Latest news with #TeTiritioWaitangi
1News
a day ago
- Politics
- 1News
Seymour's response to UN 'quite alarming'
Thousands have signed an open letter following Regulations Minister David Seymour's scathing response to the United Nation raising concerns over the impact of Government legislation and policies on Māori. The letter to Albert Barume, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, invites him to 'remain engaged' with Māori following Seymour's intervention last week. Indigenous rights advocate Tina Ngata, an author of the open letter, said Seymour's response was 'quite alarming' considering no conclusion from Barume's work has been made. She said on TVNZ's Marae: 'It is [Barume's] job, where concerns are repeatedly raised to him, to inquire more deeply and it's the first stage of that inquiry where he basically comes to us and says to our government… 'well, there are these issues that have been raised to me, can you please explain what this is about?'' Watch the full discussion panel on TVNZ+ ADVERTISEMENT Barume had written to the Government outlining concerns over the alleged 'persistent erosion' of Māori rights through 'regressive legislations and policies' that breached New Zealand's international obligations. He included a reference to the Regulatory Standards Bill. Seymour responded to his concerns saying they were 'presumptive, condescending, and wholly misplaced'. Quotes pulled from Regulations Minister David Seymour's response to UN (Source: 1News) He also stated: 'As an indigenous New Zealander myself, I am deeply aggrieved by your audacity in presuming to speak on my behalf and that of my fellow Māori regarding legislation that aims solely at ensuring clarity, consistency, and accountability in regulatory processes." He eventually withdrew the letter after he was pulled up by his coalition partner and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for overstepping. 'Shed some light' Indigenous governance partner at the Human Rights Commission Dayle Takitimu said indigenous advocates 'from across the United Nations framework', which included the Human Rights Commission, called on the UN to 'shed some light' on the Government's obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, that needed to be upheld. ADVERTISEMENT 'There's been a lot of advocacies saying – from various quarters – that people think that's not up to scratch at the moment, and the United Nations, through this special rapporteur, has responded to that, as Tina [Ngata] said, in a very initial way, prompting that discussion,' she said on Marae. Tina Ngata and Dayle Takitimu on Marae (Source: Marae) She acknowledged there was tension between human rights and domestic sovereignty that exists across all international law. 'But at the end of the day, the United Nations, in fact, exist to assist to resolve that tension and that conflict by viewing and monitoring human rights, so they are seen as universal and paramount across the global order.' Last week's incident prompted Ngata, alongside fellow Māori rights advocates Leonie Pihama and Tania Waikato, a lawyer for the Toitū Te Tiriti movement, to draft an open letter to Barume that invites him to Aotearoa amidst 'deepening political and constitutional crisis'. Ngata said the open letter reaffirms Māori have a right to international protection. 'It reaffirms that we will continue to be our own voice which called out to the United Nations for their oversight, and it invites them to continue that oversight, to remain in dialogue with us throughout this political crisis - and it is a political crisis. It might be a crisis of idiots and egos, but it's a crisis nonetheless and so we've called upon them to remain in contact with us and to maintain their oversight over what's happening in Aotearoa.' ADVERTISEMENT Quote pulled from UN Special Rapporteur Albert K. Barume's letter to New Zealand government (Source: 1News) When asked if the UN had the power to hold Aotearoa to account over indigenous rights, Takitimu said that because New Zealand subscribes to the 'international framework', and has sought legitimacy from it on occasion, it has to take the support with the criticism. 'Indigenous peoples have always utilised that framework, and so has New Zealand as a state party, and so that, again, comes back to the very foundations of the United Nations to set some sort of global standards, and they have, in regards to indigenous rights and human rights, and they are holding the New Zealand Government to account for that. That's exactly what they are set up to do.'
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Far North Briefs: Treaty & Me lectures, enrol to vote
Network Waitangi Whangarei is a Pakeha-led organisation running series like Treaty & Me for 40 years, says Jette de Jong. Photo by LDR Susan Botting, July 16 2025. Treaty & Me Network Waitangi Whangārei is running another free public lecture series about the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi. There were full houses at several of last year's sessions, despite negativity over Treaty-related issues, said spokeswoman Jette de Jong, pictured. The Treaty & Me series will run weekly at Oneonesix on Bank St in Whangārei, starting on July 23. The lectures cover a range of topics from 'whiteness' in Aotearoa, to Maori wards, from Treaty solidarity to tricky conversations. Each lecture is held at 12pm and 7pm, go to for details and to book. Enrol to vote Northlanders keen to vote in this year's local elections - including a poll to keep or remove Māori constituency seats - must be enrolled by August 1 to receive a standard voting pack. After this date, you'll need to cast a special vote. Meanwhile, people keen to stand for council also have until August 1 to get their nominations in. Anyone aged 18 and over can stand for election provided they're a New Zealand citizen, enrolled on the parliamentary electoral roll and are nominated by two electors whose names appear on the electoral roll within the constituency the candidate is standing for. More information about the upcoming elections and poll is available at ID checks checked
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Communities Can't Foot The Bill For Climate Crisis
Te Pāti Māori sends aroha to whānau, and communities impacted by the recent severe weather across Nelson Tasman, Banks Peninsula, Northland and beyond. While dozens of people are still unable to return home, National and Labour are already hinting at a Climate Adaptation plan that would see impacted communities pay for their own recovery. 'These so-called 'once in a lifetime' events are now happening every year. It's only been one year since Wairoa flooded, and a year before that we had Cyclone Gabrielle' said MP for Te Tai Tonga, Tākuta Ferris. 'Communities need more than short-term fixes. They need urgent, sustained investment in both recovery and long-term climate adaption. 'The corporations who are fuelling the climate crisis should be the ones paying for adaptation and recovery – it's not the community's fault that their houses are flooded, why should they have to pay?' Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, MP for Te Tai Tokerau, says the government's continued failure to resource Māori communities is a symptom of Māori being too resilient. 'What we are seeing today is the perverse consequence of our resilience. When our communities are this resilient, their hardship becomes invisible. 'It is our Māori communities who bear the brunt of these climate disasters-isolated and under-resourced. But despite being the most impacted, they are also the first to respond. 'But this resilience is not new, it is a natural part of our Māori ecosystem, an in-built response born of whakapapa, whanaungatanga, and the knowledge that no one else is coming.' Te Pāti Māori will empower Māori to implement our own climate adaptation solutions, we will provide funding to impacted communities, and we will ensure that Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Mātauranga Māori form the basis of our climate adaptation strategy. 'Recovery must be driven by those who know their whenua, whakapapa, and communities, not dictated by distant bureaucrats with no connection to the realities on the ground' concluded Ferris.
Scoop
14-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Freshwater Is A Public Health Issue – New PHANZ Policy Calls For Action
The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) is calling for urgent action to protect freshwater in Aotearoa New Zealand, warning that declining water quality, and the proposed weakening of environmental protections, will continue to put people's health at risk, particularly in rural and disadvantaged communities. Releasing its new policy position statement on Freshwater and Health, the PHANZ emphasises the important relationship between freshwater and health, and the need for a strong health and equity-focused approach to freshwater policy and management that upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi and strengthens environmental protections. 'Healthy freshwater and functioning ecosystems are critical for healthy, stable communities' says Dr Cadence Kaumoana, Chief Executive. 'When our waterways are polluted, it impacts everything – from drinking water and food safety to mental health and climate resilience.' The PHANZ statement acknowledges that the quality of drinking water and the ecological health of waterways in Aotearoa New Zealand are under increasing pressure from intensified agricultural systems, poor infrastructure, and climate change. The PHANZ notes the public health risks linked to groundwater contamination and rising nitrate levels, and affirms that access to safe, good quality drinking water is a fundamental human right essential to health and wellbeing. The PHANZ strongly supports the Te Mana o Te Wai framework, which is the current decision-making framework for freshwater management in Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Mana o te Wai safeguards the health of freshwater ecosystems and explicitly requires access to safe, good quality drinking water. 'We need a public health approach to be a key part of freshwater policy', says Dr Kaumoana. 'This means ensuring Te Mana o Te Wai remains a core component of freshwater policy, prioritising the health of freshwater ecosystems and the health of people, ahead of commercial and other polluting interests.' The PHANZ's policy position statement comes as the Government is undertaking consultation on proposed changes to Aotearoa New Zealand's Freshwater National Direction. While the proposed changes focus on 'cutting red tape' for commercial entities, experts note that it will mean more pollution in the places we swim, fish, and in communities' drinking water sources. The PHANZ is supporting the public health sector, and the general public, to speak up for a strong public-health approach to freshwater management. The PHANZ has produced a 2-page guidance document, which provides an overview of what is being proposed in the government's consultation, outlines why this is an important issue for public health, and how to make a submission. Read the full PHANZ policy position statement: PHANZ Policy Position Statement on Freshwater and Health Watch the PHANZ policy webinar supporting the release of the policy position statement. This webinar includes a brief overview of the policy position statement, followed by a presentation from public health expert and PHANZ member Marnie Prickett. Have your say on the Government's Freshwater National Direction consultation (closes 11.59pm on Sunday 27 July 2025: Ministry for the Environment's submission form
Scoop
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
'It Is An Interesting Time' - Tania Simpson Takes Over As Chair Of Waitangi Trust
Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson, new chair of the Waitangi National Trust Board. The new chairperson of the Waitangi National Trust Board says she intends to hit the ground running in what will ultimately be a short term. Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson ONZM becomes the first wāhine to hold the role of chair since the trust's establishment in 1932, replacing Pita Tipene who stepped down last month after serving for the maximum length of nine years. Simpson has served as a trustee of the Waitangi National Trust since 2017 and as deputy chair since 2021, representing the descendants of the chief Pomare. Like Tipene, she too is approaching the nine-year term limit, but she said there is still time for her to help strengthen the governance and assist the continued development of Waitangi. "So that just means I need to not waste any time but to use the time wisely. It also means thinking about succession and thinking about what will happen at the end of that term and supporting the board through its processes to prepare for that. "So the time may be short but I think we can achieve a lot during that time." The Waitangi National Trust is the guardian of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and facilitates the annual Waitangi Day celebrations. Simpson (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Tainui) currently serves on the boards of Auckland International Airport, Meridian Energy and Waste Management New Zealand. Her previous roles include board positions with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, AgResearch and Tainui Group Holdings. Simpson said she is looking forward to taking on what may come in the new role, saying there is important work to do. "[I'm] pleased that we have a woman chair so that it demonstrates to other women and to younger women that these positions are open to them to pursue." Simpson said she prefers a collaborative style of leadership, something she plans to extend to the government despite heightened tensions during the last two Waitangi commemorations. "While there may be heightened discussions around aspects of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how that is given effect to in our current world in particular in government processes, Waitangi itself continues to be the place for that kind of dialogue to occur and the place for all New Zealanders and in particular the parties to the treaty to come together and talk." The trust has enjoyed a good working relationship with government over the years, with the government continuing to support Waitangi through projects and development funding, she said. The trust is much more focused on maintaining Waitangi as a special, tapu place where the treaty was signed and were the spirit of partnership was agreed, she said. "We look after that place and space and the wairua of that place in order that the parties can come together and experience it and reflect and talk about what it means to us today." Simpson said ultimately the dialogue between Māori and government is a good thing and Waitangi is an appropriate place for it to happen. "It is an interesting time, an interesting juncture in the development of our nationhood in that we are having conversations nationally around the place of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, around what the treaty promised, about what it means and how we will reflect that within our national systems and structures." Orginisations like the Waitangi National Trust and the Waitangi Tribunal which are close to the treaty and its history have a role to play in working through those discussions and getting to a good conclusion, she said. Lisa Tumahai, the former chair of Ngāi Tahu and representative on the board of the people, Pākeha and Māori, living in the South Island, will step into the roll of deputy chair. The chief executive of Waitangi Ltd Ben Dalton said Simpson's appointment is not only a landmark for the trust but a testament to her unwavering dedication to the kaupapa of the treaty. "Her leadership will help deepen the understanding and relevance of Waitangi for generations to come," he said.
