Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

Leading Treaty scholar and Waitangi Tribunal claimant Dr Carwyn Jones is warning that the Government’s review of the Waitangi Tribunal Act could have far-reaching consequences for Māori rights, Treaty justice and the future relationship between the Crown and tangata whenua.

The concerns come as the Waitangi Tribunal hears evidence regarding the Government’s review of the legislation that established the Tribunal, a process that has attracted significant criticism from Māori organisations, legal experts and Treaty advocates.

Dr Jones says one of the major concerns raised during proceedings has been the level of consultation undertaken with Māori communities and Treaty partners.

Critics argue the review has proceeded without meaningful engagement with Māori, despite the Tribunal’s central role in addressing historical grievances, investigating Crown conduct and interpreting Treaty obligations over the past five decades.

The Government has maintained that the review is intended to ensure the Tribunal remains focused on its original purpose and functions.

However, Jones says the concept of returning the Tribunal to its “original intent” requires careful scrutiny.

He argues the Tribunal’s role has evolved significantly since its establishment in 1975, particularly following legislative changes that expanded its jurisdiction to investigate historical Treaty breaches dating back to 1840.

Over time, the Tribunal has become one of the country’s most significant institutions for examining Crown actions, informing public policy and providing independent assessments of Treaty compliance.

Jones says any attempt to narrow the Tribunal’s role risks overlooking the realities of how the institution has developed and contributed to Treaty settlements, public understanding and constitutional discussions.

The review has also raised broader concerns about the practical application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi within New Zealand’s legal and political systems.

Treaty advocates fear changes could weaken one of the primary mechanisms available to Māori for holding the Crown accountable to its Treaty obligations.

Questions are also being raised about whether any reduction in the Tribunal’s influence could affect future policy development, Treaty settlements and the interpretation of Treaty principles across government agencies.

For Jones, the debate extends beyond institutional reform and speaks to the current state of the Crown-Māori relationship.

He says the process signals a wider contest over the place of Te Tiriti within modern New Zealand governance and the extent to which Māori rights, rangatiratanga and constitutional interests are recognised and protected.

The review comes amid a period of heightened political debate over Treaty issues, including the Treaty Principles Bill, public sector Treaty obligations, co-governance arrangements and the role of Māori institutions in public life.

Many Māori leaders view the Tribunal as a critical safeguard within New Zealand’s constitutional framework, providing an independent forum for examining Crown conduct and ensuring Māori voices are heard.

As hearings continue, Dr Jones says the outcome of the review could shape not only the future of the Waitangi Tribunal, but also the broader trajectory of Treaty justice and tino rangatiratanga for generations to come.

The debate is expected to remain a focal point in discussions about constitutional reform, indigenous rights and the future of Crown-Māori relations across Aotearoa.

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Long-time social advocate Denis O’Reilly is warning that hard-won gains in equity are being dismantled under the banner of equality, with potentially serious consequences for Māori, disadvantaged communities and the future social fabric of Aotearoa.

Writing recently for E-Tangata, O’Reilly argues that a growing political narrative centred on treating everyone the same risks ignoring the realities of historical disadvantage, structural inequality and unequal access to opportunity.

He says equity and equality are often confused in public debate, despite representing fundamentally different approaches.

While equality focuses on applying the same rules to everyone, equity recognises that people and communities begin from different starting points and may require different levels of support to achieve comparable outcomes.

For Māori, O’Reilly says this distinction is critical.

He argues that many of the policies now under scrutiny were designed specifically to address disparities in health, education, housing, justice and economic wellbeing that have persisted for generations.

Critics of equity-based approaches often frame them as preferential treatment, while supporters contend they are necessary responses to measurable inequities that continue to affect Māori and other disadvantaged groups.

O’Reilly warns that removing targeted measures without first eliminating disparities risks entrenching existing inequalities rather than creating fairness.

The debate comes amid wider political arguments around Te Tiriti o Waitangi, public sector reform, Māori-specific programmes and the role of equity in government policy.

For O’Reilly, the issue is not simply about policy settings but about the kind of society New Zealand wants to become and whether it remains committed to addressing disadvantage in a meaningful way.

O’Reilly has also weighed in on the opening of the new Taradale Police Station in Hawke’s Bay, a project welcomed by police as a modern facility designed to support frontline services and meet the needs of a growing population.

While acknowledging the importance of effective policing, O’Reilly says the investment raises broader questions about how New Zealand approaches community safety.

He argues that public safety cannot be measured solely by police numbers, buildings or enforcement capacity.

Instead, he says long-term safety is shaped by housing, education, employment, mental health support, addiction services and strong community networks.

The unveiling of the new station comes at a time when the Government is placing increasing emphasis on law and order, gang disruption and criminal justice measures.

O’Reilly says communities benefit most when investments in policing are matched by investments in prevention and social development.

He believes the challenge for policymakers is ensuring resources are directed not only toward responding to harm but also toward addressing the social conditions that contribute to offending and disadvantage in the first place.

For O’Reilly, the debates around equity and policing are closely connected.

Both reflect larger questions about fairness, social cohesion and the responsibilities of government toward communities experiencing the greatest need.

As discussions continue around public spending, social policy and Treaty obligations, he says the choices being made today will shape whether future generations inherit a more equitable society or one marked by deeper divisions.

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Peters says New Zealand’s relationship with the United States remains one of the country’s most important strategic partnerships as tensions continue to rise across the Indo-Pacific.

The region has become an increasing focus of international competition, with growing concerns around security, trade, regional stability and geopolitical influence.

New Zealand has sought to balance its traditional alliances with an independent foreign policy approach, maintaining relationships across the Pacific while engaging closely with partners including Australia, the United States and regional neighbours.

Peters says the Government’s priority remains protecting New Zealand’s national interests while contributing to stability and security across the wider Pacific region.

As global challenges continue to intensify, the Deputy Prime Minister’s comments underscore the balancing act facing New Zealand as it navigates increasingly complex issues at home and abroad.

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04062026 Luke Rowe

A rising Māori researcher is set to take his work on sport, mental health and indigenous wellbeing to the international stage after being named the recipient of the 2026 Fulbright–Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Scholar Award.

Luke Rowe (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa-ki-te-tonga) has been recognised for his research exploring the powerful connections between sport, mental health and indigenous identity, an area he believes holds significant potential for improving wellbeing outcomes for Māori and indigenous communities around the world.

The prestigious award will support Rowe’s research journey in the United States, where he will have the opportunity to engage with leading academics, indigenous scholars and community organisations working at the intersection of health, culture and sport.

Rowe says his interest in the subject stems from the important role sport plays in many Māori communities, not only as a vehicle for physical activity but also as a source of identity, belonging, connection and resilience.

For many indigenous communities, sport serves as more than competition. It creates opportunities to strengthen cultural pride, build social networks and foster positive mental wellbeing, particularly among rangatahi.

Research increasingly highlights the benefits of participation in sport and recreation for reducing isolation, strengthening self-esteem and supporting emotional and psychological health.

Rowe believes those benefits can be amplified when sporting environments are culturally grounded and reflect indigenous values, knowledge and ways of being.

His research seeks to better understand how sport can contribute to positive mental health outcomes while also supporting cultural identity and community wellbeing.

The Fulbright experience is expected to broaden the scope of his work by providing access to indigenous communities and researchers overseas who are confronting similar challenges around mental health, identity and social wellbeing.

Rowe says the opportunity will allow him to build international networks and explore how indigenous-led approaches are being used in different contexts to improve outcomes for young people and communities.

He hopes the knowledge gained through the scholarship will ultimately benefit Māori communities back home by informing programmes, policies and practices that place culture and connection at the centre of wellbeing initiatives.

The research also has implications beyond the sporting field.

Rowe says policymakers, educators, health providers and sporting organisations all have a role to play in recognising the contribution sport can make to holistic wellbeing.

By demonstrating the links between participation, cultural identity and mental health, he hopes his work will encourage greater investment in indigenous-led sporting initiatives and more culturally responsive approaches to wellbeing.

Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga says the award reflects the growing importance of indigenous research that addresses real-world challenges while drawing on the strengths and knowledge of indigenous communities.

As Māori continue to seek innovative ways to improve health and wellbeing outcomes, Rowe’s research highlights the potential of sport not just as a game, but as a pathway to stronger communities, healthier minds and a more connected future.

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A major Māori-led environmental research initiative is placing mātauranga Māori at the centre of efforts to protect coastlines, strengthen sustainable development, and safeguard natural resources for future generations.

Under the patronage of Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā wai hono i te pō, the Waikato-Tainui Endowed College Trust is advancing a new phase of research through the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development, with Chair Professor Marama Muru-Lanning leading a series of projects focused on the long-term wellbeing of Te Taiao.

The College was established to support research that responds directly to the aspirations and priorities of Waikato-Tainui while creating opportunities for Māori-led innovation across environmental, social, cultural and economic development.

Professor Muru-Lanning says the vision is to ensure Māori communities are not only participants in research but leaders in shaping knowledge, solutions and decision-making that affect their lands, waters and people.

One of the key projects currently underway focuses on coastal environments and the growing challenges associated with sand extraction and resource use.

The research is examining the environmental impacts of sand mining while exploring sustainable alternatives that can meet community and infrastructure needs without compromising fragile coastal ecosystems.

Researchers are working alongside communities to better understand the long-term consequences of extraction activities, including coastal erosion, habitat degradation and impacts on culturally significant sites.

A central feature of the programme is the integration of mātauranga Māori and tikanga throughout the research process.

Rather than treating indigenous knowledge as an add-on to scientific inquiry, the project places Māori worldviews alongside environmental science to create a more holistic understanding of ecological health and sustainability.

The approach recognises the interconnected relationship between people, whenua, moana and future generations, ensuring cultural values remain embedded in both research design and outcomes.

The work is also linked to a broader series of Taiao Wānanga aimed at bringing together researchers, iwi, hapū, community leaders and environmental practitioners to discuss the challenges facing Aotearoa and the wider Pacific region.

The wānanga provide a platform for sharing knowledge, building research partnerships and strengthening indigenous-led approaches to environmental stewardship.

Professor Muru-Lanning says the ultimate goal is to influence future environmental decision-making by ensuring Māori knowledge systems are recognised as essential tools for addressing climate change, resource management and biodiversity protection.

Supporters of the initiative say the work reflects a growing movement across Aotearoa to place indigenous perspectives at the forefront of environmental policy and planning.

As communities confront increasing pressures from climate change, development and resource extraction, the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development hopes its research will help shape more sustainable and culturally grounded solutions for generations to come.

The initiative also reinforces Waikato-Tainui’s long-standing commitment to protecting Te Taiao and ensuring future environmental decisions reflect both scientific evidence and the values of mana whenua.

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Five new marine reserves along Otago’s coastline are set to come into force, marking a major milestone for marine protection, biodiversity recovery and Kāi Tahu kaitiakitaka.

The reserves, collectively named Te Au Roa o Te Rakihouia, will cover about 308 square kilometres of coastal waters and operate as full no-take protection areas, meaning fishing, collecting and extraction will not be permitted within their boundaries. The Department of Conservation says five of the proposed six marine reserves were gazetted in May 2026 and will take effect from 1 July 2026.

Kāi Tahu rangatira and Upoko of Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou Edward Ellison says the name Te Au Roa o Te Rakihouia reflects Kāi Tahu history, ancestral voyaging and the enduring relationship between mana whenua and the coastal environment.

The network was previously known as the South-East Marine Protection Network, but the te reo Māori name recognises Kāi Tahu associations with the coastline and the wider cultural landscape.

Supporters say the reserves will strengthen iwi involvement in the governance and care of the moana, while creating space for marine ecosystems to recover after decades of pressure from fishing, development and environmental change.

For Kāi Tahu, the reserves are expected to support kaitiakitaka by recognising the role of mana whenua in protecting taoka species, restoring biodiversity and guiding future decision-making alongside Crown agencies and local communities.

The marine reserves are part of a wider protection process that began more than a decade ago, including the South-East Marine Protection Forum, public consultation and thousands of submissions. DOC says the process included recommendations from Kāi Tahu, fishers, environmental groups, scientists, tourism interests and coastal communities.

The reserves are also expected to provide long-term environmental benefits by allowing habitats and species to rebuild in areas where marine life will be left undisturbed. Conservation groups have described the protection as a significant step for rare and important marine ecosystems along the south-eastern South Island.

Ellison says the challenge now is ensuring the reserves are not treated simply as lines on a map, but as living classrooms where communities, rangatahi and future generations can learn about the moana, Kāi Tahu values and the responsibility to protect marine life.

While no-take reserves restrict harvesting, advocates say they can also help strengthen the wider marine environment by allowing species to breed, grow and spread beyond protected boundaries over time.

The establishment of Te Au Roa o Te Rakihouia comes after legal delays and debate over the impact of the reserves, including concerns from parts of the fishing sector. A judicial review had delayed implementation before the process moved forward.

For Kāi Tahu and conservation supporters, the new network signals a shift toward stronger iwi-led stewardship and a longer-term approach to protecting the health of the moana.

As the reserves come into force, attention will now turn to how communities engage with them, how Kāi Tahu values are upheld, and whether the protected areas deliver lasting benefits for marine biodiversity, customary knowledge and future generations.

#Tags: #RadioWaatea #TeAuRoaOTeRakihouia #KāiTahu #EdwardEllison #MarineReserves #Otago #Kaitiakitaka #Moana #NoTakeReserve #MarineProtection #Biodiversity #TeAoMāori #TangataWhenua #Conservation #Aotearoa #MātaurakaMāori #CustomaryRights #ClimateResilience #OceanProtection #RadioWaateaNews

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The Government’s claim of more than $1 billion in Māori health investment is facing renewed scrutiny, with Māori health leaders questioning where the funding is being directed and whether it will deliver meaningful improvements for whānau across Aotearoa.

At the centre of the debate is Ministry of Health Commissioner (Māori) John Whaanga, who is overseeing efforts to improve health outcomes for Māori within the restructured health system.

Budget 2026 allocated billions of dollars in new health spending, with ministers highlighting significant investment aimed at improving services and reducing health inequities.

However, Māori health advocates argue that headline figures do not necessarily translate into direct investment in Māori-led services or kaupapa Māori health initiatives.

Questions have been raised about the specific allocation of funding identified as Māori health investment, with sector leaders seeking greater transparency around how much is being directed to Māori providers, iwi organisations, prevention programmes and targeted hauora Māori services.

Critics point to reports suggesting dedicated Māori health spending remains a small proportion of overall health expenditure, with some analyses indicating Māori-specific funding sits at around 2.7 percent of total health spending despite Māori experiencing disproportionately poorer health outcomes across multiple indicators.

The concerns come as Māori communities continue to face significant challenges in areas including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health, cancer outcomes and access to primary healthcare.

Rural communities remain particularly affected, with many whānau encountering barriers to accessing timely medical care, specialist services and culturally appropriate support.

Whaanga says the Ministry remains focused on addressing inequities through system-wide investment and targeted programmes designed to improve outcomes for Māori.

Recent data has shown some positive trends, including improvements in childhood immunisation rates among Māori tamariki and increased efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare.

However, many Māori providers say broader gains are not being matched by investment at the community level.

Some organisations report funding levels have remained static despite increasing demand, rising operational costs and growing expectations for service delivery.

Others say the restructuring of the health system has created uncertainty around future funding pathways and long-term support for Māori-led initiatives.

Sector leaders argue that iwi organisations, kaupapa Māori providers and community-based health services play a critical role in reaching whānau who are often underserved by mainstream health systems.

They say meaningful progress on health equity will require not only increased funding but greater recognition of Māori-led approaches and stronger partnerships with communities.

As Budget 2026 continues to be examined, pressure is mounting on health officials to provide greater clarity about where Māori health funding is being directed and how success will be measured.

For many in the sector, the key question is whether increased overall health spending will translate into tangible improvements in the lives of Māori whānau, or whether longstanding inequities will remain despite record levels of investment.

With Māori health outcomes continuing to lag behind those of the wider population, advocates say accountability, transparency and sustained support for Māori-led solutions will be critical to achieving lasting change.

The post #hauora: Māori Health Funding Under Scrutiny as Questions Grow Over Budget 2026 Commitments appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

E ai ki te Kahika o Pōneke, e ai ki a Andrew Little, ka tautoko ia i te whakakotahitanga o ngā kaunihera mēnā ka tū he tāpaetanga pōti i tēnei rā.

I whakatauhia e te Kāwanatanga hai te marama o Ākuhata ka kati te wāhi ki ngā tāpaetanga mā ngā kaunihera ki te whakatau i te ara ka whāia mō ngā whakahaere kāwanatanga ā-rohe.

Hai tā te Koromatua o Te Hiku o te Ika, hai tā Moko Tepania, e tūwhera ana ia ki te whakarerekē i ngā whakahaerenga, ā, kei te māwhitiwhiti kōrero tonu ngā kaunihera o Te Tai Tokerau nā te nui o ngā kōwhiringa e waatea ana, e whai ake nei ko ētahi o ngā tūtohu e wānangahia ana.

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Kua hoki anō te Pire Reo Ingarihi ki mua i te aroaro o te Pāremata. Ko tāna he whakamana i te reo Ingarihi hei reo whai mana ā-ture ki Aotearoa.

E ai ki ngā kaitautoko, he whakamana noa tēnei i te reo e whakamahia whānuitia ana e te nuinga o ngā kainoho i konei.

Heoi anō, e ai ki ngā kaiwhakahē, kua noho kē te reo Ingarihi hei reo matua i roto i te ao tūmatanui, nō reira kāore he take kia tiakina ā-ture.

E ai ki te mema Pāremata o te Pāti Kākāriki, e ai ki a Teanau Tuiono, he kaupapa tōrangapū noa iho tēnei hei whakapoapoa i ngā pōti a ngā kaipōti o te taha katau.

Kei te whiriwhiria tonutia te pire nei e te Pāremata.

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As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries across the globe, Māori experts are urging greater scrutiny of the environmental footprint behind the technology.

Professor Te Taka Keegan, from the University of Waikato’s AI Institute, says the growth of AI is often discussed in terms of innovation and economic opportunity, but the substantial environmental costs are frequently overlooked.

Large-scale AI systems rely on vast networks of data centres that consume significant amounts of electricity, water, land, and raw materials. The rapid development of hyperscale data centres has sparked growing concern internationally about pressure on freshwater resources, ecosystem disruption, and the extraction of critical minerals needed to support digital infrastructure.

For Māori, these impacts extend beyond environmental management and touch on deeply held cultural responsibilities of kaitiakitanga — the obligation to protect and care for te taiao for future generations.

Professor Keegan says Māori perspectives emphasise the interconnected relationship between people and the environment, raising important questions about whether current AI development models are sustainable or consistent with long-term stewardship values.

Particular concern has been raised about the potential effects of hyperscale data centres on freshwater resources and culturally significant sites. As demand for AI computing power grows, water-intensive cooling systems are becoming a critical issue in regions where water supplies are already under pressure.

There are also concerns that large infrastructure projects could affect wāhi tapu and other culturally significant landscapes if Māori communities are not meaningfully involved in planning and decision-making processes.

Professor Keegan argues that Māori data governance principles provide a framework for ensuring AI development supports collective wellbeing rather than purely commercial interests. These principles emphasise community benefit, accountability, transparency, and the protection of cultural values across generations.

He says AI policy in Aotearoa must move beyond consultation and towards genuine partnership, with Māori communities actively involved in shaping decisions about where infrastructure is located, how resources are used, and how emerging technologies align with environmental and social responsibilities.

As New Zealand considers its future role in the global AI economy, Māori researchers are calling for stronger safeguards to ensure technological advancement does not come at the expense of freshwater resources, cultural heritage, or the wellbeing of future generations.

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