Our stories and media

Feature stories, media statements, speeches and more.

Pae Aronui: A new initiative that supports rangatahi to thrive

  • Date: 20 December 2018

“We are seeking innovative approaches to enhance learning and earning outcomes for rangatahi Māori aged 15-24 through a new initiative, Pae Aronui,” Te Puni Kōkiri spokesperson Nicky Birch announced today.

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Section 8I Report – More meaningful and transparent says Minister

  • Date: 12 December 2018

The Section 8I Report is the first opportunity to track the progress our Government is making against the Waitangi Tribunal’s recommendations, Māori Development Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta said today. 

The Māori Development Minister is required annually to table this report in Parliament. This year it will take on a new format.

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Supporting Māori into home ownership

  • Date: 05 December 2018

PĀNUI PĀPAHO | MEDIA STATEMENT

Around 30 whānau in the Manawatū region are a step closer to owning their own home,” says Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Michelle Hippolite.

 

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New home ownership trials underway to help whānau

  • Date: 14 November 2018

More innovative trials to assist low-income whānau to move towards owning their own homes were announced today by Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Michelle Hippolite.

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Marae emergency project winner at international awards

  • Date: 05 November 2018

A marae emergency project has taken out two awards at this year’s 66th International Association for Emergency Managers (IAEM) Awards in Michigan, USA.

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Doors open to new papakāinga in Wairarapa

  • Date: 05 November 2018

A new papakāinga housing development has opened its doors in Wairarapa for the descendants of Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae, located 10km east of Carterton.

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Papakāinga provides refuge in time of need

  • Date: 08 October 2018

One year on from the Edgecumbe floods local whānau in urgent need of a place to live will now benefit from new papakāinga housing at Kokohinau Marae. Bringing forward of plans for their papakāinga development to help whānau in ongoing need will provide whanau with the help they need to rebuild and move forward.

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Whānau wellbeing behind urban Hastings papakāinga

  • Date: 02 October 2018

The importance of whānau could not be more evident than at a new papakāinga in Hastings.

The Tawhai whānau have traversed a significant journey to realise the aspirations of their parents, Te Hore and Ngaikiha Tawhai, by developing a legacy for future generations including more than 100 tamariki and mokopuna.

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Tu Kaha mobile classroom changing the lives of rangatahi

  • Date: 11 September 2018

Te Puni Kōkiri has partnered with Tu Kaha Foundation to deliver an educational values programme to rangatahi focusing on great decision-making and building resilient leaders through a purpose-built mobile classroom. 

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Mahuru Māori – Te marama o te reo Māori

  • Date: 04 September 2018

Hei tā te Toihautū o Te Puni Kōkiri, hei tā Michelle Hippolite, kei te koa Te Puni Kōkiri ki te tautoko i te Mahuru Māori, arā, he kaupapa tēnā e akiaki ana i te tangata ki te kōrero i te reo Māori anake i te marama o Mahuru.

Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Michelle Hippolite says the Ministry is proud to support Mahuru Māori – an initiative that challenges people to only speak te reo Māori for the month of September.

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More housing for whānau in Ōpotiki

  • Date: 03 September 2018

A new project to provide more housing in Ōpotiki will make it easier for whānau and residents of Ōpotiki to find temporary and emergency housing.

Whakaatu Whanaunga Trust recently gathered to formally bless the whenua before construction and building was to commence on the housing site.

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Suicide prevention video series

  • Date: 16 August 2018

This four part video series includes important kōrero around encouraging resilience and sharing what you are feeling.

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Earthquake response leads to ongoing relationship with New Zealand Red Cross in Kaikōura

  • Date: 15 August 2018

The relationship was a natural fit since the organisations have similar kaupapa - to provide support to the Kaikōura community.

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Maihi Karauna sets Crown direction for language revitalisation

  • Date: 02 August 2018

All New Zealanders are invited to give feedback on the Maihi Karauna - the Crown's draft strategy for Māori language revitalisation 2018 – 2023.

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2018 Ahuwhenua Trophy Dinner

  • Date: 29 July 2018

Video coverage from the 2018 Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Māori Excellence in Farming Award dinner.

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Harepaora Ngaheu winner of the 2018 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award

  • Date: 29 July 2018

The 2018 winner of the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award is twenty six-year-old Harepaora Ngaheu from Te Teko in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Proudly sponsored by Te Puni Kōkiri.

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2018 Ahuwhenua Trophy Award Winner – Onuku Māori Lands Trust

  • Date: 29 July 2018

2018 Ahuwhenua Trophy Award Winner Onuku Māori Lands Trust. Proudly sponsored by Te Puni Kōkiri.

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2018 Ahuwhenua Trophy Competition Finalist – Mawhera Incorporation

  • Date: 29 July 2018

2018 Ahuwhenua Trophy Competition Finalist Mawhera Incorporation. Proudly sponsored by Te Puni Kōkiri.

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2018 Gold sponsor Te Puni Kōkiri – Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Māori Excellence in Farming Award

  • Date: 26 July 2018

Hear from Te Puni Kōkiri Regional Manager David Ormsby of Te Waipounamu acknowledge the farmers up for this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy.

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Te Tairāwhiti drivers become legal beagle

  • Date: 25 July 2018

More than 50 whānau and rangatahi completed their restricted or full licenses with help through the Tairāwhiti REAP Graduated Driver Licencing programme. It was the fourth intake of students since the programme started in 2017.

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PopUp business gives sisters the push they need

  • Date: 11 July 2018

Sisters Karla and Nicole Hogan (Ngāti Porou, Rongomaiwahine. Ngāti Kahungunu) says PopUp Business Aotearoa is giving the whānau-owned startup the drive and confidence they need to follow their passion.

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Pūhoro STEM Academy - Equipping the leaders of tomorrow

  • Date: 06 July 2018

“The type of environment we have at school doesn’t cater to my needs or disabilities, but when I’m here at Pūhoro it doesn’t matter because they have a culture of belonging. We’re engaged because we belong and that leads to success,” said Ella Cameron-Smith, who has been a part of the Pūhoro STEM Academy since its inception in 2016.

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Future bright for Rangatahi Māori in STEM fields

  • Date: 04 July 2018

Thanks to programmes like Pūhoro STEM Academy, rangatahi are rising above and beyond expectations and challenging negative stereotypes about Māori in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). 

“Not only are Pūhoro students disrupting the narrative regarding Māori student NCEA science achievement, but they are also trailblazers in their own whānau,” says director, Naomi Manu.

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Developing Māori leaders in an emerging market on their own land

  • Date: 27 June 2018

New Zealand Manuka Group is a medium-sized Whakatāne-based primary industry business operating in partnership with Māori land owners in the Bay of Plenty to produce manuka oil straight from manuka trees being grown on Māori owned land.

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Honeys of Te Urewera only the start

  • Date: 26 June 2018

Every morning, Brenda Tahi wakes up in the valley of Ruatāhuna, and pours herself a hot cup of lime and honey sourced from the pristine Te Urewera forest that surrounds her home.

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Hawkes Bay rangatahi gather for rangatahi suicide prevention

  • Date: 20 June 2018

Nearly 150 rangatahi from schools around the Hawkes Bay region attended the third Au.E! rangatahi suicide prevention conference at Pettigrew Green Arena in Napier in June.

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Ngāpuhi Runanga & Te Puni Kōkiri Partnership Bears Fruit

  • Date: 20 June 2018

On Friday 22 June, over 100 fruit trees will be delivered to Ngāpuhi whānau living in the rural mid-north.

This planting and food supply initiative is part of the Rural Regeneration programme and partnership between the Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi and Te Puni Kōkiri to provide practical help and support to vulnerable Ngāpuhi whānau living in the rural areas of the Hokianga, Horeke, Otaua, Waima and Tautoro.

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Historic Māori magazines get new lease of life online

  • Date: 11 June 2018

New Zealanders will soon have more access to historic Māori magazines thanks to a new agreement between the National Library of New Zealand, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori and Te Puni Kōkiri.

"The pages of Te Kaea, Tū Tangata and He Muka are filled with rich content that give us insight into Māori perspectives in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Seeing them all digitised and made available online will give those ideas and perspectives a new lease of life." says Minister for Māori Development Nanaia Mahuta. 

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Te Puni Kōkiri applauds whānau papakāinga

  • Date: 01 June 2018

A new papakāinga opening in Hastings today will turn dreams into reality for generations of one whānau says Deputy Chief Executive Regional Partnerships, Di Grennell.

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Te Puni Kōkiri congratulates 'super stars' of Māori agribusiness

  • Date: 30 May 2018

Māori agribusiness excellence was on show in spades as the winners of the 2018 Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Māori Excellence in Farming and Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Awards were announced. Te Puni Kōkiri is a proud supporter of the awards. 

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$7 million for Whenua Māori Programme

  • Date: 21 May 2018

As part of the Government's commitment to fit-for-purpose services for Māori land owners, $7 million has been set aside for the Whenua Māori Programme in Budget 2018.

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$15 million for housing repairs and papakāinga

  • Date: 18 May 2018

As part of the Government’s approach to addressing housing issues in New Zealand, $15 million has been set aside in Budget 18 for Māori housing repair projects and papakāinga.

“Our strong focus on housing as a Government will reach whānau, hapū, iwi and rōpū – we are targeting homelessness, increasing public housing, improving the quality of rental homes, building affordable homes, and looking for partnership opportunities," says Minister Mahuta. 

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A man on a mission to bring people together

  • Date: 17 May 2018

Standing up from his seat, Toko Kapea pulls out a map and holds it up high, letting the sheet unfold and roll down to the ground, revealing the Te Tai Hauāuru region.

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From learning to earning in Kaikohe

  • Date: 17 May 2018

The Government is working with local community champions: Te Kotahitanga E Mahi Kaha Trust from Kaikohe, He Iwi Kotahi Tātou Trust from Moerewa, Te Hau Awhiowhio O Otangarei Trust from Whangārei, and Waitomo Papakāinga Development Society Incorporated from Kaitāia to deliver the pilot programme for Taiohi Ararau - Passport to Life. 

"It is important for me that we ensure all rangatahi can engage on a pathway to employment, skills development and further opportunities," says Minister Jackson. 

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Keeping Mitimiti going one tree at a time

  • Date: 17 May 2018

Just down the road from the small settlement of Mitimiti in Northland, you can hear the buzz of trucks and logging machines working the pine trees.

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Funding will move rangatahi Māori from learning to earning

  • Date: 17 May 2018

$14 million in Budget ‘18 has been set aside to support outcomes for rangatahi Māori that enhance their education and employment opportunities.

"We want to help rangatahi Māori overcome the challenges preventing them from fulfilling their potential.  This funding will be focused on identifying the enabling factors that motivate rangatahi towards greater and more meaningful goals for them, and more enduring outcomes overall for their whānau," says Minister Mahuta. 

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New funding to support Māori Wardens work with disengaged rangatahi

  • Date: 16 May 2018

$1 million in Budget 2018 has been set aside for Māori Wardens to support outcomes for rangatahi Māori that will enhance their education and employment opportunities.

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Got an idea to boost the Māori economy? Apply for funding now.

  • Date: 02 May 2018

People with bold, innovative ideas for Māori economic development can apply to the He kai kei aku ringa Fund. 

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New interim Māori Warden Warranting process ensures consistency throughout the motu

  • Date: 27 April 2018

Mā whero mā pango ka oti ai te mahi

With red and black the work will be complete

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Auckland tamariki are growing confidence and learning about healthy living through dance

  • Date: 24 April 2018

Lleuarne Panoho spends her week dancing with tamariki from lower decile Auckland schools and it is making a difference to their confidence, self-identity and well-being.

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New papakāinga supports whānau displaced by the Edgecumbe floods

  • Date: 20 April 2018

“I am proud to able to support this papakāinga project. We are focused on better working with communities, government agencies and local authorities to support the aspirations of iwi and rōpū Māori," says Chief Executive Regional Partnerships, Di Grennell regarding the opening of a new papakāinga for whānau displaced by the Edgecumbe floods. 

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Pacific Training Workshop: An opportunity for indigenous collaboration

  • Date: 03 April 2018

"We are looking for people with an interest in influencing international decisions on the environment; and joining a network of indigenous environmental monitors", says Tui Shortland, co-host of the Pacific Regional Training workshop on traditional knowledge.

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Taiohi Ararau | Passport to Life Launched

  • Date: 21 March 2018

Minister Willie Jackson says it is important we ensure all rangatahi can engage on a pathway to employment, skills development and further opportunities. 

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New office helps Te Puni Kōkiri serve more Māori communities

  • Date: 19 March 2018

Te Puni Kōkiri is opening its new Te Upoko o Te Ika office in Porirua today, where it can serve more whānau in Te Tai Hauāuru, says regional manager Willis Katene.

“We are so pleased to be opening a modern, new office in a vibrant and thriving hub like Porirua – in the heart of Te Upoko o te Ika,” she says.

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E tipu, e rea: A garden for growing and uniting

  • Date: 08 March 2018

“Running our māra has been a great experience but I didn’t know a thing about gardening to save myself when I started,” Larissa Cox-Winiata remembers the early days of a māra kai that is now flourishing on the grounds of an Ōtautahi school.

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Te Puni Kōkiri pays tribute to wāhine who fought for the vote

  • Date: 07 March 2018

Te Puni Kōkiri Acting Chief Executive, Di Grennell, says it is important to acknowledge the contribution and influence of Māori women in the suffrage movement.

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New housing development builds community spirit

  • Date: 02 March 2018

A new marae based housing development in Christchurch is about building communities as much as building houses says Te Puni Kōkiri Regional Manager, Te Waipounamu, David Ormsby.

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Regional Manager keen to support all Māori in Te Waipounamu

  • Date: 01 March 2018

David Ormsby manages an agile and well-networked team that looks after the largest of the six Te Puni Kōkiri regions – Te Waipounamu. He reflects on being the Regional Manager since 2003 at the Ministry for Māori Development in the South Island.

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Registrations open for World Indigenous Business Forum in Rotorua

  • Date: 26 February 2018

Māori business leaders are encouraged to sign up for the 9th annual World Indigenous Business Forum as Rotorua gears up to host the international event.

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Te Puni Kōkiri commends Council’s te reo Māori commitment

  • Date: 20 February 2018

“I applaud Wellington City Council on its goal to make the Capital city, a te reo Māori city. Most people in the world, and certainly in the globe’s capital cities, speak at least two languages. We can do it too,” says Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Michelle Hippolite.

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Premier of documentary on Bros for Change

  • Date: 19 February 2018

A new documentary showcases the journey of eight male rangatahi on their journey to self-discovery, through the unique initiative 'Bros for Change' in Te Waipounamu. 

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Thriving in an authentic Māori learning environment

  • Date: 19 February 2018

The aim of Te Pā o Rākaihautū is to nurture the whole person; a-tīnana, a-hinengaro, a-wairua, a-whānau so that they stand with strength, pride, passion and purpose.

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Marae tell their own stories through virtual reality

  • Date: 16 February 2018

Iwi, hapū and Māori communities throughout the country are taking up the unique opportunity to carry out 3D scanning and point cloud visualisations of taonga tūturu and marae.

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A "magical wairua" at Ngāpuhi festival

  • Date: 16 February 2018

“The wairua was magical, there were lots of kids running around with their faces painted, eating ice cream and playing on the giant water slide,” says Kayla Hollis, who was one of 15,000 people that attended the Ngāpuhi Festival in Whangarei in January.

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Sitting down for a cuppa tea with the Prime Minister

  • Date: 16 February 2018

Everyone enjoys sitting down for a chat with friends and whānau over a nice cuppa tea including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who did so with a group of Māori Wardens at Waitangi.

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Waitangi Day sets good tone for future

  • Date: 16 February 2018

Waitangi Day commemorations are taking place in more and more communities, as more people consider the history of Aotearoa-New Zealand and the way it shapes our future.

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Marae whānau show their competitive edge

  • Date: 16 February 2018

 After countless competitions on and off the field, Hinemaurea ki Wharekahika marae has come out on top, winning this year’s Ngāti Porou Pā Wars held in Ruatōria.

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Te Puni Kōkiri hosts Australian indigenous business delegation

  • Date: 16 February 2018

Australian Indigenous and Māori business leaders realise they both face similar barriers.

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Camp inspires rangatahi to protect environment

  • Date: 15 February 2018

A camp that connects rangatahi to the environment is opening the eyes and minds of Ngāti Porou descendants.

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Kaumātua urges whānau to speak up about health

  • Date: 15 February 2018

After collapsing a few years ago, a kaumātua who works for PHARMAC is encouraging whānau to speak up about their key concerns in Māori health.

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Mass haka to welcome fleet of waka

  • Date: 15 February 2018

About a thousand people in Wellington are gearing up to perform in a mass haka on the waterfront, to pōwhiri a dazzling fleet of ocean-voyaging waka.

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Helping rangatahi get into the ‘digi’ creative space

  • Date: 09 February 2018

Hori Mataki, creative lead for Ariki Creative and member of Te Ao Hangarau, is paving the way for rangatahi with an interest for digital technologies. In his words, Te Ao Hangarau is ‘setting up the change for rangatahi to build off our shoulders to get into the digi space’.

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