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12 May 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. We will advise as soon as more information becomes available.
HUI
Maori Legal Forum
The Forum will be held at the Wellington Town Hall, Wellington 31st July & 1st August.
The Maori Legal Forum is now in its 5th year, and has firmly established its position as the definitive information and discussion forum on Maori issues. More information is available here
Hui Taumata Action Roadshow
During May the Hui Taumata Taskforce will be visiting 8 regional centres to share their results and hear what’s been happening. Spaces are limited so make sure you register here
Maori Business and Professionals Association
Tautoko Wahine Maori is setting up a countrywide Maori Business Professionals Association in the Ikaroa District. More
Water Allocation
Water Allocation Hui are currently been held around the country to inform stakeholders of the direction the government is planning to take. The government is aiming for sustainable and efficient use of water and has many good initiatives. Although there has been prior consultation with Maori the government is still silent on Maori issues, this may be a concern to Marae and food gathering sources. Read more, Read the Proposal
Land Access
Submissions on outdoor walking access close on the 30th June. This is a relevant issue for all Maori and non Maori land owners. The consultation Panel is to hold Hui throughout the country. Hui information is available here.
If your organisation would like a hard copy of the Outdoor Walking Access documentation you can request this from the Walking Access Consultation Panel. PO Box 2526. Wellington, or call (04) 819 0599
POLITICS
National MPs Walk out on Powhiri
2 national MPs walked out on a Child Youth and Family
Judith Collins and Anne Tolley where offended by sexist Maori Protocol where females had to sit at the back during the powhiri, taking front row seats as allowed by parliamentary
The Prime minister claims the rebuke by the Kaumatua was for rudeness during a kapa haka performance and not for sitting in the front rows as government protocol allows women to sit in front rows when at state facilities read more. Some see this as a political stunt to increase Nationals points read more here
Dog Micro-chipping
The debate over micro-chipping dogs may soon come to an end as the Greens and National look at amendments to the laws on this issue. Read more and more
The law that is due to come into force on the 1st of July has infuriated many rural New Zealanders. Read More The greens are currently under pressure to support the policy. Read More
Organics
The government is to invest $2.2 million into the organic industry over the 3 years to encourage more farmers to get into this sector. Read More
Over 12,500 Maori change roll type one month into the 2006 Maori Electoral Option
One month into the 2006 Maori Electoral Option and a total of 12,560 Maori have changed the type of electoral roll they are on, with a further 1,839 Maori enrolling for the first time.
2006 Maori Electoral Option Statistics 3 April – 2 May 2006
Changes to Electoral Roll Type |
New Enrolments of Maori Descent |
Impact on Rolls To Date |
|||
Maori Roll to General Roll (A) |
General Roll to Maori Roll (B) |
General Roll (C) |
Maori Roll (D) |
Maori Roll +/(-) (E) |
General Roll+/(-) (F) |
4,637 |
7,923 |
359 |
1,480 |
4,766 |
(2,927) |
Column E = B-A+D
Column F = A-B+C
Awareness of the Maori roll is a lot higher than previous years and this has contributed to more Maori becoming involved in the electoral process.
The Maori Electoral Option finishes on the 2 August 2006 so if you haven’t received a pack or would like more information there are a range of options available. Free-text your name and address to 3676, call 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or go to any Post Shop. People can enroll or update their details online at www.elections.org.nz.
More information and frequently asked questions and answers about the Maori Electoral Option are available from www.elections.org.nz.
BUSINESS
Small Business Expo
The Small Business Expo held in Auckland will showcase many Maori Small and Medium enterprises in New Zealand as well as other non Maori enterprises. This expo is part of Te Puni Kokiri new Maori Business Development Zone. Read More
SMEs are important to New Zealand’s economy, they are key to the growth of the economy and many New Zealand entrepreneurs can be found in an SME. Read More
TREATY OF WAITANGI
Government Injects Cash to Speed up Settlements
The government is injecting 5.2 million to the office of Treaty settlements over the next four years. The settlement process is a long and arduous one with many Maori having indicated to the government that more resources were needed if claims were ever to be settled. Read More and Here
Good-faith Negotiations
Mark Burton the Treaty Negotiations Minister has said that good faith is the key to reaching outcomes in treaty claims. This has come after National has proposed to waiver confidentiality clauses in Treaty negotiations. Read More. Good faith relationships between the government and Maori have always caused concern, isn’t that why Maori are in the Treaty settlement process at present? Wasting resources on injustice caused by previous governments good faith.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Long Term Research and Science
The Government wants to provide greater certainty for research and sciences. The science sectors that have proven track records and fit with national priorities will be assured of future funding according to Steve Maharey. Read More
Patented Taro
A Hawaiian University has patented 3 Taro breeds, giving them a monopoly and causing strife among farmers who have traditionally shared Taro for generations. Read Article. Patenting is becoming a major concern to many indigenous peoples and this highlights the issue of property rights.
HEALTH
Government Discovers Socioeconomic Positions Has Affect on Health
A report undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Otago University has shown that socioeconomic disparities are linked to mortality. The government sees that there is more need to reduce disparities and in equalities to increase health standards of all New Zealanders. Read More
FORESTRY
Climate Change
The forestry industry has produced a pamphlet on the proposed Kyoto Protocol; New Zealand can meet its Kyoto Obligations by Unlocking the Potential of Forestry. Jim Anderton has welcomed the initiative but has stated that land usages are changing and forestry will only be able to reduce liability in the short-term, and that the government is currently working on policy that will benefit all of New Zealand. Read More
Climate change has become a major issue for many New Zealanders, some are for the change in policies and others think that we are over reacting, but Maori have always had an intimate relationship with the environment, this is a story on Maori use of the environment and how it is threatened by climate change. Twilight of an ancient knowledge
Exploration of Carbon Farming
Ngati Porou Whanui Forests Ltd. is seeking investors into carbon farming. Although the Government has back tracked on some of its Kyoto policies this new Forest would come under the Governments Carbon sinks initiatives. Carbon sinks may limit the land use as liabilities are incurred with the change. Read More
EDUCATION
Educating on Environmental Issues
Environmental education will be getting a $13 million boost over the next four years. In light of climate change, energy demand, oil shortages and sustainable resources children will be taught about the impacts of human behaviour. This is a response to the Green Party’s initiative. Read More
New Zealand Joins Terrorist Paranoia
It seems as though New Zealand is becoming as paranoid about terrorist attacks as the rest of the world. Officials from the Security Intelligence Service, Foreign Affairs and Trade and Labour Department have visited Universities warning them about potential terrorists who may produce home made bombs and weapons of mass destruction through their University studies. Read More.
If you have any questions or comments in regards to this Panui, please contact Maia @ maia@foma.co.nz
