Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

Radio Waatea is putting the spotlight on the health of tāne Māori as part of Men’s Health Week 2026, with a coordinated week-long focus on some of the biggest and most preventable causes of premature death among Māori men.

Across Aotearoa, Māori men continue to face some of the worst health outcomes in the country, including shorter life expectancy and higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, suicide and preventable illness.

For whānau, these are not just health statistics. They are fathers, brothers, sons, uncles, kaumātua and future leaders being lost too soon.

Joining Radio Waatea for the kaupapa is Dr Timoti, also known as Trevor Te Moke, whose own life story carries a powerful message of transformation, resilience and hope.

Raised in a violent environment, Dr Te Moke spent time in state care, became a gang leader and served time in prison as a young man. But after deciding to change the direction of his life, he went on to work as a paramedic before entering medical school in his 50s.

He graduated as a doctor at 56 and now works at Middlemore Hospital, serving communities he knows from lived experience as well as clinical training.

Dr Te Moke says one of the biggest challenges is that many Māori men delay seeking help until their health problems are already serious.

That reluctance is often shaped by fear, shame, past negative experiences with the health system, cost, lack of trust, and a belief that men should simply harden up and carry on.

Health advocates say changing that pattern will require more than telling men to go to the doctor. It means creating services where tāne Māori feel respected, heard and understood.

Whānau also have a vital role to play by encouraging men to get checked early, normalising health conversations at home, and making appointments part of everyday care rather than a last resort.

Dr Te Moke’s message is grounded in both medicine and lived experience. He understands why some men avoid help, but also knows the cost of waiting too long.

Radio Waatea’s Men’s Health Week focus is highlighting five major health issues taking too many tāne Māori too soon, while urging men to take early action, get regular checks, and listen to their bodies.

The message to tāne Māori is simple and urgent.

Your health matters, not just for you, but for your whānau. Do not wait until it is too late.

#RadioWaatea #MensHealthWeek #MensHealthWeek2026 #TāneMāori #MāoriHealth #HauoraMāori #DrTimotiTeMoke #TrevorTeMoke #MiddlemoreHospital #WhānauOra #HeartHealth #DiabetesAwareness #CancerAwareness #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #PreventableIllness #AotearoaNews #WaateaNews

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A leading public health researcher is warning that proposed move-on powers could create a new pathway into the justice system for vulnerable young people, while doing little to address the root causes of youth homelessness.

Professor Nevil Pierse says concerns are growing that the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill could see children as young as 14 criminalised for behaviours directly linked to having nowhere safe to live.

The proposed legislation would allow Police and authorised officers to direct people to leave public places under certain circumstances. However, critics argue the bill risks targeting some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable young people rather than providing solutions to the challenges they face.

Professor Pierse says the risk of bringing more rangatahi into contact with the justice system is significant, particularly for young people already experiencing housing insecurity, poverty, family breakdown, mental health challenges or other forms of disadvantage.

He says many young people sleeping rough or spending extended periods in public spaces are not there by choice but because of circumstances beyond their control.

The concern is that move-on orders could effectively punish young people for systemic failures in housing, social support and youth services rather than addressing the underlying causes that have led them into homelessness.

Public health experts warn that once young people enter the justice system, even for relatively minor offences, the long-term impacts can be profound. Contact with the justice system has been linked to poorer health outcomes, disrupted education, reduced employment opportunities and increased social exclusion.

There are also growing concerns about the practical consequences of moving homeless young people away from visible public spaces.

Professor Pierse says public locations often provide a level of safety because they are well-lit, populated and accessible to outreach workers, social services and community members who can offer assistance.

If young people are repeatedly moved on, there is a risk they will seek refuge in more isolated and hidden environments, including abandoned buildings, industrial areas or remote locations where they are less visible and more vulnerable to exploitation, violence and harm.

Researchers say such displacement can make it harder for support services to maintain contact with young people and can increase risks to both physical and mental wellbeing.

The debate comes as housing experts, health organisations and youth advocates continue to highlight stable housing as the most effective intervention for reducing homelessness.

Professor Pierse says evidence from New Zealand and overseas consistently shows that secure housing, combined with wraparound support services, delivers better outcomes than punitive approaches.

Housing-first models, access to mental health support, whānau-centred interventions and investment in affordable housing have all been identified as proven strategies for helping vulnerable young people achieve stability and improve long-term outcomes.

Advocates argue that if the Government is serious about reducing youth homelessness, its focus should be on expanding access to housing and support services rather than increasing enforcement powers.

Public submissions on the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill are now open and close at 11.59pm on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

As debate over the legislation continues, health experts are urging decision-makers to consider whether the bill addresses homelessness itself, or simply shifts vulnerable young people out of sight while leaving the underlying problem unresolved.

#RadioWaatea #NevilPierse #YouthHomelessness #MoveOnOrders #Rangatahi #PublicHealth #Hauora #HousingFirst #YouthJustice #MentalHealth #SocialPolicy #HousingCrisis #AotearoaNews #WaateaNews #MāoriHealth

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Concerns are mounting that proposed new move-on powers could criminalise vulnerable young people rather than address the root causes of homelessness, as public submissions open on the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill.

The proposed legislation would give Police and authorised officers greater powers to direct individuals to leave public spaces in certain circumstances. Public submissions on the bill are now being accepted, with the deadline set for 11.59pm on July 2.

Among those raising concerns is Hāpai Te Hauora, which warns the legislation could have serious consequences for rangatahi already facing housing insecurity, poverty and social exclusion.

Chief Operating Officer Jason Alexander says the proposal must be examined through a hauora lens, with particular attention paid to the realities faced by young people who have nowhere else to go.

One of the major concerns is that rangatahi as young as 14 could face fines or criminal charges for behaviours directly linked to homelessness. Critics argue the legislation risks treating homelessness as a public order issue rather than a social and housing challenge.

Advocates say many young people sleeping rough or moving between temporary accommodation are already disconnected from support services and often experience multiple barriers including family violence, mental health challenges, poverty and unstable housing.

From a public health perspective, there are fears the proposed powers could further marginalise young people by increasing contact with the justice system rather than connecting them with housing, healthcare and social support.

There are also warnings that move-on orders could push vulnerable rangatahi into more isolated and less visible locations.

Support organisations say young people often choose public spaces because they are well-lit, populated and provide a degree of safety. If moved on, they may seek shelter in abandoned buildings, remote locations or unsafe environments where risks of violence, exploitation and harm increase significantly.

Youth advocates argue visibility can be an important protective factor, allowing community members, outreach workers and support agencies to identify and assist young people in need.

The debate comes as youth homelessness remains a growing concern across Aotearoa. Service providers say many rangatahi are already falling through gaps in housing, mental health and social support systems.

Research consistently points to stable housing as one of the most effective interventions for improving long-term outcomes. Housing-first approaches, wraparound support services and culturally grounded programmes are widely regarded as more successful in reducing homelessness than punitive measures.

Hāpai Te Hauora says policies should focus on addressing the underlying drivers of homelessness rather than penalising young people for circumstances often beyond their control.

The organisation is encouraging communities, whānau, service providers and young people themselves to participate in the submission process and ensure lived experiences are reflected in the parliamentary debate.

The bill is expected to generate significant discussion over the coming weeks as Parliament considers how to balance public safety concerns with the rights, wellbeing and long-term futures of vulnerable rangatahi.

Public submissions on the Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill close at 11.59pm on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

#RadioWaatea #HapaiTeHauora #Rangatahi #YouthHomelessness #MoveOnOrders #NZPolitics #PublicHealth #Hauora #HousingFirst #YouthJustice #MentalHealth #SocialPolicy #AotearoaNews #WaateaNews #MāoriHealth

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Latest Kōreo from the rohe and motu. Ngā kaupapa nui, ngā reo o te hapori. Listen Live or Online on Waatea Digital

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Kia ora, this is First@5AM, your early round-up of the major stories across Waatea’s platforms.

Te Tiriti is again at the centre of national and international debate, with an urgent Waitangi Tribunal application warning that Government moves to weaken Treaty references in law could create legal and trade risks for New Zealand. The application argues that Te Tiriti has been recognised in several international agreements, meaning domestic rollbacks could raise questions about the country’s credibility with trading partners.

Across the Tasman, the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council has paused its role in Closing the Gap processes amid a dispute over Crown lands. The move signals growing frustration from Indigenous leaders over land rights, self-determination and whether government commitments are being matched by action.

In politics, Te Pāti Māori has named Penny Poutu as Vice President Wāhine and Willie Te Aho as Vice President Tāne as the party prepares for the 2026 election. The party says its focus is on winning all seven Māori seats and strengthening an independent Māori voice in Parliament.

The political row around Labour candidate Rakesh Naidoo is also intensifying, with former Race Relations Commissioners, community leaders and human rights advocates backing calls for due process. Naidoo’s move from a senior police role into politics has sparked debate over political neutrality, disclosure rules and election-year scrutiny.

In hauora, stroke experts are calling for faster rehabilitation access, with new clinical guidance urging assessments within 24 to 48 hours of hospital admission. Māori continue to experience strokes earlier and often with worse outcomes, making faster intervention, whānau-centred care and community rehabilitation critical.

Waatea is also marking Men’s Health Week by spotlighting five major issues taking too many tāne Māori too soon: cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, bowel cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and suicide or preventable injury. The kaupapa is focused on earlier screening, stronger access to care and more open kōrero among whānau.

Doctors are raising concern over proposed Pharmac changes to access criteria for diabetes medicines. While Pharmac says more people could become eligible, clinicians and advocates fear removing ethnicity-based criteria could create new barriers for Māori and Pacific patients already facing higher diabetes rates.

Rural health is in focus in Taranaki, where the Mobile Surgical Unit, Te Waka Hauora, has treated its 2,000th patient in Hāwera. The surgery-on-wheels model is being hailed as a practical way to bring care closer to rural whānau and reduce the cost and stress of travelling to larger hospitals.

In the economy, food price frustration remains high as households continue to feel the pressure at the supermarket checkout. Consumer advocates say Māori, Pacific and low-income whānau are among those hardest hit, with calls growing for stronger action on supermarket competition and pricing transparency.

Tourism is showing stronger signs of recovery, with international visitor numbers rising and key markets such as Australia, the United States and China helping drive renewed confidence in the sector.

But energy costs remain a concern, with Infrastructure New Zealand warning the country is energy rich but power poor. The group says years of policy drift and lack of long-term planning have contributed to high electricity prices and investment uncertainty.

Treasury analysis has also warned New Zealand could face up to $5 billion in offshore carbon credit costs if it fails to meet 2030 emissions targets. Climate advocates say the money would be better spent on domestic clean energy, transport, industry and regional resilience.

In the environment, a new Taranaki project is exploring whether biodiversity can become an economic engine for communities, landowners and iwi. The initiative will look at restoration, carbon storage, biodiversity credits and kaitiakitanga-led development.

In Te Tai Tokerau, authorities have launched a rapid response after invasive exotic Caulerpa was detected near the entrance to Whangārei Harbour. The small patch has been treated, but boaties, fishers and divers are being urged to clean gear and report sightings.

There is better news from the Hūnua Ranges, where a kōkako baby boom is being celebrated as a major conservation win. A record 418 breeding pairs have been counted, making Hūnua the largest mainland population of North Island kōkako in Aotearoa.

In Waiariki, Western Bay of Plenty District Council is warning that illegal four-wheel drives and motorbikes are damaging reserves and culturally significant sites, including areas linked to Te Hō Pā and Te Kura a Maia Pā. The public is being urged to report dangerous or destructive driving.

On public safety, New Zealanders are being reminded that the ninth nationwide Emergency Mobile Alert test will take place on Sunday evening between 6pm and 7pm. NEMA says the system remains a key life-safety tool, but people should still trust their own danger sense during floods, earthquakes, landslides or coastal emergencies.

Online safety is also under scrutiny, with Mana Mokopuna putting children and young people at the centre of the debate. Mokopuna say they want stronger protection from online harm, but also want policy that recognises the internet’s role in learning, connection and self-expression.

Online gambling harm will be in the spotlight in Tāmaki Makaurau as international and local experts gather for the 10th International Gambling Conference. The focus will include digital gambling, gaming-style products, rangatahi exposure and the growing health impacts on communities.

In justice, prison population forecasts are raising major concerns. Officials project the total prison population could rise 36 percent by 2035, driven by tougher sentencing laws, longer prison terms and remand pressures. Māori are expected to remain disproportionately affected.

The women’s prison population is projected to rise even faster, by 63 percent over the next decade. Advocates say that will place pressure on Corrections, rehabilitation services and whānau, particularly with Māori women already overrepresented in the system.

And in defence, two Royal New Zealand Navy ships, HMNZS Te Mana and HMNZS Aotearoa, have left Devonport for Hawaii to take part in RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime exercise. Around 280 personnel are on board as New Zealand joins 31 nations for training across the Pacific.

That’s First@5AM, bringing together the stories shaping Aotearoa from across Waatea’s platforms.

#RadioWaatea #FirstAt5AM #WaateaNews #MāoriNews #TeTiriti #HauoraMāori #TāneMāori #MāoriHealth #ClimateAction #Kaitiakitanga #Election2026 #TePātiMāori #NZPolitics #CostOfLiving #Supermarkets #CorrectionsNZ #MāoriJustice #OnlineSafety #GamblingHarm #TourismNZ #NZDefence #Caulerpa #Kōkako #AotearoaNews

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E ai ki te Pirimia, e ai ki a Christopher Luxon, ka kore te kaupapa karihi-kore o Aotearoa e panoni.

I puta ēnei kōrero whai muri i ngā takinga a te Minita Whakamaru, a Chris Penk, e mea ana me whakaaro anō te tū o tō tātau motu e pā ana ki ngā take pūngao karihi.

Hei tā te MP Kākāriki, a Teanau Tuiono, me waiho ngā mahi hōia a AUKUS ki reira, kaua e kawea mai ngā waka karihi ki ngā wai o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.

E ai ki a ia, kua roa Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa e tū ana hei  kaiwhakahē i ngā kaupapa karihi.

The post Teanau Tuiono | Ka Tohe Ngā Kākāriki kia Noho Karihi-kore a Te Moana-nui-a-kiwa āke āke. appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

E ai ki te ruritanga hou nā Toka Tū ake, ko ngā rū whenua tonu te aituā taiao e tino whakaueue nei I ngā whakaaro o te nuinga o ngā kainoho o Aotearoa.

The post Matthew Gifford | Kaua e tatari, whakarite kia rite! appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

Kei te hiahia te Kāwanatanga ki te whakarerekē i te ture kia whakakore i te āheinga o ngā mema kāore i pōtitia ki te whai mana pōti i ngā komiti kaunihera.

Heoi anō, e whakahē ana te mema Pāremata o Te Pāti Kākāriki, a Huhana Lyndon. E ai ki a ia, he “whakamomona kōrero” kē te mahi a te Kāwanatanga hei whakaoreore i ngā kare ā-roto o te tangata, mō te kore take. Hei tāna anō, ehara ngā mema kāore i pōtitia i te hunga e whakatau ana i ngā whakatau whakamutunga a te kaunihera.

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I hui tahi ngā māngai o Healthy Families NZ ki Te Tai Tokerau i tērā wiki mō tētahi wānanga e toru rā te roa, e aro ana ki te whakapiki i te hauora o ngā hapori mā te mātauranga Māori.

I whakakotahi te hui i ngā kaiārahi Rautaki Māori nō ngā rohe tekau o Aotearoa ki te whakawhiti whakaaro mō ngā huarahi hei whakaiti i ngā mate pae tawhiti pērā i te mate manawa me te mate huka.

I waihangatia hoki e te rōpū tētahi anga hou, arā ko Te Rawenga, hei ārahi i ā rātou mahi ngātahi mō te tau e tū mai nei.

E whai ake nei ngā kōrero nā tētahi o ngā māngai o te Rautaki Māori, nā Riri Motu.

The post Riri Motu | Wānanga hauora Māori ki Te Tai Tokerau. appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

E ai ki te Pirimia, e ai ki a Christopher Luxon, ka kore te kaupapa karihi-kore o Aotearoa e panoni.

I puta ēnei kōrero whai muri i ngā takinga a te Minita Whakamaru, a Chris Penk, e mea ana me whakaaro anō te tū o tō tātau motu e pā ana ki ngā take pūngao karihi.

Hei tā te MP Kākāriki, a Teanau Tuiono, me waiho ngā mahi hōia a AUKUS ki reira, kaua e kawea mai ngā waka karihi ki ngā wai o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.

E ai ki a ia, kua roa Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa e tū ana hei  kaiwhakahē i ngā kaupapa karihi.

The post Teanau Tuiono | Ka Tohe Ngā Kākāriki kia Noho Karihi-kore a Te Moana-nui-a-kiwa āke āke. appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.