Whānau Ora chairperson Merepeka Raukawa-Tait on 7AA and the future of Whānau Ora under the coalition. Then Kiritapu Allan and Haimona Gray discuss the politics of toilets and tikanga, as well as what might be in the budget for Māori.

Watch the video version of the episode here.

Whānau Ora chairperson Merepeka Raukawa-Tait on 7AA and the future of Whānau Ora under the coalition. Then Kiritapu Allan and Haimona Gray discuss the politics of toilets and tikanga, as well as what might be in the budget for Māori.

Whānau Ora chairperson Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says she is concerned the government tabled a bill to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act during a recess week.

Raukawa-Tait told Mata with Mihingarangi Forbes anything good would have been done while Parliament was in session, so full exposure could be given to it.

She believed the timing was chosen to prevent people having their say about it.

Repealing section 7AA was devastating, Raukawa-Tait said.

It had only been implemented in recent years in an attempt by Oranga Tamariki to ensure tamariki do not become disenfranchised and lose their connection with whānau, hapū, and iwi.

Staying connected was "very important to their long-term health and wellbeing," she said.

Raukawa-Tait said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon did not understand what section 7AA was all about - and he needed to learn the history of Oranga Tamariki.

She said tamariki Māori had "never" been safe in state care, and there was a lot the government agency needed to correct.

"I know that it has been trying in recent years, but after so many reports over the last two decades - and that would be 15 to 16 to 18 reports - telling them what they're doing wrong, what they could do right, telling them about the safety issues, cultural, and also the physical and the emotional, and the other areas of concern that need to be addressed.

"So, this was a department that was attempting to do something so just to have it disappear, and not only that, he obviously doesn't understand that the culture is absolutely important to tamariki and shouldn't be denied them.

"That is not only their human right, their cultural right, that is their whakapapa right as well."

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We speak to Ngāti Pukenga representative Rahera Ohia about the iwi's Waitangi Tribunal claim over the repeal of section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. Then panelists Charlie Rahiri and Koro Nicholas discuss what's on the agenda at the upcoming National Iwi Chairs Forum and the 160-year commemoration for the Battle of Pukehinahina.

Under 7AA, Ngā Pōtiki, Ngāti Pukenga, Waitaha, and Ngai Te Rangi created Te Whakaruruhau at the Ngā Parirau site for Oranga Tamariki in Papamoa, Ngāti Pukenga representative Rahera Ohia said.

"The thing that we really wanted to influence was the practice that they use at that site, particularly in relation to tamariki Māori, but also tamariki more generally.

"Because it's based on the idea that if you bring people's communities in to support them and to help them to guide them, to provide them with advice, then the results for them will be better than they would otherwise have been."

She said it had led to a drop in tamariki ending up in state care.

Ohia said the repeal of the section cast doubt on support for the organisation.

"The repeal of 7AA is creating a sense that the value of heritage and identity is being diminished, and if that's the case, since the early '80s, it's been clear that heritage and identity are critical to success if you're dedicated to improving outcomes for Māori, whether they be health or social outcomes."

The Waitangi Tribunal summoned the Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, to appear before it and explain why she intended to repeal a section of the Oranga Tamariki Act.

Ohia expected Chhour to appear, but she did not.

"On the other hand, the evidence that was presented, notwithstanding that she wasn't there, is damning," Ohia said.

"We all have views about whether or not the practices of Oranga Tamariki have worked or not, but the evidence suggests in the case of Māori, it definitely hasn't. So without the assurance of 7AA, I don't know how we move forward."

She questioned if Māori could rely on Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka.

"The only interest I have is whether or not Tama has our back."

Ngāti Ranginui chair Charlie Rahiri said more than 60 iwi leaders were expected to attend the National Iwi Chairs Forum from 1-3 May in Tauranga.

"Some of the hot-potato items obviously are the fast-track legislation, Oranga Tamariki, what's happening in the public sector with Māori-facing roles, and how our people are feeling at the moment…

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Former MFAT Minister Nanaia Mahuta shares her views on the Government's position on the war in Gaza, mandatory referendums for Māori wards, and the scrapping of Three Waters. Then we discuss the latest in politics with panelists Lara Grieve and Jack Tautokai McDonald.

Watch the video version of the episode here.

Former MFAT Minister Nanaia Mahuta shares her views on the government's position on the war in Gaza, mandatory referendums for Māori wards, and the scrapping of Three Waters, and panelists Lara Grieve and Jack Tautokai McDonald discuss the latest in politics.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Nanaia Mahuta said there was a high potential for the situation between Israel and Iran to escalate but also to cause "a regional spillover."

Iran has launched missile and drone attacks on Israel over the weekend, and New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined allies in urging Israel not to escalate tensions with Iran.

Mahuta said Arab nations in particular will be trying to calculate what Israel's next steps would be, and there would be pleas from numerous nations to de-escalate the situation.

What is happening in relation to Iran must be viewed in relation to what is happening in Gaza and the loss of around 34,000 Palestinian lives, she said.

"I think there's a lot of tense and tender observations from the international community to try and have a remedy to the situation in Gaza, which is a two-state solution, and accelerate talks there."

The United States' financial support for Israel's military action was also causing widespread concern across the international community, she said.

The weekend's strikes on Israel came following an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria, which killed several high-ranking officers.

"Iran will be saying that it acted in a proportionate way to the actions of Israel. But if you get beyond words, no one can afford a regional spillover and further war escalating in that kind of way," Mahuta said.

Mahuta said she was observing what the Arab nations were doing to try to play an influencing role to ensure there was no retaliation.

Mahuta believed the New Zealand government was not doing enough to hold Israel to account for the situation in Gaza.

"I think there is more we can do to use our voice to continue to hold Israel to account for the loss of innocent lives that have taken place so far in Gaza - the loss of humanitarian aid workers, the inability to get humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the disproportionate actions that it is currently exacting on the Israeli people."…

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Historian Scott Hamilton on Aotearoa's dark history of segregation, and panelists Tina Wickliffe and Shane Te Pou discuss opposition to affirmative action, the surge in anti-trans protests, the government's 36-point plan, and we rate our new Māori MPs.

Historian Scott Hamilton on Aotearoa's dark history of segregation, and panelists Tina Wickliffe and Shane Te Pou discuss opposition to affirmative action, the surge in anti-trans protests, the government's 36-point plan, and we rate our new Māori MPs.

Many people find it "hard to believe" segregation existed in New Zealand, but it was widespread for decades, a historian says.

Scott Hamilton told Mata many people were familiar with the policy of assimilation, which existed in the 20th century. One of its most infamous examples was of Māori only being allowed to speak English at schools.

However, New Zealand had a "blend" of policies of segregation and assimilation right up until the mid-1900s.

Some of the most severe segregationist measures were introduced amid the smallpox epidemic of 1913, which began in the Māori community and was blamed on Māori.

"People were limited to their villages, they were cordoned off, they were only allowed to travel if they had a vaccination pass - and it was very difficult to get vaccinated," Hamilton said.

"There was a beginning, really, during the smallpox epidemic, of a pseudo-scientific idea which linked supposedly low standards of Māori hygiene to disease... It becomes a justification for all sorts of restrictions."

Pākehā pressured local government and businesses to adopt segregationist polices, and Māori were banned from, or restricted in their use of, public toilets, pools, hotels, and bars.

Hamilton cited a famous historical photo of the King's Arms bar in Auckland, which put up a sign saying 'natives will not be served here.'

Tangata whenua were not the only group targeted - Chinese, Indian, and Middle Eastern communities were also the victims of segregationist policies at different times, as were Jewish refugees in the 1940s.

In 1918, Indian residents of Hamilton complained to their mayor because all the barbers in the city were refusing to cut their hair, saying they posed a hygiene risk.

Hamilton said the Māori and Pasifika students' spaces at Auckland University - which drew ire from Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and ACT leader David Seymour last week - developed out of segregation suffered by those groups.

"They were unable to use their language on campus, there was nowhere they could go to express their culture, they were barred from pubs where Pākehā students could go and drink."…

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Mike Smith discusses his groundbreaking climate change court case, then commentators Khylee Quince and Matt Tukaki reflect on the first 100 days of the coalition government.

In this episode of Mata, Mike Smith discusses his groundbreaking climate change court case, then commentators Khylee Quince and Matt Tukaki reflect on the first 100 days of the coalition government.

The impacts of climate change on an iwi leader's whānau and whenua are already evident as he prepares to have his case against seven polluters heard in court, he says.

Climate activist Mike Smith, of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu, says the group, including Fonterra, Z Energy, and Genesis Energy (which together make around a third of New Zealand's emissions), have a legal duty to him and others in communities who are being damaged by planet-heating gases.

Smith told Mata with Mihingarangi Forbes a fundamental concern of his is that the government was going soft on polluting industries and will not take appropriate actions to bring them into line with Aotearoa's international obligations to reduce emissions as fast as possible.

"We're going to the courts to get binding decisions on behalf of the court that instruct the companies that they must start reducing their emissions at speed, and that, if they don't, they'll be liable for compliance and enforcement actions."

Smith's case focused on the impact the polluters were having on his whānau and whenua in the Far North.

"We can already observe the types of changes that climate change is impacting upon our people."

Smith said the Far North was suffering droughts and some towns have come "within days" of running out of drinkable water.

Storms, cyclones, coastal erosion, and floods were also happening more frequently, he said.

"It's blisteringly hot. This summer's been really, really hot... I look at some of our whānau working outside, and I'm sure that's having health implications for them."

Smith said his case was not just about adapting to climate change, but Aotearoa doing the best it can to prevent it, reduce emissions, and challenge industries and the government.

"We can all raise our voices together and create the type of mandate that's required for the government and our own iwi authorities and our own iwi businesses to start developing climate plans and to prepare for what's coming."

Smith said he was not sure when the case would be heard, but it was likely to be in 2025 or 2026.

For now, he was preparing his case, assembling evidence, and seeking expert witnesses it would call to give evidence in the trial…

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Former Minister of Broadcasting Willie Jackson speaks to Mihingarangi about the state of the media landscape following the demise of Newshub. Then, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson reacts to the review of the free school lunch scheme and the Government's transport plan.

Former Minister of Broadcasting Willie Jackson speaks to Mihingarangi about the state of the media landscape following the demise of Newshub. Then, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson reacts to the review of the free school lunch scheme and the Government's transport plan.

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In a fiery interview recorded at Waitangi, ACT leader David Seymour talks to Mihi about his views on Te Tiriti, Tino Rangatiratanga, and Te Ture Whenua Māori.

Watch the video version of the episode here.

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In a candid interview on the eve of Waitangi Day, NZ First Minister Shane Jones discusses the recent criticism of his party by Māori, why he thinks it's time to review the Waitangi Tribunal, and whether or not Māori are indigenous.

Watch the video version of the episode here.

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The fate of the Treaty of Waitangi is teetering on the brink of a popular vote, as the new coalition government pledges to introduce a Treaty Principles Bill, potentially triggering a referendum.

RNZ has upheld part of a complaint lodged by Jordan Williams of the New Zealand Taxpayers Union Inc. RNZ found that Mr Williams and the NZTU were not given sufficient opportunity to respond to statements made regarding the relationship between the NZTU and the Atlas Network.

The fate of the Treaty of Waitangi is teetering on the brink of a popular vote, as the new coalition government pledges to introduce a Treaty Principles Bill, potentially triggering a referendum.

The recent Australian voice-to-parliament referendum serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the precarious nature of safeguarding indigenous rights when subject to majority decision-making.

In an exploration of this critical issue, Mata speaks with prominent indigenous advocates, academics and treaty experts to uncover the motivations behind any potential erosion of Māori rights in Aotearoa.

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Launched in 2018, the Māori Carbon Collective was promoted as an indigenous approach to carbon farming, enabling iwi to prosper from the Emissions Trading Scheme while helping to tackle climate change. Mata investigates growing concerns around the group and its elusive managing director, as well as carbon farming's impact on Māori communities.

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