Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says there has been what he describes as a “whitewashing” of New Zealand’s Covid-19 response, arguing the Royal Commission of Inquiry has failed to adequately address concerns raised by people who believe they suffered vaccine-related injuries.

Speaking with Radio Waatea, Peters defended his ongoing criticism of the inquiry, saying important questions remain unanswered despite the Commission’s recommendations and subsequent Government response.

Peters has consistently argued that the experiences of people who report adverse reactions to Covid-19 vaccines deserve greater recognition and investigation. He says the Royal Commission did not go far enough in examining those issues and has called for further scrutiny into vaccine injuries.

His comments come after a heated exchange in Parliament with Green MPs over the Government’s handling of the Covid-19 inquiry and its recommendations.

During the debate, Peters took exception to questions relating to his own Covid-19 vaccination status, insisting the focus should remain on the Commission’s findings rather than personal matters.

The parliamentary exchanges followed criticism over remarks Peters directed at Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan, which sparked further debate about political discourse inside the House.

The Government has previously accepted all recommendations from the first phase of the Royal Commission in principle or in some form, saying the inquiry has helped strengthen New Zealand’s preparedness for future public health emergencies.

Peters, however, maintains that important aspects of the pandemic response remain unresolved and says New Zealanders deserve greater transparency about decisions made during the Covid-19 response.

Away from the pandemic debate, Peters also criticised Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) project, taking aim at the branding and naming of the new rail network.

Referring to the promotional campaign surrounding the project, Peters dismissed those responsible as “a bunch of little turkeys,” saying he believed the branding failed to resonate with ordinary New Zealanders.

The City Rail Link remains one of the country’s largest transport infrastructure projects and is expected to transform Auckland’s rail network when it opens, although it has faced years of delays and significant cost increases.

Peters’ comments reflect New Zealand First’s continued focus on accountability, public spending and revisiting aspects of the country’s Covid-19 response as political debate intensifies ahead of the general election.

Whether discussing pandemic policy or major infrastructure projects, Peters says New Zealanders are looking for greater transparency and stronger scrutiny of government decisions.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #WinstonPeters #NewZealandFirst #Covid19 #RoyalCommission #VaccineInquiry #Parliament #LawrenceXuNan #TamathaPaul #CityRailLink #CRL #Auckland #NZPolitics #Government #Infrastructure #CurrentAffairs #PoliticalNews #Election2026 #Aotearoa

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Veteran broadcaster, journalist and Māori leader Derek Fox says the challenges facing Māori have never been greater, making it more important than ever for eligible voters to enrol and make their voices heard at this year’s general election.

Speaking with Dale Husband on Radio Waatea, Fox reflected on the political, economic and social issues confronting Māori, while stressing that meaningful change begins with participation in the democratic process.

With the general election fast approaching, Fox says Māori communities face significant issues, including rising unemployment, pressure on whānau, debates over Te Tiriti o Waitangi, health inequities, housing affordability and the future direction of Māori-Crown relations.

He believes these challenges make voting not just a civic responsibility, but an expression of rangatiratanga.

Fox encouraged Māori, particularly rangatahi and first-time voters, to ensure they are enrolled and ready to cast their ballots.

He said every vote contributes to shaping the future of policies affecting education, health, employment, housing and Māori development.

The former Māori Party president and longtime commentator said Māori have fought hard for political representation and should never take the right to vote for granted.

He noted that the Māori electorates have historically played an important role in ensuring Māori perspectives are represented in Parliament, but said participation is equally important regardless of whether people are enrolled on the Māori or general roll.

Fox also emphasised the importance of informed voting, encouraging people to look beyond campaign slogans and carefully consider which parties and candidates best reflect their aspirations for whānau and future generations.

He said elections are ultimately about choosing the direction of the country and determining what kind of Aotearoa today’s tamariki and mokopuna will inherit.

As political debate intensifies ahead of polling day, Fox believes Māori voters have the opportunity to influence decisions on issues that directly affect their communities.

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ACT Party leader David Seymour says the Waitangi Tribunal is increasingly being ignored by governments, suggesting its influence has diminished to the point where New Zealand may need to reconsider its future role.

Speaking with Radio Waatea, Seymour said the Tribunal continues to produce reports and recommendations, but argued successive governments have become increasingly selective about whether they act on its findings.

The comments come amid heightened political debate over the Tribunal’s role in scrutinising government policy, particularly in relation to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Treaty settlements and Māori rights.

Established in 1975 to investigate alleged breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi by the Crown, the Waitangi Tribunal has become one of New Zealand’s most significant institutions for examining historical grievances and, since 1985, claims dating back to 1840.

While its findings carry considerable moral and political weight, the Tribunal’s recommendations are generally not legally binding, with governments retaining the final decision on whether to implement them.

Seymour argued that reality raises questions about whether the Tribunal continues to serve the purpose for which it was created.

His remarks suggest ACT believes the institution’s role has evolved beyond its original intent and that governments are increasingly prepared to proceed with policy decisions regardless of Tribunal findings.

The comments are likely to be welcomed by those who argue elected governments—not independent inquiries—should have the final say on public policy.

However, they are also expected to draw criticism from Māori leaders and legal experts who regard the Tribunal as an essential safeguard for protecting Treaty rights and ensuring the Crown remains accountable for its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

In recent years, the Tribunal has played a central role in examining issues including Treaty Principles reforms, Māori health, freshwater management, constitutional matters and the protection of Māori interests across a wide range of public policy.

Several of its recent urgent inquiries have been highly critical of Government proposals, finding that aspects of policy could prejudice Māori and damage the Crown-Māori relationship.

Asked whether the Tribunal had effectively reached the end of its usefulness, Seymour suggested its influence had already diminished because governments were increasingly choosing not to follow its recommendations.

His comments reflect ACT’s longstanding position that Parliament, rather than the Tribunal, should remain the country’s primary decision-making body.

Supporters of the Tribunal argue its role has never been to govern, but to provide independent findings based on evidence, history and Treaty principles, allowing governments to make better-informed decisions while recognising Māori rights.

The debate over the Tribunal’s future is expected to remain a prominent election issue, with differing political parties offering sharply contrasting views on the institution’s place within New Zealand’s constitutional framework.

For many Māori, the Waitangi Tribunal remains one of the few formal mechanisms through which Crown actions can be independently examined against the promises of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Whether its influence continues to grow or decline is likely to become part of the wider national conversation about the future relationship between Māori and the Crown.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #DavidSeymour #ACTParty #WaitangiTribunal #TeTiriti #TreatyOfWaitangi #MāoriPolitics #NZPolitics #Treaty #Constitution #CrownMāoriRelations #TeAoMāori #Election2026 #CurrentAffairs #Aotearoa #PublicPolicy #MāoriNews #Governance #TreatyRights

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ACT Party leader David Seymour says New Zealand’s long-term solution to rising hardship is a stronger economy, arguing that cutting regulation and encouraging growth will help families struggling with the rising cost of living.

Speaking with Radio Waatea, Seymour reflected on a range of issues affecting New Zealanders, from violent crime and winter hardship to unemployment and education.

The interview opened with Seymour responding to the violent assault of two Auckland Grammar School students who were seriously injured in what police have described as a frenzied attack while cycling in Auckland.

Seymour said the incident was deeply disturbing and reinforced the need for communities to feel safe.

“No one should have to fear for their safety simply travelling to school,” he said, adding that addressing violent offending remains a priority for the Government.

The conversation then turned to the pressures facing many households during one of the coldest periods of winter.

With growing concern that some older New Zealanders are being forced to choose between heating their homes and buying food as electricity prices continue to rise, Seymour acknowledged the financial pressures many families are facing.

However, he argued the most effective long-term response is to strengthen the economy rather than expand government spending.

Seymour said reducing unnecessary regulation, encouraging business investment and removing what he described as excessive red tape would help lift productivity, create jobs and increase incomes.

“The best social policy is a strong economy,” he said.

The discussion also covered the latest labour market figures, which showed New Zealand’s unemployment rate has climbed to 5.6 percent, while Māori unemployment has risen to 10.8 percent.

Asked about the significant disparity affecting Māori workers, Seymour urged caution in how the statistics are interpreted.

He said while the gap is concerning, people should avoid assuming discrimination is the sole explanation, arguing that a range of economic, educational and regional factors contribute to employment outcomes.

Seymour said the focus should remain on ensuring every New Zealander has opportunities to gain skills, secure employment and participate in a growing economy.

The ACT leader also responded to recent comments made by ACT candidate Paul Henry, who attracted attention after saying there were “a lot of little shits” in New Zealand classrooms.

While Seymour did not endorse the language used, he said the comments reflected growing concerns among teachers and parents about classroom behaviour.

He argued schools need stronger support to address disruptive behaviour so teachers can focus on teaching and students can learn in safe, orderly environments.

Education, he argued, is fundamental to improving long-term outcomes, reducing inequality and preparing young people for future employment.

The interview highlighted ACT’s continued emphasis on economic reform, personal responsibility and public sector efficiency, while also acknowledging the significant social challenges facing many New Zealanders.

With cost-of-living pressures, rising unemployment and public safety likely to dominate the election campaign, Seymour says New Zealand’s future prosperity depends on creating an economy that generates opportunity for everyone.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #DavidSeymour #ACTParty #NZPolitics #Economy #CostOfLiving #Unemployment #MāoriEmployment #Crime #Education #PaulHenry #ClassroomBehaviour #AucklandGrammar #EnergyCosts #Winter #RedTape #EconomicGrowth #Election2026 #CurrentAffairs #Aotearoa

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A leading Māori health expert says proposals to remove ethnicity from access criteria for lifesaving diabetes medicines would have worsened existing health inequities, arguing that prioritised care for Māori and Pacific peoples remains one of the strongest evidence-based tools for reducing preventable illness and death.

Associate Professor Rawiri Keenan, from the University of Waikato’s Primary Care Medicine programme, says maintaining targeted access to diabetes medications for Māori and Pacific patients is the most effective approach to improving health outcomes.

His comments follow recent debate over Pharmac’s proposed changes to the prescribing criteria for new diabetes medicines, which included removing ethnicity as a prioritisation factor before widespread public and clinical feedback prompted a rethink.

Keenan says that, if access is to be broadened, it should be expanded to include all people with diabetes who require better blood sugar control, rather than removing targeted access for groups known to experience significantly poorer health outcomes.

“Short of maintaining the status quo of prioritised access for Māori and Pacific patients with diabetes, widening access to all people with diabetes requiring better control is the most logical step,” he said.

He says the proposal to remove ethnicity as a criterion failed to reflect the realities faced by frontline clinicians.

“The proposed removal of ethnicity clearly fell flat with those at the front line who see the inequities in diabetes care as well as the benefits from these medications.”

Māori continue to experience disproportionately high rates of type 2 diabetes and its complications, including kidney disease, blindness, heart disease and lower limb amputations.

Health experts have long argued that improving access to modern diabetes medicines is critical to reducing those inequities and preventing avoidable hospitalisations.

Keenan says the priority should be removing barriers to treatment rather than creating new ones.

“Keeping these lifesaving medications within easy reach means efforts can remain on eliminating other barriers to accessing care—not creating new ones.”

He also challenged political criticism of ethnicity-based access to healthcare, saying targeted approaches remain firmly supported by clinical evidence.

“Despite the political narrative, access to care and treatment aimed at particular patient groups—including by ethnicity—remains a strongly evidenced way to reduce morbidity and mortality.”

His comments come as debate continues over how New Zealand’s health system should address persistent inequities experienced by Māori and Pacific peoples.

Supporters of targeted healthcare argue that prioritising groups with the greatest burden of disease is necessary to achieve equitable outcomes, while critics contend access should be based solely on clinical need without reference to ethnicity.

For Keenan, the evidence is clear.

He says targeted access is not about giving one group preferential treatment, but about responding to well-documented disparities in disease burden and ensuring those most at risk receive effective treatment before complications develop.

As New Zealand continues to grapple with rising rates of chronic disease, the discussion highlights the broader challenge of balancing universal healthcare with strategies designed to close long-standing health gaps.

For many clinicians working on the frontline, Keenan says the focus should remain where it belongs—on ensuring patients receive the care they need to live longer, healthier lives.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #RawiriKeenan #UniversityOfWaikato #Diabetes #MāoriHealth #PacificHealth #HealthEquity #Pharmac #Type2Diabetes #PrimaryCare #PublicHealth #Healthcare #TeAoMāori #WhānauOra #HealthPolicy #Aotearoa #ChronicDisease #HealthNews #EquityInHealthcare

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I kōwhiria a Ngāi Tahu Farming e te Papa Atawhai hai kaiwhakahaere i tētahi o ngā pāmu nui rawa o Aotearoa.

180,000 heketea te rahinga o tēnei pāmū, he āpitihanga tēnei ki te whānuitanga o ngā mahi ahuwhenua e whakahaerehia ana e Ngāi Tahu puta noa i Te Waipounamu.

E ai ki te Minita Whāomoomo a Tama Potaka, kei te mahi tahi a Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) me Ngāi Tahu Farming ki te whakarite i te āhua o tētahi whakaaetanga, me te tūmanako ka kaha ake ngā mahi whāomoomo, ka whanake hoki ngā mahi ahuwhenua me ngā mahi maimoa i te taiao.

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Hai te weherua pō o āpōpō ka aukati mā ngā Māori kua rēhitatia kētia te tauwhitiwhiti rārangi pōti, i te rārangi Māori ki te rārangi auraki, i te rārangi auraki ki te rārangi Māori rānei.

Kei te akiaki a Marama Davidson i ngā whānau kia tirohia ā rātou tāipitopito i te rēhita, kia mōhio pū mēnā rānei kei runga rātou i te rārangi pōti e hiahiatia ana.

Hai tāna anō, ki te rāhi ake te rārangi Māori ka rahi ake hoki te nui o ngā Māngai Māori i te whare pāremata.

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Latest Kōreo from the rohe and motu. Ngā kaupapa nui, ngā reo o te hapori. Listen Live or Online on Waatea Digital

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As New Zealand becomes increasingly dependent on digital communications, researchers are asking a simple but critical question: if disaster strikes, will people still be able to access the information they need to stay safe?

University of Auckland computer scientist Dr Ulrich Speidel is leading an international research effort examining the resilience of New Zealand’s internet infrastructure during emergencies, focusing not just on whether networks remain operational, but whether vital public information can still reach communities when it matters most.

The research comes as cyber security experts continue to warn that state-sponsored hackers are increasingly targeting critical infrastructure around the world, often by compromising network equipment such as internet routers before launching wider attacks.

For New Zealand, the stakes are high.

The country’s digital backbone relies on a relatively small number of critical systems working together. These include international submarine fibre-optic cables linking New Zealand to the rest of the world, wholesale telecommunications providers, data centres, the administration of the nation’s .nz internet domain, and the networks that support government agencies and emergency services.

Should one or more of these systems fail during a natural disaster or coordinated cyber attack, the consequences could extend well beyond internet outages. Access to emergency warnings, government information, banking services, healthcare systems and communications between first responders could all be affected.

The issue has gained renewed attention following the magnitude 6.8 earthquake near Te Anau earlier this year, which prompted tsunami alerts and highlighted the importance of fast, reliable communications during rapidly evolving emergencies. Experts noted that resilient communications are as critical as emergency response itself, ensuring warnings reach the public without delay.

Among the systems designed to improve resilience is SafetyNet, New Zealand’s dedicated public safety communications platform. Operated independently as a Crown entity, the network provides emergency-grade cellular roaming, priority access and location services for almost 28,000 frontline responders, including Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and other emergency agencies.

Other organisations, including government communications provider Kordia, also play a key role in maintaining secure broadcast, cybersecurity and government connectivity across the country.

However, researchers say resilience is about far more than keeping networks online.

The growing focus is on whether information remains accessible under pressure, whether backup systems function as intended, and whether digital infrastructure can withstand simultaneous physical and cyber threats.

Dr Speidel’s work builds on years of international research into internet performance, resilience and communications infrastructure, including studies of vulnerable satellite and long-distance network links. His latest research expands that focus to understand how entire digital ecosystems perform under crisis conditions and whether ordinary New Zealanders can still obtain trusted information during emergencies.

The research also reflects a broader shift in national security thinking.

Climate-related disasters, earthquakes, cyber warfare and increasingly sophisticated digital attacks are forcing governments worldwide to treat internet infrastructure with the same importance traditionally reserved for electricity, transport and water supplies.

For Māori communities, rural regions and isolated settlements, resilient communications are particularly significant. During severe weather events and natural disasters, digital connectivity often becomes the primary means of accessing emergency information, coordinating community responses and maintaining contact with whānau.

As New Zealand continues investing in critical infrastructure, researchers hope the findings will help policymakers identify vulnerabilities before they are exposed during a real-world emergency.

The question is no longer whether New Zealand will face another major disruption.

It is whether the country’s digital lifelines will be ready when it does.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #CyberSecurity #CriticalInfrastructure #InternetResilience #EmergencyManagement #DigitalInfrastructure #UniversityOfAuckland #UlrichSpeidel #SafetyNet #Telecommunications #CyberThreats #NaturalDisasters #Earthquake #Tsunami #MāoriCommunities #Technology #NZNews #PublicSafety #Infrastructure #CyberResilience #NewZealand

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Labour leader Chris Hipkins says New Zealand needs a government focused on solving the country’s biggest challenges rather than “picking fights with people”, signalling that a Labour-led government would take a markedly different approach to its relationship with Māori, constitutional issues and public policy.

Speaking about the direction of the country, Hipkins argued the Government has become distracted by divisive debates instead of concentrating on the cost of living, healthcare, education and economic growth. He said a future Labour government would slow the pace of change where necessary and work to rebuild trust between communities, iwi and the Crown.

A central part of that message was Labour’s continued support for the role of the Waitangi Tribunal, which Hipkins described as an important constitutional institution established to examine whether Crown actions are consistent with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

His comments follow the Tribunal’s findings that aspects of the Government’s Treaty reform agenda breached Treaty principles, caused prejudice to Māori and risked damaging the relationship between Māori and the Crown. The Tribunal warned that weakening Treaty obligations could have long-term constitutional consequences and undermine confidence in the partnership established under Te Tiriti.

Hipkins says the Tribunal plays an important role in providing independent scrutiny of government decisions and helping to ensure Treaty obligations are properly considered. He indicated that a government led by Labour would seek to restore constructive engagement with Māori rather than continue what he characterised as confrontational politics.

The Labour leader also defended his party’s decision to support legislation recognising English as an official language, a move that has generated significant debate.

Critics argued the legislation risked diminishing the standing of te reo Māori, which has held official language status since 1987, while supporters maintained the Bill simply recognised the practical reality that English is the country’s most widely spoken language.

Hipkins rejected suggestions that Labour’s support represented a retreat from its commitment to te reo Māori or bilingualism. He argued that recognising English did not reduce the legal status or importance of te reo Māori or New Zealand Sign Language, both of which remain official languages protected under existing legislation.

The issue has nevertheless become another flashpoint in wider debates over national identity, language policy and the place of Te Tiriti in modern New Zealand.

Labour’s position reflects an attempt to balance recognition of English as the country’s predominant language while maintaining support for the revitalisation of te reo Māori and the institutions established under Treaty settlements and legislation.

As the election campaign gathers pace, Hipkins is positioning Labour as a party seeking to lower the political temperature after months of heated debate over Treaty issues, constitutional reform and Māori-Crown relations.

His message is that New Zealand’s next government should focus less on ideological battles and more on rebuilding relationships, restoring confidence in public institutions and addressing the everyday pressures facing whānau across the country.

Whether that message resonates with voters will become clearer as political parties continue to outline their competing visions for the future of Aotearoa.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #ChrisHipkins #Labour #Election2026 #TeTiriti #WaitangiTribunal #TeAoMāori #MāoriPolitics #EnglishLanguage #TeReoMāori #NZPolitics #Treaty #CrownMāoriRelations #PublicPolicy #CurrentAffairs #Aotearoa #PoliticalNews #Democracy #Leadership #ElectionCampaign

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