Latest news with #TreatyofWaitangi
RNZ News
a day ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Government and Ngāti Maniapoto iwi to build 40 affordable rental homes in Te Kūiti
The government is partnering with Ngāti Maniapoto to build 40 rental homes in Te Kūiti. Photo: Waitomo District Council / The government is partnering with Ngāti Maniapoto to build 40 affordable rental homes in Te Kūiti, as part of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement. The government has approved in principle $17 million for the partnership, while the iwi will contribute $11m - representing 50 percent of the housing supply costs and the land. Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said the area had a high housing need . "With over a third of Te Kūiti residents renting, the limited availability of rental properties makes it difficult for whānau to secure stable housing," he said. "We're taking action to help address this shortage, which will also help local businesses because employers can struggle to attract and retain staff due to the lack of affordable housing. This mahi can mean a world of difference for whānau in small rural communities that need stable employment and incomes. "The development, named Te Kirikiri, will feature affordable rentals of a mixed typology to meet the diverse needs of kaumātua and young whānau, consisting of 20 two-bedroom accessible homes for kaumātua, 13 three-bedroom homes and 7 four-bedroom homes." Building was scheduled to begin next month and would take about two years to complete. "These affordable rentals will support Ngāti Maniapoto's ambition to place 200 whānau in safe, secure, high-quality and affordable homes by 2030." Potaka said there had been very little residential development in Maniapoto over the last 40 years and this development would be one of the largest for many years. Only about 25 percent of iwi members owned a home, he said. The investment was part of a $200 million commitment announced earlier this year to accelerate Māori housing projects nationwide, and enable the delivery of 400 affordable rentals in high-need areas by the end of June 2027. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Affordable Homes To Address Te Kūiti Housing Shortage
Associate Minister of Housing Mā te hononga ka whai kaha. Te Kūiti whānau will enjoy greater access to modern affordable rental housing thanks to an Iwi-led partnership backed by the Government, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The Government has approved in principle $17million into a partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto that will build 40 affordable rental homes with infrastructure in Te Kūiti, giving effect to the Crown's Treaty of Waitangi settlement commitment with the iwi. The Iwi will also contribute a significant portion to the development including $11million - representing 50 percent of the housing supply costs - and the land. 'This is an area of high housing need. With over a third of Te Kūiti residents renting, the limited availability of rental properties makes it difficult for whānau to secure stable housing,' Mr Potaka says. 'We're taking action to help address this shortage, which will also help local businesses because employers can struggle to attract and retain staff due to the lack of affordable housing. This mahi can mean a world of difference for whānau in small rural communities that need stable employment and incomes. 'The development, named Te Kirikiri, will feature affordable rentals of a mixed typology to meet the diverse needs of kaumātua and young whānau, consisting of 20 two-bedroom accessible homes for kaumātua, 13 three-bedroom homes and7 four-bedroom homes. 'Work is scheduled to begin next month and will take about two years to complete. 'Te Kirikiri will incorporate tikanga Māori and kaupapa-led design principles, and include the use of wetlands, native grasses, trees, and shrubs to create safe, communal spaces for whānau to enjoy. 'These affordable rentals will support Ngāti Maniapoto's ambition to place 200 whānau in safe, secure, high-quality and affordable homes by 2030.' The Government investment is part of a $200 million commitment announced earlier this year that will accelerate Māori housing projects across the country and enable the delivery of 400 affordable rentals in high-need areas by the end of June 2027.
NZ Herald
3 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
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Open Letter To New Zealand Regards: Co-Governance
This letter is written by P.L.U.G. on behalf of all citizens of New Zealand, who are concerned at the lack of information, the misinformation and fear about co-governance. What is co-governance? Co-governance in todays' context increasingly means the sharing of governance roles of elected (openly public elected) Councillors with local Iwi (Maori appointed ) people who then jointly make decisions on the long-term strategic directions for all to follow. Co-governance does not confer ownership but is sets requirements for Management to follow. Currently, Agreements at local and regional council level are mostly only about co-management (covered by JMA's – Joint Management Agreements) but it is not surprising that there is confusion, given what we believe is the almost indecent rush to try to enact 'Co-Governance' agreements before the implementation of the Resource Management Act reforms. How does co-governance relate to the Treaty of Waitangi? The Treaty of Waitangi was an agreement between some Maori tribes and the Crown for mutual benefit. There is no provision for co-governance made in the Treaty of Waitangi. We see some so-called elite Maori representatives looking to gain representation on local and central government controlled organisations in co-governance roles Some people are saying, that regarding and treating individuals with equal respect would be divisive. Yes, based on this fantasy view many of those pushing the co-governance agenda are using their versions of Treaty obligations. There has been some debate over the years about what, exactly; Maori believed they were signing in 1840 and did Maori cede sovereignty to the British Crown when they signed the Treaty of Waitangi or, as is now contended by some, did they not? Sir Apirana Ngata prepared an English translation of the Treaty in 1922 that argued that the Chiefs had 'cede(d) absolutely to the Queen of England for ever the Government of all their lands '. Indeed the standard translation used by the Waitangi tribunal in the early 1990's had been made by Professor Sir Hugh Kawharu. Sir Hugh and the Tribunal in this time were in no doubt that the chiefs had ceded sovereignty to the Queen. If ever there was a declaration that we are one people and that Maori have the same rights and duties of citizenship, surely it is Sir Hugh's translation of the Treaty? Efforts have been made to argue that some kind of 'partnership" exists between the Crown and Maori as a result of the Treaty signing, A simple reading of the Treaty document or Sir Hugh's translation of that document quickly provides plain evidence that there is no mention whatsoever in either document which requires the provision of any type of partnership or co-governance role for Maori. Sir Hugh's translation of the Treaty surely rules out any special relationship/privilege for Maori or for their modern descendants over non-Maori. And since there was no such thing as a properly functioning democracy in New Zealand in 1840, the question of 'political rights' wasn't an issue at the time. We believe some people are just trying to re-write the Treaty to suit their current agendas? There most certainly was no implication of special rights, 'political' or otherwise for Maori. Their land was protected, but so was the right of Maori to sell that land on agreed terms. And Maori had the same 'rights and duties of citizenship' as non-Maori. What is the current situation in regard to co-governance? Racial harmony is currently one of the biggest issues for all New Zealanders and with approximately 200 different ethnicities, is it conducive to social harmony to accord special political status to those with a Maori ancestor or provide them with a co-governance role? The short answer being NO! Yet, currently it seems that decisions are being made by local and regional councils behind closed doors with the public excluded, in relation to the direction of JMAs and Co-governance, which are providing for the application of co-governance roles for Maori. In fact we believe the reality is that these extremely important decisions are being made in haste so as to be in place prior to the implementation of the RMA reforms which the coalition government has signalled will be ready late this year. No matter what view people hold, there can be no mature discussion about our future as a country until everybody accepts that the Treaty provided for the government to have final authority, with all citizens - no matter their ancestry - having equal rights as stipulated in the New Zealand Bill of Rights. In New Zealand we have one of the world's oldest democratic societies which we should rightly be proud of. It is time this current government under Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, decided to 'Fully' implement their campaign promises to do away with all race based legislation and stop all talk of co-governance at any level. Race based governance has never succeeded anywhere and it would not be any different here in New Zealand if it was implemented. We can have co-governance without democracy. We can have democracy without co-governance. But we cannot have democracy and co-governance. Democracy will only prevail if we oppose any moves towards legislated race based co-governance policies. We need to oppose co-governance for Democracy to prevail.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Associate Health Minister David Seymour warns Pharmac to modernise or risk falling behind
Photo: RNZ The Associate Health Minister says Pharmac must modernise, "or it will fall behind." David Seymour has told the agency to "innovate and optimise" to increase access to medicines and continue the "positive culture shift" that's been underway, such as exploring ways to "utilise AI". Seymour released his latest letter of expectations today, with the hope of building on his letter from last year where he told the agency it was inappropriate to keep considering the Treaty of Waitangi's place in the health sector. Since that letter of expectation, Seymour said the drug-buying agency has improved overall consultation and changed funding criteria based on public feedback. The agency had also appointed a new chief executive to "cement positive change, and continue to move towards a more transparent, inclusive, and people-focused organisation." "This is a good start. My letter of expectations for this year makes it very clear that there is still more work to be done. I expect this positive culture shift to continue," Seymour said. Now, Seymour wanted Pharmac to modernise and "adopt faster, smarter processes and explore the use of AI to lift performance." His expectations included: Seymour told the agency he wanted it to report back to him by December this year on work done to consider the broader fiscal impacts to government and regarding societal and non-health outcomes of funding medicines and medical devices. He also expected Pharmac to "renew its organisational culture and sharpen its strategic focus, ensuring it plays a more visible and constructive role across the wider health system." As part of the "continuous improvement of organisational culture", Seymour said Pharmac needed to carry on giving effect to the Cabinet Circular specifying "Needs-based Service Provision" to meet the government's expectations for how the "targeting, commissioning and design of public services should be based on the needs of all New Zealanders." Seymour said he's committed to ensuring the regulatory system for pharmaceuticals was not "unreasonably holding back access". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
