Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

The voices, stories and unique dialect of Te Tai Tokerau are being preserved for future generations through a growing collection of archival recordings held by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.

He Reo Rongomaiwhiti – Our Ancestors’ Voices is a national initiative that brings historical recordings of te reo Māori to life, allowing whānau, hapū and iwi to reconnect with the voices of their tūpuna and the rich linguistic heritage of their regions.

A dedicated Tai Tokerau collection has been established within the wider archive, preserving the distinctive mita, expressions and oral traditions of the Far North.

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Senior Mātauranga Māori advisor Ayla Blair-Smith says the collection represents far more than historical recordings. It provides an opportunity for communities to hear the voices of ancestors, retain cultural knowledge and strengthen language revitalisation efforts.

The project emerged from ongoing work with whānau, hapū and iwi to identify, preserve and care for taonga recordings that hold significant cultural and historical value.

Many of the recordings feature kaumātua, native speakers and respected community leaders whose voices capture the unique linguistic characteristics and storytelling traditions of Te Tai Tokerau.

For descendants and communities connected to the recordings, the collection provides a direct connection to whakapapa, history and mātauranga Māori that may otherwise have been lost to time.

Ngā Taonga works closely with iwi and hapū to determine how recordings should be preserved, accessed and managed, ensuring tikanga remains central to decision-making.

The organisation says balancing accessibility with cultural safety is a key priority. While some recordings are available for public listening and educational purposes, others remain subject to restrictions determined by whānau, hapū and iwi.

Special protocols are in place to protect culturally sensitive material and ensure recordings are used appropriately and respectfully.

Ayla Blair-Smith says the collaborative approach recognises that these recordings are not simply historical artefacts but living taonga that continue to carry cultural, spiritual and educational significance for the communities they belong to.

As interest in language revitalisation continues to grow, He Reo Rongomaiwhiti offers an important resource for future generations seeking to reconnect with the voices, stories and identity of their ancestors.

The collection also highlights the growing role of digital preservation in safeguarding Māori knowledge while ensuring communities maintain authority over how their taonga are cared for and shared.

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A few years ago, Matthew Tukaki was living life at full speed.

As a businessman, broadcaster, commentator and Māori advocate, he was deeply engaged in public life, working across governance, media, social advocacy and community leadership.

Then everything changed.

What followed was a medical crisis that few survive.

Tukaki suffered an aortic dissection, an aneurysm and a cerebellum stroke — three catastrophic events that on their own can be life-threatening. Together, the odds of survival are extraordinarily slim.

Yet somehow, he survived.

The battle that followed would become one of the most difficult periods of his life.

Recovery was not measured in weeks or months. It became a daily fight to regain independence, rebuild physical capability and reconnect with the life that had been abruptly taken from him.

For Tukaki, survival was only the beginning.

The physical challenges were immense, but so too were the emotional and psychological realities of navigating life after a major stroke.

Like many stroke survivors, he faced the difficult task of reconciling who he was before the event with who he was becoming afterwards.

The journey demanded resilience, determination and an unwavering commitment to keep moving forward.

Years later, that fight continues.

But it is also a story of remarkable reinvention.

Today, Tukaki is once again a significant voice in public life.

He leads one of New Zealand’s leading Māori media operations, overseeing Radio Waatea and the Waatea News network, platforms that provide daily coverage of politics, health, social issues, business, iwi affairs and matters affecting Māori communities across Aotearoa.

His advocacy work has also expanded in the years since his stroke.

Tukaki has become a prominent voice on issues ranging from suicide prevention and mental health to health equity, housing, education and social justice.

His lived experience has given him a unique perspective on healthcare, recovery and the challenges faced by those navigating serious illness and disability.

That perspective now informs much of his public work.

Whether interviewing political leaders, speaking on national issues or advocating for whānau, Tukaki frequently draws attention to the importance of equitable access to healthcare and the need for systems that work for everyone, particularly Māori communities who continue to experience poorer health outcomes than the wider population.

Those close to him say his experience has only strengthened his determination to speak out.

The stroke may have changed the course of his life, but it did not diminish his willingness to challenge decision-makers or advocate for communities often left unheard.

His story is also a reminder of the growing impact of stroke and cardiovascular disease in Aotearoa.

Health experts continue to warn that Māori experience disproportionate rates of heart disease, stroke and other chronic conditions, often at younger ages and with more severe consequences.

For Tukaki, the issue is deeply personal.

His survival is a testament to modern medicine, but also to personal determination and a refusal to give up.

Today, he continues to use his platforms to amplify voices, hold power to account and advocate for better outcomes for whānau across New Zealand.

In many ways, the life he built before his stroke never fully returned.

Instead, he built something new.

A second life shaped by survival, service and a renewed sense of purpose.

And while the fight continues, so too does the work.

#RadioWaatea #MatthewTukaki #StrokeSurvivor #MāoriLeadership #MāoriMedia #WaateaNews #RadioWaateaNews #HealthEquity #StrokeAwareness #AorticDissection #AneurysmSurvivor #MāoriAdvocate #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #WhānauOra #Inspiration #AotearoaNews

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Councils across the Bay of Plenty are seeking public feedback on the future of local government after the Government signalled major structural reforms and set an ambitious timeline for change.

Under the proposal, councils have been given just three months to develop and submit alternative governance arrangements or risk having a structure imposed from Wellington.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council chair Matemoana McDonald says the timeframe has created urgency across local government, with councils now working through what the reforms could mean for representation, service delivery and regional decision-making.

The proposed changes form part of a wider Government review of local government structures, aimed at improving efficiency, reducing duplication and ensuring councils are equipped to meet growing demands around infrastructure, population growth and environmental management.

McDonald says the expectation that councils redesign governance structures within such a short period has prompted intensive discussions across the region.

While there is broad agreement that local government faces significant challenges and that reform should be considered, councils are approaching the process from different starting points.

The Bay of Plenty includes a diverse mix of urban centres, rural communities, coastal settlements and significant Māori populations, meaning there is no single view on what an ideal governance model should look like.

Some local authorities are focused on maintaining strong local representation, while others are examining opportunities for greater regional collaboration and shared services.

Questions are also being raised about how Māori representation, community voices and local decision-making will be protected under any future arrangements.

For many residents, the immediate concern is less about governance structures and more about the practical services councils provide every day.

Water infrastructure, public transport, environmental management, emergency planning, waste services and regional development all remain critical responsibilities regardless of how councils are structured.

McDonald says ensuring continuity of these services is a key priority throughout the reform process.

Council leaders are working to reassure communities that regardless of any structural changes, essential services must continue to operate effectively and without disruption.

The Bay of Plenty faces unique challenges, including rapid population growth, housing pressures, climate resilience planning, freshwater management and environmental protection.

Those issues require long-term planning and coordination, making governance decisions particularly significant for the region’s future.

Public consultation is now underway ahead of the Government’s August deadline.

McDonald says community participation will play an important role in shaping the region’s response.

She is encouraging residents to think carefully about how they want decisions to be made, who should represent them and what balance should exist between local voices and regional coordination.

The consultation process is designed to ensure councils can present proposals that reflect community priorities rather than simply responding to central government expectations.

While final decisions will ultimately involve both local and national decision-makers, McDonald says public feedback has the potential to influence how reforms are designed and implemented.

The debate comes at a time when councils across New Zealand are facing increasing pressure to deliver more services, maintain ageing infrastructure and respond to growing environmental and economic challenges.

For Bay of Plenty communities, the next few months could help determine how local government operates for decades to come.

As submissions are gathered and discussions continue, residents are being urged to take part in the process and help shape the future of governance in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions.

#RadioWaatea #BayOfPlenty #LocalGovernment #MatemoanaMcDonald #CouncilReform #RegionalCouncil #LocalDemocracy #CommunityVoice #GovernanceReview #BayOfPlentyRegionalCouncil #LocalPolitics #NZPolitics #PublicConsultation #AotearoaNews #WaateaNews

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As Men’s Health Week gets underway across Aotearoa, sports commentator Ken Laban says the conversation around sport needs to extend beyond wins and losses to include the pressures athletes, coaches and supporters face every day.

Speaking on Radio Waatea, Laban said sport remains a powerful vehicle for connection and wellbeing, but also brings significant mental and emotional challenges. He said the key message during Men’s Health Week is the importance of looking out for one another and creating environments where people feel supported.

Laban said the competitive nature of sport can create intense pressure, from elite athletes chasing success to grassroots players balancing family, work and sporting commitments. He believes stronger support networks are essential to helping people navigate those demands.

On the field, attention is turning to Super Rugby’s championship decider, with Laban backing the Hurricanes as the team to beat. After a dominant campaign, he says the Wellington side has put itself in a strong position heading into a potential final against the Chiefs.

Laban described the Hurricanes as having the competition in their hands, with consistency and confidence making them a formidable opponent in the closing stages of the season.

The weekend’s sporting action also delivered its share of highs and lows. From finals football and rugby clashes to moments of heartbreak and reflection, Laban said sport continues to unite communities while reminding people of the resilience required to compete at every level.

His latest sports roundup highlighted a weekend filled with drama, determination and standout performances across a range of codes, reinforcing the role sport plays in bringing people together.

As Men’s Health Week continues, Laban says the lessons from sport are clear: success is important, but supporting teammates, whānau and friends through life’s challenges matters even more.

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Waipareira chief executive and Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere says proposed move-on orders must be viewed within a wider pattern of Government policies placing pressure on Māori communities.

Tamihere joined Radio Waatea as debate intensifies over the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill, which would give Police and authorised officers greater powers to direct people to leave public places under certain circumstances.

Community, health and youth advocates have raised concerns that the legislation could disproportionately affect rangatahi Māori experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, poverty and disconnection from support services.

Critics argue the bill risks turning visible poverty and homelessness into a policing matter, rather than addressing the underlying social and economic conditions that leave young people without safe places to go.

Tamihere says Māori are likely to feel the sharpest edge of such laws because of existing inequities across housing, justice, health, education and income.

He says the proposal sits alongside broader concerns about Government decisions affecting Māori communities, including changes in social policy, pressure on public services, justice settings and the rollback of policies designed to recognise Māori rights and improve equity.

From a Māori community perspective, the fear is that move-on powers could increase contact between vulnerable rangatahi and the justice system, rather than connecting them with housing, whānau support, mental health services, education and employment pathways.

Frontline organisations have warned that young people who are moved from public spaces may be pushed into more isolated and unsafe areas, making them harder to reach and more vulnerable to exploitation, violence and harm.

Tamihere says the issue is not just about one bill, but about whether Government policy is being shaped around punishment and control or prevention, investment and whānau wellbeing.

Te Pāti Māori has argued that policies affecting Māori must be challenged through multiple avenues, including public submissions, community mobilisation, parliamentary pressure and political organising ahead of the election.

Tamihere says protest remains an important expression of Māori resistance, but it must sit alongside practical policy alternatives and the use of political power at the ballot box.

With the election approaching, he says Māori voters should closely examine which parties are prepared to protect Te Tiriti, invest in Māori-led solutions and shift resources toward communities rather than systems that continue to fail them.

The debate over move-on orders comes as public submissions remain open, giving whānau, community groups, youth organisations and Māori providers an opportunity to put their concerns directly before Parliament.

For Tamihere, the message is that Māori communities cannot afford to sit back while policies are developed that may deepen existing inequities.

He says real change will come when Māori voices, Māori providers and Māori political power are central to decisions affecting whānau futures.

#RadioWaatea #JohnTamihere #Waipareira #TePātiMāori #MoveOnOrders #RangatahiMāori #YouthHomelessness #MāoriPolitics #TeTiriti #WhānauOra #HousingCrisis #JusticeReform #Election2026 #AotearoaPolitics #WaateaNews

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Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson says New Zealand is at risk of deepening social harm if it continues to respond to complex social challenges through enforcement rather than prevention.

Davidson joined Radio Waatea as public submissions opened on the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill and amid growing concern from community organisations about the future of sexual violence prevention services.

The proposed move-on orders legislation would allow Police and authorised officers to direct individuals to leave public places under certain circumstances. Critics argue the bill could disproportionately affect vulnerable young people, including rangatahi experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.

One of the most contentious aspects of the proposal is that young people as young as 14 could face penalties for failing to comply with move-on directions.

Davidson says concerns raised by community leaders, health experts and youth advocates deserve serious consideration, particularly where vulnerable rangatahi are involved.

Throughout the day, Radio Waatea has heard from researchers, health professionals and frontline advocates warning that the legislation could create a pathway into the justice system for young people whose primary need is housing, support and stability.

Critics of the bill argue that many rangatahi found sleeping rough or spending time in public spaces are dealing with circumstances beyond their control, including family violence, housing instability, poverty, trauma and disconnection from support services.

There are concerns that move-on orders could push young people into less visible and potentially more dangerous environments, making it harder for outreach workers and community organisations to provide assistance.

The debate over move-on powers comes as another issue is drawing increasing attention — the future of sexual violence prevention programmes.

Davidson says New Zealand continues to face unacceptably high rates of sexual violence, making investment in prevention more important than ever.

Her comments follow warnings from organisations such as RespectEd Aotearoa, which has raised concerns about its future amid ongoing funding uncertainty.

Community providers say prevention programmes are often among the first services affected by funding pressures, despite widespread recognition that early intervention delivers significant long-term benefits for individuals, whānau and communities.

Advocates argue that prevention work in schools, communities and workplaces plays a critical role in reducing violence before it occurs, helping to challenge harmful behaviours, strengthen healthy relationships and support safer environments.

Davidson says the closure or reduction of prevention services raises serious questions about national priorities, particularly when evidence consistently shows prevention costs far less than responding to the long-term consequences of violence.

The concerns come in the wake of Budget 2026, which some community organisations say failed to adequately address the growing demand for prevention-focused services.

Advocates argue that proper investment should include long-term funding certainty, community-led programmes, culturally grounded approaches and stronger support for organisations working directly with whānau.

Across both youth homelessness and sexual violence prevention, Davidson says a common theme is emerging — communities are warning that systems are struggling to respond effectively to complex social challenges.

As the country moves closer to the 2026 General Election, Davidson says voters should be paying close attention to how political parties propose to address the underlying causes of inequality, homelessness, violence and poor social outcomes.

Rather than focusing solely on enforcement and crisis responses, she argues greater emphasis is needed on prevention, housing, health, education and community wellbeing.

Public submissions on the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill remain open until July 2, with Parliament expected to hear a wide range of views from community organisations, health experts, advocates and members of the public.

For many groups involved in the debate, the central question remains whether New Zealand chooses to invest in preventing harm before it occurs, or continues to respond after the damage has already been done.

#RadioWaatea #MaramaDavidson #GreenParty #MoveOnOrders #YouthHomelessness #Rangatahi #SexualViolencePrevention #RespectEdAotearoa #Hauora #HousingFirst #CommunityWellbeing #PreventionMatters #Election2026 #NZPolitics #WaateaNews

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A respected Māori warden, church leader and long-time community advocate is warning that proposed move-on orders risk pushing vulnerable young people further into crisis rather than helping them find safety and stability.

Rawiri Ratu has written directly to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressing concern about the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill, as public submissions open on the proposed legislation.

The bill would give Police and authorised officers greater powers to direct individuals to leave public places under certain circumstances. However, critics fear the measures could disproportionately affect rangatahi experiencing homelessness, family breakdown, poverty and other forms of vulnerability.

Drawing on years of frontline work with whānau and young people across South Auckland, Ratu says his immediate reaction to the proposal was concern about the potential unintended consequences for those already struggling.

He says many of the rangatahi he encounters are not in public spaces because they want to be there, but because they are dealing with difficult circumstances including unstable housing, family violence, disconnection from support networks and limited access to services.

Community advocates argue that for some young people, public spaces become places of refuge, visibility and relative safety.

There are concerns that move-on orders could simply relocate problems rather than solve them, pushing young people into more isolated areas where they are less likely to be seen by outreach workers, support agencies and community members who may be able to help.

Ratu says many of the young people he works alongside are already carrying significant burdens and challenges. He fears the proposed legislation risks criminalising the realities of their lives rather than addressing the underlying causes that have placed them in vulnerable situations.

The debate comes amid growing concern from health professionals, housing advocates and youth organisations that the bill could create a pathway into the justice system for young people whose primary need is support rather than enforcement.

Opponents of the legislation argue that homelessness, housing insecurity and youth disconnection are social issues requiring social solutions.

Ratu believes greater investment is needed in prevention, early intervention and community-led support systems.

He says the focus should be on ensuring young people have access to stable housing, education, mental health support, cultural connection and trusted adults who can help guide them through difficult circumstances.

Those working directly with rangatahi say meaningful change requires addressing the drivers of homelessness and vulnerability rather than responding solely to its visible symptoms.

The concerns raised by Ratu echo those of other community leaders who have questioned whether move-on powers will improve outcomes or simply move vulnerable young people from one location to another without addressing the challenges they face.

Public submissions on the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill are open until 11.59pm on July 2, with advocates encouraging whānau, community groups and rangatahi themselves to have their say before Parliament considers the legislation further.

As the debate continues, questions remain about how New Zealand balances public order concerns with the need to protect, support and create opportunities for some of the country’s most vulnerable young people.

#RadioWaatea #RawiriRatu #MoveOnOrders #Rangatahi #YouthHomelessness #SouthAuckland #MāoriWardens #CommunityAdvocacy #Hauora #YouthJustice #HousingFirst #WhānauOra #SocialPolicy #AotearoaNews #WaateaNews

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