e-policy bulletin
E-Policy Bulletin August #1 |
15 August 2006 |
FoMA
Conference
The FoMA AGM and Conference will be held in Rotorua this year on the 3-5 November, at the Grand Tiara Hotel. Registration is now available here and we will advise as soon as more information becomes available.
Website
FoMA is has launched advertising spaces on its webpage. With traffic to the webpage averaging 25,000 hits per week this will be a prime location to get your product out there to others. Information is available from the FoMA website. Email info@foma.co.nz for more information
POLICY BUILDING
Outdoor Walking Access
Our outdoor walking Access submission is available to read on the FoMA website.
Maori Purposes Bill
The Federations Draft submission is available from here. Any comments or suggestions are welcome but need to be in by the 16th August. This was distributed earlier, but may not have reached your inbox.
Treaty of Waitangi Deletion Bill
A member’s bill to delete future references of the Treaty of Waitangi principles from legislation has passed its first reading. This means that it will go to a select committee hearing. The bill has potential to create major implications to Maori and Crown relationships including settlements and claims. Read article from News talk ZB
FoMA will be making a submission; any feed back in relation to this bill is welcome, maia@foma.co.nz
Minutes between representatives of NZ industry and MFE
NZ industry and the Ministry for the environment minutes from June 06 are available for viewing. A range of items were on the agenda including waste policies, ocean policies, climate change, the sustainable water programme, Electricity and a new structure for the ministry. Read Christchurch or Wellington minutes and View structure here
BUSINESS
Petrochemical Plant Proposed in Southland
A petrochemical plant has been proposed in Southland, with the chamber of Commerce supporting the idea as it will “provide the country with a huge energy source”. Read Article from Newswire
Toka a Taiau Tourism
Navigation and Toka a Taiau will be the basis of a tourism project in Gisborne. Tairawhiti Development Partnership has supported the project and can see the possibilities for tourism. Read article from Gisborneherald
Ngati Kahungunu approved as a joint Mandated Iwi Organisation
Ngati Kahungunu has been approved by Te Ohu Kai Moana as a joint MIO to receive fishing assets. These Assets will play an important part in the economic future of the iwi. Read Te Ohu Kai Moana press release
Developing Kiwi Global Champions
Another report produced by David Skilling and Danielle Boven from the New Zealand Institute highlights what needs to be done to achieve increased levels of NZ exports and FDI to strengthen New Zealands' economic prospect. Read the report Developing Kiwi Global Champions: Growing successful New Zealand Multinational Companies
Te Awe - Maori Business Survey
I am writing to you to invite you to participate in a Maori business survey which is being conducted by Te Awe, Wellington Maori Business Network.
The survey has been prepared to assist Te Awe to provide excellent value and to better serve the needs of Maori business.
I know that you are very busy but would be grateful if you could take approximately 7 minutes to complete the survey. The Maori business survey can be accessed online via the following link:
http://www.takeasurvey.net/survey/xtra/snb.asp?SNB=te_awe.htm
All completed entries also go in to a draw to receive one free membership of Te Awe for 12 months.
I take this opportunity to thank you in anticipation of your assistance and ask that you contact either myself or Maria Rolleston on (04) 499 8041 should you have any queries concerning the survey.
Kia ora, Peter Johnston
(04) 473 6850
Chairman
Te Awe
HORTICULTURE
More Seasonal Workers
The World Bank has reported that there are unskilled Pacific Island workers who are available to full the shortage of workers that horticulture growers face. The Government is considering the issue but there are factors that need to be considered, ie undercutting New Zealanders employment and overstayers. Read article from TVNZ
EDUCATION
HortResearch Scholarship – Nga Toa Ngaki Kai
HortResearch is offering a scholarship to assist Maori gain a masters' qualification relevant to HortResearch area of science. This is an excellent opportunity. Applications close 23 August 2006. Read Information
Extra Fundingfor Research Excellence
The government has announced extra funding of 10 million and 20 million one off grants will be available next year to tertiary institutes with centres of research excellence. Read Release from Michael Cullen
CLIMATE CHANGE
The Environment and the law
The environment and the law, is an article published by the New Zealand Law Journal and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of global warming, the Governments treaty commitment to reducing emissions. With suggestions that being rich is an advantage to minimise the impacts of natural disasters, and that for New Zealand to achieve their commitments there is a need for individual rewards and protection of property rights. Read article here (PDF)
US and Climate Change and Carbon Sequestration
This article The cost of US forest based Sequestration addresses US policy and whether Carbon Sequestration will be apart of the portfolio. Currently the US does not have mandatory policies in addressing global climate change. The article discusses how forests remove CO2 from the atmosphere this is the process of sequestering.
Authors estimate forest sequestration costs @ US$7 to US$25 tonne CO2e. (Note that the article costing are worked in tonnes C, not CO2e).As we all know: There is little doubt that the most important factor affecting the cost of forestry-based carbon sequestration in the United States is the cost of land.
Sequestration costs increase by 2.5 to 3x when the opportunity cost of land is considered. Read the article here (PDF)
INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
Indigenous Rights Petition
Amnesty International has launched a petition to support the UN declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The UN is edging towards approving global human rights standards to protect the rights of Indigenous peoples. The draft UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council at its historic first meeting in June. The Declaration must now be adopted by the UN General Assembly in order to become part of the body of international human rights standards.
The draft Declaration is intended to inspire and inform measures to address the widespread discrimination and deeply entrenched racism faced by Indigenous peoples in every region of the world.
The Declaration affirms the right of Indigenous peoples to have meaningful control over their own lives, to maintain their distinct cultural identities for future generations, and to have secure access to the lands and natural resources essential to their ways of life.
Canada, United States, Russia, New Zealand and Australia have opposed the adoption of the Declaration. It's feared that the small group of states that have opposed the Declaration will put pressure on other governments to join them in voting against the Declaration when it comes before the General Assembly later this year. Read Amnesty International article
To sign Amnesty International's petition supporting the UN General Assembly's approval of the draft UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
http://www.amnesty.ca/take_action/actions/UN_indigenous_rights.php
permalink
HUI/EVENTS
Te Po o Kupe
The kura has a major fundraising event 1 September themed around acknowledging Kupe. The Kupe theme is symbolic of mokopuna Maori - our place in Aotearoa, our place in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
This is a wonderful event that assists our fundraising effort. Fundraising enables our children to have an adequately resourced curriculum and ensures there is putea to fund activities and events that allow for immersion in te reo Maori. See Flyer and Itinerary here
E Tupu
Meat and Wool NZ are encouraging Directors and Trustees of Maori incorporations and Trusts to build on their management skills by attending the E Tupu workshops. These workshops focus on strengthening Maori owned farm businesses to lift production and financial performance through successful governance and leadership. Read more here
Elena and her Simply Fantastic Friends
A fundraiser to assist Elena’s cultural symphony get to Chinas’ International Arts Festival will be held at Te Papa on the 26th August. This is a must see event. Read more here
If you have any questions or comments in regards to this Panui, please contact Maia @ maia@foma.co.nz
