Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

The National Iwi Chairs Forum is warning that rising Māori unemployment and a lack of targeted investment in Budget 2026 are creating growing economic pressure for whānau across Aotearoa.

Speaking on behalf of iwi leaders, Na Raihania says Māori unemployment has climbed to around 11.5 percent, roughly double the national rate, with the impacts being felt in communities already grappling with the rising cost of living, housing pressures and limited employment opportunities.

The latest figures have sparked concern among Māori leaders, who say job losses are disproportionately affecting Māori workers and threatening gains made in employment and workforce participation over recent years.

The National Iwi Chairs Forum has been particularly critical of Budget 2026, arguing it fails to deliver meaningful pathways into employment, training and long-term economic development for Māori communities.

Iwi leaders contend that while the Budget focuses on broader economic growth, it lacks targeted measures to address persistent disparities in employment outcomes and workforce participation experienced by Māori.

Concerns are also growing about increasing numbers of rangatahi Māori leaving New Zealand in search of better employment opportunities overseas. Community leaders say the trend reflects frustrations around limited job prospects, wage pressures and a lack of investment in training and career pathways at home.

The loss of young skilled workers is seen as a significant long-term challenge, with fears it could weaken regional economies, reduce the future Māori workforce and slow the growth of the Māori economy.

The National Iwi Chairs Forum is advocating for a kaupapa Māori economic approach that places whānau wellbeing, skills development and regional growth at the centre of economic planning.

Supporters say such an approach would include greater investment in Māori-led employment initiatives, apprenticeships, vocational training, infrastructure projects, housing development and support for Māori businesses and entrepreneurs.

They argue that strengthening connections between education, training and employment opportunities would help create sustainable career pathways while ensuring economic development benefits whānau and communities directly.

The debate comes as Māori economic development continues to be recognised as a major contributor to Aotearoa’s future prosperity. However, iwi leaders say achieving that potential will require policies that address structural barriers and create genuine opportunities for Māori workers to succeed.

As pressure mounts on the Government to respond to worsening employment figures, the issue is expected to remain a major focus for iwi leaders, economic commentators and communities across the country.

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Rotorua has been selected as one of the key regional training centres for the University of Waikato’s New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine, marking a significant milestone for Te Arawa and the future of healthcare in the region.

The partnership brings together iwi leaders, healthcare providers, community organisations and the University of Waikato in a kaupapa Māori-led initiative designed to address long-standing workforce shortages and improve health outcomes for whānau.

Mapihi Raharuhi says Rotorua’s selection reflects years of collaboration and planning by local partners committed to building a sustainable healthcare workforce rooted in the community.

The model differs from traditional medical training pathways by placing students in community-based clinical settings rather than concentrating their training primarily in large urban hospitals. Supporters say this approach gives future doctors a deeper understanding of the realities facing regional communities and helps strengthen relationships with patients and whānau.

Research has consistently shown that medical graduates who train in regional areas are more likely to return and practise in those communities after qualification, helping address chronic shortages of doctors and primary healthcare professionals.

A key feature of the Rotorua programme is the integration of kaupapa Māori principles throughout the training experience. Te Arawa leaders say the initiative will ensure future doctors develop a stronger understanding of te ao Māori, whānau-centred care and the social factors that influence health outcomes.

The programme aims to produce healthcare professionals who are not only clinically skilled but also culturally responsive and better equipped to work alongside Māori communities.

For Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty region, the long-term benefits could be substantial. The initiative is expected to strengthen the local healthcare workforce, improve access to primary care services and help reduce health inequities that continue to affect many Māori whānau.

Community leaders say the programme also creates new opportunities for local rangatahi considering careers in medicine and health, allowing them to see a future pathway that keeps talent connected to their own communities.

The announcement comes as healthcare providers across Aotearoa continue to face workforce shortages, particularly in regional and rural areas. Supporters of the Rotorua partnership believe the initiative offers a practical solution by training doctors where they are needed most.

As planning moves forward, Te Arawa leaders say the focus remains on building a sustainable health workforce that reflects the communities it serves and delivers better outcomes for future generations.

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Northland iwi leaders are pushing back against proposed law changes they say could weaken Māori representation in local government and undermine hard-won Treaty partnership at the council table.

Aperahama Edwards, co-chair of Te Kahu o Taonui, says iwi are concerned the Government is using Northland communities, including the Far North District Council, to justify removing voting rights from non-elected members on council committees.

The Government argues the change is about strengthening democracy by ensuring only elected representatives can vote on local decisions.

But iwi leaders say the amendment risks doing the opposite by sidelining Māori voices from decision-making processes that directly affect whenua, wai, infrastructure, planning and community wellbeing.

In the Far North, committees such as Te Kuaka have provided a formal pathway for Māori participation in council decision-making, bringing iwi, hapū and local government together to consider issues through both local knowledge and Treaty partnership.

Supporters say these arrangements help councils make better decisions by ensuring Māori perspectives are included early, rather than being treated as an afterthought.

Te Kahu o Taonui says stripping voting rights from appointed Māori representatives would reduce genuine partnership to consultation, weakening the ability of councils to work alongside mana whenua on matters affecting their rohe.

The concern extends beyond Northland, with iwi warning the legislation could set a national precedent for rolling back Māori participation in local government across Aotearoa.

Māori leaders say the issue is not just about committee structures, but about whether Treaty partnership is treated as a living obligation in local democracy.

They are calling on the Government to listen to iwi, councils and communities before making changes they say could damage relationships built over many years.

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As winter illnesses continue to circulate across Aotearoa, an AUT University immunologist is urging whānau to take simple but effective steps to protect older relatives, tamariki and those living with underlying health conditions.

Dr Chris Puli’uvea, a Senior Lecturer in Immunology at Auckland University of Technology, says winter creates ideal conditions for respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to spread rapidly through households and communities.

For whānau living in multigenerational homes, the risk can be particularly high, as infections can move quickly between school-aged children, working adults and older family members.

Health experts recommend staying home when unwell, maintaining good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes, improving ventilation, and regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces to reduce transmission within households.

Dr Puli’uvea says colder temperatures can also make it more difficult for the body’s respiratory system to defend itself against infection. Cold air can affect the normal functioning of the nose and airways, reducing the body’s ability to trap and clear viruses before they enter deeper into the respiratory tract.

Older adults, kaumātua and people with chronic health conditions remain among those most vulnerable to severe illness during winter. Respiratory infections can lead to complications such as pneumonia, worsening existing conditions including asthma, diabetes and heart disease, and increasing the likelihood of hospitalisation.

Health professionals continue to encourage vaccination as one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious illness. However, experts say there are additional practical steps people can take to support their immune systems throughout the colder months.

Maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, getting enough sleep, staying physically active, managing stress and avoiding smoking are all recognised as important factors in supporting immune function.

The warning comes as hospitals and primary care providers prepare for increased demand during the winter season, with health experts reminding whānau that prevention remains the best defence against seasonal illness.With many Māori and Pacific families living in larger and multigenerational households, public health advocates say early action and community awareness can play a vital role in protecting vulnerable whānau members and reducing the spread of winter infections.

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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.

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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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Communities across Aotearoa are being invited to turn their streets, shops, schools and public spaces into “Te Reo Towns” for Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2026.

Running from 14 to 20 September, this year’s campaign is shifting the focus from national celebration to local action, encouraging towns and communities to make te reo Māori visible, heard and used in everyday life.

Ngāhiwi Apanui-Barr says the Te Reo Towns kaupapa is about helping communities take ownership of language revitalisation in ways that reflect their own people, places and identity.

The campaign encourages simple but meaningful actions, including bilingual signage, te reo greetings in local businesses, community events, kura and school activities, reo challenges, and public displays that celebrate the language.

Smaller communities are also being encouraged to take part, with organisers saying every town can contribute, whether through a single reo Māori event or a wider community-wide commitment.

The aim is to ensure Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori has an impact beyond one week, helping embed te reo into daily routines and build long-term confidence among whānau, businesses and local organisations.

Supporters say the strength of the campaign will be measured not only by the number of towns taking part, but by how communities continue to use and normalise te reo Māori after Te Wiki ends.

The nationwide push reflects the growing momentum behind te reo revitalisation and the role local communities can play in ensuring the language is seen, spoken and valued across Aotearoa.

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A groundbreaking legal initiative aimed at strengthening prisoners’ rights and improving access to justice is shining a spotlight on systemic challenges within Aotearoa New Zealand’s prison system.

Dr Fleur Te Aho is among a group of legal experts leading the project, which seeks to develop a new prison law resource designed to support lawyers, policymakers and prisoners while promoting greater accountability and fairness across the corrections system.

The initiative comes amid ongoing concerns about access to justice for incarcerated people, many of whom face significant barriers when attempting to access legal advice, challenge decisions, or understand their rights while in custody.

Advocates say these challenges are often compounded by limited access to legal representation, communication difficulties, and the complex nature of prison regulations and procedures.

The project also highlights the human rights implications of current prison conditions and practices, particularly for Māori and Pacific peoples, who remain disproportionately represented within the prison population.

Researchers involved in the initiative say addressing these inequities requires a deeper examination of the structural factors that contribute to overrepresentation, alongside reforms that place greater emphasis on dignity, rehabilitation and cultural wellbeing.

A key focus of the work is exploring how tikanga Māori principles can help reshape approaches to prison law and prisoner treatment. Supporters argue that tikanga-based approaches offer opportunities to strengthen restorative practices, reinforce connections to whānau and community, and better recognise the mana of those within the justice system.

The proposed prison law resource is intended to provide practical guidance that improves understanding of prisoners’ legal rights while supporting more consistent decision-making across the corrections sector.

The project’s leaders hope the resource will become a valuable tool for legal practitioners, advocates and policymakers working to improve outcomes within the justice system, while also empowering prisoners to better understand and exercise their rights.

As discussions continue around criminal justice reform in Aotearoa, the initiative is being viewed as an important step towards addressing long-standing concerns about fairness, access to justice and the treatment of some of the country’s most vulnerable people.

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New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is continuing to play a prominent role on both the international and domestic fronts as geopolitical tensions, Pacific challenges and economic priorities dominate the political agenda.

The Deputy Prime Minister has recently been involved in discussions surrounding New Zealand’s relationship with China following concerns over travel restrictions imposed on New Zealand Members of Parliament. The developments have reignited debate about New Zealand’s position in an increasingly complex global environment, where balancing economic interests, diplomatic relationships and democratic values is becoming more challenging.

The issue comes as New Zealand navigates growing uncertainty across the Indo-Pacific region, with regional security, trade and political stability remaining key concerns for policymakers.

Peters has also returned from engagements across the Pacific, where he highlighted the impact of rising fuel prices and economic pressures facing island nations. The challenges confronting Pacific communities mirror many of the concerns being felt by households across Aotearoa, where the cost of living remains one of the most significant issues for families.

Rising transport costs, inflation and pressure on household budgets continue to be major concerns for New Zealanders, with economic conditions remaining a key battleground ahead of the next election.

At home, Peters has emerged as a major influence in Budget 2026 negotiations, securing funding commitments in areas including superannuation, regional development and foreign affairs. Supporters argue these investments reflect the needs of an ageing population and New Zealand’s strategic interests abroad.

Critics, however, have questioned whether increased spending in those areas comes at the expense of other sectors facing significant demand, including health, education and social services.

With polling suggesting growing support for New Zealand First, Peters is positioning his party as a voice for New Zealanders concerned about economic security, national sovereignty and the rising cost of everyday life.

As the election cycle begins to gather momentum, debates around foreign policy, government spending and household affordability are expected to remain at the forefront of political discussion, with Peters continuing to play a pivotal role in shaping the conversation.

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A kaupapa Māori initiative in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is being recognised for providing a whānau-centred alternative to traditional pathways into support services for tamariki, rangatahi and their families.

Te Pūkāea o te Waiora, known as Te Pūkāea, works alongside whānau within the oranga tamariki system, offering a community-led approach that focuses on early support and connection rather than statutory intervention.

Represented by spokesperson Miria Tarau, Te Pūkāea provides an alternative entry point for whānau seeking help, ensuring families are connected to the services and resources they need while remaining at the centre of decision-making.

The organisation’s latest report highlights positive outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau, with many families receiving support before issues escalate to the point where statutory intervention is required. The findings reinforce the value of kaupapa Māori-led solutions that prioritise relationships, cultural identity and whānau wellbeing.

A key feature of the Te Pūkāea model is its commitment to ensuring every referral receives a response. Even in cases where a statutory Oranga Tamariki response is not required, whānau are still connected with community organisations, health providers, social services and cultural support networks that can assist them on their journey.

Advocates say the approach helps close gaps in the current system by ensuring families are not left without support simply because they do not meet the threshold for formal intervention.

The report also provides insights into opportunities for improvement across the wider oranga tamariki system. These include greater investment in kaupapa Māori services, stronger partnerships with iwi and community providers, and a greater focus on prevention and early intervention.

Supporters of the model say the findings demonstrate the effectiveness of whānau-led approaches and reinforce the importance of empowering Māori communities to design and deliver solutions that best meet the needs of their people.

As discussions continue around the future direction of the oranga tamariki system, Te Pūkāea’s experience is being viewed as an example of how culturally grounded, community-led initiatives can strengthen outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau across Aotearoa.

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