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Northland communities are continuing to demonstrate remarkable resilience in the face of increasingly severe weather events, according to Te Pāti Māori MP Hūhana Lyndon.

Lyndon says repeated storms, flooding and infrastructure failures have highlighted the vulnerability of many rural communities across Te Tai Tokerau, but they have also revealed the strength of whānau who have long relied on traditional knowledge, self-sufficiency and community support networks.

Many Northland communities have experienced extended power outages, damaged roads and disrupted access to essential services during recent weather emergencies. In some areas, whānau have been forced to rely on their own resources for days while waiting for infrastructure and communications to be restored.

Lyndon says many Māori communities have maintained a strong connection to the whenua, enabling them to draw on gardening, fishing, hunting and food gathering practices when supply chains are disrupted.

Living off-grid has become an increasingly important option for some whānau, with solar power systems, rainwater collection, home gardens and sustainable energy solutions helping households become less dependent on vulnerable infrastructure networks.

She says climate change is making severe weather events more frequent and intense, creating an urgent need for investment in resilient infrastructure while also supporting community-led solutions that strengthen local self-reliance.

Across Te Tai Tokerau, marae continue to play a critical role during emergencies, serving as hubs for shelter, food distribution and community coordination when disaster strikes.

Lyndon believes the experiences of Northland whānau offer valuable lessons for the rest of Aotearoa, demonstrating how sustainable living practices and strong community connections can help communities adapt to an increasingly uncertain climate.

As extreme weather events become a growing challenge, the resilience shown by Northland communities is being recognised as a model of preparedness, sustainability and collective strength grounded in whakapapa, whenua and whānau.

#RadioWaatea #HuhanaLyndon #Northland #TeTaiTokerau #ClimateChange #SevereWeather #WhānauResilience #MāoriNews #Sustainability #OffGridLiving #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #CommunityResilience #Whenua #Marae #EnvironmentalJustice #Aotearoa #IndigenousKnowledge #ClimateAdaptation #MāoriLeadership

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As Aotearoa prepares to celebrate Matariki 2026 in Tāmaki Makaurau, Professor Rangi Mātāmua says the Māori New Year continues to grow as a powerful moment of unity, reflection and national identity.

Professor Mātāmua, one of the leading voices behind the establishment of Matariki as a public holiday, says this year’s theme, Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone, reflects the idea that Matariki is a time to bring people together across cultures, communities and generations.

The national celebration will centre on Tāmaki Makaurau, with the hautapu ceremony taking place at Takaparawhau, a site of deep historical, cultural and political significance for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and for Aotearoa.

The theme Matariki Herenga Waka speaks to the idea of many waka coming together.

In practice, it means Matariki 2026 is being framed as an inclusive celebration where everyone can take part, while still respecting the mātauranga Māori, tikanga and whakapapa that sit at the heart of the kaupapa.

Professor Mātāmua says Matariki is not simply a public holiday or a festival. It is a time to remember loved ones who have passed, celebrate the present, share kai, acknowledge te taiao and look ahead with hope.

That balance of remembrance, gratitude and aspiration has helped Matariki resonate with people across Aotearoa.

One of the most significant moments of Matariki 2026 will be the national hautapu ceremony at Takaparawhau.

The hautapu is a pre-dawn ceremony that acknowledges the rising of the Matariki star cluster and offers food to the stars through karakia and ritual.

The ceremony connects people to the environment, the seasons, the heavens and those who have passed on.

At Takaparawhau, people can expect a deeply symbolic gathering that honours mātauranga Māori and the relationship between whenua, moana, sky and community.

The location adds further weight to the ceremony, carrying layers of memory, struggle, resilience and mana whenua leadership.

Professor Mātāmua has previously said Matariki 2026 could be the biggest celebration yet.

That growing interest is being driven by a wider public desire to understand the meaning of the Māori New Year and to take part in something uniquely grounded in Aotearoa.

Schools, marae, councils, iwi, artists, businesses and community groups are increasingly embracing Matariki through events, storytelling, hautapu, kai, wānanga and public celebrations.

For many whānau, it has become a time to pause in the middle of winter, reconnect with each other and think about the year ahead.

Matariki has moved rapidly from a tradition many New Zealanders knew little about to one of the most important dates on the national calendar.

Professor Mātāmua says part of its power lies in the fact that it offers Aotearoa something distinct from overseas traditions.

It is grounded in this land, this sky and the knowledge systems of tangata whenua.

Its rise as a public holiday has also created a space where Māori knowledge is not only recognised but celebrated nationally.

For many, Matariki has become a rare moment where the country pauses together to reflect on loss, celebrate life and set intentions for the future.

As Tāmaki Makaurau prepares to host Matariki 2026, the challenge is ensuring the celebration remains inclusive while keeping tikanga and mātauranga Māori at the centre.

Professor Mātāmua’s message is that Matariki belongs to Aotearoa because it comes from Aotearoa.

It is a celebration for everyone, but it is guided by the knowledge, values and traditions of Māori.

As thousands prepare to gather beneath the winter stars, Matariki Herenga Waka stands as an invitation to remember, reconnect and move forward together.

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New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the country must take a tougher approach to multinational technology companies, strengthen protections against artificial intelligence abuse and ensure regulation does not place unnecessary burdens on businesses and workers.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming election campaign, Peters outlined a range of priorities he believes are increasingly important to voters, from economic sovereignty and digital safety to regulatory reform and government accountability.

The veteran politician, a regular voice on Radio Waatea, says New Zealand faces a series of challenges that require stronger leadership and a willingness to put national interests first.

One issue attracting growing attention is workplace health and safety reform.

While New Zealand First has supported recent changes, Peters argues further work will be required after the election to ensure regulations strike the right balance between protecting workers and allowing businesses to operate effectively.

The party has long argued that health and safety legislation should focus on genuine workplace risks rather than creating unnecessary compliance burdens that can frustrate employers, community groups and volunteers.

Peters says the challenge is ensuring common sense remains at the centre of the system while maintaining strong protections for workers.

Peters has also renewed calls for New Zealand to take a more assertive approach towards multinational technology companies.

He argues that global digital giants continue to generate significant revenue from New Zealand consumers and businesses while contributing comparatively little in tax.

The issue has become increasingly prominent internationally, with governments around the world exploring digital services taxes and other mechanisms to ensure large technology firms contribute more fairly to national economies.

Peters says New Zealand should not be afraid to pursue measures that ensure global corporations pay their fair share while protecting local businesses from unfair competition.

The debate comes as concerns grow over the economic influence of a handful of major technology companies that dominate digital advertising, social media and online commerce.

Artificial intelligence has emerged as another major issue following recent reports of whānau photographs being used without consent to generate explicit content online.

At the same time, concerns have been raised by musicians and artists over the use of copyrighted material by AI systems without permission or compensation.

Peters says stronger safeguards are needed to protect New Zealanders from emerging forms of digital exploitation.

The rapid development of AI technology has outpaced existing legal frameworks in many countries, creating uncertainty around privacy, copyright, intellectual property and consent.

For Māori communities, concerns extend beyond personal privacy to questions of data sovereignty, cultural ownership and the protection of taonga.

Calls are growing across the political spectrum for legislation that would require greater transparency from technology companies, strengthen penalties for misuse of personal images and ensure creators retain control over their work.

As campaigning intensifies, Peters says New Zealand First’s core message remains centred on protecting national interests and ensuring government decisions reflect the needs of ordinary New Zealanders.

The party is positioning itself as a voice for voters concerned about economic pressures, public services, immigration, law and order, and the pace of social and technological change.

Peters argues New Zealand needs strong, experienced leadership capable of challenging powerful interests and advocating for policies that prioritise local communities.

Heading into the election, New Zealand First is again seeking to present itself as a stabilising force within New Zealand politics.

Peters’ long political career remains one of the party’s defining strengths, with supporters pointing to decades of experience in government, coalition negotiations and international affairs.

Political observers say New Zealand First’s ability to influence the next government may once again depend on its success in attracting voters looking for an alternative to the major parties.

With debates around artificial intelligence, economic sovereignty, taxation and regulation continuing to gain momentum, Peters is betting that experience, independence and a focus on national interests will resonate with voters.

As the election approaches, New Zealand First is making its case that the country needs practical solutions, stronger protections and a willingness to stand up to powerful interests both at home and overseas.

Whether that message translates into electoral support will become clear when voters head to the ballot box.

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One of the most closely watched contests in Māori politics is shaping up in Hauraki-Waikato, where Labour candidate Kingi Kiriona is seeking to reclaim a seat that dramatically shifted away from the party at the last election.

The electorate made national headlines in 2023 when then-21-year-old Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke of Te Pāti Māori defeated long-serving Labour MP and former Cabinet Minister Nanaia Mahuta, ending Labour’s decades-long hold on one of the country’s most significant Māori electorates.

Now, with another election approaching, Labour is attempting to rebuild support in a seat that has become symbolic of wider political shifts among Māori voters.

For Labour, the challenge is significant.

The 2023 election saw a strong swing toward Te Pāti Māori across several Māori electorates as many voters expressed frustration over housing, cost-of-living pressures, inequality and perceptions that Labour had not delivered enough transformational change despite holding government for six years.

Kingi Kiriona believes Labour remains a viable option for voters and says reconnecting with whānau on the ground will be critical to winning back trust.

The campaign is expected to focus heavily on listening to communities, rebuilding relationships and demonstrating that Labour understands the issues facing Māori households today.

Political observers say Labour’s path back to victory will depend on convincing voters that it has learned from its previous shortcomings and can offer a compelling alternative to both the Coalition Government and Te Pāti Māori.

Questions remain about whether Labour has done enough to challenge Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke’s popularity.

Since entering Parliament, Maipi-Clarke has become one of the country’s most recognisable political figures, particularly among younger Māori voters.

Her advocacy on issues including Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Māori rights and opposition to Government reforms has attracted significant public attention.

Labour’s challenge is not simply presenting policy alternatives but overcoming the momentum and profile that Te Pāti Māori has built since the last election.

For Kiriona, success may depend on demonstrating a clear vision for Hauraki-Waikato while showing voters how Labour would deliver practical outcomes.

One issue dominating political discussion is the Coalition Government’s approach to Māori policy.

The dismantling of Te Aka Whai Ora, changes to references to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in legislation and broader debates around co-governance and Māori representation continue to generate strong reactions across many Māori communities.

Critics argue these decisions have weakened Māori voices within government systems and reduced opportunities to address long-standing inequities.

Supporters of the changes argue they create greater consistency across public services and governance structures.

The debate is expected to remain a major election issue, particularly within Māori electorates.

Many voters are looking closely at what opposition parties would do differently and whether they are prepared to reverse some of the Coalition’s reforms.

While constitutional and policy debates attract headlines, many voters remain focused on everyday concerns.

Across Hauraki-Waikato, issues such as housing affordability, healthcare access, education, employment opportunities and the rising cost of living continue to dominate conversations.

Whānau are also expressing concerns about infrastructure, community safety and economic opportunities for rangatahi.

Political parties campaigning in Māori electorates are increasingly finding that while identity and representation remain important, voters also want practical solutions to challenges affecting daily life.

The ability to connect national policy with local outcomes may prove decisive in determining how people vote.

For candidates like Kiriona, modern political campaigning looks very different from even a decade ago.

Social media has become an essential tool for engaging voters, sharing messages and responding to issues in real time.

Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other digital channels now play a central role in reaching younger voters and building community engagement.

The rise of digital campaigning has transformed how candidates communicate, requiring greater visibility, faster responses and a stronger online presence.

For many emerging political leaders, social media is now as important as traditional public meetings, community events and door-knocking campaigns.

As the election draws closer, Hauraki-Waikato is once again shaping as one of the country’s most fascinating political battlegrounds.

The contest represents more than a fight between candidates.

It reflects broader questions about Māori political representation, Labour’s ability to rebuild support, Te Pāti Māori’s growing influence and the issues that matter most to Māori voters heading into the next election.

Whether Labour can reclaim one of its former strongholds or whether Te Pāti Māori can strengthen its hold on the electorate will be one of the defining stories of the campaign.

For now, both parties know that winning Hauraki-Waikato means winning the trust of whānau who are looking for leadership, representation and results.

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The Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand is urging men to think carefully before relying on home PSA testing kits, warning that without proper medical guidance the results can be misleading and potentially dangerous.

As awareness of prostate cancer continues to grow, more men are looking for ways to assess their risk. Home PSA tests have become increasingly available, offering convenience, privacy and quick results. However, prostate cancer experts say the reality is far more complex than a single blood test.

Peter Dickens, Chief Executive of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, says while increased awareness is positive, men should not view home testing kits as a replacement for conversations with their doctor.

PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, is a protein produced by the prostate gland. A PSA blood test measures the level of this protein in the bloodstream and is commonly used as a tool to assess a man’s risk of prostate cancer.

However, experts stress that PSA testing is not a simple yes-or-no test for cancer.

PSA levels can be influenced by age, family history, ethnicity, medications, prostate size, infections and other health conditions. This means results must be interpreted carefully within the broader context of an individual’s health.

A single PSA number does not provide a complete picture.

One of the Foundation’s biggest concerns is that men may misinterpret the results of home testing kits.

A normal PSA result does not necessarily mean a man is free from prostate cancer. Some men with clinically significant cancer may still have PSA levels that appear normal.

Conversely, an elevated PSA result does not automatically mean cancer is present.

Other conditions, including benign prostate enlargement and infections, can also cause PSA levels to rise.

Without medical guidance, men may either ignore serious symptoms because of a reassuring test result or become unnecessarily alarmed by results that may not indicate cancer at all.

Experts say both scenarios can have significant consequences for health outcomes and wellbeing.

The Foundation says discussing prostate health with a GP remains the most important step in making informed decisions about testing.

Doctors can assess individual risk factors, explain the benefits and limitations of PSA testing and determine whether further investigations are necessary.

A GP can also monitor changes in PSA levels over time, which is often more useful than relying on a single result.

Modern prostate cancer assessment increasingly takes into account a range of factors including age-adjusted risk, family history, genetic predisposition and follow-up investigations where required.

This personalised approach cannot be replicated by a stand-alone home testing kit.

The debate comes as concerns continue about the absence of a national prostate cancer screening programme in New Zealand.

Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand men, with approximately 4,500 men diagnosed every year.

Around 740 New Zealand men die from the disease annually, making it one of the leading causes of cancer-related death among men.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation continues to advocate for a nationally coordinated, evidence-based screening programme that would provide consistent pathways for assessment and early detection.

The Foundation recommends that men discuss PSA testing with their doctor from age 50.

Men with close male relatives who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer should consider having that discussion from age 45.

Those with a strong family history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer, or who carry the BRCA2 gene mutation, may need to start discussions from age 40.

Early detection remains one of the most effective tools available for improving treatment outcomes and reducing deaths from prostate cancer.

The Foundation’s message is straightforward: do not rely solely on a home test to make decisions about your health.

Instead, talk to a healthcare professional, understand your personal risk factors and ensure any testing forms part of a structured medical pathway.

For many men, prostate cancer develops without obvious symptoms in its early stages. That makes informed decision-making, regular discussions with healthcare providers and appropriate testing even more important.

As awareness of prostate cancer continues to grow across Aotearoa, experts say the goal should not simply be more testing, but better-informed testing that helps save lives.

When it comes to prostate cancer, knowledge, medical advice and early action remain the strongest tools available.

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