Latest news with #Manurewa
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Rugby: Final Ferns farewell before World Cup defence
The theme of the Black Ferns World Cup campaign is to 'be brave.' Coach Alan Bunting embodied this notion during their farewell at Manurewa Intermediate today, belting out a rendition of Dua Lipa's Levitating . His performance captured the energy of the goodbye perfectly, as the Ferns boogied away with their young fans before departing for their Rugby World Cup defence in England. Black Ferns (from left) Chryss Viliko, Tanya Kalounivale, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Jorja Miller and Braxton Sorenson McGee at today's farewell. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi Ferns fever ran absolutely rampant in South Auckland, as a deafening reception greeted the squad. Bunting said it was special to see the students so inspired by the Black Ferns. "I know that every one of these ladies here had someone to look up to and I know that for you to be her, you had to see her. These connections are vital to the Black Ferns heartbeat and we will take that with us." Black Ferns fever ran rampant at Manurewa Intermediate on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi Following formalities was a Q+A with members of the school's champion girls sevens team. Asked who inspired her on her rugby journey, flanker Jorja Miller responded "Probably Richie McCaw," which drew a bit of a groan from the audience, before she continued "and Portia Woodman", as the crowd erupted in cheers. "Do you ever get scared during a game?" prop Chryss Viliko was asked. "Of course, but you overcome that and find the joy in it." Manurewa Intermediate student asks Black Ferns a question during their World Cup farewell. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi The fitting final question went to prop Tanya Kalounivale: "What do you want all the kids who love to play rugby to know?" "Enjoy the little moments." A dance party then broke out with players, staff and students rocking out to Justin Bieber, Whitney Houston and Beyonce. But the Ferns know the serious stuff is just around the corner. "It's a bit daunting but I feel we have done the hard yards to get to this position, we are prepared for what's to and we have the support of our nation and that's all that matters," Kalounivale said. "We are all we have over there." Coach Alan Bunting addresses students at Manurewa Intermediate. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi It marks a debut tournament for fellow prop Viliko. "When I think about it I get emotional, I think about my family and the people I carry with me and who have supported me on my journey." She said it won't be just her whanau she carries to the United Kingdom. "We stand on the shoulders of the wahine toa who have played before us, we wouldn't be here without them." Manurewa Intermediate students in full voice as they farewell the Black Ferns ahead of their Rugby World Cup campaign. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi As for what 'being brave' looks like come World Cup time? "Putting our hand up, giving it a go, and playing with freedom." The quest to go back to back begins. Manurewa Intermediate pupils were excited to see the players on Wednesday. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
01-08-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
The Panel with Chris Wikaira and Leonie Freeman Part 1
Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Chris Wikaira and Leonie Freeman. To begin, it's D-Day for the US tariffs, and New Zealand has been hit with a 15% rate. This is a rise from the originally proposed 10%. Kate Acland, chair of Beef and Lamb NZ, joins the panel to unpack how much of an impat this will have on exports. Then, they revisit speed humps in Manurewa: are there too many, or is their presence justified? To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
31-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pacific families bear the brunt of public housing evictions
Local leaders comment on Kainga Ora housing data 31 07 2025 caption:Porirua councillor Moze Galo, Manurewa MP Arena Williams and Auckland councillor Angela Dalton are leading calls for government accountability over public housing policies affecting Pacific families. Photo: Kainga Ora/Auckland Council/Value Your Vote/Porirua Council Pacific families are being kicked out of public housing at disproportionate rates in Manurewa and Porirua, sparking calls for an urgent review of policy. New tenancy enforcement data shows Pacific families represent less than half of Kāinga tenants in Manurewa, but make up three-quarters of enforcement action. Porirua Councillor Moze Galo says the data is "heartbreaking". "These aren't just numbers. These are kids from our schools, our churches, our neighbourhoods. Losing a home affects everything," Galo says. "They lose routine, friendships, stability, and the comfort of their own space. In Pacific culture, the home is more than four walls. It's where we gather, teach values, and pass on identity. "When families are evicted, it's not just disruptive, it's traumatic." Homelessness is rising in Auckland, with leaders warning more Pacific youth are sleeping rough as families lose public housing. Photo: RNZ / Luke McPake Local leaders say the system is failing Pacific communities and are calling on the Government and Kāinga Ora to review its approach. Having worked in social housing at the Ministry of Social Development, Galo said he has seen first-hand how hard Pacific families fight to stay afloat. In Manurewa, Pacific peoples make up 46 per cent of Kāinga Ora tenants but received 75 per cent of all actions related to unpaid rent between January 2023 and May 2025, including terminations. Photo: In Porirua, Pacific tenants represented 46 per cent of tenants but made up 62 per cent of tenancy enforcement, including four of six terminations. Across both areas, Kāinga Ora issued 45 notices to end tenancies, took 43 cases to the Tribunal, and terminated eight households for non-payment of rent. Six of those terminations involved Pacific families. In total, 20 children lost their homes and more than 80 were affected by tenancy action, according to the data. Kāinga Ora defended its policies, saying evictions are a last resort. The organisation confirmed it has conducted no internal review of how its rent enforcement policies affect Pacific tenants. Galo says some families feel embarrassed to ask for help, and many are confused by the process. Families are trying to survive on low incomes, dealing with language barriers, cultural commitments and rising living costs, he says. "This isn't just a housing issue. For our Pacific communities, it's part of a bigger story of inequality and struggle." Housing Minister Chris Bishop confirmed the government had directed Kāinga Ora to take a tougher line on tenants with rent arrears or antisocial behaviour. "That's been a clear expectation that this government has set right from the start, and the stats show that Kāinga Ora has responded to that expectation," Bishop said. Bishop had not reviewed the ethnic breakdown, however a follow-up request for comment has been sent. Manurewa MP Arena Williams says the tenancy figures reflect the human cost of government policy. "We're seeing children kicked out of homes, and we don't know where they've gone because the government doesn't take that data." Williams said homelessness is rising in Manurewa, with local churches and social organisations reporting more Pacific youth sleeping rough. She said the figures show a stark lack of fairness in the way public housing policies are being applied. "Why aren't Kāinga Ora dealing with Pacific families in a way which is open to communication, open to being able to negotiate what's going on in the household?" Kāinga Ora national services manager Nick Maling says only a small number of tenancies had been ended in Manurewa and Porirua since the agency introduced a new rent debt approach in February 2025. "Since then, we have ended a small number of tenancies (eight) in Manurewa and Porirua. This does not reflect the significant work our teams have done to help tenants get back on track with their rent payments," Maling said. Kainga Ora houses caption: Kāinga Ora Housing - New figures show Pacific families face disproportionate tenancy enforcement in Manurewa and Porirua. Photo: Kāinga Ora Since February, Kāinga Ora has reduced rent debt for 179 tenancies across the two regions, including 101 Pacific households, he said. "Our frontline teams work hard to support all tenants to resolve tenancy issues, and we apply our policies in a fair and consistent way in communities around the country." He said engaging respectfully with Pacific tenants was a priority and households are supported with practical guidance. "We do not take the decision to end a tenancy lightly - especially when there are children or young people involved," he said. "We make every effort to help tenants resolve tenancy issues so they can remain in their home." If they do not address the issues, despite repeated efforts, Kāinga Ora will apply to end the tenancy as a last resort, he said. "If this happens, Kāinga Ora makes every effort to connect the tenant with appropriate housing options." Maling said the low number of tenancy terminations in Manurewa and Porirua meant small changes could result in large swings in percentage figures. 'We will not turn our back on them' Auckland councillor Angela Dalton, who chairs the Community Committee, said she found Kāinga Ora's response "clinical, cold and dismissive." "Do Kāinga Ora or MSD provide wraparound services like budgeting and social justice support to these families, who I am sure are working multiple jobs to make ends meet?" Dalton emphasised Auckland's 90 per cent rise in homelessness since 2024 and noted that Pacific and Māori women face additional discrimination when seeking housing. Galo has called for a formal equity review into Kāinga Ora's rent enforcement policies, urging that Pacific experts and families be at the centre of the process. "We need to dig deeper and understand why this is happening. But the review needs to be done with our people, not just about us." - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- RNZ News
More vehicles tearing up sports and park grounds across Auckland
Damage at the Whakanewha Regional Park. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Council There has been a spike in vehicles tearing up sports fields and parks across Auckland, making them unusable and costing thousands in ratepayers' money. Auckland Council said several sports fields have been targeted in the past month, with vandals in Manurewa and Ōrakei damaging grounds used by local clubs who play on the fields. General manager of parks and community Facilities Taryn Crewe said it is deeply frustrating. "It's disheartening to see behaviour that damages these spaces, especially when it means we have to divert funding from other projects-like planting, maintenance, or improving facilities-to cover repairs," she said. Damage to the pitch at Mountfort Park. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Council Crewe said most of the vandalism happened in the wetter winter months, when tracks and fields were more easily damaged, and quieter conditions gave irresponsible behaviour better cover. The council also reported cases in local and regional parks where motorists were driving dangerously and at excessive speeds, with damage to bollards, chains and gates to restricted areas. Make-shift mountain jumps had also been made for bikes and scooters. One ranger reported incidents happening every night over the past week, according to the council. Damage to the pitch at Mountfort Park. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Council Crewe said their teams took a lot of care in maintaining parks. "We really appreciate the community's support - whether that's reporting issues or just helping keep an eye out," she said. "When we all play a part, our parks thrive." Damage at the Whakanewha Regional Park. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Council Auckland Council encouraged anyone who spotted illegal activity in parks and open spaces to report it to police, and to report any damage on walking tracks, fields and parks to the council. Police have been approached for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
14-07-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Letters: Minister's power statement shouldn't be taken seriously
Climate catastrophes It is heartbreaking to read about the catastrophic floods in Texas, and the lesser but still traumatic events in our Nelson area. We all need to accept some responsibility here; we know these weather events are worsening due to the burning of fossil fuels. New Zealand's emissions are a drop in the ocean, but on a per capita basis, we are up there with the big emitters. We can each make a little difference: leave the car at home, take the bus or bike. Fly less (holiday at home) and Zoom call the overseas grandchildren. We can't save the world but we can face the future with a slightly clearer conscience. Linda McGrogan, Taupō. Seymour's idea of equality Does David Seymour ever consider the possibility that he may be wrong? Intellectual honesty would demand he do so. He'd listen to objections, think about them, and be able to respond to them. But he doesn't seem to do any of that. After falling back on his definition of equality as if it's the only one possible, his only response to objections is to find ways to disqualify the objectors from having opinions. Their objections don't count because they're religious / they're academics / they're not New Zealanders / they think their ethnicity is important. Seymour says he's all about 'equality', but his idea of equality is very shallow, focused solely on individuals, ignoring things like social connectivity, and achieving 'equality' by the ham-fisted dismissal of everything that distinguishes one person from another as irrelevant. Different social background? Irrelevant. Different upbringing? Irrelevant. Different opportunities? Irrelevant. Morgan L. Owens, Manurewa. Erosion of accountability The Weekend Herald article on Sue Wood (July 12) highlights the steady erosion of democratic accountability in Parliament. The passage of the Pay Equity Act is only the latest version of the growth of the use of urgency by both parties to ensure the passage of unscrutinised legislation. It reminds all voters that the situation will not change - that's why we need three-year parliaments so we can throw the rogues out in due course! Nick Hamilton, Remuera. Survivor's inspiring story The article (July 12) about the 2005 UK bombing survivor, Martine Wright MBE, and her rescuer, Liz Kenworthy, is one of the most inspirational stories that I think I have ever read. What Martine has done to strengthen her attitude and outlook is awe-inspiring. The photo of her, accompanying the article, says it all. Forging ahead with life, creating new and seemingly impossible goals, only to smash them out of the park, deserves every single accolade that she has received. Find this article, copy it, keep it and then make your miserable, whinging teen read it next time they are snivelling about some first-world problem. Gavin Sheehan, Long Bay. Go easy on Ardern Completely agree with Fran O'Sullivan (July 12) that the witch hunt against Jacinda Ardern over our Covid response is sickening. One letter writer even suggested that it would be safer for her to stay away during the inquiry. But New Zealand's response was excellent, with 5700 deaths, compared to the chaos we saw in the United States and the United Kingdom among other countries. Yes, in hindsight, it is easy to judge that lockdowns in the later stages were too long. Time indeed to move on and remember Ardern always reminding us to be kind - an emotion missing in our ever-competitive and divided world. Stephen Lincoln, Botany Downs. But what about the damage? Fran O'Sullivan's impassioned appeal for us to lay off Jacinda Ardern is asking a bit much when you consider the huge damage financially and socially she did to New Zealand. The damage will be felt well into the future. What hurts the most is that she ran away rather than stand and face the music. Will she ever be brave enough to return to New Zealand ? Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki. Ghahraman should be left alone It has been suggested that Golriz Ghahraman should seek help from someone she can trust, to advise her about unruly behaviour and 'drama'. I suggest that the only help she needs is to be left alone to get on with life. I can't decide whether Golriz's behaviour was unacceptable or not. I wasn't there. I doubt many of those who would criticise her were either. Jeremy Coleman, Hillpark.
