Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

Child Poverty Action Group says Budget 2026 fails to deliver the bold action needed to reduce child poverty, warning current Government policies are unlikely to meet the legislated target of halving child poverty by 2028.

The criticism comes as Treasury forecasts indicate little movement in key child poverty measures over the coming years, despite the Government highlighting targeted support initiatives and wider economic reforms in this year’s Budget.

Child Poverty Action Group spokesperson Aaron Hendry says the Budget does not address the underlying drivers of hardship facing thousands of families, particularly those reliant on benefits and public housing.

Hendry argues that one of the most significant gaps remains the continued exclusion of children in benefit-dependent households from the In-Work Tax Credit. The payment is available to many working families but remains inaccessible to children whose parents are receiving a main benefit, creating what advocates describe as a two-tier support system.

Anti-poverty campaigners have long argued that a child’s access to financial support should not depend on the employment status of their parents, particularly during periods of economic hardship and rising living costs.

Housing costs are also emerging as a major concern. Advocates warn that increases in rents for public housing tenants will place further pressure on already stretched household budgets, reducing the money available for essentials such as food, electricity, transport and school-related expenses.

Recent housing policy changes have prompted concerns that low-income families could face greater financial strain at a time when inflation and everyday living costs continue to affect household finances.

Child poverty organisations say housing affordability remains one of the strongest predictors of hardship, with many whānau spending a disproportionate share of their income on accommodation costs.

The concerns are particularly significant for Māori and Pasifika communities, who continue to experience higher rates of child poverty, housing insecurity and material hardship than the national average.

Advocates say Māori tamariki remain disproportionately represented in poverty statistics, making targeted investment essential if New Zealand is serious about closing long-standing equity gaps.

Child Poverty Action Group is calling for a range of policy changes, including extending the In-Work Tax Credit to all low-income children, increasing benefit adequacy, strengthening housing affordability measures and investing more heavily in programmes that directly support vulnerable whānau.

The organisation argues that meaningful progress requires policies focused on children’s wellbeing rather than employment-based eligibility criteria.

While the Government maintains that Budget 2026 strikes a balance between fiscal responsibility and targeted support, critics say the measures announced fall short of what is needed to achieve transformational change.

With the 2028 child poverty target approaching, pressure is likely to intensify on policymakers to demonstrate how current settings will deliver measurable reductions in hardship for New Zealand’s most vulnerable children.

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Te Rōpū Kaimahi Māori o Aotearoa is warning that Māori workers and rangatahi are facing a growing employment crisis, with concerns Budget 2026 has failed to provide the targeted interventions needed to reverse rising unemployment.

Spokesperson Ken Mair says Māori unemployment has increased sharply in recent years, creating significant challenges for whānau and communities already dealing with cost-of-living pressures, housing stress and reduced economic opportunities.

Te Rōpū Kaimahi Māori o Aotearoa, a Māori workers’ advocacy organisation focused on employment, economic justice and workplace rights, says the current labour market trends are particularly concerning for young Māori entering the workforce.

Recent employment data shows Māori unemployment rates have risen significantly from post-pandemic lows, with rangatahi Māori among the groups experiencing the greatest barriers to securing stable employment.

Mair says a combination of economic slowdown, public sector restructuring and reduced investment in Māori-focused employment initiatives has contributed to the worsening outlook.

He argues cuts to Māori agencies, programmes and services have had a direct impact on employment opportunities by reducing both frontline jobs and the support systems designed to help Māori workers gain skills, training and pathways into sustainable careers.

The concerns come amid ongoing restructuring within several government agencies, including Te Puni Kōkiri and other parts of the public service, where Māori-focused roles have faced increasing scrutiny.

Mair says many of these positions not only delivered services to communities but also provided important employment opportunities for Māori professionals and emerging leaders.

The organisation is calling for a targeted Māori employment strategy that recognises the unique challenges facing Māori workers and addresses structural barriers that have persisted for decades.

Among the priorities being advocated are:

Mair says an effective 100-day Māori employment plan would need to focus on immediate job creation while building long-term pathways into skilled and future-focused industries.

Another growing concern is the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence on the workforce.

As AI continues to reshape industries globally, employment advocates are warning that workers without access to retraining and digital skills development may face increased risks of displacement.

Mair says Māori communities must be included in planning for technological change to ensure the benefits of innovation are shared equitably rather than deepening existing inequalities.

Workforce experts have noted that while artificial intelligence may create new opportunities in some sectors, it is also likely to disrupt traditional employment pathways, particularly for lower-skilled and entry-level roles.

Mair argues that without targeted protections and investment, Māori workers could once again bear a disproportionate share of economic disruption.

The debate comes as economists continue warning that labour market conditions are likely to remain challenging in the short term, with unemployment expected to remain elevated as economic growth recovers.

For Māori employment advocates, the challenge now is ensuring future policy responses focus not only on economic growth but on creating meaningful opportunities for Māori workers, whānau and rangatahi across Aotearoa.

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Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says New Zealand must continue backing regional industries and infrastructure projects that create jobs and strengthen economic resilience, while balancing growing environmental expectations.

Speaking on a range of issues following Budget 2026, Jones defended New Zealand’s commercial fishing sector after new data showed the country’s bottom-trawl footprint remains confined to a relatively small proportion of New Zealand waters.

Jones says the latest information demonstrates that trawling activity is concentrated within a limited area and that significant parts of New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone remain untouched by the industry. However, environmental groups continue to argue that the impacts of bottom trawling within those areas can be substantial, particularly for fragile seabed ecosystems and marine biodiversity.

The debate comes as pressure grows for stronger marine protection measures and increased restrictions on commercial fishing activities in sensitive environments.

Jones maintains the seafood sector remains a critical contributor to regional economies, supporting thousands of jobs and generating significant export revenue for New Zealand.

He says future policy must balance environmental stewardship with the economic realities facing coastal communities that rely on fishing and seafood processing for employment and economic activity.

The Minister also welcomed the commencement of construction on a major solar energy project on Stewart Island/Rakiura.

The project is expected to significantly reduce the island’s reliance on diesel-generated electricity while lowering long-term power costs for residents and businesses.

Jones says the development demonstrates how renewable energy projects can improve energy security for remote communities while reducing carbon emissions and exposure to volatile fuel prices.

The Stewart Island initiative is being viewed as a potential model for other isolated communities across Aotearoa, particularly those facing high electricity costs due to dependence on imported fuels.

Regional leaders have increasingly called for greater investment in locally generated renewable energy as part of wider efforts to strengthen economic resilience and sustainability.

Jones says regional development funding can play a key role in supporting projects that deliver both economic and environmental benefits.

He argues investments in infrastructure, energy generation, transport networks and resource industries can help regional communities adapt to changing economic conditions while creating new opportunities for future growth.

The Minister also defended Budget 2026, describing it as a pragmatic package focused on economic recovery, infrastructure investment and supporting productive sectors of the economy.

While critics have argued the Budget falls short in areas such as housing, health and social services, Jones says the Government is focused on rebuilding economic strength and ensuring regions are not left behind.

The Budget includes funding aimed at regional infrastructure, resource development, energy security and economic growth initiatives, areas Jones has consistently championed throughout his ministerial career.

As debates continue over environmental protection, renewable energy and economic development, Jones says New Zealand must avoid false choices between prosperity and sustainability.

Instead, he argues regional communities need policies that deliver jobs, investment and resilience while ensuring natural resources are managed responsibly for future generations.

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#RadioWaatea #TeReoMāori #HemanaWaaka #MāoriSports #MāoriBroadcasting #Tūhoe #BlackFerns #MāoriLanguage #SportsCommentary #Aotearoa

For generations of Māori sports fans, the sound of sport in te reo Māori has become a familiar and celebrated part of the broadcasting landscape. At the centre of that journey stands Hemana Waaka of Ngāi Tūhoe, widely regarded as the godfather of Māori sports commentary and one of the most influential figures in the modern revitalisation of te reo Māori through sport.

Long before Māori-language sports broadcasting became commonplace, Waaka was breaking new ground behind the microphone. From rugby and rugby league to netball, waka ama and even woodchopping, he became the first person to deliver live sports commentary entirely in te reo Māori, helping establish a new space where sport and language revitalisation could thrive together.

His broadcasting career began during the formative years of iwi radio and later expanded through partnerships with Sky Sports and Māori Television. What started as a bold experiment would become a cultural movement, introducing thousands of listeners and viewers to sport through a Māori lens.

One of Waaka’s most significant contributions was the development of Māori sporting terminology. Faced with the challenge of translating complex sporting concepts into te reo Māori, he worked alongside kaumātua and language experts to create culturally grounded alternatives that made sense to Māori audiences.

Among his most recognised contributions is the use of haika for the rugby position of fullback, reflecting the role as the final line of defence or anchor. Another is kaitīkape for hooker, drawing on imagery of a bird scratching the ground as it searches for food, much like a hooker clawing the ball back in a scrum.

His work extended far beyond individual translations. Waaka effectively wrote the foundation for Māori sports language, developing terminology across multiple sporting codes and ensuring future generations would have a consistent Māori vocabulary to describe modern sport.

In another landmark moment, Waaka sought and received the blessing of respected Māori leader Sir James Henare to use his own Tūhoe dialect while broadcasting. The decision was significant in legitimising regional dialects within national broadcasting and reinforced the idea that te reo Māori could reflect the rich diversity of iwi voices across the country.

Waaka also became a familiar voice in women’s rugby, earning recognition for his long-standing coverage of the Black Ferns and major international tournaments, including Rugby World Cups. His commentary helped bring elite women’s sport to Māori audiences while showcasing the power and beauty of te reo Māori on the world stage.

Today, his work continues through digital platforms, including the launch of the Ipurangi Pāmamao mobile application and online Māori sports dictionary. The resource contains terminology across 12 sporting codes and serves as both a broadcasting tool and an educational resource for kura, teachers, students and sports organisations.

As te reo Māori continues to grow in public life, many credit Hemana Waaka as one of the pioneers who ensured the language would have a place not only in classrooms and marae, but also on rugby fields, netball courts, stadiums and television screens across Aotearoa.

His legacy is not simply one of broadcasting. It is a legacy of language innovation, cultural leadership and a lifelong commitment to ensuring Māori can see, hear and celebrate sport in their own language.

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I whakatahangia te $48 miriona tāra i roto i te Tahua Pūtea 2026 hei whakapau mā te ao pāpāho Māori mō ngā tau e whā e tū mai nei.

E ai ki te Minita Whanaketanga Māori, ki a Tama Potaka, nā ngā tono a te ao pāpāho Māori me ngā whakataunga o mua a te Taraipiunara me ngā kēhi kōti anō hoki i whakatau ai te Kāwanatanga kia tuku tautoko atu ki ngā ratonga pāpāho Māori.

Hei tāna, mā tēnei pūtea e tautoko ai i te toitūtanga o ngā ratonga kawe kōrero Māori.

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Ā te 28 o Hune ka tū te kaupapa o Takahi te Ara Whakaari i tōna pae, he kaupapa mō te hunga e matatau ana ki te reo Māori, e hiahia ana hoki ki te kuhu atu ki ngā mahi whakaari.

He wānanga kotahi rā ki Tāmaki Makaurau hei whakapakari i ngā pūkenga whakaari mō te atamira me te kiriata hoki. E whai ake nei ngā whakamārama nā te kaikōkiri, nā Te Kohe Tuhaka.

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Kei te tukituki ngā ture Pākehā ki ngā tikanga Māori, koia ngā kōrero a te mema Pāremata o te Pāti Kākāriki, a Hūhana Lyndon, e pā ana ki tana wheako i te pakirehua Mana Wahine ki mua i te aroaro o te Taraipiunara o Waitangi.

I hua ake tēnei take whai muri i te whakakāhoretanga o tana tono kia whakawāteatia tana wā kōrero hei wāhi kōrero mā ētahi atu wāhine kua roa e mahi ana i ngā whakahaere kāwanatanga me ngā kaunihera, pēnei i a Mārama Davidson, a Kerrin Leoni, a Ihapera Paniora me Nicki Wakefield.

E ai ki a Lyndon, kāore i tika te whakatau, ā, e whakaatu ana tēnei i te taupatupatu nui i waenga i ngā ture me ngā tikanga i te ao Māori.

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I whakaae te Kaunihera o Te Hiku o te Ika ki te mahi ngātahi me ngā kaunihera o Whangārei me Kaipara ki tētahi ratonga wai ā-rohe.

Ka whakatūria he rōpū whakahaere hei whakahaere i te wai māori me te wai para, ā, ka tīmata tēnei whakaritenga hei te tau 2027.

Ko te whāinga kia ea ngā ture hou a te Kāwanatanga, kia tohaina ngā utu, ā, kia whakamāmā hoki i te haepapa whakahaere wai puta noa i Te Tai Tokerau whānui.

E whai ake nei ko ngā whakamārama nā te Kahika o Te Hiku o te Ika, nā Moko Tepania.

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I tērā wiki i puta i te ipu pihikete te pire mema nā Mārama Davidson. Ko te aronga o tēnei pire he whakarite whare mō ngā rangatahi ka puta i a Oranga Tamariki, kia kore ai rātou e taka ki te rua o kāinga kore.

E ai ki te kaiārahi takirua o te Pāti Kākāriki, e ai ki a Mārama Davidson, mā tēnei pire e whakangāwari ai i ngā taumahatanga ka pā ki ngā rangatahi i te wā ka puta ana rātou i ngā whare manaaki a te kāwanatanga.

The post Marama Davidson | Whakawhare i a tātau rangatahi ka puta i a Oranga Tamariki. appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

E hiahia ana a NZ First kia tū a Ruakākā, arā a Marsden Point, hei Rohe Ōhanga Motuhake, arā hei Special Economic Zone. E ai ki ngā rīpoata, mā tēnei e whakaiti i ngā ture kia māmā ake ai te whakangao moni me te whakatipu pakihi.

E ai ki te Minita Whakawhanake Rohe, ki a Shane Jones, ki te whāia tēnei tauira ka tere tipu te ōhanga, ā, ka hua ake hoki te tinitini tūranga mahi.

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