Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

New Zealand has an opportunity to become a world leader not only in tourism but also in health, wellness and Indigenous cultural experiences, according to tourism advocate Dale Stephens, who says the country’s future growth lies in offering visitors authentic experiences that cannot be replicated anywhere else.

Speaking with Radio Waatea, Stephens said New Zealand’s tourism sector has evolved well beyond traditional sightseeing, with international visitors increasingly seeking meaningful connections with local communities, Māori culture, wellbeing and environmental stewardship.

His comments align with growing international trends showing travellers are placing greater value on authentic cultural experiences over conventional tourism products. Māori-led tourism businesses are increasingly attracting visitors looking to engage with whakapapa, mātauranga Māori, local history and manaakitanga as part of their journey through Aotearoa.

Stephens believes this presents significant opportunities for Māori businesses and communities to lead the next phase of tourism growth while ensuring cultural integrity remains at the centre of the visitor experience.

He also highlighted health and wellness tourism as an emerging sector with considerable potential.

Globally, wellness tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of the visitor economy, encompassing everything from spa and therapeutic retreats to Indigenous healing practices, nature-based experiences, holistic wellbeing and preventative health programmes.

Stephens says New Zealand is uniquely positioned to compete in this market through its combination of pristine natural environments, Māori knowledge systems, traditional healing practices, outdoor experiences and reputation as a safe international destination.

He believes greater collaboration between tourism operators, iwi, health providers and regional development agencies could unlock new economic opportunities while creating sustainable employment and supporting regional communities.

Alongside tourism, Stephens provided an update on his recent discussions with UNESCO, describing the conversations as positive and focused on strengthening international recognition of New Zealand’s cultural, environmental and Indigenous heritage.

While details of the discussions are continuing to develop, Stephens said engagement with UNESCO presents opportunities to showcase Māori culture and New Zealand’s unique heritage on the global stage, strengthening international partnerships while supporting education, conservation and sustainable development initiatives.

He says recognition through organisations such as UNESCO not only raises New Zealand’s international profile but also reinforces the importance of protecting cultural heritage and ensuring local communities benefit from increased global interest.

As the tourism industry continues its post-pandemic recovery, Stephens believes the future lies in quality rather than quantity, attracting visitors seeking deeper experiences rather than simply higher visitor numbers.

For Māori tourism operators, that approach offers an opportunity to build businesses grounded in tikanga, cultural authenticity and environmental sustainability while sharing the stories of Aotearoa with the world.

With demand for Indigenous tourism and wellness experiences continuing to grow internationally, Stephens says New Zealand has the chance to position itself as a global destination where culture, wellbeing and nature come together in a way few other countries can offer.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #DaleStephens #Tourism #MāoriTourism #WellnessTourism #HealthAndWellness #UNESCO #TeAoMāori #Manaakitanga #CulturalTourism #IndigenousTourism #MāoriBusiness #EconomicDevelopment #RegionalDevelopment #Aotearoa #Travel #SustainableTourism #MātaurangaMāori #NZTourism #TourismGrowth

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As the Waitangi Tribunal’s urgent inquiry into the Government’s Treaty Principles reform continues to shape national debate, lawyer and advocate Tania Waikato says the issues before the Tribunal reach far beyond constitutional law, striking at the heart of the relationship between Māori and the Crown.

Speaking to Radio Waatea about Wai 3565 – Te Tinihanga o Ngā Mātāpono o Te Tiriti: The Treaty Principles Reform Urgent Inquiry, Waikato said the inquiry represents one of the most significant Treaty hearings in recent years, examining whether proposed reforms undermine the commitments made under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the protections that have developed over decades.

The Waitangi Tribunal’s urgent inquiry was convened in response to concerns that the Government’s Treaty reform programme could fundamentally alter how Te Tiriti is interpreted and applied across legislation, public policy and the courts.

Earlier this year, the Tribunal concluded aspects of the proposed reforms were inconsistent with Treaty principles, finding they would prejudice Māori and risk causing lasting damage to the Crown-Māori relationship.

For Waikato, the debate is not simply about legal wording but about whether the promises made between rangatira and the Crown in 1840 continue to carry practical meaning today.

She says the Tribunal’s findings highlight concerns that longstanding Treaty protections could be weakened through legislative change, with potential consequences across health, education, environmental management and local government.

The inquiry has also drawn attention to the language used by the Tribunal itself. Commentary published following the report noted the Tribunal described elements of the Crown’s approach as involving “trickery and deceit”, reflecting the seriousness with which it viewed the consultation process and the proposed reforms. The commentary argues the Tribunal’s language signals a profound loss of confidence in how Treaty obligations were being approached.

The implications extend well beyond constitutional law.

Health leaders have warned that proposed changes to Treaty clauses across legislation could undermine Māori health gains achieved over recent decades. Medical and public health experts argue Treaty provisions have become an important mechanism for addressing persistent inequities experienced by Māori and ensuring accountability within the health system. Some have described removing those obligations as risking the erosion of progress toward equitable healthcare outcomes.

Waikato says the inquiry has become a defining moment in the national conversation about Te Tiriti, forcing New Zealanders to consider whether the Treaty remains a living constitutional document or whether its role should be substantially redefined.

She believes many Māori see the Tribunal not only as a forum for resolving historical grievances but also as an institution that safeguards the integrity of the relationship between Māori and the Crown for future generations.

As political parties continue to debate the future of Treaty-based policy, the findings from Wai 3565 are expected to remain central to discussions leading into the election.

For many observers, the inquiry has become about more than legal principles—it is about trust, partnership and the direction Aotearoa chooses to take in honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #TeTiriti #TreatyOfWaitangi #WaitangiTribunal #Wai3565 #TaniaWaikato #Māori #TeAoMāori #TreatyPrinciples #Constitution #HealthEquity #MāoriHealth #CrownMāoriRelations #NZPolitics #Election2026 #PublicPolicy #CurrentAffairs #Aotearoa #IndigenousRights #TreatyJustice

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Te Pāti Māori Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer is demanding immediate action after a review revealed that almost one million cervical screening notifications were not sent to patients, raising fears that women may have missed life-saving tests and follow-up appointments.

The review has prompted widespread concern across the health sector, with questions now being asked about how long the notification failures continued, how many people missed screening opportunities, and whether delayed diagnoses have resulted in avoidable harm.

Ngarewa-Packer says the issue goes far beyond an administrative oversight, describing it as a potential patient safety failure with serious consequences for thousands of New Zealanders.

In a statement, she says every person affected by the notification failure must be contacted directly and offered immediate, free cervical screening, arguing that cancer prevention should never fail because the health system failed to notify patients.

The Te Pāti Māori co-leader is also calling on the Government to urgently disclose how long the notification system had been failing, how many people are now overdue for screening or follow-up appointments, whether diagnoses were delayed, and what impact the failures have had on Māori, who already experience significantly poorer cervical cancer outcomes than non-Māori.

The concerns come as a Ministry of Health review found that hundreds of thousands of reminder letters and notifications were never issued through the National Cervical Screening Programme, potentially leaving many eligible people unaware they were due for routine screening or further assessment. Health officials have launched an investigation into the failures while working to identify those affected.

The Cancer Society has also renewed its call for fully funded cervical screening, arguing that cost should never be a barrier to preventing one of the country’s most preventable cancers. The organisation says increasing participation rates is critical if New Zealand is to reduce cervical cancer incidence and improve survival outcomes, particularly among Māori and Pacific communities, where screening participation remains lower and cancer outcomes are worse.

Health experts have long warned that Māori continue to face significant inequities across cancer care, from access to screening through to diagnosis and treatment. Lower screening rates, combined with barriers to accessing primary healthcare, contribute to higher rates of advanced disease and poorer survival.

The latest revelations are expected to intensify scrutiny of the Government’s handling of preventive health services in the lead-up to the general election, with opposition parties likely to press ministers on accountability and the measures being taken to restore confidence in the screening programme.

For many advocates, the priority now is ensuring that every affected person is identified quickly, contacted directly, and given timely access to screening before further harm occurs.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #TePātiMāori #DebbieNgarewaPacker #CervicalScreening #CervicalCancer #CancerPrevention #Wāhine #Hauora #MāoriHealth #HealthEquity #CancerSociety #PublicHealth #HealthSystem #Screening #Aotearoa #NZHealth #Election2026 #PatientSafety #HealthNews #TeAoMāori

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The Government has confirmed two new appointments to the Waitangi Tribunal, with Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announcing the appointment of Nick Wells and Rick Witana to one of Aotearoa’s most significant Treaty institutions. The appointments come as long-serving members Dr Paul Hamer and Basil Morrison conclude their terms on the Tribunal.

The Waitangi Tribunal plays a central role in investigating claims relating to alleged breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and making recommendations to the Crown. Established under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975, it has become one of the country’s most influential institutions for examining historical and contemporary issues affecting Māori.

Minister Potaka says the new appointments will help ensure the Tribunal continues to draw on a broad range of governance, legal and Māori expertise as it undertakes its work.

The announcement comes at a significant time for the Tribunal, which has recently released its urgent report examining the Government’s proposed changes to Treaty provisions across multiple pieces of legislation. The Tribunal continues to hear district and kaupapa inquiries while addressing emerging claims relating to Crown policy.

The appointments are likely to attract close attention from iwi, hapū and Māori organisations as debates continue over the future relationship between the Crown and Māori, Treaty settlements and constitutional issues.

The Government says the appointments are part of maintaining the Tribunal’s capability while recognising the contribution made by outgoing members over their years of service.

For many Māori, the Waitangi Tribunal remains a vital forum for ensuring Treaty grievances are heard and for informing future Crown-Māori relationships, making every appointment to the panel one of national significance.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #WaitangiTribunal #TeTiriti #TreatyOfWaitangi #TamaPotaka #MāoriDevelopment #TeAoMāori #Iwi #Hapū #Crown #NZPolitics #Governance #Aotearoa #MāoriNews #PublicPolicy #TreatyJustice #Constitution #CurrentAffairs #NZNews

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A powerful new documentary series is shining a light on the enduring relationship between Māori, the environment and traditional knowledge, as Whales, Rats & Kauri begins its seven-part release through RNZ following its acclaimed premiere at the Doc Edge Festival.

Co-directed and produced by Kim Webby, the series follows the Parata whānau as they work to revive traditional knowledge surrounding whales, environmental stewardship and Māori conservation practices, while navigating the challenges of protecting Aotearoa’s unique natural heritage.

The documentary weaves together three seemingly different stories—whales, introduced predators and kauri forests—to explore a common theme: the interconnectedness of people and the environment through the lens of kaitiakitanga.

At the heart of the series is the Parata whānau’s exploration of customary whale harvesting knowledge. Rather than focusing on commercial harvesting, the documentary examines the cultural, spiritual and environmental relationships Māori have maintained with whales for generations, highlighting the responsibilities that accompany those traditions.

The series also examines the impact of invasive species, including rats, on native ecosystems, alongside the ongoing struggle to protect kauri forests from kauri dieback disease. Together, these stories illustrate how traditional Māori knowledge and modern science can work alongside one another to restore ecosystems and strengthen conservation efforts.

Premiering at the Doc Edge Festival, Whales, Rats & Kauri received praise for its thoughtful storytelling and its willingness to tackle complex environmental issues through a distinctly Māori perspective.

Now reaching a wider audience through RNZ, the seven-part series offers viewers an opportunity to engage with conversations about biodiversity, Indigenous knowledge and the future of conservation in Aotearoa.

Kim Webby says the project was driven by a desire to tell stories that reflect the deep relationships Māori have with the natural world, while documenting the work of whānau who are actively protecting and restoring those connections for future generations.

The documentary arrives at a time when Indigenous knowledge is receiving increasing recognition internationally as an important contributor to environmental management and climate resilience. Across New Zealand, iwi and hapū continue to play leading roles in habitat restoration, species recovery and freshwater management, bringing mātauranga Māori together with scientific research.

For the Parata whānau, the story is ultimately one of continuity—ensuring knowledge handed down through generations is not lost, but instead adapted and shared with the next generation of kaitiaki.

As audiences tune into the series, Whales, Rats & Kauri offers more than a documentary about conservation. It is a reminder that caring for the environment is inseparable from caring for culture, whakapapa and the future of Aotearoa.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #WhalesRatsAndKauri #KimWebby #RNZ #DocEdge #ParataWhānau #Kaitiakitanga #MātaurangaMāori #Whales #Kauri #Conservation #Environment #TeAoMāori #Biodiversity #ClimateAction #IndigenousKnowledge #Whakapapa #Documentary #Aotearoa #MāoriNews

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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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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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E tautoko ana ngā kaitaunaki hauora niho i te kaupapa here a te Rōpū Kākāriki kia kore utu ngā toronga rata niho.

E ai ki a Marama Davidson, ka nui ake ngā raruraru me ngā mamae o ngā niho ina whakaroatia te haere ki te rata niho.

Hei tāna, mā te whakakore i te utu o ngā ratonga niho ka māmā ake tā te whānau toro ki ngā ratonga ki te whiwhi i te āwhina e tika ana.

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I whakawhitia ngā whare 11 i hangaia ki Ōmāhu whai muri i te āwhā nui a Kapireira ki te marae me ngā hapū o reira.

E ai ki te Minita Take Whare, ki a Tama Potaka, i whakatūria aua whare hei nohoanga mō ngā whānau i pāngia e te āwhā, ā, ko ētahi i noho ki Ōmāhu Marae mō ngā marama maha whai muri ake, nā te kore i whai wāhi ki whare kē.

I whakawhitia ngā whare e te Kāwanatanga ki te Tarahiti o Ōmāhu Marae mō tētahi utu iti noa iho, kia noho tonu ai aua whare hei papakāinga mō ngā whānau o te hapori haere ake nei.

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As New Zealand’s political parties trade increasingly personal attacks ahead of the 2026 General Election, broadcaster and commentator Matthew Tukaki says voters remain focused on a much simpler question: how they are going to pay the bills.

Joining Dale Husband on Radio Waatea, Tukaki said the country’s economic outlook, rising unemployment and growing household pressure should be dominating the political agenda, rather than the escalating war of words between the Green Party and New Zealand First.

“The political theatre might generate headlines, but it doesn’t put food on the table,” he said.

Tukaki said New Zealanders continue to face significant financial pressure despite signs that inflation has begun to ease.

He pointed to ongoing concerns around household affordability, business confidence and slowing economic growth, arguing that many whānau are still waiting to see meaningful improvements in their day-to-day lives.

“The economy isn’t measured by GDP alone,” he said. “It’s measured by whether families can afford the supermarket, pay the mortgage or rent, keep the lights on and provide opportunities for their children.”

He said Māori communities often feel the impact of economic downturns first and hardest, making employment and economic participation critical issues heading into the election.

Tukaki also highlighted the rising unemployment rate, saying it is becoming one of the country’s most pressing challenges.

He said behind every employment statistic is a whānau facing uncertainty, reduced income and increased financial stress.

While governments inevitably point to broader economic cycles, Tukaki said voters are increasingly interested in practical solutions that create jobs, support business investment and improve opportunities for young people entering the workforce.

He argued economic resilience should be measured not only by fiscal indicators but also by whether communities are seeing genuine improvements in employment and living standards.

The discussion also turned to the increasingly heated exchanges between the Green Party and New Zealand First.

Tukaki described the ongoing battle of “wits” between the two parties as symptomatic of a wider trend in political debate, where personalities can overshadow policy.

He said vigorous debate is a healthy part of democracy, but warned that political leaders must avoid allowing personal conflict to distract from the issues that matter most to New Zealanders.

“There is a place for robust debate, but there is also an expectation that our leaders focus on the challenges people face every day.”

With the election campaign intensifying, Tukaki believes parties now have an opportunity to shift the conversation back towards economic management, health, housing, education and employment.

He said voters will ultimately judge political parties not by their rhetoric, but by the credibility of their policies and their ability to improve the lives of ordinary New Zealanders.

For Māori communities, he said, the election will be particularly significant as debates continue around Te Tiriti o Waitangi, constitutional reform, economic development and the future of public services.

“As the campaign unfolds, New Zealanders will be looking beyond the headlines,” Tukaki said. “They’ll be asking who has the vision, the competence and the plan to deliver a stronger economy and better outcomes for everyone.”

#Tags:
#MatthewTukaki #DaleHusband #Economy #Unemployment #Election2026 #NZPolitics #CostOfLiving #Jobs #MāoriEconomy #TeAoMāori #GreenParty #NZFirst #PoliticalAnalysis #Business #Housing #Whānau #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #Aotearoa #Politics

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