Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

E ai ki te Minita Kāwanatanga ā-Rohe, a Simon Watts, ka taea tonutia e ngā kaunihera te whakatū mema kāore anō kia pōtitia, tae atu ki ngā māngai iwi, engari kāore rātou e whai mana pōti.

Ka whakaurua ēnei panonitanga ki te Pire Whakapai i te Pūnaha Kāwanatanga ā-Rohe.

E ai ki te mema Pāremata o te Rōpū Kākāriki a Teanau Tuiono, he mahi tēnei nā te kāwanatanga kia kaua e whai wāhi te Māori ki te whakatau kaupapa i ngā kaunihera.

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E rere nei ngā whakamānawa i te kaiārahi takirua o mua o Te Pāti Māori, a Te Ururoa Flavell ki a Ahorangi Whatarangi Winiata,  hei tāna he koroua ngākau māhaki, he tangata matakite hoki, tino ū ia ki ōna mātāpono ahakoa ngā piki me ngā heke o te wā.

Meikore te momo i a Ahorangi Whatarangi ka tū ai Te Pāti Māori.

Nā āna kōkirihanga whakawhanake ake ai i te Māori e waatea nei ngā ara i te ao tōrangapū i te ao mātauranga e hīkoi tonu nei te tokomaha i ēnei rā.

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The Public Service Association is warning that proposed Government plans to remove references to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles from legislation could have far-reaching consequences for Māori communities, public services, and the state sector workforce.

The union’s Kaihautū Māori, Jack McDonald, says feedback from Māori PSA members working across public services points to serious concerns about the impact the changes would have on the delivery of services and the Crown’s relationship with Māori.

The PSA recently surveyed Māori members as part of its evidence to an urgent Waitangi Tribunal hearing examining the Government’s proposal to amend references to Te Tiriti principles in 19 pieces of legislation.

According to the union, Māori workers believe the changes would make it harder for public agencies to address inequities and respond effectively to the needs of Māori communities. Members reported concerns that weakening Treaty obligations could reduce the ability of agencies to incorporate Māori perspectives into decision-making and service delivery.

The PSA says the removal of Te Tiriti principles risks creating barriers to equitable outcomes in areas such as health, education, housing, social services, and justice, where Māori already experience disproportionate disadvantage.

The union also fears the reforms could undermine Māori capability within the public sector by reducing the influence of Māori knowledge, tikanga, and cultural expertise in government agencies.

Concerns have been raised about the future of Māori-focused roles, advisory teams, and leadership positions, with some workers fearing a decline in opportunities for Māori representation and career progression across the state sector.

The PSA says the proposed legislative changes could also affect the quality of engagement between government agencies and iwi, hapū, and Māori organisations, potentially weakening partnerships developed to address longstanding social and economic challenges.

The union is calling on the Government to halt the proposed reforms and undertake meaningful consultation with Māori, public sector workers, and affected communities before any legislative changes proceed.

The PSA argues that upholding Te Tiriti obligations remains essential to ensuring public services are fair, effective, and responsive to the needs of all New Zealanders.

The issue is expected to remain a major focus of debate as the Waitangi Tribunal continues to hear evidence on the Government’s plans and their potential impact on Māori rights, representation, and public service delivery.

#WaitangiTribunal #MāoriRights #KaimahiMāori #PublicSector #TreatyPrinciples #SocialEquity #CrownMāoriRelations #Aotearoa #PoliticalNews #MāoriNews

The post #tetiriti: Te Tiriti Law Changes Could Weaken Māori Voice in Public Services, PSA Warns appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

The Public Service Association has launched legal action against Kāinga Ora, accusing the state housing agency of unlawfully replacing permanent maintenance positions with fixed-term contracts.

The union says the move threatens job security for workers and could have wider implications for the quality and consistency of maintenance services delivered to thousands of Kāinga Ora tenants across the country.

The PSA argues that shifting workers from permanent employment into temporary contracts creates uncertainty for employees who have traditionally relied on stable, ongoing work. The union says the proposed changes risk undermining morale and making it more difficult for workers to plan for their futures and support their whānau.

The legal challenge centres on the Employment Relations Act, with the PSA alleging Kāinga Ora does not have lawful grounds to replace permanent roles with fixed-term positions. The union maintains fixed-term agreements can only be used in specific circumstances and must be supported by genuine reasons, rather than being used as a mechanism to reduce employment protections.

The PSA is also raising concerns about the potential impact on tenants, arguing that experienced maintenance workers play a vital role in ensuring repairs are carried out efficiently and consistently. The union says high staff turnover and short-term employment arrangements could affect continuity of service and reduce institutional knowledge within maintenance teams.

The dispute comes as Kāinga Ora continues to face significant scrutiny over its finances and operational structure, with the Government pursuing reforms aimed at improving the agency’s performance and reducing costs.

The PSA says the legal action is intended to protect both workers and the services they provide. The union is seeking a ruling that would prevent Kāinga Ora from proceeding with the proposed employment changes and ensure workers are consulted through a fair and lawful process.

The case is expected to reignite debate about the growing use of fixed-term employment arrangements across the public sector and the balance between cost-cutting measures and maintaining secure jobs.

For many workers, the outcome could have implications beyond Kāinga Ora, potentially setting an important precedent for employment practices throughout government agencies and public services.

#PublicSector #UnionStrong #HousingMaintenance #EmploymentRelations #WorkersVoice #TenantServices #StateHousing #FairWork #NZPolitics #MāoriNews

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Māori digital innovator Nikora Ngaropo is taking Indigenous storytelling to the world stage after being named a 2025-2026 Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader.

Ngaropo is the founder and chief executive of Nikora Ngaropo Motion and Design, a digital consultancy specialising in motion graphics, design and 3D animation across education and commercial sectors.

His work blends Māori cultural practices with modern technology, using motion design and digital storytelling to create pathways for rangatahi into the creative and technology industries.

Through initiatives including Young Animators and Toro Academy, Ngaropo has helped introduce more than 10,000 Māori rangatahi to digital storytelling and creative industry career opportunities.

His consultancy was established in 2016 and is guided by a vision of influencing the future of Aotearoa through creativity, education, culture and commerce.

The Obama Foundation says Ngaropo’s work is helping bridge the digital divide by connecting Indigenous culture with innovation and creating inclusive career pathways for Māori youth in the future digital economy.

Ngaropo brings more than 20 years of experience in art direction, animation and design, including time as a technical director at Weta Digital.

His approach places Māori identity, whakapapa and storytelling at the centre of digital innovation, challenging the idea that technology and culture sit in separate worlds.

The recognition comes as demand grows for more Māori-led pathways into digital industries, where rangatahi can face barriers including cost, access to training, lack of industry networks and limited visibility of Māori role models.

Ngaropo’s work points to a future where Māori innovation is not only present in technology and creative industries, but leading them locally and globally.

#IndigenousInnovation #CreativeTech #MāoriBusiness #DigitalFuture #TechForGood #MāoriCreatives #Animation #Whakapapa #ObamaLeaders #PacificLeadership

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Te Ao Māori is mourning the loss of three influential leaders whose contributions to education, language revitalisation, governance, and Māori development have left a lasting mark on Aotearoa.

Over the past week, Māori communities across the country have farewelled Tā Hirini Moko Mead, Tā Tamati Reedy, and Dr Whatarangi Winiata — three respected figures whose work helped shape modern Māori aspirations and strengthen the foundations of Māori success.

Broadcaster and commentator Taiarahia Black says the passing of the three leaders represents a significant moment for Te Ao Māori, with each leaving behind a legacy of service, vision, and commitment to future generations.

Tā Hirini Moko Mead was internationally recognised for his work in te reo Māori revitalisation, mātauranga Māori, tikanga, and education. A scholar, author, and advocate, he played a pivotal role in advancing Māori language and cultural knowledge throughout Aotearoa and beyond.

Tā Tamati Reedy was widely respected for his leadership in education, broadcasting, and iwi development. His contributions helped strengthen Māori institutions and support the growth of Māori leadership across a range of sectors.

Dr Whatarangi Winiata was a leading economist, educator, and champion of Māori self-determination. As a founding figure behind Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa, he dedicated decades to building Māori-led educational pathways and advancing kaupapa Māori approaches to development and governance.

Together, the three men helped transform opportunities for Māori through their work in education, language, research, economic development, and cultural revitalisation.

Their influence extended across generations, inspiring countless tauira, educators, community leaders, and whānau through their commitment to Māori advancement and the preservation of cultural knowledge.

Taiarahia Black says while their passing leaves a profound sense of loss, it also serves as a reminder of the responsibility carried by today’s generation to continue the work they began.

Across marae, wānanga, educational institutions, and communities, tributes continue to flow as Māori acknowledge the immense contributions each leader made to the growth and strength of Te Ao Māori.

Their legacy lives on through the institutions they helped build, the knowledge they shared, and the generations of Māori leaders they inspired.

#MāoriEducation #MāoriDevelopment #TeWānangaoRaukawa #Mātauranga #TeReo #TikangaMāori #MāoriSuccess #TāngataWhenua #Legacy #MāoriNews

The post #national: Te Ao Māori Mourns Three Giants as Legacy of Leadership Lives On appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi says the passing of three influential Māori leaders in recent weeks has left a significant void, while also challenging the next generation to carry forward their legacy of service and leadership.

Waititi reflected on the loss of Tā Tamati Reedy, Tā Hirini Moko Mead and most recently Whatarangi Winiata, describing them as towering figures whose contributions to Māori education, language revitalisation, economic development and cultural leadership have shaped generations of Māori.

He says their legacy extends beyond their achievements, leaving expectations for emerging leaders to continue advancing Māori aspirations and strengthening whānau, hapū and iwi throughout Aotearoa.

The comments come as East Coast communities continue to push for greater infrastructure investment following years of storm damage and transport disruption.

Waititi welcomed ongoing funding commitments for State Highway 2 and the Waioeka Gorge route but questioned why State Highway 35 was not included in the latest round of investment priorities.

The East Coast highway remains a vital lifeline for many rural Māori communities, connecting isolated settlements, marae, businesses and essential services. Local leaders have repeatedly called for greater resilience funding to strengthen the route against future weather events.

At the same time, Waititi says many rural communities remain under pressure from rising fuel prices, transport costs and the wider cost-of-living crisis.

He argues that while infrastructure investment is important, many whānau continue to struggle with day-to-day expenses and have seen little direct relief from Government policies.

The discussion follows the release of the coalition Government’s latest Budget, which Waititi says reinforces the need for Te Pāti Māori to continue advocating for policies focused on Māori wellbeing, economic development, housing, health and education.

With the coalition Government now entering the latter stages of its term, Te Pāti Māori is positioning itself for the next election campaign and building on recent electoral gains.

Despite internal challenges and political upheavals over recent years, Waititi says the party now has a stronger and more stable candidate base and is focused on expanding its support across Māori electorates and the party vote.

As co-leader, Waititi says expectations remain high for Te Pāti Māori to provide a strong Māori voice in Parliament and continue challenging policies that the party believes disadvantage Māori communities.

With local government reform, Treaty debates, cost-of-living pressures and constitutional issues expected to dominate the political agenda, Te Pāti Māori is signalling it intends to remain at the centre of those conversations heading into the next election.

#MāoriLeadership #TāHiriniMokoMead #WhatarangiWiniata #TāTamatiReedy #TreatyOfWaitangi #MāoriDevelopment #EastCoastNZ #PoliticalNews #WhānauOra #Aotearoa

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Kua heke ngā tāpuitanga diesel o Aotearoa ki te 40 rā, mai i te 44 rā i te tīmatanga o te wiki.

E ai ki ngā āpiha, nā te taenga mai o ngā kaipuke kora i ngā wā rerekē te take i hua ai tēnei āhuatanga.

Kei te ahu mai tētahi kaipuke diesel ki Aotearoa i tēnei wā, engari kāore anō aua tatauranga kia whakaurua ki ngā raraunga hou.

E whai ake nei ko ngā whakamārama a te Minita, a Shane Jones, mō te rautaki ka whāia e te kāwanatanga mēnā ka tino heke ngā tāpuitanga kora o te motu.

The post Shane Jones | Kei te heke ngā tāpuitanga diesel, heoi, he kaipuke kora e haere mai ana. appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

E rere nei ngā au o roimata ki runga i a Ngāti Raukawa i te matenga o Ahorangi Emeritus Whatarangi Winiata, 92 tau te pakeke.

Nāna i tū ai Te Wānanga o Raukawa, ā, ko ia hoki te kaikōkiri i te rautaki o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano, he mahere pae tawhiti i aro ki te whakapakari i te reo Māori, ngā marae, ngā hapū me ngā iwi o Ngāti Raukawa, Te Āti Awa me Ngāti Toa mō ngā whakatupuranga kei te heke mai.

E ai ki a Huhana Lyndon, kua puāwai kē ngā kākano i ruia e Whatarangi Winiata, ā, e kitea tonutia ana tōna mana me tōna tirohanga whānui i roto i ngā kaupapa maha e toitū tonu nei i ēnei rā.

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Veteran Māori climate activist Mike Smith has launched a fresh challenge to the Government’s climate agenda, warning that recent policy decisions risk undermining years of progress while raising serious questions about transparency and corporate influence in environmental decision-making.

The prominent climate advocate has been highly critical of what he describes as a broader retreat from meaningful climate action, arguing that recent decisions signal a shift away from long-term environmental protection and emissions reduction commitments.

Smith says the changes come at a time when communities across Aotearoa are already experiencing the impacts of climate change through increasingly severe storms, flooding, coastal erosion and extreme weather events.

Among his concerns is the loss of funding for the Māori Climate Platform, a programme designed to support marae, iwi and frontline communities in preparing for and responding to climate-related risks.

Smith says the funding reduction represents more than a financial setback. He argues it weakens the ability of Māori communities to build resilience, develop adaptation strategies and protect vulnerable whānau from the growing impacts of climate change.

Many marae have become critical emergency response hubs during recent natural disasters, providing shelter, food and support to communities affected by cyclones and flooding. Climate advocates warn that reducing support for preparedness initiatives could leave communities more exposed to future events.

The activist has also raised concerns about what he describes as a coordinated lobbying effort influencing climate policy behind closed doors.

Questions have emerged following reports surrounding climate-related advice and briefing material provided to ministers, including scrutiny over the handling of a climate briefing note and whether key information was adequately disclosed during policy development.

Smith says transparency is essential if the public is to have confidence that climate decisions are being made in the national interest rather than being influenced by powerful corporate interests.

The concerns come amid ongoing debate over New Zealand’s emissions reduction pathway, agricultural emissions policy, energy transition planning and the country’s international climate commitments.

For Smith, the issue extends beyond any single policy decision. He argues the challenge facing New Zealand is whether climate policy will continue to be guided by scientific evidence, community needs and long-term environmental stewardship, or whether short-term economic and political pressures will dominate decision-making.

He says rebuilding public trust will require greater openness around ministerial advice, stronger disclosure of lobbying activity, and a commitment to ensuring communities have meaningful input into climate policy development.

As climate change continues to shape the future of Aotearoa, Smith says decisions made today will have lasting consequences for future generations, particularly Māori communities who remain closely connected to whenua, wai and the natural environment.

With scrutiny intensifying around climate policy, transparency and accountability, the debate is likely to remain at the centre of New Zealand’s political landscape in the months ahead.

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