Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

A new transitional housing initiative in Tauranga is providing a lifeline for older wāhine experiencing homelessness, highlighting a growing but often overlooked housing crisis affecting older women across Aotearoa.

He Kaupapa Kotahitanga Trust has officially opened Huia House, a dedicated transitional home designed to support older women who have found themselves without safe and secure housing. The initiative combines accommodation with wraparound support aimed at helping residents rebuild their lives and achieve long-term independence.

Co-chair Angela Wallace says Huia House was established in response to a clear gap in housing services for older women, many of whom have unique needs that are not always met through traditional emergency accommodation or homelessness services.

While homelessness is often associated with younger people or rough sleeping, older women are becoming one of the fastest-growing groups experiencing housing insecurity. Many have spent decades in low-paid employment, experienced relationship breakdowns, lived with family violence, or reached retirement without sufficient savings or stable housing.

The Trust says these circumstances can leave women particularly vulnerable later in life, with rising rents, the cost of living and a shortage of affordable housing making it increasingly difficult to secure long-term accommodation.

Wallace says demand for support continues to grow, with more older women seeking assistance than ever before. Some have been forced into homelessness after losing rental accommodation, while others are living in cars, moving between temporary arrangements or staying with family and friends because they have nowhere else to go.

The Trust believes older women experiencing homelessness often remain invisible because many avoid sleeping rough, instead relying on unstable living arrangements that mask the true scale of the problem.

Huia House has been developed to provide far more than temporary shelter. Residents will receive wraparound support tailored to their individual circumstances, including assistance with accessing healthcare, financial advice, budgeting, employment and income support, counselling and help navigating government services.

The goal is to provide women with the stability and confidence needed to transition into secure, long-term housing while rebuilding their independence and reconnecting with their communities.

The Trust says housing alone cannot solve homelessness. Sustainable outcomes require coordinated support that addresses the complex issues contributing to housing instability, while recognising the strengths and resilience each woman brings.

For many residents, Huia House offers an opportunity to regain dignity, security and hope after experiencing prolonged uncertainty.

The opening comes as housing affordability remains one of New Zealand’s most pressing social issues, with community organisations warning that demand for transitional housing continues to outstrip supply in many regions.

Advocates say targeted initiatives such as Huia House demonstrate the importance of community-led solutions that respond directly to local needs while providing culturally appropriate and person-centred care.

As the number of older New Zealanders facing housing insecurity continues to rise, He Kaupapa Kotahitanga Trust hopes Huia House will not only transform lives in Tauranga but also encourage wider investment in services that ensure older wāhine have access to safe housing and the support needed to thrive.

#Homelessness #HousingCrisis #HuiaHouse #Tauranga #Wāhine #AffordableHousing #CommunityHousing #Māori #Whānau #HousingSupport #TransitionalHousing #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #SocialJustice #HousingEquity #SEO

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Communities across Te Wai Pounamu are facing a deepening flood emergency after severe weather triggered widespread flooding, road closures and the declaration of a local state of emergency in the Waitaki District.

Public health physician Dr Lily Fraser says the unfolding event is another reminder that extreme weather is becoming an increasingly significant challenge for communities across Aotearoa, bringing not only immediate risks to life and property but also long-term health and wellbeing impacts.

The Waitaki District declared a state of emergency as heavy rain caused rivers to rise rapidly, inundating low-lying areas and disrupting transport links. Emergency services, Civil Defence and local authorities have been working with affected communities as weather warnings remain in place.

Dr Fraser says while the immediate focus is on protecting lives and ensuring people can reach safety, the health impacts of flooding often continue well after the rain has stopped.

Floodwaters can contaminate drinking water supplies, damage homes, interrupt access to healthcare and medicines, and leave communities dealing with significant emotional and financial stress. She says older people, tamariki, people with disabilities and those living with chronic health conditions are often among the most vulnerable during major weather events.

She says flooding also creates mental health pressures that can persist for months or even years, particularly for whānau who experience repeated natural disasters or face uncertainty about rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.

The severe weather has also disrupted farming communities, with concerns growing about damage to farmland, stock, transport infrastructure and rural businesses across affected parts of the South Island.

Dr Fraser says climate-related events are placing increasing pressure on both communities and health services, requiring greater investment in emergency preparedness and resilience planning.

She believes future planning must extend beyond responding to disasters and include measures that reduce community vulnerability before severe weather strikes. That includes resilient infrastructure, stronger flood protection, improved emergency communication and ensuring health services remain accessible during emergencies.

She says Māori communities have long understood the importance of environmental stewardship and adapting to changing conditions, with mātauranga Māori offering valuable knowledge that can strengthen emergency planning and climate resilience.

Dr Fraser says supporting whānau during recovery is just as important as the emergency response itself. Recovery involves restoring homes, reconnecting communities, protecting mental wellbeing and ensuring people have ongoing access to health and social support.

As emergency crews continue responding across Te Wai Pounamu, authorities are urging residents to stay informed, avoid flooded roads and follow Civil Defence advice while the severe weather continues.

With climate scientists warning that extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent and more intense, Dr Fraser says New Zealand must continue investing in resilient communities capable of responding to increasingly unpredictable weather while protecting the health and wellbeing of future generations.

#Floods #TeWaipounamu #Waitaki #CivilDefence #ClimateChange #ExtremeWeather #PublicHealth #Emergency #SouthIsland #Whānau #Resilience #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #FloodRecovery #SEO

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The growing popularity of rugby league in Aotearoa is being fuelled by unprecedented broadcast coverage, record fan engagement and the continued success of the One New Zealand Warriors, according to sports commentator Ken Laban.

Laban says Sky Sport’s investment in comprehensive National Rugby League coverage, including te reo Māori commentary, has helped make the game more accessible while strengthening its connection with Māori audiences and the wider New Zealand sporting public.

He says the addition of te reo commentary represents more than a broadcasting innovation. It reflects the growing place of te reo Māori in mainstream sport and gives supporters the opportunity to experience the game through a uniquely Māori lens.

The enhanced coverage comes as reports suggest the NRL is closing in on a record New Zealand broadcast rights agreement, highlighting the competition’s continued growth and commercial appeal across the Tasman. Industry analysts believe the proposed deal would significantly increase the value of NRL broadcasting in New Zealand, reflecting expanding audiences and strong subscriber demand.

Laban says the Warriors have played a major role in driving that growth. Their resurgence on the field has translated into enormous off-field success, with club merchandise continuing to sell strongly as supporters embrace the team’s identity and growing popularity.

He says the Warriors have become more than a rugby league club. They are a national sporting brand with deep connections to communities throughout Aotearoa, and their success continues to inspire a new generation of players and fans.

The combination of strong performances, passionate supporters and expanded television coverage has helped elevate rugby league’s profile to levels rarely seen in New Zealand.

Attention also turned to international rugby following the All Blacks’ opening Test victory over France.

Laban says the performance provided encouraging signs for the new-look All Blacks, who combined physicality with periods of attacking flair to begin the series with confidence.

While acknowledging there is still room for improvement as combinations continue to develop, he says the result demonstrated the depth of New Zealand rugby and provided valuable momentum heading into the remainder of the series.

He believes the performance also showcased the emergence of new talent capable of strengthening the All Blacks over the coming years, with younger players continuing to make their mark on the international stage.

Meanwhile, the National Rugby League Women’s Premiership continues to gather momentum, with the opening rounds once again highlighting the quality and professionalism of the women’s game.

Laban says the NRLW has become one of the fastest-growing competitions in Australasia, attracting larger audiences, increased investment and greater opportunities for female athletes.

He says the standard of football continues to improve every season, while greater broadcast exposure is helping inspire more girls to participate in rugby league at community level.

For New Zealand, the competition also provides an important pathway for wāhine Māori and Pasifika players to compete at the highest level while strengthening the talent pool for international rugby league.

As both the NRL and NRLW continue to expand, Laban believes the future of rugby league in New Zealand has never looked brighter, driven by stronger broadcasting partnerships, growing fan engagement and a generation of athletes continuing to raise the standard on both sides of the Tasman.

#NRL #Warriors #SkySport #TeReoMāori #AllBlacks #France #NRLW #RugbyLeague #KenLaban #MāoriSport #SportNZ #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #League #SEO

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The Government’s school lunch programme is facing renewed scrutiny following the Auditor-General’s report, with Children’s Rights Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad warning that access to nutritious food is not simply a policy choice, but a matter of children’s rights, wellbeing and educational success.

The independent review found significant shortcomings in the delivery of the programme, highlighting concerns around reliability, quality assurance, contract management and whether the redesigned system is consistently meeting the needs of students who depend on school lunches each day.

Dr Achmad says the consequences extend well beyond missed meals. For many tamariki, school lunches are an essential part of their daily nutrition and provide the foundation needed to participate fully in learning. When meals fail to arrive, arrive late, or fail to meet expected nutritional standards, the impact can be felt in classrooms, on attendance, and on children’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

She says every child has the right to an adequate standard of living, including access to nutritious food, and that ensuring children are well fed is central to protecting their dignity and giving them the opportunity to thrive. The issue is particularly significant for children living in households experiencing financial hardship, where school meals may represent one of the most reliable sources of healthy food each day.

The Commissioner says concerns raised by schools and communities about meal quality, nutrition and consistency deserve serious attention. While acknowledging the importance of delivering value for taxpayers, she says financial savings cannot come at the expense of children’s health or the effectiveness of the programme.

Evidence from both New Zealand and overseas continues to show that quality school meal programmes contribute to improved attendance, better concentration in class, stronger educational outcomes and improved physical health. They also reduce stigma by ensuring all eligible children have access to nutritious food in a way that supports inclusion and participation.

Dr Achmad says debates over whether governments should fund school lunches overlook the broader social and economic benefits that come from investing early in children’s wellbeing. She argues that supporting children to learn, develop and succeed delivers long-term benefits not only for individual whānau but for the country as a whole.

Looking ahead, the Commissioner says restoring confidence in the programme will require a renewed focus on quality, nutritional standards, reliable delivery and stronger engagement with schools, whānau and local communities. She says those closest to children should have greater input into how the programme is designed and delivered, ensuring it reflects the needs of diverse communities across Aotearoa.

She believes a successful school lunch programme should be viewed as an investment in the nation’s future, helping reduce inequality while giving every child the opportunity to learn, participate and reach their full potential.

With growing public debate over the future of the programme, the findings of the Auditor-General and the Children’s Rights Commissioner’s ongoing advocacy have intensified calls for improvements that place tamariki at the centre of decision-making.

#SchoolLunches #ChildrensRights #Tamariki #Education #SchoolMeals #Nutrition #Aotearoa #Māori #Whānau #PublicHealth #Learning #RadioWaatea #NZPolitics #EducationNews #SEO

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A patient death following a reported nine-hour wait in Waikato Hospital’s Emergency Department has reignited concerns about the resilience of New Zealand’s public health system, with leading Māori health researcher Professor Sue Crengle warning that the challenges facing hospitals reflect deep structural issues rather than isolated incidents.

The tragedy has unfolded alongside growing reports of overcrowded emergency departments, increasing patient demand, workforce shortages and ageing hospital infrastructure, prompting renewed debate about whether the health system can continue to deliver safe and timely care for all New Zealanders.

Professor Crengle, a public health physician and internationally recognised expert in Māori health inequities and health services research, says while every adverse event must be carefully investigated, the broader pattern emerging across the country points to a health system operating under sustained pressure.

Emergency departments are increasingly managing higher patient volumes while coping with shortages of clinical staff and limited inpatient capacity. When hospitals become congested, delays can occur throughout the system, affecting ambulance arrivals, emergency treatment and access to hospital beds.

Professor Crengle says prolonged waiting times are not simply an inconvenience but can have significant consequences for patient safety, particularly for people with serious or rapidly deteriorating conditions. Delays also place enormous emotional stress on patients and whānau while increasing pressure on frontline clinicians.

The concerns extend beyond emergency departments. Nursing leaders have repeatedly warned that staffing shortages are affecting hospitals nationwide, arguing workforce decisions are too often influenced by financial constraints rather than clinical demand.

Professor Crengle says sustained understaffing creates a cycle that impacts both patients and healthcare workers. Higher workloads contribute to fatigue, burnout and difficulties retaining experienced staff, while remaining clinicians face increasing pressure to deliver safe care with fewer resources.

She says maintaining appropriate staffing levels is essential not only for patient safety but also for preserving public confidence in the health system. Long-term workforce planning, recruitment and retention strategies are needed to ensure hospitals can respond to growing demand from an ageing and increasingly diverse population.

At the same time, concerns are mounting over the condition of hospital infrastructure. Reports of leaking roofs, water-damaged wards, electrical hazards and ageing facilities have highlighted the challenges facing many of New Zealand’s hospitals after decades of deferred maintenance and underinvestment.

Professor Crengle says modern healthcare depends on more than clinical expertise. Safe, fit-for-purpose facilities are critical for infection control, staff wellbeing, patient comfort and the delivery of high-quality healthcare. Infrastructure investment must keep pace with population growth and advances in medical care if hospitals are to remain effective.

She says the challenges confronting the health system are interconnected. Staffing shortages, ageing buildings, rising demand and constrained resources all combine to place additional strain on frontline services.

Looking to the future, Professor Crengle believes meaningful reform will require long-term planning rather than short-term responses to immediate pressures. That includes expanding the health workforce, increasing hospital capacity, strengthening primary and preventative healthcare, and investing in Māori and community health providers that can deliver care closer to where people live.

She says improving health outcomes also means addressing inequities that continue to affect Māori communities, ensuring services are culturally responsive and designed in partnership with whānau.

A stronger focus on prevention, earlier intervention and better integration between hospitals, primary care and community services could reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving health outcomes across Aotearoa.

As scrutiny of the public health system intensifies, the growing consensus among health leaders is that solving today’s challenges will require sustained investment, workforce development and a long-term commitment to building a health system capable of meeting the needs of future generations.

#Health #Healthcare #WaikatoHospital #EmergencyDepartment #MāoriHealth #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #Hospitals #Nurses #Infrastructure #Aotearoa #NZHealth #Whānau #RadioWaatea #HealthReform #SEO

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I tukuna e te kāwanatanga te $8.6 miriona hei tautoko i ngā mahi hanga i te marae o Ngāmotu ki te pokapū o Ngāmotu (New Plymouth), te marae tuatahi mō Ngāti Te Whiti i roto i tō rātou ake rohe i ngā 150 tau koni atu.

He kaupapa ārahi e Ngāti Te Whiti Whenua Tōpu Trust, ka tū te marae nei hei wāhi huihui mō te hapori, hei tūrangawaewae mō Ngāti Te Whiti anō hoki.

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He whakaari hou kua rewa i te pae. He whakaari nā Ngā Tīwhas mō Matariki ko MĀREIKURA: “Me aro koe ki te hā o Hine-ahu-one.” Koinei te ingoa o taua whakaaturanga, he whakaari hei whakanui i te mana me te rerehua o ngā wāhine.

Ka tū tēnei whakaaturanga ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara mai i te 3 ki te 11 o Hūrae.

E whai ake nei ko ngā whakamārama a te kaikokiri, a Te Hāmama Hohua, e kōrero ana mō te pūtake o tēnei whakaari.

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I tukuna e te Kāwanatanga he $8.6 miriona hei tautoko i te hanga o te marae o Ngāmotu ki te pokapū o Ngāmotu (New Plymouth). Koinei te marae tuatahi mō Ngāti Te Whiti ki tō rātou ake rohe i roto i ngā tau 150 neke atu.

Hei tā te Minita Whanake i ngā Rohe, a Shane Jones, he kaupapa whakahirahira tēnei. Hei tāna, koinei pea te wā tuatahi ka whai wā te tokomaha ki te mātakitaki, ki te kite hoki i te whakatūnga o tētahi marae hou i ēnei rā.

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I tukuna e te Kāwanatanga he $8.6 miriona hei tautoko i te hanga o te marae o Ngāmotu ki te pokapū o Ngāmotu (New Plymouth). Koinei te marae tuatahi mō Ngāti Te Whiti ki tō rātou ake rohe i roto i ngā tau 150 neke atu.

Hei tā te Minita Whanake i ngā Rohe, a Shane Jones, he kaupapa whakahirahira tēnei. Hei tāna, koinei pea te wā tuatahi ka whai wā te tokomaha ki te mātakitaki, ki te kite hoki i te whakatūnga o tētahi marae hou i ēnei rā.

The post Shane Jones | Me uaua ka kitea te whakatūnga o tētahi marae i ēnei rā. appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

Hei tā te Manukura o Rotorua, a Tania Tapsell, ko Matariki te wā hei whakamaumahara ki te hunga kua mene atu ki te pō, hei noho tahi me te whānau, ā, hei whakatakoto whāinga mō te tau e tū mai nei.

Hei tāna anō, he whakamaharatanga hoki tēnei ki te hiranga o te mahi ngātahi. Ahakoa ngā panonitanga a te Kāwanatanga ki ngā angaanga kaunihera o te motu, e ū tonu ana te Kaunihera o Rotorua ki Te Tiriti o Waitangi me ōna hononga ki ngā iwi o te takiwā.

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