Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

Award-winning children’s entertainer Miss Nicky Says is helping tamariki across Aotearoa strengthen their connection to te reo Māori and identity through a new series of educational waiata focused on learning pepeha.

Created by Nicolla Hemi-Morehouse (Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa), the project launched over the weekend with the release of the first single, Do You Know Your Pepeha?, the opening song in a six-part series designed to teach children the different elements of pepeha in a fun, engaging and age-appropriate way.

The initiative has received support from NZ On Air and was developed in partnership with respected Mātanga Reo Justin Kereama (Ngāi Tūhoe), ensuring the language remains accurate while being accessible for preschool and primary-aged tamariki.

Rather than simply teaching children to memorise a pepeha, the project aims to help them understand the meaning behind each part, building confidence, identity and a sense of belonging through music.

Five additional waiata will be released throughout July and August, with each song exploring another element of pepeha. The series will culminate in a 20-minute television special later in August, bringing the songs together into a comprehensive learning resource for whānau, kura and early childhood centres.

For many Māori, pepeha is far more than an introduction. It connects people to their whakapapa, whenua, maunga, awa and iwi, grounding tamariki in who they are and where they come from. The new series seeks to make those important cultural connections easier to learn from an early age.

The project has already begun attracting interest from whānau both in Aotearoa and overseas, particularly Māori families living in Australia who are using the waiata to help their tamariki maintain connections to te reo Māori and their cultural identity despite living away from home.

By combining catchy melodies with carefully crafted language, Miss Nicky Says hopes to make learning te reo Māori a joyful experience that families can enjoy together in homes, kōhanga reo, kura and communities.

Nicolla Hemi-Morehouse says music has always been one of the most powerful ways for children to learn, and the series has been designed so tamariki can naturally build their confidence as each new waiata introduces another piece of their pepeha.

The project also highlights the growing range of quality Māori-language children’s content being produced in Aotearoa, supporting language revitalisation while giving whānau practical resources they can use every day.

As more tamariki proudly stand to share their pepeha, the series aims to ensure they are not simply learning words, but strengthening the lifelong connection between language, identity and whakapapa.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #MissNickySays #Pepeha #TeReoMāori #Tamariki #Whānau #MātaurangaMāori #NZOnAir #JustinKereama #MāoriMusic #Education #LanguageRevitalisation #Aotearoa #SEO

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Labour MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, Cushla Tangaere-Manuel, says strengthening regional economies, improving access to healthcare and ensuring tamariki receive nutritious school lunches remain critical priorities for communities across her electorate.

Stretching from the East Coast through Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and parts of the lower North Island, Ikaroa-Rāwhiti includes many rural communities where shortages of skilled workers and healthcare professionals continue to affect everyday life.

Ahead of a Radio Waatea interview, the following issues are expected to be discussed.

Many regional communities continue to experience shortages of qualified builders, plumbers, electricians and other skilled tradespeople, making it difficult to build homes, maintain infrastructure and support economic development.

Cushla, what impact could expanding apprenticeships have in electorates such as Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, where skilled tradespeople are often difficult to find? How important is investment in vocational education to creating jobs while ensuring regional communities have the workforce they need?

Hospitals and primary healthcare providers across New Zealand are experiencing another demanding winter, with emergency departments reporting high patient numbers, long waits and growing pressure on frontline staff.

Rural communities often face additional challenges, including workforce shortages, limited specialist services and long travel times for treatment.

Cushla, regional health services are under considerable pressure this winter. What are you hearing from patients, healthcare workers and communities across Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, and what immediate relief do you believe is needed to support both staff and those seeking care?

The Government’s revised Healthy School Lunches Programme has come under increasing criticism following the Auditor-General’s report highlighting concerns about procurement, food quality, nutrition standards and programme management.

Critics have also argued that the move to a more centralised delivery model reduced opportunities for local businesses, iwi organisations and community providers that had previously supplied fresh meals to schools.

Cushla, many schools and communities say the standardisation of school lunches has displaced local suppliers while raising concerns about food quality and nutrition. What impact has this had on schools in your electorate, and what changes would Labour make to ensure tamariki receive healthy meals while supporting local businesses and regional economies?

As the election campaign continues, issues such as workforce development, access to healthcare and child wellbeing are expected to remain central to political debate. For many communities across Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, these are not simply policy discussions but everyday challenges that affect whānau, local businesses and the long-term future of the region.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #CushlaTangaereManuel #Labour #IkaroaRāwhiti #Apprenticeships #Trades #RegionalHealth #SchoolLunches #KaOraKaAko #Tamariki #RegionalDevelopment #Election2026 #Aotearoa #SEO

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Deputy Prime Minister and ACT Party leader David Seymour is facing renewed scrutiny over the Government’s school lunch programme, regulatory reforms and wider efforts to reshape the public sector as the Coalition Government continues its programme of economic and legislative change.

The questions come after a critical report from the Auditor-General identified significant shortcomings in the Government’s revised Healthy School Lunches Programme, alongside the introduction of the new Regulatory Standards Act and ongoing pressure on households facing rising living costs.

The Auditor-General has identified concerns with the management of the Government’s school lunch programme, including procurement processes, supplier performance, food quality and compliance with nutrition standards.

Ministry of Education monitoring found that only around half of the lunches assessed during 2025 met the required nutritional standards, while researchers have also raised concerns about meal quality, food waste and whether children are receiving sufficient nutrition.

Minister Seymour, the Auditor-General has found problems with how the school lunch programme was managed, including concerns about procurement, supplier performance, food quality and nutrition standards. Given reports that some lunches are not meeting children’s nutritional needs and that waste remains high, do you accept the changes have affected the programme’s effectiveness, and will you consider restoring funding to ensure students receive healthy, high-quality school lunches?

The Government has also introduced the Regulatory Standards Act, replacing Regulatory Impact Statements with Regulatory Analysis Summaries for ministers considering new legislation and regulatory changes.

Supporters say the reforms will improve the quality of regulation by focusing more closely on economic impacts, regulatory efficiency and accountability. Critics, however, argue the changes risk reducing consideration of wider social, environmental and equity impacts, particularly for Māori, disabled people and other vulnerable communities.

Minister Seymour, the Regulatory Standards Act has now come into force, replacing Regulatory Impact Statements with Regulatory Analysis Summaries for ministers considering new laws and regulations. Critics argue this could reduce scrutiny of social impacts, including effects on vulnerable communities. How do you respond to concerns that ministers may receive less comprehensive advice when making important policy decisions?

Throughout its time in Government, ACT has advocated for reducing public spending, streamlining regulation and improving efficiency across government agencies.

Supporters argue these reforms will reduce bureaucracy and deliver better value for taxpayers. Opponents say there is a risk that savings achieved through spending reductions could affect the quality and accessibility of frontline public services.

Minister Seymour, ACT has consistently argued for reducing government spending and improving efficiency across the public sector. How do you balance the drive for cost savings with ensuring essential social programmes continue to deliver positive outcomes for New Zealanders who need support most?

Despite easing inflation, many New Zealand households continue to experience pressure from high housing costs, food prices, insurance premiums and everyday expenses.

The Government has promoted tax relief, regulatory reform and economic growth as key tools for improving household finances and lifting productivity.

Minister Seymour, many families continue to feel pressure from housing, food and everyday living costs. What specific reforms do you believe will make the biggest difference to household budgets over the next 12 months, and how will success be measured?

As the Coalition Government approaches the next election, its ability to demonstrate that its reform programme is improving both economic performance and everyday outcomes for New Zealanders is expected to remain a central issue in the political debate.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #DavidSeymour #ACTParty #SchoolLunches #RegulatoryStandardsAct #CostOfLiving #NZPolitics #PublicPolicy #Government #Education #Economy #Election2026 #Aotearoa #SEO

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New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is entering the 2026 General Election campaign with a focus on tackling the cost of living, reforming local government, managing immigration and positioning his party as a decisive force in determining the country’s next government.

With opinion polls suggesting New Zealand First could once again hold the balance of power after the election, Peters has described this year’s contest as a pivotal moment for New Zealand, arguing the country faces significant economic, social and constitutional challenges.

As the campaign gathers pace, Peters is expected to outline how New Zealand First believes it can address the issues voters consistently rank among their highest priorities.

Mr Peters, you’ve described the 2026 election as an election like no other and spoken about a major political shift taking place in New Zealand. What do you believe is the single biggest issue that will determine how New Zealanders vote this year?

The rising cost of housing, groceries, electricity, insurance and other everyday essentials continues to place pressure on many households despite inflation easing from its peak. New Zealand First has consistently argued that reducing the cost of living should remain the Government’s top priority.

Mr Peters, you’ve repeatedly identified the cost of living as the biggest challenge facing Kiwi households. What specific policies would New Zealand First prioritise in the next term to reduce everyday costs for families, seniors and workers?

One of New Zealand First’s election commitments is to campaign for the disestablishment of Auckland Council’s Independent Māori Statutory Board.

The board was established under the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 to ensure Māori participation in Auckland Council’s decision-making and to help the council meet its statutory obligations to Māori.

Supporters say the board provides an essential voice for mana whenua and mataawaka on issues affecting Auckland’s Māori communities. Critics, including New Zealand First, argue governance arrangements should be consistent across local government.

Mr Peters, New Zealand First has announced it will campaign on disestablishing Auckland Council’s Independent Māori Statutory Board. Why is this an election priority for your party, and what would you say to those who argue the board provides an important voice for Māori in Auckland’s decision-making?

With MMP making coalition governments the norm, New Zealand First has frequently played a pivotal role in government formation. Current polling suggests the party could again be influential in determining who forms the next administration after votes are counted.

Mr Peters, polling suggests New Zealand First could play a significant role in forming the next government. As voters head toward the election, what conditions or policy bottom lines would be non-negotiable for New Zealand First in any future coalition discussions?

As campaigning intensifies, New Zealand First is expected to continue positioning itself as a party focused on economic stability, constitutional issues, law and order, and what it describes as practical solutions to the pressures facing New Zealand households.

The party’s performance over the coming months may prove crucial in shaping not only the outcome of the 2026 election but also the makeup and policy direction of the next Government.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #WinstonPeters #NewZealandFirst #Election2026 #NZPolitics #CostOfLiving #LocalGovernment #AucklandCouncil #IndependentMāoriStatutoryBoard #Coalition #MMP #Politics #Aotearoa #SEO

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The death of a patient while waiting in Waikato Hospital’s Emergency Department has reignited concerns about the growing pressures facing New Zealand’s public health system, with the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) warning that frontline staff have been raising alarms about overcrowding, staff shortages and patient safety for years.

Health New Zealand has launched a rapid clinical review following the incident, which occurred after the patient became unresponsive while waiting to be seen in the emergency department. The tragedy has prompted renewed scrutiny of emergency department capacity and the pressures confronting hospitals across the country.

NZNO kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku has consistently argued that chronic understaffing and underinvestment are leaving both patients and healthcare workers vulnerable, with emergency departments increasingly struggling to meet demand.

Kerri, nurses have been warning for years that emergency departments are understaffed and operating beyond capacity. Following the death of a patient who was waiting in Waikato Hospital’s Emergency Department, do you believe this tragedy reflects wider systemic failures in our health system?

Reports from Waikato Hospital described a crowded waiting room, lengthy delays and clinical staff working under intense pressure as demand exceeded available resources.

Across Aotearoa, emergency departments have faced increasing patient numbers, workforce shortages and difficulties maintaining safe staffing levels, particularly during periods of high winter illness.

Kerri, witnesses described a packed waiting room, patients waiting for many hours and staff who were clearly under immense pressure. What are NZNO members telling you about the reality of working in emergency departments across the country right now?

Health New Zealand has confirmed a rapid clinical review is underway to examine the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death and identify any lessons that can be learned.

However, nursing organisations have repeatedly argued that reviews alone are insufficient unless accompanied by meaningful investment in staffing, infrastructure and patient safety.

Kerri, Health New Zealand has launched a rapid clinical review, but nurses have repeatedly raised concerns about staffing and patient safety. What accountability measures and resource commitments do you believe are needed to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again?

The incident comes amid continuing debate over the future of New Zealand’s public health system, with hospitals across the country reporting sustained pressure from growing demand, workforce shortages and an ageing population.

Healthcare organisations have called for greater investment in recruiting and retaining nurses, improving staffing ratios and ensuring hospitals have the capacity to meet increasing demand while maintaining safe standards of care.

Kerri, is this incident an alarming warning about the current state of New Zealand’s public health system, and what would NZNO like to see from the Government in terms of funding, workforce recruitment and retention to restore public confidence in our hospitals?

The death at Waikato Hospital has intensified calls for action to address longstanding pressures facing emergency departments. As Health New Zealand investigates the circumstances surrounding the incident, many in the health sector say the focus must remain on ensuring frontline staff have the resources they need to provide timely, safe and high-quality care for every New Zealander.

For Māori communities, who continue to experience significant inequities in access to healthcare and health outcomes, the incident has also reinforced concerns about ensuring a health system that is adequately resourced, culturally responsive and capable of delivering equitable care for all.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #WaikatoHospital #NZNO #KerriNuku #EmergencyDepartment #Healthcare #PatientSafety #Nurses #HealthNZ #Hauora #MāoriHealth #PublicHealth #Aotearoa #SEO

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As the Ministry of Health’s Te Pou Hauora Māori continues its role as the chief steward for Māori health, the organisation remains responsible for providing assurance that the health system is meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, improving Māori health outcomes and reducing longstanding inequities.

The role comes at a time when the health system is facing significant challenges, including pressure on hospitals, growing demand for mental health services, changes to diabetes screening, and a continued focus on improving outcomes for pēpi and whānau.

The following questions explore some of the key issues currently facing Māori health.

Te Pou Hauora Māori exercises the Ministry of Health’s kaitiakitanga function for Māori health. As the Minister’s chief steward for Māori health, the role includes ensuring the health system upholds Te Tiriti obligations, supports Māori aspirations and delivers equitable outcomes.

Do you believe the Ministry of Health is currently meeting its obligations to improve Māori health outcomes and support Māori health aspirations? Where do you believe the greatest progress has been made, and where does the system still need significant improvement?

Hospitals across New Zealand are experiencing intense pressure during winter, with emergency departments reporting long waits and high patient demand. The death of a patient while waiting in Waikato Hospital’s Emergency Department has intensified concerns about capacity, workforce shortages and patient safety.

Given Te Pou Hauora Māori’s responsibility for stewardship of Māori health, what role does your office play in monitoring whether these pressures are disproportionately affecting Māori patients? Are you confident the health system is providing equitable access to timely emergency care during this winter surge?

Mental health continues to be one of the most significant health challenges facing Māori, with inequities remaining across access to services, suicide prevention, addiction support and specialist care.

What do you see as the biggest priorities for improving Māori mental health, and what changes are still needed to ensure whānau can access culturally safe, timely and effective support when they need it?

Recent changes to the HbA1c threshold used to determine eligibility for funded diabetes technology have generated considerable debate, particularly given Māori experience disproportionately high rates of Type 2 diabetes and its complications.

Following our previous discussion on this issue, are you satisfied the revised thresholds strike the right balance between clinical evidence and equitable access, or do you remain concerned about the impact these changes could have on Māori living with or at risk of diabetes?

Healthy sleep during infancy plays an important role in early childhood development, supporting brain development, emotional wellbeing and whānau health.

Many parents receive a wide range of advice, sometimes with conflicting messages. What are the four key foundations of healthy sleep for pēpi that every whānau should know, and how can healthcare providers better support Māori parents during those crucial early months?

As Aotearoa continues to confront longstanding health inequities, the work of Te Pou Hauora Māori will remain central to ensuring Māori voices are reflected in health policy, service delivery and system accountability. From acute hospital pressures to prevention and early intervention, the challenge remains creating a health system that delivers equitable outcomes for all.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #TePouHauoraMāori #MāoriHealth #Hauora #HealthEquity #TeTiriti #MentalHealth #Diabetes #HbA1c #Pēpi #SleepHealth #HealthNZ #WinterWellness #Aotearoa #SEO

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E hui ana ngā Minita Hī Ika o Te Moananui-a-Kiwa ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara i tēnei wiki mō te hui ā-tau a te Forum Fisheries Ministerial Committee.

Ka wānangahia ki reira ngā take nui e pā ana ki te whakahaere toitū i ngā rawa hī ika o Te Moananui-a-Kiwa, otirā ko te hī tuna.

E ai ki te heamana o te hui i tēnei tau, ki a Shane Jones, ka whakapiki te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa i tana pūtea tautoko hei whakawhanake i ngā kaupapa hī tuna o Te Moananui-a-Kiwa, kia nui ake ai ngā hua ka puta ki ngā whenua o te rohe.

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E ai ki te Kōmiti Whiriwhiri Take Ture, e tika ana te hanga o te Pire Reo Ingarihi nā NZ First, ā, kāore te komiti e tūtohu ana kia whakarerekēhia ētahi wāhanga o taua pire.

Hei tā te kaiārahi o te Rōpū Kākāriki, a Marama Davidson, kāore he take kia whakamanahia te reo Ingarihi hei reo whai mana, nā te mea koia tonu te reo matua e whakamahia ana ki Aotearoa me te ao whānui.

Hei tāna anō, ehara te reo Ingarihi i te reo e tāmate haere ana.

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The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi has welcomed Labour’s commitment to restore and expand the Apprenticeship Boost scheme, saying the policy has the potential to strengthen the workforce, support economic growth and create greater opportunities for Māori and Pacific workers.

Māori Vice-President Aubrey Wilkinson says the scheme has already demonstrated its value by helping drive record numbers of apprentices into training, providing thousands of New Zealanders with pathways into skilled, long-term careers.

The original Apprenticeship Boost programme was introduced to encourage employers to take on apprentices during a period of economic uncertainty, helping industries maintain their training pipelines while supporting the next generation of tradespeople.

Labour is now proposing to bring the scheme back with additional support measures designed to improve both recruitment and completion rates.

The expanded package includes funded mentoring for apprentices and employers, along with practical assistance such as a $1,000 toolbox grant to help reduce the upfront costs often faced by those entering the trades.

Trade unions say these additions recognise that success depends on more than simply securing an apprenticeship. Ongoing support, workplace guidance and financial assistance are all critical to ensuring apprentices complete their qualifications and build sustainable careers.

The proposal comes at a time when sectors including construction, manufacturing, engineering and infrastructure continue to report skills shortages, despite softer economic conditions.

Industry leaders have consistently warned that New Zealand will require a larger skilled workforce to meet future demand for housing, transport projects, renewable energy infrastructure and regional development.

For Māori and Pacific communities, the scheme could have even greater significance.

Historically, Māori and Pacific workers have faced barriers entering and completing apprenticeships, including financial pressures, limited access to mentoring and fewer support networks within some industries.

Wilkinson says strengthening pastoral care and creating more inclusive training environments could help address those longstanding inequities while opening more doors to secure, well-paid employment.

He believes investing in apprenticeships delivers benefits that extend well beyond individual workers, creating stronger communities, lifting productivity and helping address critical workforce shortages across the economy.

The renewed focus on apprenticeships also aligns with broader efforts to increase Māori participation in skilled trades, where iwi organisations, Māori businesses and training providers have been working to expand employment opportunities and grow Māori-owned enterprises.

As political parties continue outlining their workforce policies ahead of the General Election, skills development is emerging as a key battleground.

Supporters of the Apprenticeship Boost scheme argue that investing in apprentices today will help ensure New Zealand has the skilled workforce needed to build homes, strengthen infrastructure and support economic growth well into the future.

For Wilkinson, the message is clear: apprenticeships are not simply an employment programme—they are an investment in people, whānau and the long-term prosperity of Aotearoa.

#ApprenticeshipBoost #NZCTU #Trades #Apprenticeships #Māori #Pacific #Workforce #Skills #Construction #Manufacturing #Employment #EconomicGrowth #Aotearoa #WaateaNews #Election2026

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Labour’s annual Congress has laid the groundwork for its 2026 election campaign, with delegates rallying around a message focused on rebuilding public services, tackling the cost of living and reconnecting with communities across Aotearoa.

As the party prepares for the November General Election, Labour faces the challenge of convincing voters it has the policies and leadership needed to return to government. Among the priorities emerging from Congress were increasing voter participation, addressing the housing crisis and responding to the growing number of New Zealanders experiencing homelessness.

One of the most immediate challenges is ensuring voters are enrolled.

With electoral enrolment closing earlier than in previous elections, Labour is encouraging supporters to check their details and enrol well before the deadline. The party says ensuring high participation will be critical, particularly among younger voters, Māori and communities that have historically recorded lower enrolment and turnout rates.

Labour organisers are expected to place significant emphasis on grassroots campaigning, community events and digital engagement to remind eligible New Zealanders that every vote will count in what is shaping up to be a closely contested election.

Beyond enrolment, delegates acknowledged that housing affordability and homelessness remain among the country’s most pressing social issues.

Community organisations continue to report growing demand for emergency housing, food support and welfare assistance, while recent reports estimate hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders are experiencing financial hardship. Rising rents, high housing costs and limited affordable housing continue to place enormous pressure on low-income families.

Homelessness has become increasingly visible across New Zealand’s cities and towns, with people sleeping in cars, temporary accommodation, emergency shelters and, in some cases, on the streets.

For Māori, the issue is particularly significant.

Māori remain disproportionately represented among those experiencing homelessness and severe housing deprivation. Housing advocates have consistently argued that any lasting solution must include greater investment in affordable housing, papakāinga developments, kaupapa Māori housing providers and whānau-centred support services.

While Labour has already announced policies aimed at protecting social housing tenants from rent increases and expanding community housing, delegates at Congress recognised that many voters will expect broader solutions that address both immediate need and long-term housing supply.

The party is also expected to continue campaigning on improving access to healthcare, reducing the cost of living, strengthening education and rebuilding public confidence in essential services.

As political parties sharpen their messages ahead of the election, homelessness is likely to become one of the defining social issues of the campaign.

For Labour, the challenge will be convincing voters that it can deliver meaningful change in an area where many New Zealanders believe the crisis has deepened over many years and across successive governments.

Congress may have marked the formal start of Labour’s election push, but the coming months will determine whether its message on housing, homelessness and opportunity resonates with the voters it hopes to bring back to the ballot box.

#Labour #LabourCongress #Election2026 #Homelessness #HousingCrisis #AffordableHousing #MāoriHousing #Whānau #CostOfLiving #EnrolToVote #PoliticsNZ #Aotearoa #WaateaNews #GeneralElection #YourVoteMatters

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