Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

Deputy Prime Minister and ACT Party leader David Seymour is facing renewed scrutiny over his public criticism of RNZ, TVNZ and individual journalists, as debate grows around media independence, political accountability and public trust in New Zealand institutions.

Seymour’s recent comments about publicly funded media organisations have sparked criticism from opposition politicians, journalists and media advocates, who warn that repeated attacks on reporters and broadcasters risk undermining confidence in independent journalism.

The ACT leader has defended his position, arguing ministers and elected officials have the right to challenge the performance and editorial direction of taxpayer-funded media outlets.

The controversy comes amid broader political debate over the role of public broadcasting, freedom of the press and the relationship between government and media organisations in Aotearoa.

Critics say public attacks on journalists by senior politicians can create pressure on media independence and contribute to declining public trust in democratic institutions.

Supporters of Seymour argue public broadcasters should also face scrutiny and accountability, particularly where questions are raised around balance, impartiality and the use of public funding.

The political tension is unfolding at a time when many New Zealanders are more focused on rising living costs, housing pressure and economic uncertainty.

Fuel prices, grocery costs and household bills remain major concerns for whānau across the country, with some communities saying the government appears disconnected from the financial stress many families continue to face.

Seymour and the coalition government have defended their economic approach, saying spending restraint and reforms are needed to stabilise the economy and reduce inflationary pressure.

At the same time, concerns are growing about youth unemployment and the lack of opportunities available for rangatahi entering the workforce.

Advocates say many young people are struggling to find stable employment, apprenticeships and affordable pathways into higher education or training.

The government says it is focused on improving economic growth, supporting vocational education and creating conditions for businesses to employ more young workers.

However, critics argue current economic policies risk widening inequality and leaving vulnerable communities behind, particularly Māori and Pacific youth already facing barriers to employment and training opportunities.

The debate around media freedom, economic hardship and youth opportunity is expected to remain a major political issue as coalition parties continue positioning themselves ahead of the 2026 general election.

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One of Aotearoa’s most celebrated Māori authors, Witi Ihimaera, is opening up about his deeply personal journey to reclaim te reo Māori in his new memoir Te Kaikaukau | The Swimmer.

Released today by Auckland University Press, the book follows Ihimaera’s decision at the age of eighty to fully immerse himself in learning te reo Māori through study at Te Wānanga Takiura.

Known internationally for groundbreaking works including Whale Rider, Ihimaera says the decision to return to te reo later in life became a journey of reconnecting with identity, whakapapa and ancestral knowledge.

The memoir documents the emotional and transformative experiences he encountered during a year of intensive language learning, including moments of vulnerability, rediscovery and personal growth.

Ihimaera reflects on how colonisation and language loss affected many Māori of his generation, with te reo often discouraged or denied within schools and wider society during their childhoods.

Through his studies, the acclaimed writer says he found himself reconnecting not only with language, but also with his tīpuna and the deeper cultural foundations of being Māori.

The book also explores the challenges older Māori can face when reclaiming te reo, including whakamā, self-doubt and the pressure of beginning again later in life.

Despite those challenges, Ihimaera says the experience has strengthened his sense of belonging and opened new creative pathways for his writing.

He has previously spoken about his ambition to eventually write a novel entirely in te reo Māori — something he says now feels more achievable following his immersion journey.

Te Kaikaukau | The Swimmer arrives at a time of continued growth for te reo Māori revitalisation across Aotearoa, with increasing numbers of Māori and non-Māori engaging in language learning through kura, wānanga and community initiatives.

The memoir is expected to resonate strongly with readers navigating their own journeys of language reclamation, cultural identity and reconnection with whakapapa.

Witi Ihimaera remains one of the most influential figures in Māori literature and was the first Māori writer to publish both a collection of short stories and a novel in English.

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MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti Assistant Whip Spokesperson for Emergency Management & Recovery, Natural Hazards Commission, Māori Economy, Sport and Recreation, Forestry. 

The post Cushla Tangaere – Manual appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

E māharahara ana a Shane Wikaira, he kainoho nō Whirinaki, he uri hoki nō te hapū o Te Hikutū, mēnā ka anga whakamua te mahere a te kaunihera ki te hiki i te hapori o Whirinaki ki ngā whenua teitei ake, ka ahatia aua whenua, ā, ka riro i a wai te mana whakahaere i aua whenua hoki.

Kei te wānanga tonu te kaunihera me ngā kainoho o te takiwā i taua whakaaro nā te nui o ngā waipuke kua pā mai i ngā tau kua hori. Hai tā ētahi, e rite ana rātou ki te neke, engari e ai ki te nuinga o ngā kainoho Māori, nā te mataku kei motu rātou i ō rātou whenua, ka noho tonu rātou.

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Auckland engineering graduate Tiaho Wihongi-Minhinnick is celebrating more than just a university qualification — she is continuing a powerful whānau legacy of wāhine Māori succeeding in one of the world’s most male-dominated industries.

This week, Tiaho graduated from the University of Auckland, becoming the third engineer in her family after following in the footsteps of her two sisters.

The milestone is being celebrated not only as a personal achievement, but also as an inspiring example of Māori excellence and representation in STEM fields.

For Tiaho, engineering was never simply about numbers and technical skills.

The journey was deeply influenced by whānau support, seeing her sisters succeed before her, and understanding the importance of opening doors for future generations of wāhine Māori.

Engineering continues to face challenges around diversity and representation, particularly for Māori women, who remain underrepresented across many technical and infrastructure industries.

Tiaho says having her sisters already working through the same pathway helped create confidence, encouragement and a sense of belonging in spaces where Māori women are often still a minority.

Their shared journey has become a source of strength, with each sister supporting the next through the pressures of study, balancing expectations and navigating environments that can sometimes feel isolating.

Across Aotearoa, universities and industries have been working to increase Māori participation in engineering and science-related careers, recognising the need for more diverse voices shaping the future workforce.

Advocates say representation matters not only for equity, but also because Māori perspectives and mātauranga can bring valuable approaches to innovation, sustainability and problem solving.

For many young Māori students considering careers in engineering, seeing wāhine Māori succeed at the highest levels can help challenge long-standing stereotypes about who belongs in technical industries.

Tiaho’s achievement is also being viewed as a proud moment for her wider whānau and community, highlighting the role strong family support can play in educational success.

As infrastructure, technology and climate challenges continue growing globally, demand for skilled engineers is expected to increase significantly in coming years.

That makes the presence of more Māori women entering the profession even more important for the future of Aotearoa’s workforce.

For Tiaho Wihongi-Minhinnick and her sisters, the journey represents more than individual success —

#TiahoWihongiMinhinnick #WāhineMāori #Engineering #UniversityOfAuckland #STEM #MāoriExcellence #WomenInEngineering #Aotearoa #Māori #Whānau #Education #WomenInSTEM #FutureLeaders #TeAoMāori #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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Prominent climate advocate and iwi leader Mike Smith says a proposed Government law change aimed at stopping his landmark climate case before it reaches trial could have serious consequences for democracy, corporate accountability and Māori communities already facing the impacts of climate change.

Smith’s Supreme Court case against some of New Zealand’s largest corporate emitters — including Fonterra, Genesis Energy, Dairy Holdings, NZ Steel and Z Energy — was hailed internationally after the country’s highest court ruled the case could proceed toward trial.

The case argues major companies contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions should be held legally accountable for the damage climate change causes to communities and the environment.

But the Government is now considering legislative changes that could effectively prevent such climate lawsuits from moving forward — a move Smith says is unprecedented.

Speaking publicly about the proposal, Smith questioned what it means for the rule of law if Parliament can intervene to halt an active court process.

“This case has already been tested through the courts and the Supreme Court determined it should proceed,” Smith said.

“To now change the law specifically to stop a live case raises very serious constitutional questions.”

The Government has argued climate litigation creates uncertainty for businesses and risks destabilising the economy, particularly for major industries such as agriculture and energy.

But Smith rejects that argument, saying climate change itself is the greatest threat to economic stability.

“The real uncertainty comes from unchecked climate damage — floods, rising seas, destroyed infrastructure and communities being displaced,” he said.

“How can businesses continue profiting while communities are carrying the cost?”

Smith says Māori and coastal communities are already experiencing the frontline impacts of climate change, including erosion, flooding and threats to wāhi tapu and marae.

If the legislation passes, he warns it could remove one of the few remaining pathways communities have to seek accountability from large corporate polluters.

“For Māori especially, this is about intergenerational responsibility — protecting whenua, moana and future generations,” Smith said.

Critics of the proposed law change argue it could weaken corporate accountability at a time when climate impacts are intensifying globally.

Environmental advocates say courts have increasingly become an important mechanism internationally for forcing stronger climate action when governments fail to act quickly enough.

The Supreme Court decision allowing Smith’s case to proceed was seen as groundbreaking because it recognised the possibility that common law could evolve to address modern climate harms.

Legal experts have warned any attempt to retrospectively block climate litigation could trigger wider debate around judicial independence and the separation of powers between Parliament and the courts.

For Smith, the issue goes far beyond one case.

“This is about whether powerful corporations can be held accountable for the harm they contribute to,” he said.

“And it’s about whether communities — especially Māori communities — still have access to justice when their environment and futures are at stake.”

As debate intensifies around climate policy, the proposed changes are likely to spark fierce opposition from environmental groups, legal scholars and indigenous leaders both in Aotearoa and internationally.

#MikeSmith #ClimateJustice #Māori #ClimateChange #Aotearoa #Fonterra #SupremeCourt #CorporateAccountability #EnvironmentalJustice #TeAoMāori #ClimateAction #IndigenousRights #NZPolitics #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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Schools, workplaces and communities across Aotearoa will turn pink this Friday as thousands of New Zealanders take part in Pink Shirt Day — a nationwide movement promoting kindness, inclusion and respect while standing firmly against bullying.

Led by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, the annual campaign encourages people to wear pink and spark conversations about creating safer and more supportive environments for everyone.

This year’s event comes as concerns continue around bullying in schools, online spaces, workplaces and communities, with mental health advocates warning the long-term impacts of bullying can affect confidence, wellbeing and connection.

Mental Health Foundation spokesperson Fee Tamani says Pink Shirt Day has become an important moment for New Zealanders to stand together and reinforce the importance of compassion and belonging.

Originally inspired by a Canadian anti-bullying movement, Pink Shirt Day began after two students wore pink in support of a classmate who had been bullied for wearing a pink shirt.

The movement has since grown internationally and become one of New Zealand’s most visible campaigns focused on kindness and inclusion.

Organisers say the kaupapa is about far more than simply wearing pink for one day.

The campaign encourages people to actively challenge bullying behaviours, support those experiencing harm and help build cultures where people feel safe to be themselves.

This year’s message is aimed not only at rangatahi, but also workplaces, whānau and wider society.

Mental health advocates say bullying can happen in many forms, including:

They say small acts of kindness and everyday support can make a major difference to someone experiencing bullying or isolation.

Across the country, schools and organisations are expected to hold:

People are also being encouraged to wear pink at work, post messages of support online and check in on friends, colleagues and whānau.

Mental health organisations say maintaining the kaupapa beyond Pink Shirt Day is critical.

That includes:

For many supporters, Pink Shirt Day represents a reminder that creating safer and kinder communities is a collective responsibility.

As Aotearoa prepares to turn pink once again this Friday, organisers hope the message remains simple but powerful:

#PinkShirtDay #MentalHealth #Kindness #Inclusion #Aotearoa #BullyingFree #MentalHealthFoundation #Respect #Whānau #Rangatahi #Community #BeKind #NZSchools #WorkplaceWellbeing #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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Rotorua will host one of Australasia’s largest gatherings focused on women working in traditionally male-dominated industries when the WIMDOI 2026 Conference arrives in Aotearoa New Zealand for the first time.

The Women in Male Dominated Occupations and Industries conference — widely known as WIMDOI — will bring together union members, workers and industry leaders from across New Zealand and Australia in May 2026.

Held at the Millennium Hotel Rotorua, the conference is expected to attract women from sectors including:

The event has become a significant platform for promoting workplace equality, union activism and stronger support networks for women navigating industries historically dominated by men.

Organisers say the decision to host the conference in New Zealand reflects growing momentum around gender equity and workforce participation across the trades and industrial sectors.

The conference is being supported by major unions and labour organisations including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU).

Over several days, attendees will take part in:

The conference also aims to strengthen solidarity among women workers who often face barriers such as discrimination, isolation, unequal pay, harassment and limited career advancement opportunities.

Union representatives say women continue to remain underrepresented in many sectors critical to New Zealand’s infrastructure and economic development.

Despite progress in recent years, industries such as construction, engineering and emergency services continue to have low female participation rates, particularly in leadership and frontline operational roles.

The conference is expected to place strong emphasis on practical solutions to improving workplace culture and creating safer, more inclusive environments.

Issues likely to be discussed include:

The Rotorua event also carries broader significance for New Zealand’s union movement, highlighting the growing role women are playing in labour activism and workplace reform.

For many attendees, the conference represents more than professional development —

As labour shortages continue affecting several sectors across Aotearoa, advocates say increasing participation by women will be critical to the future sustainability of the workforce.

The WIMDOI conference has previously been held in Australia and has built a reputation as one of the leading forums for women working across industrial and trade sectors.

Its arrival in Rotorua marks a major milestone for New Zealand’s labour movement and for women continuing to break barriers across some of the country’s toughest industries.

#WIMDOI #WomenInTrades #UnionWomen #Rotorua #NZCTU #NZPFU #WomenInConstruction #WomenInEngineering #WāhineMāori #WorkplaceEquality #TradeUnions #Aotearoa #WomenInIndustry #LabourMovement #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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A leading international law expert is warning the Government’s proposed move to legislate against climate lawsuits already before the courts could have major implications for democracy, judicial independence and the future of climate accountability in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Professor Alexander Gillespie from the University of Waikato, an expert in international law and climate litigation, says the proposal raises significant constitutional and legal concerns because it involves Parliament intervening in active court proceedings already accepted by the judiciary.

The debate follows the landmark Supreme Court case brought by Māori climate advocate Mike Smith against several major New Zealand emitters, including Fonterra and energy companies, over their contribution to climate harm.

The Supreme Court previously ruled the case could proceed toward trial, opening the door for common law arguments around corporate climate responsibility to be tested in New Zealand courts.

But the Government is now considering legislative changes that could effectively prevent such claims from continuing.

Legal observers say the move would represent a rare and highly controversial use of Parliament’s lawmaking power to shut down legal pathways already recognised by the courts.

Professor Gillespie says one of the key concerns is the precedent it may establish around the separation of powers between Parliament and the judiciary.

Traditionally, Parliament creates laws while courts interpret and apply them. Critics argue intervening directly in ongoing litigation risks blurring that constitutional boundary.

The proposal also raises broader questions about the role of the courts in developing common law, particularly in emerging and evolving areas such as climate responsibility.

Around the world, courts have increasingly become central battlegrounds for climate action as communities, indigenous groups and environmental advocates seek accountability from governments and large corporate emitters.

New Zealand’s Supreme Court decision allowing the Smith case to proceed was viewed internationally as significant because it acknowledged the possibility that common law could evolve to address modern climate harms.

The Government argues the proposed law changes are necessary to provide certainty for businesses and protect economic stability.

Supporters of the move say climate litigation creates uncertainty for industries such as agriculture and energy, potentially exposing companies to prolonged legal risk.

But critics argue removing legal avenues for accountability could weaken pressure on major emitters to reduce environmental harm.

Professor Gillespie warns that if governments begin legislating against climate litigation whenever cases become politically or economically inconvenient, it may undermine one of the few remaining mechanisms communities have to challenge environmental damage.

The issue is particularly significant for Māori and coastal communities, many of whom are already experiencing the impacts of climate change through erosion, flooding and threats to whenua and wāhi tapu.

Internationally, climate litigation is rapidly expanding.

Cases targeting governments and corporations have emerged across Europe, the United States, Australia and the Pacific as courts increasingly confront questions around emissions responsibility and environmental rights.

Legal experts say New Zealand’s approach could now attract global attention for a very different reason — whether governments can use legislation to effectively close the courthouse doors on climate claims.

Some warn the move could encourage other countries to adopt similar approaches, potentially slowing the growing international momentum around climate accountability.

For climate advocates, the concern extends beyond one case or one government.

The wider debate is becoming about whether legal systems will continue evolving to respond to climate change — or whether political and economic interests will place limits on how far courts can go.

As climate pressures intensify globally, the outcome of the debate in Aotearoa may have implications far beyond New Zealand’s borders.

#ClimateChange #MikeSmith #ClimateJustice #AlexanderGillespie #InternationalLaw #ClimateLitigation #Fonterra #CorporateAccountability #Aotearoa #EnvironmentalJustice #Māori #ClimateAction #NZPolitics #SupremeCourt #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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The launch of the new Te Taitokerau Party by former Te Pāti Māori member Mariameno Kapa-Kingi is adding another layer of complexity to the battle for Māori political support ahead of the next election — and increasing pressure on Labour leader Chris Hipkins to clarify what Labour is offering Māori voters.

The emergence of another Māori-focused political movement comes as Labour attempts to reclaim support across the Māori electorates, where Te Pāti Māori has continued building momentum since the 2020 election.

Despite Labour’s landslide nationwide victory in 2020, Māori voters delivered a very different result in several Māori seats, helping propel Rawiri Waititi into Parliament and bringing Debbie Ngarewa-Packer back through the party vote.

That result was widely seen as a sign many Māori voters were searching for stronger Māori political representation independent of Labour.

Now, with Mariameno Kapa-Kingi launching Te Taitokerau Party after leaving Te Pāti Māori, political attention is turning to whether the Māori political landscape could become even more fragmented heading into 2026.

Questions are also emerging about whether Labour could work alongside the new movement politically, particularly in Te Tai Tokerau where relationships and whakapapa connections remain influential.

At the same time, Labour faces mounting pressure to define a clearer kaupapa for Māori voters amid rising economic hardship across the country.

Budget 2026, to be delivered by Finance Minister Nicola Willis on May 28, is expected to focus heavily on economic restraint and government spending pressures.

But many Māori communities are confronting worsening realities including:

The issue of Māori economic migration is becoming increasingly prominent, particularly in regions where employment opportunities remain limited and younger Māori are struggling to find stable pathways into work.

Political observers say Labour now faces a critical challenge:

Labour’s education spokesperson Ginny Andersen recently signalled a commitment to reinstating Te Tiriti o Waitangi within the education system, following concerns around the current Government’s approach to Māori policy and curriculum changes.

That has prompted wider questions about whether Labour would extend Te Tiriti-based commitments into other sectors such as:

The debate comes as Māori issues continue to sit near the centre of national politics, with sharp divisions emerging over co-governance, public service reform, te reo Māori and Treaty obligations.

For Labour, the challenge may not simply be winning Māori seats back from Te Pāti Māori —

Meanwhile, Te Pāti Māori continues positioning itself as an unapologetically Māori political force, while newer movements such as Te Taitokerau Party may further reshape the Māori political landscape in the lead-up to the next election.

As economic pressures intensify and Budget 2026 approaches, Māori voters are likely to be watching closely for one thing above all:

#ChrisHipkins #LabourParty #TePātiMāori #TeTaitokerau #MāoriPolitics #Budget2026 #Aotearoa #TeTiriti #MāoriVoters #NZPolitics #TeAoMāori #MāoriSeats #WaateaNews #RadioWaatea

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