Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad is calling for urgent, coordinated action to end child homelessness in Aotearoa, warning that no child should be sleeping rough or growing up without the security of a safe and stable home.

As winter conditions intensify across the country, Dr Achmad says the continued presence of children experiencing homelessness should concern every New Zealander, describing housing as a fundamental foundation for children’s health, education and overall wellbeing.

Through the work of Mana Mokopuna – Children and Young People’s Commission, she says child homelessness remains a complex issue driven by a combination of rising housing costs, financial hardship, family violence, insecure rental housing and a shortage of affordable homes.

Dr Achmad says many children experiencing homelessness are not always visible, with families often moving between temporary accommodation, overcrowded homes, emergency housing or staying with relatives rather than sleeping on the streets.

She warns that unstable housing can have lifelong consequences, affecting children’s physical and mental health, educational achievement, emotional development and sense of belonging.

Without a safe place to call home, children can struggle to attend school consistently, maintain friendships or access regular healthcare, while parents and caregivers face enormous pressure trying to provide stability in difficult circumstances.

Dr Achmad says the impacts extend well beyond individual families, placing additional pressure on education, health, social services and community organisations that respond to housing insecurity.

She believes addressing child homelessness requires long-term solutions rather than short-term responses, including increasing the supply of affordable and social housing, strengthening support services for vulnerable families and tackling the wider causes of poverty and inequality.

The Children’s Commissioner is also calling for stronger collaboration between government agencies, local authorities, iwi, community organisations and housing providers to ensure families receive coordinated support before they reach crisis point.

Dr Achmad says preventing homelessness is not only about providing housing but also ensuring whānau have access to secure incomes, healthcare, education and culturally appropriate support services that enable children to thrive.

She believes every child has the right to grow up in a safe, warm and secure home, and says achieving that goal will require sustained political commitment, community leadership and investment focused on the long-term wellbeing of tamariki and their whānau.

With housing affordability continuing to dominate national debate ahead of the 2026 General Election, Dr Achmad says eliminating child homelessness should remain a priority for governments, communities and all New Zealanders.

#ChildHomelessness #ManaMokopuna #ClaireAchmad #Housing #Tamariki #Whānau #ChildWellbeing #SocialHousing #HousingCrisis #Poverty #Hauora #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi (NZCTU) is stepping up its campaign for stronger workplace protections, backing proposed legislation that would make union membership the default option for new employees covered by collective agreements.

Acting NZCTU President Rachel Mackintosh says the proposal would remove unnecessary barriers that currently prevent many workers from joining a union when they start a new job, while ensuring every employee retains the right to opt out if they choose.

Under the proposed changes, new employees would automatically become union members in workplaces where a collective agreement exists, rather than having to actively sign up. The NZCTU says the approach would simplify the process while preserving freedom of choice.

Mackintosh argues that many workers miss out on the benefits of union membership because they are unfamiliar with the enrolment process or are not given sufficient information when beginning employment.

The proposal follows the Green Party’s introduction of the Employment Relations (Automatic Union Membership) Amendment Bill, which the NZCTU says closely aligns with its own policy platform, A New Deal for Workers.

The union movement believes stronger collective bargaining would deliver significant benefits for workers and employers alike, contributing to higher wages, safer workplaces, improved productivity and reduced inequality.

The NZCTU also points to international evidence suggesting countries with higher rates of collective bargaining generally enjoy stronger wage growth and better labour productivity than New Zealand.

The proposal comes as many households continue to grapple with cost-of-living pressures, with the union movement arguing that stronger worker representation can help employees negotiate fairer pay and better employment conditions.

Looking ahead to the 2026 General Election, Mackintosh says the legislation represents an opportunity to rebuild an employment relations system that better supports collective bargaining and workplace fairness.

However, she acknowledges the proposal is likely to generate political debate, with supporters viewing it as a practical way to strengthen workers’ rights, while opponents may argue it changes the balance between individual choice and collective representation.

Beyond automatic union membership, the NZCTU is continuing to advocate for broader reforms, including restoring Fair Pay Agreements, improving union access to new employees and addressing the growing use of contractor arrangements that unions say can leave workers without key employment protections.

The organisation says the coming election will provide an important opportunity for political parties to outline their vision for the future of work and the role unions should play in improving wages, conditions and economic productivity across Aotearoa.

#NZCTU #WorkersRights #Unions #Employment #CollectiveBargaining #FairPay #CostOfLiving #RachelMackintosh #Election2026 #Workplace #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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Growing debate over the future of cultural safety requirements in New Zealand’s health system has prompted renewed calls from health experts to keep culturally responsive care at the centre of healthcare delivery.

Associate Professor Ben Gray, from the University of Otago Wellington’s Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, says cultural safety is fundamentally about improving patient outcomes and ensuring healthcare is effective for everyone, rather than promoting a political or ideological agenda.

Gray says cultural safety focuses on recognising how culture, identity, communication and lived experience influence interactions between patients and healthcare providers. The goal is to ensure people feel respected, heard and safe when accessing healthcare, particularly those who have historically experienced discrimination or barriers to treatment.

He points to growing international evidence showing that experiences of racism and cultural misunderstanding can discourage First Nations peoples, Māori and other underserved communities from seeking medical care, contributing to poorer health outcomes and widening inequities.

Research from Indigenous communities in Australia and New Zealand has consistently found that culturally safe healthcare can improve trust between patients and clinicians, increase engagement with health services and support earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Gray says building trust is particularly important for Māori communities, where longstanding disparities remain across a range of health measures, including chronic disease, life expectancy and access to healthcare.

He argues that culturally safe healthcare benefits not only Māori but all patients by encouraging respectful communication, improving understanding of individual needs and supporting more effective partnerships between health professionals, patients and whānau.

The discussion comes as the Government considers proposals to remove or amend cultural safety requirements within healthcare settings, prompting concern among some clinicians, educators and Indigenous health advocates.

Gray believes policymakers should focus on evidence-based approaches that improve patient outcomes, reduce inequities and strengthen confidence in the health system, rather than reducing support for practices that have been shown to improve care.

He says meaningful improvements in health outcomes will require sustained investment in culturally responsive healthcare, workforce development and partnerships with Māori communities to ensure services meet the needs of those they are intended to serve.

The debate over cultural safety is expected to remain a significant issue as health policy continues to feature prominently in the lead-up to the 2026 General Election.

#Health #Hauora #CulturalSafety #MāoriHealth #HealthEquity #UniversityOfOtago #PrimaryCare #FirstNations #Healthcare #PublicHealth #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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As New Zealand faces more frequent and severe weather events, a leading climate resilience expert says stronger partnerships between local councils and marae communities will be essential to protecting people, infrastructure and the environment.

Professor Paora (Paul) Tapsell, Director of the Kāika Institute of Climate Resilience at Lincoln University, says proposed changes to the country’s climate adaptation planning provide an important opportunity to rethink how communities prepare for natural hazards and respond to the growing impacts of climate change.

He says adaptation planning must move beyond engineering solutions alone and recognise the knowledge, leadership and community networks already embedded within local kāinga and marae.

Professor Tapsell believes marae possess generations of environmental knowledge, strong social connections and deep understanding of local landscapes, making them valuable partners in planning for future climate risks.

Recent emergencies across Aotearoa have repeatedly demonstrated the critical role marae play during disasters. From providing emergency shelter and distributing food to coordinating welfare support and reconnecting whānau, marae have become trusted centres of response when communities are under pressure.

Professor Tapsell says that experience shows climate resilience is not only about physical infrastructure but also about strengthening relationships, local leadership and the ability of communities to support one another before, during and after emergencies.

He argues that councils and central government should work alongside iwi, hapū and marae as equal partners when developing adaptation strategies, ensuring local knowledge helps shape decisions about land use, emergency management and long-term resilience.

Building those partnerships, he says, will require ongoing investment, trust and meaningful collaboration rather than consultation at the end of the planning process.

As climate-related events become more frequent, Professor Tapsell believes New Zealand must adopt a more community-led approach that recognises Māori knowledge systems and the enduring role of kāinga in caring for both people and place.

The discussion comes as the Government continues work on strengthening the national climate adaptation framework, with growing calls for greater certainty around funding, governance and community resilience.

Professor Tapsell says the greatest challenge ahead will be ensuring every community has the resources, partnerships and planning needed to adapt to a changing climate while protecting future generations.

#ClimateChange #ClimateResilience #Kāinga #Marae #PaoraTapsell #LincolnUniversity #Hauora #EmergencyManagement #KiUtaKiTai #MātaurangaMāori #ClimateAdaptation #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon is calling for a stronger partnership between government, iwi and communities to improve housing, protect the environment and strengthen whānau wellbeing, saying the health of people and the health of the land are inseparable.

Representing Te Tai Tokerau, Lyndon has built her political career around Māori development, Whānau Ora, environmental protection and community empowerment. Drawing on her background in iwi leadership, forestry and regional development, she says lasting change requires solutions that place whānau and local communities at the centre of decision-making.

Housing remains one of the most pressing issues facing Māori communities, with Lyndon pointing to the ongoing challenge of ensuring whānau have access to warm, safe and affordable homes.

She says barriers including rising housing costs, limited housing supply and unequal access to home ownership continue to affect many Māori families, contributing to wider health and social inequities.

Lyndon believes stronger collaboration between central government, iwi authorities, local councils and community organisations will be essential to increasing housing supply and delivering solutions that reflect the needs and aspirations of Māori communities.

Environmental wellbeing is another key focus for the Te Tai Tokerau MP, who argues that protecting the taiao is fundamental to the health of both people and future generations.

She says issues such as freshwater quality, biodiversity loss, climate change and the sustainable management of natural resources remain among the most significant environmental challenges facing Te Tai Tokerau.

Lyndon believes Māori knowledge and environmental stewardship have an important role to play in restoring ecosystems while supporting resilient communities and local economies.

Beyond housing and the environment, she says healthy whānau are built through strong connections to culture, identity, education, healthcare and secure employment.

She points to community-led initiatives, Whānau Ora programmes and kaupapa Māori services as examples of approaches that empower families by recognising their strengths rather than focusing solely on disadvantage.

As the 2026 General Election approaches, Lyndon says investment in healthy homes, a healthy environment and thriving whānau should remain central to efforts to reduce inequity and create stronger communities across Aotearoa.

She believes achieving those outcomes will require long-term partnerships that place Māori voices and aspirations at the heart of policy development and community wellbeing.

#HūhanaLyndon #GreenParty #HealthyHomes #WhānauOra #HealthyWhānau #HealthyTaiao #TeTaiTokerau #MāoriHousing #ClimateAction #Environment #MāoriDevelopment #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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Community leader and Butter Bean Motivation founder Dave Letele says restoring trust, protecting jobs and rebuilding confidence are his immediate priorities after taking over as Chief Executive of NZ Muscle during one of the most challenging periods in the company’s history.

NZ Muscle has faced intense public scrutiny following allegations raised in a recent documentary and subsequent regulatory investigations, placing the sports nutrition retailer under significant pressure from customers, suppliers and the wider public.

Letele says his decision to step into the leadership role was driven by a desire to stabilise the business and protect the livelihoods of employees, while steering the company through a period of uncertainty.

He says success over the next 12 months will be measured not only by the company’s commercial performance but also by rebuilding credibility through openness, accountability and stronger governance.

A key focus under his leadership is reassuring customers and stakeholders that the company is committed to transparency as investigations continue and concerns raised publicly are addressed.

Letele believes trust can only be restored through consistent action, clear communication and a willingness to confront difficult issues directly rather than avoiding them.

The appointment marks a significant shift for the former professional boxer and entrepreneur, whose work through Butter Bean Motivation has become synonymous with improving health outcomes, supporting vulnerable communities and helping New Zealanders make positive lifestyle changes.

He says those same values of integrity, service and community responsibility will guide his leadership at NZ Muscle, despite the different demands of running a commercial enterprise.

Letele also acknowledges the personal toll that the controversy has taken, with both he and members of his family becoming targets of online abuse as public debate surrounding the company intensified.

He says navigating that pressure has reinforced the importance of remaining focused on purpose, supporting those around him and leading with resilience during difficult times.

While recognising that rebuilding public confidence will not happen overnight, Letele says he is committed to creating a culture where accountability, transparency and customer trust are central to the company’s future.

As regulatory investigations continue, he believes the company’s long-term success will depend on demonstrating meaningful change while remaining focused on its employees, customers and wider community.

#DaveLetele #NZMuscle #ButterBeanMotivation #Leadership #Business #Transparency #Accountability #Health #Community #Entrepreneurship #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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Newly appointed co-director of Te Whare Rangahau o Himi Henare, the James Henare Research Centre, Dr Maia Hetaraka says her vision is to strengthen the connection between Māori research and the communities it is intended to serve by bringing the Centre closer to the people, knowledge and innovation of Te Tai Tokerau.

A descendant of Ngāti Wai, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Paoa, and Head of the University of Auckland’s Tai Tokerau Campus, Dr Hetaraka says the Centre’s next chapter will focus on supporting research that reflects the aspirations and priorities of northern communities while building stronger relationships between Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau.

She believes success will be measured by how closely the Centre works alongside iwi, hapū and whānau, ensuring research is community-led, grounded in mātauranga Māori and capable of delivering practical benefits for the people of the North.

Dr Hetaraka says Te Tai Tokerau is already home to significant innovation, leadership and research, much of which deserves greater national recognition. She sees the Centre as a platform for amplifying local voices, sharing Indigenous knowledge and supporting research that responds directly to community needs.

Her appointment also carries deep personal significance, with longstanding whakapapa connections linking the Hetaraka and Henare whānau across generations.

Dr Hetaraka describes the role as a full-circle moment, saying those family relationships reinforce the values of reciprocity, collective responsibility and service that guide her leadership.

She says honouring the legacy of Tā Himi Henare means ensuring the Centre continues to champion Māori excellence, Indigenous knowledge and research that strengthens communities rather than simply producing academic outcomes.

Looking ahead, Dr Hetaraka wants to create more opportunities for rangatahi, emerging Māori researchers and future leaders to become involved in research, education and community development.

She believes investing in the next generation is essential to ensuring Māori continue to shape research agendas and develop solutions grounded in their own knowledge systems and lived experiences.

Dr Hetaraka also draws inspiration from Pūanga, the traditional seasonal marker observed across much of Te Tai Tokerau, describing it as a reminder to reflect, regenerate and prepare carefully for the future.

She says those values offer important lessons for Māori research, encouraging communities to work together, prioritise what matters most and ensure both people and the environment have the time and space to flourish.

As Te Whare Rangahau o Himi Henare enters a new era under the joint leadership of Dr Hetaraka and Dr Piata Allen, the Centre aims to deepen its relationships with Māori communities while strengthening its role as a national leader in Indigenous research and knowledge.

#MāoriResearch #JamesHenareResearchCentre #MaiaHetaraka #TeTaiTokerau #MātaurangaMāori #UniversityOfAuckland #Pūanga #MāoriLeadership #Rangatahi #IndigenousResearch #TeAoMāori #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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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 Matariki celebrations continue across Aotearoa, preparations are gathering pace for the MAHUTA Matariki Concert, an evening dedicated to Māori music, storytelling and community connection.

The concert, to be held on 18 July as part of the wider Matariki Herenga Waka celebrations, has been curated by acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician Majic Pāora, who says the event is about creating a space where Māori voices, creativity and identity can be celebrated together.

The kaupapa of MAHUTA is to bring people together through music while honouring the values of Matariki—reflection, remembrance, celebration and hope for the future.

This year’s programme brings together established Māori performers alongside emerging artists, creating opportunities for experienced musicians to share the stage with the next generation of talent.

The carefully curated line-up reflects the richness and diversity of Māori music, blending contemporary sounds with storytelling traditions that have long been central to te ao Māori.

Beyond entertainment, the concert aims to strengthen cultural identity and inspire whānau and rangatahi by showcasing Māori excellence in the performing arts.

Music has long played an important role in preserving history, expressing identity and connecting communities, and MAHUTA continues that tradition by creating a platform where stories can be shared across generations.

The event is also intended to support emerging artists by providing opportunities to perform before new audiences while building relationships within Aotearoa’s music community.

Organisers hope MAHUTA will continue to grow in the years ahead, becoming a signature event on the Matariki calendar and helping nurture future generations of Māori musicians, composers, storytellers and performers.

As Matariki continues to evolve as a national celebration, events such as MAHUTA highlight the importance of indigenous creativity, language and cultural expression in bringing communities together and celebrating the unique identity of Aotearoa.

The concert promises an evening of music, storytelling and connection, reflecting both the legacy of those who have gone before and the aspirations of those who will carry Māori arts into the future.

#MAHUTA #Matariki #MatarikiHerengaWaka #MajicPāora #MāoriMusic #TeAoMāori #Waiata #Whānau #Rangatahi #Arts #Culture #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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Growing pressure on New Zealand’s public health system is once again under the spotlight following concerns about overcrowding in hospital emergency departments, prompting renewed debate about the future of healthcare and the reforms needed to meet increasing demand.

The discussion comes after the death of a patient during a period of severe pressure at Waikato Hospital’s emergency department, an incident that has intensified scrutiny of the challenges facing frontline health services across Aotearoa.

Joining Waatea to discuss the issues is Dr Rawiri McKree Jansen, a general practitioner, Māori health advocate and former Chief Medical Officer of Te Aka Whai Ora, who has long argued that lasting improvements require structural reform rather than short-term responses.

The interview will examine what recent events reveal about the current state of the health system, including the impact of rising patient demand, workforce shortages and growing pressure on emergency departments.

Health leaders have repeatedly warned that hospitals are managing increasingly complex patients while grappling with shortages of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. These workforce challenges are being felt across primary care, emergency medicine, mental health and rural health services.

The conversation will also explore why, despite years of health reform, many New Zealanders continue to experience long waiting times, difficulty accessing general practitioners and delays in receiving specialist treatment.

For Māori communities, the discussion extends beyond access to care, focusing on persistent inequities in health outcomes and the need for services that are designed with communities rather than simply delivered to them.

Dr Jansen has consistently advocated for healthcare models that better reflect Māori aspirations, strengthen primary and preventative care, and recognise the importance of culturally responsive services in improving long-term health outcomes.

The interview will consider what a redesigned health system could look like over the next decade, including greater investment in the health workforce, stronger community-based services, improved integration between primary and hospital care, and a renewed focus on prevention rather than crisis response.

The discussion also highlights the importance of ensuring reforms improve outcomes for all New Zealanders while addressing the inequities that continue to disproportionately affect Māori and other underserved communities.

As pressure on the health system continues to grow, the conversation reflects broader questions about how New Zealand can build a sustainable healthcare system that supports patients, frontline staff and communities for generations to come.

#Health #Healthcare #Hauora #MāoriHealth #HealthEquity #EmergencyDepartment #WaikatoHospital #PrimaryCare #HealthReform #DrRawiriMcKreeJansen #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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