Feature stories, media statements, speeches and more.
Wairarapa Māori Sports Awards
A brother and sister duo have taken out the 2015 Wairarapa Māori Sports Awards.
Māori Housing Network - Whānau solutions for whānau housing
Te Puni Kōkiri has launched the Māori Housing Network to support whānau, hapū and iwi Māori to achieve their housing needs and aspirations. The Network can assist with practical advice, information and funding.
Māori Wardens Assist at Royal Visit
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were welcomed onto Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia in early November. The event attracted a crowd of nearly 3,000 people. Māori Wardens from across the motu came to help and assist on the day.
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa
Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Michelle Hippolite reflects on 2015.
Eke panuku, eke tangaroa
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell looks back on the year and shares his aspirations for 2016.
He Kupu nā Te Rau
Ngā mihi o te wā ki a koutou katoa.
As you can see by my photo that it is getting closer to Christmas! So I thought I'd get in the Festive spirit also.
More importantly however we have the newest edition of Aroha ki te Tangata - Raumati, our reformatted quarterly newsletter which profiles the fantastic work that Māori Wardens continue to do in our rural and urban communities and beyond the marae gates.
Ngāti Toa Māori Wardens Praised for Service to Community
The brave, the selfless and the safety-conscious received Safety in the City Awards from the Wellington City Council for their contribution to keeping Wellington safe including the Ngāti Toa Māori Wardens.
Seeing the Kids Happy and Seeing Them Safe. That's All the Recognition I Need.
Earlier this year a humble Māori Warden was nominated as a finalist at the national New Zealand Pride Awards, we talk with Huhana (Susan) Tūkaki about her service as a Warden which spans nearly two decades.
He Ringa Raupā: Tauwiratanga Hita
Tauwiratanga Hita is a Māori warden who for over 25 years, has been helping her community since becoming a teacher's aide at Bream Bay College in Ruakākā.
In this edition we catch up with this industrious lady from the North to learn a little bit more about her.
Wharekauri: First Time Encounter
Diana Kawana regional co-ordinator for Wellington, Kāpiti, Horowhenua and Manawatū visited Wharekauri for the first-time. As we catch up with her we find out a little bit more about the rural island.
Murihiku Māori Wardens Win Supreme Community Award
Murihiku Māori Wardens have taken out the Supreme Award at the 2015 Trustpower Invercargill Southland Community Awards.
Wardens Provide Event Leadership at National Kapa Haka Competitions
Five thousand people watched 47 primary and intermediate schools at the National Primary Kapa Haka competitions held at the Palmerston North Arena Centre in November.
South Auckland whānau complete unique financial literacy course
Whānau members from South Auckland have completed a unique financial literacy course funded by the Commission for Financial Capability to enable whānau to better manage their finances.
One Community, Two Schools, 300 Whānau - Kaiti School and Te Kura Reo Rua o Waikirikiri
When Kāiti School and Te Kura Reo Rua o Waikirikiri identified low whānau engagement as a barrier to education achievement for their tamariki, they evaluated their mahi and investigated various models for whānau engagement – resulting in a hugely successful collaborative approach.
Māori Housing Network Fund giving hand up to motivated Māori
Māori lag far behind non-Māori in homeowner stats, but a new housing strategy known as the Māori Housing Network Fund could help Māori families find new homes, but it’s difficult to get in on the strategy. One of the criteria is having a legal entity.
Living life to the fullest
“I was working at Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao when I got my Breast Cancer diagnosis. The whole process was traumatic and it took a huge toll on my body. It was brutal and I was exhausted but it was during that time I realised what a taonga our health is and I wanted to fight for mine”, explains Barbie.
Instead of being held captive by fear and pain, Barbie decided to take control of her health and wellbeing. This new focus meant Barbie began to think about the steps she would take to build the strength she needed to battle her disease.
Health course ‘changed my life’ – A Te Arawa Whānau Ora Story
Rotorua man Victa Wilson feels like anything is possible after completing the Tane Takitu Ake programme run by Korowai Aroha.
Mr Wilson, 47, recently graduated from the 10-week programme and was one of six participants who committed themselves to enhancing their health through exercise and nutritional advice.”I am just happy and it’s given me a springboard to help myself and help others”, Mr Wilson explained.
Winners of Haka! Whiti Te Rā! Draw
Two lucky Kōkiritia readers won a copy of the English version or te Reo Māori version of Patricia Grace’s Haka! and Whiti Te Rā!
Local people providing local solutions
A small band of young local Whanganui Māori are part of the clean-up effort of the area. We talk to one of the young home-grown men about the experience.
Science can be a powerful ally
Māori have a strong and active presence in New Zealand’s primary industries, and the New Zealand government has identified key actions for realising the potential of Māori land and water assets through its He kai kei aku ringa strategy and action plan.
They were all our sons
All Our Sons, a new Taki Rua Production and written by Witi Ihimaera, opened last Friday at Circa Theatre to a full house of over 240.
Emergency Management Resource Finalist at Māori Language Awards
A combined regional effort by different government agencies based in Hastings has earned them a spot at the national Māori Language Awards to be held in Napier later this year.
Big business for Māori Economy in China
Successful businesses representing New Zealand’s $42 billion and growing Māori economy are represented in a trade delegation that left for China and Hong Kong last week. The delegation was led by Māori Development Minister Hon Te Ururoa Flavell.
Māori ICT Fund Expert Advisory Group to hold workshops
The Māori ICT Fund expert Advisory Group will hold four workshops to discuss priorities for the new $30m fund supporting Māori economic development and digital initiatives for Māori language and culture.
Celebrating 35 years of Māori Squash
Rangatahi and kaumatua from across Aotearoa descended upon Tauranga Moana over the Labour weekend to compete against familiar foes in the 35th Nga Hau e Whā National Māori Squash Tournament.
Whakamaua kia tina!
In this edition of Mai i te Toihautū, Michelle Hippolite introduces our four outcome areas – Whakapapa (Identity), Oranga (Wellbeing), Whairawa (Prosperity), and Whanaungatanga (Relationships).
Seeking the cream of the crop - Ahuwhenua Young Māori Dairy Farmer competition entries open
Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the Year 2015, Hannah Wallace is urging all young Māori farmers to enter the 2016 competition.
40 years – Waitangi Tribunal
This month staff and judges acknowledged the 40th anniversary of the Waitangi Tribunal. Māori Development Minister Flavell joined the celebrations via video conference from China to thank the Waitangi Tribunal for their hard work. He paid tribute to the late Matiu Rata for his role in establishing the Waitangi Tribunal.
Te Pātaka a Te Ururoa
In this edition, Minister Flavell mentions his recent trade mission to China and Hong Kong representing the Māori Taniwha economy. He also recalls last month’s visit to Te Tairāwhiti.
Future leaders - willing and able to foot it with the best in the world
How do we capture and utilise the entrepreneurial and innovative skills of young Māori to drive our economic trade and development?
That’s the question posed at several hui I have recently attended and I am pleased to say the answer was standing right in front of us.
A discussion of the future of Māori industry
Indigenous trade partnerships on a global-scale and transformational fisheries models were among subjects put before Māori business and industry leaders over the two day programme at the fifth annual conference Ngā Whetū Hei Whai - Charting Pathways for Māori Industry Futures.
TPK launches ‘Understanding whānau-centred approaches’ report
Te Puni Kōkiri launched the Understanding whānau-centred approach report earlier this month, a report focusing on the key findings and learnings of whānau-centred approaches used in the first three years of the Whānau Ora initiative.
Minister opens Te Uru Rangi Māori web development scholarship
Minister for Māori Development, Hon Te Ururoa Flavell was thrilled to open the Te Uru Rangi last month, a scholarship to support Māori students entering the technology industry.
Meet the new CE of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori
The Kōkiritia team recently spoke with the newly appointed Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori – Ngahiwi Apanui.
Vital words – Ngā Kupu Ora Aotearoa
Te Puni Kōkiri is proud to be associated with three of this year’s 15 finalists – one of which won its category. Finalists were selected from an overall pool of 60 Māori books.
Haka! Whiti Te Rā!
Read about Patricia Grace’s Haka! Whiti Te Rā! And find out how you could win a copy her new children’s book.
Māori succeeding as Māori - Always
Forty-three years ago the Māori Language Petition was presented to Parliament.
The petition was presented by Ngā Tamatoa, and supported the teaching of Māori language and culture in schools. The petition was among the first of many turning-points for the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori; embedding it as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s official languages, and into our sense of nationhood and identity.
Governance and Financial Literacy Training
In November 2014 two pilot workshops were held in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) and Te Papaioea (Palmerston North) that offered targeted governance and financial literacy training to Māori Wardens.
The Pride Of Our Community
Māori Warden Thomas Henry is often thanked when he picks up a child off the street and drops them home, but occasionally he isn’t.
Tāmaki Wardens Praised For Work At Cricket World Cup
At a ceremony held at the Auckland Town Hall in May this year, North Shore and Tāmaki Māori Wardens were acknowledged for their work during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
Ōtepoti creating more Māori Wardens
Dunedin will soon have a group of more than 20 Māori wardens taking turns patrolling the streets at night and during big events.
Keeping The Situation Cool
Often a calm reassuring word from a respected person is all it takes to diffuse a situation that has the potential to get out of hand.
Rolling with the Governor General Kahungunu style
For the first time in 30 years Kohupātiki Marae in Hastings hosted Governor General Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Matepārae signalling a four-day tour across the region.
Got Any Good Warden Stories? Or Story Tips?
If you know something that a Warden has done that is great for the community, know of anyone who has accomplished something great or is just a really amazing person – we want to hear from you!
Contact your nearest Te Puni Kōkiri regional co-ordinator and we will work to get them featured in the next quarterly edition of Aroha ki te Tangata.
He Kupu nā Te Rau
It has been over three years since the last edition and it’s great to have it back to profile the fantastic work that Māori Wardens continue to do in our rural and urban communities and beyond the marae gates.
Toitū te whenua, toitū te mana, toitū te reo
Our land and our language are important markers of Māori identity, these are also the focus of two important pieces of legislation which will be introduced into Parliament in the next year.
Whiriwhiria ngā taonga tuku iho, e arahina koe i tō mahi
In its 40th year since the first Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, rangatahi Māori, rangatahi Pākehā stood as leaders and advocates of te reo Māori.
Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori announced a new study investigating the health of the Māori language in homes and communities.
Professor Rawinia Higgins – Māori Language Revitalisation
Te reo Māori has had an official language status since 1987 from this date a number of positive initiatives, kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa Māori, the setup of Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori the Māori Language Commission, iwi radio and more recently Māori Television.
Te Reo Waiātarere o Tautoro - Promoting reo in Tautoro homes and whānau
Tautoro, a settlement just out of Kaikohe, Te Taitokerau proudly launched ‘Te Reo Waiātarere o Tautoro’ at Mahuhukiterangi marae.
Pikihuia Awards Shortlist Announced
The 2015 Pikihuia Awards shortlist has been announced by the Māori Literature Trust.
How we see Māori Art
Dr Rangihiroa Panoho has over two decades of experience as a curator and art historian specialising in Māori, Pacific, New Zealand and international indigenous art.
Te Reo Māori - when whānau use it we won't lose it
Whānau have a key role in revitalising te reo Māori in our homes and communities.
Tangata Whenua wins RSNZ award
Te Puni Kōkiri congratulates authors of Tangata Whenua: an Illustrated History Atholl Anderson FRSNZ, the late Dame Judith Binney FRSNZ and Aroha Harris, whose book won the 2015 Royal Society of New Zealand Science Book Prize.
Can you help identify these Officers of Second Māori Contingent 1915?
Dr Monty Soutar’s research into Māori in the First World War has unearthed some great finds.
Subscribe to Kōkiri for your free reo resource
The next edition of Kōkiri magazine will be distributed in ahead of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori in July. Subscribe now and you will also receive a copy of Kei Roto i te Whare.
Ahuwhenua: long tradition of Māori excellence in farming
The Ahuwhenua Trophy continues its long tradition of upholding Māori excellence in farming, and for many incorporations, trusts, and whānau – it remains the pre-eminent accolade to win in farming.
Matariki – Huarahi ki te oranga tangata
This edition of Kōkiritia comes to you under the auspice of Matariki - the whānau marama that signals the start of a New Year.
Matariki signals time to reflect and plan
Tēnā tātou katoa,
Matariki is a time to reflect on those who have passed over in the last year and a time to consider how we can best honour their legacy. There have been many key figures in our whānau and tribe, indeed across the motu, who are no longer with us, we owe it to them to continue on with their mahi to strengthen ourselves as a people.
Tāmaki Makaurau Māori Homelessness Wananga
Te Puni Kōkiri invites people to come along and support this exciting and vibrant event during the Māori New Year – Matariki. The Tāmaki-makau-rau Homeless wānanga is a first time event to be held in Auckland to address the social and cultural needs but more importantly the day-to-day needs of our homeless Māori whānau in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland. This will be held between July 2 – 3.
$49.8m boost for Whānau Ora navigators
Hon Te Ururoa Flavell
Te Minita Whānau Ora
Minister for Whānau Ora
$12.8m for new Te Ture Whenua Māori Network
Hon Te Ururoa Flavell
Te Minita Whanaketanga Māori
Minister for Māori Development
$2.1m for rangatahi Māori suicide prevention
Hon Te Ururoa Flavell
Te Minita Whanaketanga Māori
Minister for Māori Development
$35.3m invested to improve Māori housing
Hon Te Ururoa Flavell
Te Minita Whanaketanga Māori
Minister for Māori Development
Out of the realm of Tū and into the realm of Rongo
Recent Anzac Day commemorations rang home a few home truths for me this year. I spent the day in Uawa-Tolaga Bay. The East Coast community hosted a programme which valued acts of peace on a day felt by veterans and their families, long after the wars.
Ahuwhenua Trophy winner announced end of this month
The three finalist farms competition for the 2015 Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Māori Excellence in Farming Award for sheep and beef farming have each hosted their field days.
Tē tōia, tē haumatia
Tēnā koutou
As many of you are aware Whānau Ora is high profile mahi of Te Puni Kōkiri, and two reports in the space of a week has put this innovative approach to providing social services to whānau and families in the spotlight.
Is tax taking too much of your time?
At a time when you can use your cell phone to order a movie or buy a plane ticket the Government thinks that Inland Revenue can do much more to make your tax simpler.
Share your views about the content of the next census
For the first time, New Zealanders are being encouraged to go online to say what they think should be asked in the next census, with a new online discussion forum on www.stats.govt.nz
Get ready for the big NZ ShakeOut
The recent earthquake in Nepal, and a few shakes here at home, remind us we must be mindful to the reality that we live astride a fault-line.
New website The Hub for information
The Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (Superu), formerly the Families Commission, recently launched The Hub.
Committing to more te reo Māori on waves
It’s been a long journey for the Sea92 radio station to transition from a community radio station – going for eight years – into a fully-fledged regional iwi radio station that will transmit airwaves across the Bay of Plenty region.
Te Matatini 2017 preparations begin – dates announced
Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival 2017 will be held 22-26 February 2017 in Takitimu.
Maungarongo ki runga i te whenua: from swords to ploughshares
The Ngā Tapuwae o te Kāhui Maunga (the footsteps of the ancestors) – the gardens at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park draws together the shared heritage and unified futures of New Zealanders.
New resources tells stories of Waikato-Maniapoto veterans journey
There is a common perception that Waikato and Maniapoto refused service when New Zealand joined the war effort of 1914 – when in fact many young men signed up.
Hautū – Boards of Trustees leading Māori education success
Board of Trustees can now plan and assess their education aspirations for Māori in their communities, using a new tool Hautū.
Young Māori scholars: tū rangatira, stand strong, tall and proud
Five young Māori – honouring the contribution of their tipuna to the Gallipoli campaign, and displaying characteristics consistent with the 28th Māori Battalion soldiers – received scholarships for Undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral study.
Whānau Ora – social service innovation
Last week the New Zealand Productivity Commission released their report, “More Effective Social Services” which includes a case study about Whānau Ora. Today the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) tabled their Whānau Ora report in Parliament.
Powerful and exciting programme for the Māori Economy
Callaghan Innovation has announced the final programme for their Māori Economy Inspire event, which includes attendance from world leaders in innovation from Standford University.
Celebrating Māori writers
Photo caption: Executive Directors and owners of Huia Publishers, Brian Morris (far right) and Eboni Waitere (second from right), are ardent advocates and supporters of Māori literature and Māori authors. Huia Publishers have been telling and publishing Māori stories for almost 24 years.
As well as being an award-winning publisher, Huia initiated the Pikihuia Awards for Māori writers to celebrate and develop Māori writing and to showcase Māori literature. The 11th Pikihuia Awards are now open and close on 31 May 2015.
Kei wareware tātou - he haerenga whakahōnore.
This Anzac Day will mark a hundred years since New Zealand troops first descended upon Gallipoli, Turkey in World War 1.
Deputy Chief Executive Fiona McBeath will be among the two thousand New Zealand strong delegation to attend the Anzac commemorations on April 25.
"A person with tikanga and values, takes their responsibilities seriously"
Mere has been a public servant all of her working career with the last 23 years as Te Puni Kōkiri Regional Manager for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti. Although being a public servant wasn’t her first career choice.
He Toa Takitini - Servant Leadership
When talking with Tui Marsh, Te Puni Kōkiri Regional Manager for Te Tai Tokerau, you quickly get the sense that her life has always been dedicated to giving back to our people.
Kei Wareware Tātou. Lest We Forget.
We remember the fallen of World War I. The New Zealand Government developed a programme to mark the First World War centenary from 2014-2018. The WW100 programme aims to foster appreciation and remembrance of how the First World War affected our nation and its place in the world both at the time and beyond.
Just over 100,000 New Zealanders served overseas, from a population then of barely one million. Of those, more than 18,000 died and over 40,000 were wounded. Most were young men, and nearly one in five who served did not return.
The events of 1914-1918 affected more than those who served overseas – they touched nearly every New Zealand family, every community, school, and workplace. In nearly every New Zealand community, large or small, have a memorial marking the First World War. In many marae and dining halls a Roll of Honour reminds us all of the contribution of Ngāi Māori to the war effort.
First World War Centenary Panel member Dr Monty Soutar, historian and author of Ngā Tama Toa: The Price of Citizenship reflects on the events which led to the establishment of the Māori Contingent/Te Hokowhitu-a-Tū and offers some whakaaro that we might bear in mind as we look ahead and beyond the centenary programme.
Tukutuku weaves Ngāi Māori into world's tapestry
Tēnā tātou katoa,
I am thrilled that some of the tukutuku panels that were created for the UN Headquarters in New York now grace the walls in our parliamentary complex.
Mai i te Toihautū
This Anzac Day, New Zealanders both here at home and overseas will honour the service and sacrifice of those who fought, and we will also tell the stories of the great majority of people who remained at home. This year, we will continue to mark the First World War centenary, reflecting on how WWI affected our nation and our sense of identity.
Make sure you're in the loop
Te Puni Kōkiri produces daily and monthly online news services: subscribe and receive regular news about Māori development; follow our updates on Facebook, and; promote your initiatives and events FOR FREE on Rauika, our online events calendar.
Kōrero on Careers
Careers New Zealand will use the Tairāwhiti Careers expo in Gisborne later this month to help whānau have better conversation with their rangatahi about careers.
There’s an app for that – connect with your Whanganui Iwi
Five Whanganui rangatahi worked together creating an app helping their Whanganui iwi to connect and share what they’re up to.
Iwi Working Group 2015 Review Hui
The 2015 Review of the Māori Fisheries Settlement Structures was completed earlier this month.
Ahuwhenua Trophy – 2015 finalists to be announced
Next week the Minister for Primary Industries Hon Nathan Guy will host the announcement of finalists for the Ahuwhenua Trophy.
Young film-maker going to Japan
Last year’s winner of a sustainability film challenge award Te Puni Kōkiri sponsors is taking her film to the prestigious Japan Wildlife Film Festival later in August.
Te Whakahura a Kupe – generate profiles of your iwi and rohe
Our interactive tool Te Whakahura a Kupe allows you to draw on census information for iwi and rohe; generating profiles that build a powerful story about iwi and rohe.
“An exciting time for Māori development – and I want to be a part of that” – Willis Katene
Meet Willis Katene (Ngāti Toa, Ngā Ruahinerangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) the new Regional Manager for Te Tai Hauāuru. No stranger to hard work, when asked what she is most looking forward to in her new role, the tertiary education practitioner is nothing but upbeat about what lies ahead.
Te Matatini: secure, confident and expert in our own language and culture.
He Ngakau Aroha – ‘A Loving Heart’ was the theme of this auspicious biennal event – Te Matatini held recently in Te Waipounamu. The theme was to acknowledge the manaaki and whanaungatanga expressed to Christchurch following the earthquakes.
Te Whānau a Apanui Winners of 2015 Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival
Te Kapa Haka o Te Whānau a Apanui from the Mataatua – Eastern Bay of Plenty region were judged outright winners of Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival in Christchurch this afternoon.
Author Tina Makereti discusses 'this thing called writing'
Kōkiritia interviews Tina Makereti as she prepares for TIBE15 and discovers why she finds being a Māori author so rewarding.
Māori Writers To Attend 2015 Taipei Book Fair, Taiwan
Three accomplished Māori writers will feature at the 2015 Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE15) in Taiwan as part of the delegation from New Zealand.
Te Pātaka a Te Ururoa
E te rangatira o Porou iwi, haere atu rā! Haere ki te huinga o te kahurangi ki Hawaiki nui, Hawaiki roa, Hawaiki pāmamao. Waiho mā ngā iwi koe hei mihi, hei tangi, hei tuku ki te kōpū o Papatūānuku. Ka auē te iwi Māori, ka auē te ao katoa.
For several years, I have made the pilgrimage to Waitangi in the first week of February to commemorate and celebrate the birthplace of our nation. I have gone to listen to the kōrero, understand the nawe and reflect on how far we have come in honouring the promises made in Te Tiriti.
Mai i te Toihautū
Kua waipuke te riu o Waiapu i ngā roimata o Ngāti Porou, o te ao Māori, o Aotearoa ki te rangatira rongonui ki a Tākuta Apirana Mahuika. E Api, takoto mai i te poho o tō whānau, o tō hapū, o tō iwi, takoto mai, takoto mai, takoto mai rā. Ā, ko te wairua aroha, ko te wairua kaha i whakatō ki roto i tō whānau, i tō hapū, i tō iwi i tēnei wā taimaha.
This edition of Kōkiritia follows the 175th anniversary of signing Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This milestone represents an opportunity for us all to reflect on how far we have come as a nation, and consider our aspirations for Aotearoa New Zealand as we look ahead to the future.
Mai i te Toihautu
Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Michelle Hippolite talks about the key events ahead this year.
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā maunga whakahī, tēnā koutou katoa
Ngā mihi nunui o te tau 2015.
Urban migration stories create taonga for whānau
“Whāia te iti kahurangi, right?” These are the words of Erin Keenan (Te Ātiawa) when she was conferred with her doctorate degree in History from Victoria University of Wellington at her graduation ceremony in December 2014.
2015 New Year’s Honours
Te Puni Kōkiri pays tribute to the recipients of the New Year Honour’s 2015.
Hanga i te whare: Laying Solid Foundations for Business Innovation
Ōtautahi business Mr Box is transforming how foundations are built. Featuring a patented system which reduces costs, man-hours, and every part is lightweight and 100 percent recyclable.