Feature stories, media statements, speeches and more.
170 applications received for Māori Digital Technology Fund
170 applications have been received in the first round stage of the Ka Hao Māori Digital Technology Development Fund (formerly known as the Māori ICT Fund). The value of applications received totalled $69.4 M, for the $4-5 million available in this financial year.
Māori land law reform one step closer
Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill passed its second reading in Parliament just before Christmas (December 2016).
You can view the introductory speech in Parliament by Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell here.
Having the time of my life
At a Whānau Ora 'Measuring What Matters' conference in Auckland, numerous stories were told of whānau successfully designing their own solutions to issues affecting their health and wellbeing. The stories showed Whānau Ora in action! Here is Laddy's story.
Pūkaki descendants celebrate papakāinga development
The project has a total of 18 homes planned for the papakāinga. Stage one was completed in 2013 with four stand-alone homes and 3 duplexes (2 x 2 bedroom units). The recent build of these three x four-bedroom homes completes stage two of the project. To date, 10 out of the 18 planned homes are now completed.
Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi rangatahi Phillip Turia set after accepting full volleyball scholarship to Campbellsville University, Kentucky USA
Six foot four inches Phillip Turia is an 18 year old student at Palmerston North Boys High School whose talent on the volleyball court has landed him a full NAIA Division 1 Scholarship to Campbellsville University in Kentucky, USA.
Te Ture Whenua Māori Update
On 25 of November the Māori Affairs Select Committee reported Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill back with changes in areas such as representation, decision-making and the appointment of Judges to the Māori Land Court.
Indigenous rights, responsibilities and resilience
Over 200 judges, lawyers, tribal court members, thought leaders and community advocates gathered on the traditional lands of the Acjachemen and Tongva people in California USA for the World Indigenous Law Conference in October this year.
Authentic values benefit Māori businesses
The contribution of values-based Māori businesses to the New Zealand economy has been recognised in the New Zealand International Business Awards 2016.
Turning research in to changes for whānau
The Social Policies, Evaluation and Research Unit (formerly known as the Families Commission) has announced the launch of an annual fund of $750,000 to enable researchers to access the latest high quality data regarding families and children in contemporary Aotearoa.
Māori governance training cuts straight to it
Two and a half years in to their settlement Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust were ready for some fresh ideas and the new governance training course, developed by Te Puni Kōkiri in partnership with the Institute of Directors (IoD), was a perfect fit.
T-shirts sales spreading kindness to Kaikōura businesses
Over $10,000 has been raised in t-shirt sales to support Kaikōura businesses following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the region on 14 November.
A special Xmas gift for the public servant who has everything ….
Jock McEwen (b.1915 – d.2010) cannot be called “a man of his time” because during his time paternalistic and assimilationist views were still widely held.
Age means nothing
Nineteen Kaumatua from Ōrongomai Marae took on Kaumatua IronMaori through the Matika Fund.
Meeting Strengthens Cooperation Between Indigenous Peoples
Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Māori Development, met with the Council of Indigenous Peoples, their counterparts from the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on September 5 in Wellington, to advance cooperation between both sides.
The Whanganui Land Settlement Group released its draft mandate strategy
The Whanganui Land Settlement Group released its draft mandate strategy on 3 October 2016.
Video – He Whare Āwhina rūnanga complex
Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa’s current emergency/transitional housing policy provides a short-term (approximately twelve weeks) housing for up to six whānau at any one time, in three detached self-contained units located at He Whare Āwhina rūnanga housing complex. These whānau will then be supported by the rūnanga to move into long-term housing in private rental or Housing New Zealand properties or to other options provided by wider whānau
Video – Providing ordinary services in an extraordinary way
He Korowai Trust has been working for the last four years to create a housing solution for whānau in desperate need in Kaitāia. So the Trust have finally realised this dream with the opening of a 35 bed emergency accommodation complex.
Video – Home repairs have massive impact
The Sanderson whānau are part of a community housing repair project by Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa in Kaeo, which will see them get long overdue repairs to their home
Video – A place to call home
As the country comes to grips with the ongoing housing crisis, Maori landowners are finding their own solutions. The owners and trustees of Te Aro Pā are amongst those leading the way with a build of 14 papakāinga homes at Greta Point in Wellington.
Wairere Village something we all can be proud of
An ambitious social housing project celebrated the opening of the first home that will provide affordable housing options for whānau and kaumātua in Hamilton. The completed show home - a two bedroom kaumātua unit - was opened at a ceremony attended by more than 100 people.
Tainui-Whiro descendants open papakāinga in Raglan
Three whānau moved into their new homes as part of the completion of stage one of Te Kopua 2B3 papakāinga scheme in Raglan.
Maniapoto papakāinga workshops ends on high note
The joint initiative co-funded between Te Puni Kōkiri, Waikato District and Waipā District councils provided three tailored wānanga held over three-months in the Waikato region for whānau trusts.
Never too late to make a change
If you had told a 14 year-old Jack Raharuhi that within 10 years he’d be managing a 450 hectare farm with more than 1000 cows and five full-time staff he’d have probably shrugged you off.
First steps to Te Reo Māori journey
Rawinia Higgins wants all New Zealanders to embrace Te Reo Māori, and believes the new Māori Language Act provides the structure that will encourage more positive attitudes towards te reo Māori through greater visibility.
Transforming past crisis
Nancy’s journey is much like the Whānau Ora movement that she has championed since its earliest days. It has been a transformative one, making her ideally suited to her new role at Te Puni Kōkiri as Chief Advisor.
A Strategy of inclusion and partnership
Ngahiwi Apanui is not one to rest on his laurels. The Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori acknowledges however, that it would be easy to do so given the success of this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
South Island farm scoops up Ahuwhenua trophy
For the first time in its 83 year history, a South Island dairy farm has won the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Māori Excellence in Farming award.
Hineprenuer – Building Whānau Wealth
Bobbi Morice typifies Hinepreneur capability coaches around the motu who are providing Māori with advice and support and help build their personal, whānau and business wealth.
Karen Vercoe – Stepping Up & Into Opportunity
As a child Karen Vercoe was taught that when opportunities present themselves, she should always step up and take them. It’s a philosophy she has continued to pursue and apply – in her international sporting career, working for her iwi and as a successful business owner.
Tairāwhiti-preneur: Bobbi Morice
Tairāwhiti business woman and owner-operator of Ruatoria pies, Bobbi Morice, discusses business and her role as Hinepreneur capability coach.
Kāhui Tautoko – A vision fulfilled
Meet Mara Andrews, inspiring company Director who leads Kāhui Tautoko, a company with a formidable reputation for the work it does in the space of indigenous development.
Miriana Stephens
Miriana Stephens credits her business success to her grandparents who raised her by the motto ‘it’s an honour to serve’. “They had that entrepreneurial spirit,” she said, “so I guess it’s in my DNA.”
Hemi Rolleston: Looking into the unknown
Interim Chief Executive at Callaghan Innovation, Hemi Rolleston, discusses the need to support Māori business leaders to pursue innovation and entrepreneurship.
Te Aro Pā – a place to call home
As the country comes to the grips with the ongoing housing crisis, Māori landowners are finding their own solutions. The owners and trustees of Te Aro Pā are amongst those leading the way with a build of 14 papakāinga homes at Greta Point in Wellington.
Home repairs have massive impact
The transformation and impact has been massive. Our tamariki are really excited. The windows in their rooms and the holes in the floor will be fixed. There’s real excitement.”
Such has been the impact of new funding in the north for Māori housing.
He who stands, lives
The new Chair of Matika: Moving the Māori Nation, Trevor Shailer, discusses his vision for wanting to change the lives of whānau to be healthier and more active.
Te Pātaka a Te Ururoa
Matariki has risen bringing with it an opportunity for us to reflect on recent achievements.
Mai i te Toihautū
Success is a relative thing. A person’s situation and past can often influence their current path’s trajectory. The various stories featured in this issue of Kōkiri illustrate this point perfectly.
Mai i te Toihautū
Kei ngā pā harakeke o te motu, tēnā koutou!
Our focus on supporting whānau to be more agile social units successfully navigating their futures continues to make inroads and give us inspiring stories including one about Aunty Joan in the Chatham Islands!
Te Pātaka a Te Ururoa
In this edition, Hon Te Ururoa Flavell shares some insight on the strength of whānau being central to Whānau Ora. He also recalls recent regional visits to Manawatu, Hawke's Bay, Te Tai Tokerau and Rotorua.
Whānau Ora - Te Kākano o te Totara Leadership Wānanga
Te Kākano o te Totara offers the opportunity to support the growth of these emerging leaders through wānanga, networking, coaching, and mentors to pursue whānau transformation.
Home repairs make life easier for Chatham Islands Resident
Life is much easier for Chatham Islands woman Joan Hough, now that she has an affordable and reliable power supply and access to water.
Hāngī Cooker set for success in Australasia
Hone Tipene has adapted the traditional earth oven for a modern lifestyle. He now has a successful business with an expected growth of 150%.
Restoring my own mana
Matanuku is a man who, with help from an initiative being run by the Manukau Urban Māori Authority in South Auckland, has turned his life around, and has taken steps to restore his own mana on his own terms.
Kapa haka is for everyone
Meet the new Executive Director of Te Matatini, Carl Ross, as he talks about his passion for kapa haka and priorities in his new role.
From te reo 'outsider' to te reo ambassador
There was a time when Jenny-May Clarkson felt like an “outsider” in her own culture. Yes, she “looked Māori, felt Māori”, but never quite got Māori.
Te Mātāwai
Membership of Te Mātāwai – the new organisation established to lead reo Māori revitalisation on behalf of iwi and Māori – is almost finalised and it’s likely it will hold its first meeting in late October 2016.
Te Pātaka a Te Ururoa
Karanga mai e Hine-takurua, karanga mai e Matariki!
The rise of Matariki is always a time to reflect – to be content with the year that has gone, and look forward to new challenges with renewed enthusiasm.
Mai i te Toihautū
Kei ngā ihuoneone, kei ngā taituarā o te ao Māori, tēnei ka mihi ake.
Nau mai Hine-takurua, nau mai Puanga kai rau, nau mai e te iwa o Matariki!
He Korowai Trust – providing ordinary services in an extraordinary way
He Korowai Trust has been working for the last four years to create a housing solution for whānau in desperate need in Kaitāia. This four year dream was finally realised with the opening of 9 homes within its social housing project – Kohuhu papakāinga, a 35 bed emergency accommodation unit, medical centre, community café and social services.
Minister lays wreath at Korean War memorial in Seoul
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial of Korea acknowledging sacrifices during the Korean War including those of New Zealanders who lost their lives in the conflict.
Minister leads Māori business delegation to South Korea and Japan
Minister Te Ururoa Flavell led a Māori business delegation on a six-day Ministerial culture and trade mission to South Korea and Japan.
New Social Housing Development Opens at Mangatawa
True to the proverb that it takes a whole village to raise a child, these tamariki are doubly blessed in that they have their parents as well as the numerous kuia and koro who live in 16 kaumātua units close by to nurture and raise them together.
'Measuring what matters for Whānau' - 2016 Whānau Ora Conference
‘Measuring what matters for Whānau’ is the theme of the 2016 Whānau Ora Conference, hosted by Te Pou Matakana, the North Island commissioning agency.
Proposals sought for emergency housing places throughout New Zealand
The Ministry of Social Development has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking proposals from providers interested in delivering emergency housing contracted places across New Zealand.
Thankful for a shot
Applying for up to 60 jobs a week with no success was getting her down. It wasn’t until Vanisa completed a single Māori mother’s employment programme offered through Manukau Urban Māori Authority that she was successful in her search.
Mā te uaua anō ona ora - Life is in our power of muscle
This week Minister Flavell announced the Māori Housing Network will receive a $12.6 million boost over the next four years in Budget 2016.
Solar panels help whānau get on their feet
It has been a long-awaited home improvement project for the Tukaokao whānau to get access to an affordable and reliable power supply and the whānau couldn’t be happier.
$12.6 million boost for Māori Housing Network
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell said at a pre-budget announcement the Māori Housing Network will receive a $12.6 million boost over the next four years in this year’s Budget.
Whānau Ora - Three new funding rounds open
Te Pūtahitanga are excited to announce three new investment rounds opening on 1 May 2016 and a round of hui throughout Te Waipounamu to help you put in the best possible application. Applications close 31 May 2016.
Whānau Ora - New Te Pūtahitanga initiative launched
The 1000 Days Trust, a Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu initiative, has been launched in Christchurch and aims to establish a specialised service for Southland pepi and whānau during the first 1000 days of a child’s life.
Whenua Māori Fund for land owners
Are you interested in generating a return from your land? Do you want to want to improve returns from your land?
Te Puni Kōkiri manage the Whenua Māori Fund to support owners and trustees of Māori freehold land explore different uses of land, and news ways to boost its productivity.
Te Ture Whenua Māori in Parliament
The new Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill recently had its first reading in Parliament.
Technology helping businesses engage with the Māori Economy
Māori and iwi organisations have the potential to become multi-million dollar businesses, if not already.
Te Pātaka a Te Ururoa
In this edition, Hon Te Ururoa Flavell talks about two pieces of legislation in the House namely Te Ture Reo Māori and Te Ture Whenua Māori and shares insight from his recent regional visits to Te Waipounamu and Waiariki.
Golden Shears can pay off for highly skilled Māori
Each year the Golden Shears competition, which is the largest shearing and wool handling event in the world, attracts competitors from all over the world all vying for the coveted Golden Shears title and Māori are among the best.
Whānau Ora - Tane Takitu Ake set for new intakes
“Tane Takitu Ake” which means “to stand up together as men” is the focus of this innovative programme. It’s aim is to support Māori men helping other Māori men with high health and social needs to realise their full potential.
Whānau Ora - Creating a path to independence
When choosing a path in life, sometimes it’s not one big step you need to focus on, but the series of small incremental ones that lead you to your destination. For Sherina, mum to 5 young tamariki, that big step was moving to Rotorua but the small incremental step was developing her Whānau Plan.
Whānau Ora - Whānau Tahi a finalist in Hi-Tech awards
Whānau Tahi was announced as a finalist in the 2016 New Zealand Hi-Tech awards. They started their own software solutions company, Whānau Tahi, and built their own system: Whānau Tahi Navigator. Whānau Tahi Navigator effectively puts whānau in the driver’s seat of their own health and social services plan.
How the “Ania’s” got their way
Kōkiri speaks with the Ranga-Bidois whānau in Ngāruawāhia who opened their papakāinga in October 2015 which, for them, was the fulfilment of a dream.
Homes for whānau are now ready in Hastings
Waipatu is now home to a brand new modern day papakāinga.
Tucked away on Bennett Rd, Hastings, are eight new homes situated in a self-sufficient paradise that is predominantly off the grid and built on Māori freehold land.
Wellington’s first urban papakainga opens its doors
A dawn blessing on Saturday 19 March marked the opening of 14 new affordable whānau homes at Wellington’s Te Aro Pā papakāinga.
Mai i te Toihautū
Ngahuru, kura kai, kura tangata. Harvest time, wealth of food, the wealth of people.
Whenua Māori Fund Open
Maori land owners are keen to explore ways to better utilise their whenua as applications to the new Whenua Maori Fund start coming forward.
Whānau Ora - Pā Ora, Pā Wānanga at Omaka Marae
Whānau of Omaka Marae in Blenheim believe in the whakatauki ‘He tangata akona ki te marae, tū ki te ao, tau ana’. If a person is well connected to their marae they will learn all the values and principles needed to participate in the global village with confidence.
Te Pātaka a Te Ururoa
Easter is our first significant public holiday since Christmas and New Year. It signals the onset of winter, colder days and longer nights.
When I look back on the year so far, I am feeling pretty good about the mahi Te Puni Kōkiri has achieved with the help of iwi, hapū and whānau.
Ranginui e tū iho rā
Thousands descended on Ōrākei marae, many more followed the live stream coverage to pay tribute, to honour and to grieve the loss of one of te ao Māori’s most influential academic leaders and advocates – Dr Ranginui Walker.
Mōkai Kāinga: All about community
For more than three decades Mōkai Kāinga Trust in Wellington has been ‘giving back’ to the community it serves. We visited Ōwhiro Gardens to discover a little bit more about what happens on the ground.
Ahuwhenua finalists' field days
The three Ahuwhenua Trophy finalists - Ngāi Tahu Farming Limited, Tewi Trust and The Proprietors of Rakaia Incorporation have hosted their field days. Last month the three finalists were announced by the Minister in Parliament . The winner will be announced Friday, 20 May.
Whānau Ora - Café and Cookery School opens
Jade Temepara has waited a long time to realise her whānau dream of opening a café and cookery school based on healthy organic living and traditional Māori foods. Now that dream is a reality and Kākano Café is open in central Christchurch
Te Ture Whenua Māori Reform hui update
Nationwide hui to update people on changes made to Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill are underway and will be completed by the end of February.
Whāia te iti kahurangi
In this edition, Hon Te Ururoa Flavell, writes about a new fund to support Māori land owners and looks forward to The Māori Language (Te Reo Māori) Bill being reported back from Parliament.
Toitū te whenua, toitū te tangata: productive land, prosperous people
Whatungarongaro te tangata toitū te whenua. As man disappears from sight, the land remains.
Whānau Ora - Reo Pēpi pukapuka
Two Ngāi Tahu hākui from Ōtākou have collaborated to create a series of beautiful children's books with hand drawn images featuring both English and Te Reo Māori.
Whānau Ora supports USO Bike Ride initiative
USO riders aim is to cycle the length of New Zealand as a challenge to the Māori and Pacific community to focus on Cancer awareness, regular health checks, and lifestyle management throughout all ages.
Rise Up!
Fourteen Māori women will soon make their mark as graduates of the world’s first indigenous international leadership coaching programme.
Tai Tokerau Economic Action Plan launched
Te Tai Tokerau Economic Action Plan was launched last month, emphasising that Māori, government and industry working in unison was critical to grow incomes, jobs and investment in Northland.
Ngāpuhi Festival
More than 32,000 people crowded out Northland College and Kaikohe to attend the 11th Ngāpuhi Festival last month.
Honey is like the “It Girl” of the primary industry sector
Māori Trustee Jamie Tuuta outlines Te Tumu Paeroa plans to support more Māori into the honey industry.
Ahuwhenua Trophy finalists announced
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have congratulated this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy competition finalists, celebrating excellence in Māori farming.
Kaupapa Māori bowls everyone away
Manaakitanga and tautoko were well demonstrated at the 2016 Aotearoa National Māori Bowls Tournament held in Wainuiomata over Waitangi weekend.
The Journey to Te Ture Whenua Māori
The reform of Te Ture Whenua Māori is the most significant to have occurred in the last 40 years. During that time Māori have advocated for greater tino rangatiratanga over their whenua.
Whānau Ora - From First Year Reflections to the Future
The Pasifika Whānau Ora and Aniva Pacific Health Workforce National Conference in Wellington, on November 25 - 26 2015, provided opportunities for Pacific providers and partners of Whānau Ora to share ideas, knowledge and experience gained from the first year of Whānau Ora Commissioning.
Uenuku Charitable Trust Deed of Mandate
The Office of Treaty Settlements (OTS) invites submissions, views or inquiries concerning the draft Deed of Mandate of the Uenuku Charitable Trust (UCT) for the settlement negotiations of the historical Treaty claims of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua (the central Whanganui Large Natural Group).
The most important thing in the world
Hutia te rito o te harakeke, kei hea rā te kōmako e kō?
Kī mai ki ahau, he aha te mea nui o te Ao?
Māku e kī atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
Te Ture Whenua Māori
The relationship between Māori, whenua and the law has been a long and complex one. A century and a half ago the creation of the Native Land Court started a period of the greatest upheaval and change Māori ever experienced in their status and relationship with the whenua.
Entries now open for Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards
The Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in early childhood education, primary and secondary schooling. Entries are now open until 18 March 2016.
Kōkiri 33 Raumati – on streets 5 February
You can read a selection of stories from Kōkiri 33 in this edition of Kōkiritia.
Giving 2016 a Kick Up the Arts
The New Zealand Festival is a biennial, three-week arts festival held in Wellington. It is New Zealand’s premier cultural event, showcasing both international and local artists.
A day in the life: of a wahine farmer
Hannah Wallace won Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the Year 2015, making her the first woman to win the award.
Henare: an enduring gesture of love
Featuring a raw, eclectic edge, Henare is taking the jewellery industry by storm. The handmade range is merging nature’s gifts and life’s memories to create one of a kind, limited edition pieces.
Mauao to San Fran
Twelve Māori students from Te Wharekura o Mauao have travelled to Silicon Valley, San Francisco on an inspirational journey to encourage their education choices.
Simply awesome
Chelsea Bayly, of Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi descent, is a 26-year-old female whose determination has led to a full-time placement in a male-dominated industry.
Hard Work Pays Off
Hohaia Brown (Ngāpuhi) turned 20 only last year. He was selected from a pool of 30 applicants to be part of the Te Mana o Whakaaro Māori Cadetship Programme.
My three 'w's' - whānau, whare and whenua
Ngā mihi o te tau hou ki tēnā, ki tēnā o koutou.
2016 has arrived and provides us with new ambitions and goals to achieve in this calendar year.