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The Government’s decision not to fund Gisborne District Council’s long-term land use transition strategy for Tairāwhiti is drawing criticism from Labour, with concerns growing over the future resilience of East Coast communities already struggling with economic and climate pressures.

The proposed Transition Programme Business Case – Land Use Transition in Tairāwhiti was designed to help reduce the impact of severe weather events and lessen reliance on costly post-storm cleanups following repeated cyclone and flood damage across the region.

Labour’s Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP says the funding rejection sends the wrong message to communities still recovering from the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle and ongoing infrastructure damage.

The proposal aimed to support long-term planning around land use, forestry practices, erosion control and community resilience as climate-related weather events become more frequent and severe.

At the same time, economic pressures are continuing to mount across the vast Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate, with rising fuel prices, the high cost of diesel and ongoing cost-of-living pressures hitting whānau and businesses hard.

Communities across the East Coast and Hawke’s Bay are also grappling with limited employment opportunities for rangatahi and uncertainty following industrial closures, including the loss of jobs linked to the Wattie’s and Heinz operations.

The MP says despite these challenges, communities remain resilient and continue supporting one another through difficult economic and environmental conditions.

Recent visits across the electorate, including meetings with the Whakakī Lakes Trust and the Wairoa Business Hub, highlighted growing concerns around regional economic development, infrastructure support and the need for long-term investment into local industries and jobs.

Labour says stronger regional investment is needed to support Māori economic development, create sustainable employment opportunities and strengthen resilience against future climate events.

There are also calls for more targeted support for rural communities facing rising transport costs and increasing isolation as infrastructure damage and service pressures continue affecting the region.

The debate comes as political pressure intensifies ahead of the Budget, with East Coast leaders warning regional communities cannot continue carrying the combined burden of climate recovery, economic hardship and reduced government support.

#IkaroaRāwhiti #Tairāwhiti #ClimateRecovery #CostOfLiving #CycloneGabrielle #MāoriEconomy #EastCoast #RegionalNZ #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea

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The Green Party is accusing the Government of pushing through major disability support law changes without proper consultation, warning the reforms could create uncertainty and harm for disabled people, whānau and carers across Aotearoa.

The criticism follows proposed changes to disability support systems and funding processes, which the Greens say are being advanced too quickly and without adequate engagement with the disability community. The party argues disabled people and advocacy groups are once again being left out of decisions directly affecting their lives.

The Government says the reforms are necessary to make disability support services more financially sustainable, transparent and nationally consistent after an independent review identified rapidly rising costs and uneven access to services around the country.

Changes include new national assessment systems, revised funding models and tighter oversight around flexible funding arrangements currently used by many disabled people and carers. Ministers say the reforms are intended to provide greater consistency while still allowing disabled people more choice and control over their support.

However, disability advocates and opposition parties say the speed of the reforms is creating anxiety within the sector, particularly after previous funding changes in 2024 triggered strong backlash from carers and disability support users.

The Greens warn the changes risk undermining the Enabling Good Lives framework, which has been widely supported by disability communities for promoting self-determination, flexibility and person-centred support. Critics say rushed implementation could weaken trust in the system and leave vulnerable people struggling to navigate new rules.

Disability organisations have also raised concerns about whether enough safeguards, funding and frontline support will be in place before the reforms take effect. Some groups fear people could lose access to essential services or face greater bureaucracy under tighter budget controls.

The Government insists no one will lose existing support immediately and says the reforms are designed to stabilise a system facing growing demand and financial pressure. Ministers have pointed to Budget funding increases and ongoing consultation with parts of the disability sector as evidence the Government remains committed to improving services long term.

The debate comes amid wider concerns about cost-of-living pressures, healthcare access and support services for disabled New Zealanders and their whānau, with advocacy groups warning many families are already under severe financial and emotional strain.

#RadioWaatea #DisabilitySupport #Greens #DisabilityRights #Aotearoa #NZPolitics #EnablingGoodLives #LouiseUpston #DisabilityAdvocacy #MāoriDisability #PublicPolicy

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Ngāti Porou singer-songwriter Hamo Dell is back with a fresh new single, Worth The Wait, delivering a playful and uplifting track that blends R&B, soul, reggae and pop influences.

The new release explores the familiar emotions of anticipation, attraction and connection, wrapped in a warm and light-hearted sound that continues to showcase Hamo Dell’s evolving artistry.

Produced by Edyonthebeat and co-produced by Astro, the single was written by Matt Sadgrove and highlights another side of Hamo’s musical style — balancing honesty, humour and feel-good energy.

Hamo Dell has spent more than a decade building a reputation as one of Aotearoa’s standout vocalists, known for her ability to move effortlessly between powerful stage presence and intimate soulful delivery.

The artist, who proudly represents her Ngāti Porou roots, has previously collaborated with major New Zealand musicians including Stan Walker, Kings and Sammy Johnson, while releasing music in both English and te reo Māori.

Her catalogue continues to grow across multiple genres, with recent releases including Tā Roha, Love Letters, Bittersweet and Missing You.

The official music video for Worth The Wait has already attracted strong online attention following its release this week, with listeners praising the track’s upbeat energy and relatable themes.

Hamo Dell says the single embraces the playful tension of waiting for someone special while celebrating joy, affection and connection.

Worth The Wait is now available on all major streaming platforms.

#HamoDell #WorthTheWait #NgātiPorou #MāoriMusic #AotearoaMusic #NZMusic #TeAoMāori #RNB #SoulMusic #RadioWaatea

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Ngāti Whakaue is taking a major step toward addressing housing insecurity in Rotorua, with a new iwi-led development designed to provide not only affordable homes, but long-term wraparound support aimed at strengthening whānau wellbeing and independence.

Te Taumata o Ngāti Whakaue Housing Limited chairperson Anahera Waru says the project was driven by growing concern over housing pressures facing many whānau across the rohe, including overcrowding, rising living costs and limited pathways into secure housing.

The development is being designed around kaupapa Māori principles, with a strong focus on creating stable, connected communities rather than simply delivering houses.

Alongside affordable homes, the project will include dedicated housing options for rangatahi and access to wraparound support services aimed at helping residents achieve long-term stability, employment, education and wellbeing outcomes.

Waru says the approach reflects a wider understanding that housing challenges cannot be separated from issues such as health, income, whānau support and cultural connection.

The development is expected to become a major milestone for Ngāti Whakaue as the iwi works toward creating sustainable intergenerational housing opportunities for future generations.

The inclusion of rangatahi-focused housing has been highlighted as a particularly important part of the project, recognising the growing difficulties many young people face accessing stable accommodation and opportunities to build independence.

Iwi leaders say kaupapa Māori housing models can offer more holistic and culturally grounded solutions than traditional housing systems, with whānau connection, manaakitanga and collective wellbeing built into the design from the beginning.

Looking ahead toward Matariki 2027 and beyond, Ngāti Whakaue says success will be measured not only by the number of homes built, but by stronger whānau outcomes, improved stability and greater opportunities for future generations to thrive within their own community.

The project also adds to growing calls for stronger government support for iwi-led housing developments nationwide as Māori organisations increasingly step forward to address the housing crisis directly.

Advocates say iwi housing initiatives are often able to deliver more community-centred and long-term solutions because they are grounded in whakapapa, local knowledge and intergenerational planning.

However, Māori housing providers continue to face challenges around funding, infrastructure costs, land development and navigating complex regulatory systems.

Ngāti Whakaue says meaningful partnership and sustained investment from government will be essential if iwi-led housing solutions are to expand and meet the growing needs of whānau across Aotearoa.

#NgātiWhakaue #MāoriHousing #ManaMotuhake #Rotorua #WhānauOra #Rangatahi #IwiDevelopment #HousingCrisis #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea

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New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is unveiling a new wave of economic policies ahead of the next election, including a proposal for compulsory KiwiSaver enrolment from birth and plans to bring the Bank of New Zealand back into public ownership.

Peters says the policies are aimed at strengthening economic sovereignty, boosting long-term savings and reducing New Zealand’s reliance on foreign-owned financial institutions.

Under the proposed “KiwiSaver Generation” policy, every child born in Aotearoa would automatically be enrolled into KiwiSaver at birth and receive a $1000 Crown contribution to help build long-term savings from an early age.

New Zealand First argues the scheme would encourage financial independence and allow future generations to accumulate meaningful retirement savings, home deposits or investment capital by adulthood.

The party says compulsory early enrolment would also help normalise saving habits and reduce future financial inequality.

However, questions are already being raised around the long-term cost of the proposal and how it would be funded, particularly as the Government faces pressure over spending and debt levels. Critics are also debating whether compulsory enrolment limits personal choice and whether taxpayers should fund universal contributions regardless of household income.

Alongside the KiwiSaver policy, Peters is also proposing the buy-back of BNZ and its merger with Kiwibank as part of a broader push to strengthen New Zealand control over the banking sector.

The proposal would aim to create a larger state-backed banking institution capable of competing more aggressively with the major Australian-owned banks that currently dominate the New Zealand market.

New Zealand First says foreign ownership of major banks results in billions of dollars in profits leaving the country each year and weakens New Zealand’s economic independence.

Supporters of the proposal argue a stronger publicly owned bank could increase competition, improve access to banking services and keep more profits circulating within the domestic economy.

Critics, however, are likely to question the financial cost and complexity of repurchasing BNZ, as well as the risks involved in expanding state ownership within the banking sector.

Peters says additional policy announcements are expected in coming months as New Zealand First positions itself around economic nationalism, infrastructure investment and stronger protections for local industries and ownership.

The announcements come as political parties increasingly focus on cost-of-living pressures, economic security and foreign ownership issues ahead of the 2026 General Election.

#WinstonPeters #NZFirst #KiwiSaver #BNZ #Kiwibank #EconomicSovereignty #NZPolitics #Banking #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea

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Save the Children New Zealand is urging the Government to make rangatahi wellbeing a major priority in Budget 2026, warning many young people across Aotearoa are struggling with food insecurity, mental health pressures and rising stress linked to the cost of living.

Advocacy Director Jacqui Southey says stronger investment is needed in youth wellbeing, nutrition and community support services, particularly as economic pressures continue affecting whānau nationwide.

The organisation is highlighting concerns raised in the report Tīhei Manaora: Rangatahi-led eating and wellbeing guidelines for young people, which centres the voices and lived experiences of rangatahi themselves.

The report explores how young people view food, wellbeing and health, with many describing growing anxiety around affordability, access to healthy kai and wider pressures impacting their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Save the Children says rangatahi are calling for more culturally grounded, accessible and youth-led approaches to wellbeing that recognise the realities many young people face daily.

Concerns raised include rising food costs, social pressures, housing stress, mental health challenges and barriers to accessing nutritious meals, particularly for low-income households and rural communities.

The organisation says Māori and Pasifika rangatahi are often disproportionately affected by inequities within the health and food systems, making targeted investment even more important.

Southey says despite the significance of the findings, the report has received little public attention, raising concerns that rangatahi perspectives are still not being taken seriously enough within political and policy discussions.

Advocates warn ignoring youth-led research risks deepening long-term problems around poor health outcomes, mental distress and widening social inequality.

Save the Children says investment in school food programmes, youth mental health support, community services and culturally appropriate wellbeing initiatives would help create healthier futures for tamariki and rangatahi.

The organisation is also calling for greater inclusion of young people in decision-making processes, arguing policies affecting youth wellbeing should be shaped directly by the voices of rangatahi themselves.

As Budget discussions continue, child advocacy groups are warning the long-term social and economic costs of failing to support young people now could be far greater in the future.

#Rangatahi #YouthWellbeing #SaveTheChildren #TīheiManaora #FoodSecurity #MentalHealth #MāoriYouth #Aotearoa #Budget2026 #RadioWaatea

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

The post 21 o Mei 2026 Ngā Kawepūrongo a Waatea | 9am appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

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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