I requested the cameras be focused on them. Then they hurried off.

This clearly shows the attitude of the federal government agents. On behalf of the minister they try to intimidate people to show they have the power and authority to go wherever without notice.

I also advised him to personally apologise to Banjo Morton, who was about 20 yards away. The GBM arrogantly turned and walked away, with out showing respect to our 84-year-old leader.

How can conflicts be resolved when they show no respect. Truth is, it will be difficult to resolve and the team that is not showing respect knows that, and that is why they are doing it.

Hat tip Green Left Online

540 months ago a man was killed

malcolm x died on February 21, 1965. He was aged 39.

45 years ago is 540 months ago.

These are some quotes from him

"I am not a racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color."

"A race of people is like an individual man; until it uses its own talent, takes pride in its own history, expresses its own culture, affirms its own selfhood, it can never fulfill itself."

"You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."

Not forgotten.

visual poem

ancient back, the beat

face, and forth, uplifting

revealed and back, the flow

support students

Biased reporting doesn't help anyone.

From scoop

Jacqualene Poutu, Tumuaki of Te Mana Akonga ( the national Māori tertiary students association) is disappointed with

"A sample of three students were interviewed on TVNZ’s Close up programme last Tuesday evening regarding their use of student loan money for investments, instead of using it to survive with."

she rightly says

“The living costs component of student loans may be used as’ play money’ for wealthier students, but unfortunately that is not the reality for the rest of us,”

“The stereotype of the ‘spoilt student’ is few and far between for Māori students. Access to ‘living costs’ are absolutely necessary for many Māori students. Research shows that Māori and Pasifika students are more likely to borrow from the student loan scheme in order to access tertiary education and bridge themselves and whanau out of poverty,”

It is a massive challenge for anyone to got to university and undertake futher skill or vocational training. If we make it too hard by reducing student allowances the students at the bottom with little money will suffer and perhaps drop out. Many maori and pasifika students are represented within that group.

media reporting that is slanted is never good, close up has got worse and worse but people still watch it and i hope they offer more balanced views in the future. I am getting really fed up with the beneficary bashing and the youth bashing from this government. Picking on the most vulnerable is not on.

whanau ora

Whanau Ora has been getting the blowtorch recently.

I came across this editorial from the Listener and it covered a number of bases quite well. Go here to read the whole editorial.

What is the overall concept behind Whanau Ora

"It’s that a return to traditional tikanga, and in particular the embracing and supporting nature of whanau – over the greater Pakeha emphasis on individuals and nuclear families – will in itself go a long way towards helping many Maori out of the lifestyles of ­deprivation and disengagement."

That is a kaupapa i agree with.

"The aim, as Turia has described it, is to stop the scenario of five Toyota Corollas in the driveway – one each for the Plunket nurse, the truancy officer, the social worker, the probation officer and the district nurse.

Instead, the approach should be from one or two agencies investigating the fundamental problem with a whanau that prevents its members from achieving as they should, and then determining the most effective interventions to improve their circumstances and chances of success. Of course, that will also cut the administrative and compliance costs of helping families.

Won't it be great when there are NO Toyota Corrollas in the driveway because the needs of the family and whanau are being met.

"A Maori child is not better off in a poorly run kohanga reo than in a well-run “Pakeha” kindergarten."

I don't agree with this because it depends upon the outcomes that people are after and the sentence is judge-mental. By what measure is a judgement being made that determines 'poorly run'? Are the cultural considerations of maori going to be added to that judgement regime? If development of tikanga is considered one of the most valuable outcomes, then that could still occur in a "poorly run kohanga reo", especially if the measurement of that does not consider the cultural aspects. 'Poorly run', however, could mean that the tikanga is not correct and therefore the teaching is faulty.

"In the end, however, Whanau Ora will be effective only if it is empowering. In most families, the foundations of success are educational achievement, good health and economic and social engagement, as well as unconditional love and support for family members through all of life’s many highs and lows.

The people in the Corollas can help, but so too can a stronger community, because all of us are better off if we eschew exclusivity and engage with each other. We all share responsibility for whanau because our collective well-being as a nation is just that – collective."

Stronger community is indeed the answer, unconditional love for family members and collective responsibility for our collective well-being. These are good sentiments.

I believe the whanau ora model is the way to go. There is a lot of work to go in developing effective delivery and systems but that is okay. It can be adjusted as we go, if necessary. I also believe it is a maori solution to a maori problem and that this should not be watered down. By the same token all people should have access to these holistic approaches to the very big issues facing all of us - but that shouldn't be whanau ora - it should be developed, with whanau ora as a model, with the target group in mind. Too often we try the one size fits all approach, and sometimes the intent behind it is not so positive.

I also struggle a little with grouping people into the traditional poor, middle class and rich. To me there is a lot of subtle distinction, where people overlap those catagories or just don't fit into them. I don't want to get into the injustice olympics but there is something especially saddening when considering poor indigenous populations.

Iwi Leadership Group - good article by Martin Kay

Why has this country still not endorsed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?

The Declaration was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly Sept. 13, 2007 with 143 states voting in favor, 11 abstaining, and four – Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the U.S. – voting against it. Australia has since adopted the Declaration.

Ngai Tahu has been pursuing an advocacy programme through the UN for the past five years to address this issue.

There is an interesting media release from 13 May 2009, well worth a read.

And what a powerful article in the Dom today (Saturday 20-2-10) about the Iwi Leadership Group. I encourage you to go and read the whole article it is very good indeed.

As Martin Kay puts it

"But there is mounting unease among many, including Maori, that crucial decisions about the shape of the new law are being left in the hands of a small but extremely powerful and influential Iwi Leadership Group that is operating behind closed doors."

Who are they?

"The group is headed by Ngai Tahu chairman Mark Solomon and has about half a dozen members, including Tainui chairman Tukoroirangi Morgan, Ngati Porou chairman Api Mahuika, Whanau a Apanui chairman Rikirangi Gage and Ngati Toa negotiator Matiu Rei."

Annette Sykes,who is legal adviser and foreshore and seabed spokeswoman for Ngati Makino, says

"The leaders aren't unpopular. I want to be really clear - I have great respect for Mark Solomon. What is unpopular is the processes of co- opting and de facto negotiation that is being perceived by the Maori community as a result of the Crown wanting a one-stop shop. They don't want to deal with 40 people."

and

"The [Iwi Leadership Group] are corporate Maori. They're not ordinary Maori. They're the corporate entities, so what they [the Government] are doing is they're setting up a sounding board of corporate Maori. That is by no means an inclusive approach to the Maori position.

The Iwi leadership Group is appointed by forum of 50 Iwi.

"Questions about how prescriptive the "framework" put forward by the group for future negotiations will be have also been raised by the emergence of a document written by technical adviser Sacha McMeeking, who is also Ngai Tahu's manager of strategy and influence.

It floats a model under which the foreshore and seabed would be treated as a "shared" space, with any new law silent on the issue of ownership.

But iwi and hapu would also have the right to assert title in the courts, according to a new test based on Maori custom and traditions and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which would include the power to review and injunct decisions over the foreshore and seabed, and impose rahui (a ban on access).

The paper's status is unclear, but it has been dismissed by Attorney- General Chris Finlayson, who described it this week as "fantasy".

Hone in a recent speech to parliment said,

"It is us, the Maori Party members of Parliament, who have been asked to carry this battle. It is us who have the honour of speaking up for our people. And we do our people a grave disservice by passing this on to somebody else to handle; and I have no intention of treating my people with such disrespect."

Tariana said,

"the Maori Party is right to support the group as they are working on behalf of iwi and hapu that lost their rights in the Foreshore and Seabed Act."

So, some major considerations - is the Iwi Leaders Group the right group to set up the framework and if not them then who. Is Annette Sykes, who I totally respect, correct in talking about corporate and elite maori or is Tariana correct when she says,

"This is not an elite group. I get tired of this whole use of the word elitist. They are ordinary people who have struggled when there was no money around to fight for the rights of their hapu and iwi and they continue to do that."

big year coming up.

kia kaha Endorois community

Congratulations to the Endorois community and all who fought for this landmark decsion.

From The Vancover Sun

"Africa's top human rights body, relying partly on a Canadian precedent, issued a landmark ruling Thursday in favour of an indigenous group that has been fighting for justice since the Kenyan government forced them off their land in the 1970s to create a tourist-drawing game reserve.

The Endorois community -- approximately 60,000 indigenous nomadic pastoralists -- was evicted from its ancestral lands around Lake Bogoria in the rift valley and from the Mochongoi forest on the Laikipia plains in central Kenya some 30 years ago for the creation of game reserves and for ruby mining.

Cynthia Morel co-counsel on the case while working as the senior legal adviser to Minority Rights Group International, said it is the first time any international human rights body has given concrete effect to the so-called "right of development" that is included in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. It is also the first time the concept of indigenous people, and accompanying land rights, has been recognized in Africa.

"This landmark decision marks the beginning of a new dawn, not only for the Endorois Community, but for all indigenous peoples across Africa,"

The ruling could have a ripple effect throughout Africa, because until now many African regimes have maintained that all Africans are indigenous and, therefore, no groups have special land rights, according to Michelo Hansungule of the University of Pretoria's Centre for Human rights in South Africa.

"It is the first time that an African institution is [defending] the weakest, poorest and most marginalized peoples," he told Canwest News Service, adding that the decision could alter land use decisions throughout the continent.

This is good news and kia kaha to the indigenous people of africa.

I have to say this story has been a bit of an eye-opener for me - I have never really known about this indigenous struggle in africa.

If everyone is indigenous then, isn't that the same in effect, as no one is indigenous?

wake up call for all marae

This story is a good wake up call for all marae.

Five people are sick after coming across 3 canisters, one of which was punctured and leaking unknown chemicals. The canister's had been stored in a secure shipping container, on Murihuku Marae.

Be a good time to check that there aren't any more unknown chemicals on any other marae.

The people who were exposed and got sick were doing community service and so the ODT decides to call them offenders - which i find offensive.

From the ODT

"Two offenders were taken to Southland Hospital by car and three others by ambulance after they began vomiting.

As a precautionary measure, Invercargill fire crews were sent to the Tramway Rd marae and found twelve more people on community service who had been exposed to the toxic material.

Murihiku runanga general manager Odele Stehlin said the marae was immediately evacuated, including those attending a Southland Community Law Centre seminar and children from the neighbouring kohanga reo."

They were able to return at 4pm and the five people taken to hospital have all been released now.

Phew - these events have the potential to be so much worse, thank goodness no one was seriously hurt.

boomnature

Rockets taking off and mother nature - connected by beauty and astonishment?

Good effort by the maori party

The maori party appear to be putting some lines in the sand and for that they must be congratulated. And it is great to hear a younger member of the maori party build up arguments and deliver for maori. This is an excellent example, where after initially supporting the ACC Amendment Bill, they have, after hearing the submissions, changed their support to opposition and are not supporting the second reading.

From Rahui Katene speech highlights but read the whole speech - it really is quite good.

"Maori are over-represented in injury statistics across all age groups, and in employment and sports.

The most significant health effect of the Bill is in the reduced ACC cover for those already on low incomes who cannot afford healthy or income insurance to cover them when injured.

Reduced access to ACC will also impact negatively on child poverty rates.

The National Council of Women suggest that women are more vulnerable to negative outcomes through a lack of social services and the Bill will reduce those services further.

Some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders, those who have made sensitive claims, will suffer from both levy increases and a restriction of services.

Access for Maori has been consistently lower than for other groups – Maori receive treatment at a lower level than non-Maori; and when services were accessed they were accessed later and they exited programmes earlier.

High risk occupational workers have significant numbers of Maori workers, and the Bill provides for a matching of risk environments and levy rates, so the cost of cover can be expected to increase.

Maori are a small population group, and constitute a small group of claimants, under a privatisation model they would not be considered a high value market segment to provide a financial incentive for private insurers.

 I will bag the maori party every time they fold and i'm not above dishing it out to individuals when necessary BUT when good is done and maori are protected and considered in the House, then we can thank the maori party for that. Is there anyone else thinking about maori in our parliment? No they are the only ones, all of the other parties have multiple interest groups in broad based parties. Well done maori party the best aspect of this speech was that it was coherant and built nicely to a good conclusion. And of course a good result. This is the sort of politics we need and it is great to see a younger member of the maori party doing it.

karetao - the art of maori puppetry being revitalised

This is a great story. There is no doubt that much appears to be lost but is it really lost forever and can some apparently lost arts and practices be reborn - into this new world? I say yes! It is all still there just hidden, but not really lost. Karetao, or Maori puppetry is an example of knowledge coming forth.

From NZH

"Reviving the lost art of karetao, or Maori puppetry, will be discussed at a Waikato University wananga on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

Professor Aroha Yates-Smith is bringing together kaumatua, carvers and artists to talk about guidelines for a revival.

"We know they were used for instruction and entertainment but I think traditionally they were quite tapu ritualistically. I know of at least two that have been buried with whanau."

"They told stories ... I would imagine they also had a spiritual and healing quality and that's something we need to talk about with our elders."

Te Papa has some in its collection, the figures had a number of names including keretao, korotao, rapatahuri, repetahuri and tokoraurape.Te Papa also notes one account of a giant karetao being operated by an iwi who were under siege at their pa - basically so they could taunt their enemies outside the gates."

Thank you to all those engaged in revitalising this traditional practice.

DOC in it for the money

Well the department of conservvation has completely lost the plot - it's not about conservation anymore, or protecting the flora and fauna - it's about making money.

From stuff

"Director-general Al Morrison said attracting more businesses to work on the conservation estate was a priority for DOC this year."

It needed to work pragmatically and be a more efficient business, while in the past it had been driven by "high principles".

Yes you have forgotten your principles DOC you have forgotten why you are there.

"A new "commercial business unit" was being set up, to be headed by a person recruited from the private sector who would implement changes that Mr Morrison said would make some people "nervous".

Mr Morrison said establishing the new commercial unit was also a response to the possibility of more energy-generation projects on the conservation estate – which covers more than eight million hectares."

So the truth revealled a bit more. The department of conservation isn't opposed to (mining) energy generation our national parks because they want to make commercial gain from that. Morrison you are a gutless weakling.

"It's now fashionable to be seen as green. If we're not leveraging off that, we are dumb."

That shows why you are an absolute shocker morrison - you don't actually care - you are just being fashionable - I say again you are a gutless weakling that just cares about your own income and being 'fashionably' green. Well get this mate - some of us are green because we believe.