e-policy bulletin
E-Policy Bulletin 26 February
February 2007
Waka Reo
Maori Television are currently seeking 14 applicants to compete in a reality TV show Waka Reo which will challenge contestants with little or no Maori language experience to live on Rapaki marae on Banks Peninsula for up to six weeks, competing for a $10,000 prize. You can read this Xtra article http://xtramsn.co.nz/businessandmoney/0,,132
73-6976511,00.html and read the Scoop article on the 2006 winner here http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0611/S00269.htm
Application forms and more details available from Ngai Tahu http://www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz/What%20is%20happening/NEW%20Waka
The Healthy Housing Programme
Healthy Housing is a joint project between Housing New Zealand and District Health Boards (DHBs). The programme works with Housing New Zealand tenants in selected areas, and began in 2001. Healthy Housing aims to:
- raise awareness of infectious diseases like meningococcal disease, rheumatic fever, tuberculosis, cellulitis and respiratory diseases
- improve access to health and social services
- reduce the risk of housing-related health problems
- reduce overcrowding.
In South Auckland this project has not only assisted moving families out of crowded spaces but improved health conditions of families.
A recent Medical Journal study showed more than half of the families in South Auckland live six or more to a house. Some families were found to have up to 17 under the one roof. They were also often living in un-insulated damp houses, and bedding down on lounge floors, in garages and sleepouts.
This programme has in the past six years moved more than 4,000 families into larger, insulated homes. The benefits have been significant. Read TVNZ Story Crowded Houses no Longer
View the Housing New Zealand Project Healthy Housing
Climate Change
Submissions close on the 30th March. Dates have been set to engage and challenge MAF on their Climate Change Policy “Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change – Options for a Plan of Action”. Consultation dates are available here, along with additional information here and here.
New news article have been published opposing the climate change policy you can read the Waikato Times article from Stuff, Maori Oppose Cost Burden of Climate Change and an article by the Kyoto Forestry Association
Rates Review
The Government is currently involved with a rates review process. This review is to look into the current system of local government funding and alternatives to funding. Three people are apart of a rates panel (panel members can be found here) and will be conducting consultation hui during February and March (dates to be confirmed). Full terms of reference can be found on the rates inquiry home page http://www.ratesinquiry.govt.nz/. We would like members to be involved in this process, further information is available from the FoMA webpage or by clicking here. If you can find the time fill in the questionnaire and email it back to maia@foma.co.nz. Read TVNZ article Rates Forum to Begin.
Blue Energy
"Blue Energy - taking the Plunge"; March 15th at Te Papa in Wellington. This is a conference focused on wave and tidal energy and the pathway to its uptake in New Zealand. It is promising to be a very interesting day, with invited speakers from overseas and within New Zealand.
See the flier for the conference, programme and registration form by following the links.
More information on the conference is also available on the AWATEA website at http://www.awatea.org.nz/conference.html
Environment Bay of Plenty
Comments are being called for on Environment Bay of Plenty Draft Variation 5 (Rule 14 Lake Okareka) and 6 (Rule 15 Lake Okaro) to the proposed Regional Water and Land Plan. The closing date for these comments close on Thursday 5 April, 4pm. Further information is available from http://www.ebop.govt.nz/Publications/Proposed-Regional-Water-and-Land-Plan.asp. Further information was in the local BoP papers the week beginning 18th February 2007.
Queens Chain/Outdoor Walking Access
The Government may not legislate access to rivers across private property to connect the Queens chain as originally planned; it may now be on a case by case negotiated access. The inquiry panel reports this week. Read TVNZ article Government may Break Queens Chain Promise. Read FoMA submissions here
If you have any questions or comments in regards to this Panui, please contact Maia maia@foma.co.nz
