Latest news with #Waikato-Tainui
NZ Herald
04-08-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Tāmaki Makaurau's byelection is really about Willie Jackson and John Tamihere
The byelection was called after the sudden death of Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Moana Tarsh Kemp in July after a battle with kidney disease. Labour list MP and grandson of Sir James Henare, Peeni Henare. Henare is a great orator and is considered, along with New Zealand First's Shane Jones and Te Pāti Māori's Rawiri Waititi, the best te reo Māori speakers in Parliament. He comes from distinguished political lineage and won the Tāmaki Makaurau seat in 2014, 2017 and 2020, only to lose it in 2023. His grandfather Sir James Henare stood for the National Party in five elections between 1946 and 1963 and his father Erima Henare was head of the Māori Language Commission. Henare's mum Te Hemo Ata Henare was a master weaver and his uncle, Māori activist Dun Mihaka, bared his buttocks to Queen Elizabeth II at Waitangi in 1986. While Kaipara doesn't have the same political whakapapa, she can hold her own in the te reo world, having been brought up in the Kura Kaupapa and Wharekura movements. Former broadcaster Oriini Kaipara. She was afforded the privilege to go total immersion, unlike many whānau of her parents' age who were punished for speaking the language. This byelection will not be one of full-frontal attacks – much to the disappointment of the Government, who would rather see Labour and Te Pāti Māori going toe-to-toe at each other. The byelection will be won by the party that can tap into the disillusioned among Māori. At the ballot box in 2023, of the 43,755 registered, only 27,038 actually voted. If Labour is to win, it must call on its strong ground game, door-knocking throughout the electorate and hitting the weekend markets in Avondale, Ōtara, Manukau and Manurewa. Tāmaki Makaurau has the biggest concentration of Māori in New Zealand. No doubt, Te Pāti Māori will also be on the ground but the party's edge comes in its multi-platform social media channels, which connect it to the younger cohort. Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke in Parliament during the debate on the Treaty Principles Bill. Photo / RNZ, Samuel Rillstone Waikato-Tainui MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke has more than 60,000 Facebook followers and 225,000 on Instagram – far exceeding anything Labour can match. Depending on how Jackson and Tamihere pull those levers will determine whether Te Pāti Māori keeps six MPs or Labour increases its number from 34 to 35. Sign up to the Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Iconic Hamilton Bridges Win Global Award
Two Hamilton bridges have outshone competition from across the globe to win the prestigious Eugene C. Figg Jr. Medal at the International Bridge Conference Awards in Pittsburgh today (16 July NZST). The bridges, Te Ara Pekapeka and Taurapa, are not just impressive feats of engineering but vital infrastructure that connect the city, across the Waikato River, to the new growth area of Peacocke. The new neighbourhood will eventually be home to up to 20,000 Hamiltonians. Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate said this was justifiably a proud moment for Hamiltonians. "We didn't build it to win an award, we built it to meet requirements to unlock land for growth and we worked side-by-side with Government to fund it and deliver it on time. 'This award recognises our approach. We involved the community, councillors, mana whenua, and government. This award isn't about steel or concrete, it's about people, it's about attitude and it's about a desire to deliver fantastic value.' The four-lane Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge, surrounding transport network, and the three waters infrastructure are all essential components ensuring the successful development of this area. "The award is a bonus and should be celebrated." Mayor Southgate said. Southern Links Tangata Whenua Working Group representative Marina Hape said the mahitahi (collaboration) with mana whenua had built an enduring relationship between Waikato-Tainui, hapuu and Council, far beyond the completion of the project. 'Mana whenua was on the journey right from the very early planning and had input into every area of the project. Our partnership is evident through design, but also in how the Maaori world view has delivered on our aspirations for Maaori, the environment and our wider community.' The annual International Bridge Conference awards medals to recognise individuals and projects of distinction. The last time a New Zealand bridge was recognised at the Conference was the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge in New Plymouth in 2011. This is the second time Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge has been recognised on an international stage in recent months, receiving a Special Mention at the Architizer A+ Awards in May. The project also took home national wins at the New Zealand Planning Institute Annual Awards and Apopo Asset Management Excellence Awards for leadership in the respective fields. Peacocke is being built with the support from the Government's Housing Infrastructure Fund, made up of a $180.3 million 10-year interest-free loan and $110.1 million of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi subsidies.
1News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- 1News
Tainui to host Te Matatini 2027 after festival pulled from Nelson
Te Matatini 2027 will now be hosted by Tainui in Waikato, after hosting duties for the event were pulled from Nelson. The festival was taken away from Te Tauihu o Te Waka-a-Māui as organisers held concerns that its rapid growth would lead to smaller regions being unable to accommodate the burgeoning numbers of kaihaka and supporters. The 2027 competition, named Tākiri Tū Te Matatini, would now be held at Hopuhopu — a former military camp turned iwi hub. This would be the first time the event has been held in the region and hosted by Tainui since 2000. The decision to give Tainui hosting rights came after a two-day tono (application) process that included a joint proposal from Te Whare Haka o Tainui and Tainui waka iwi. Te Matatini chairman Tā Herewini Parata said the board had been "overwhelmed" by the "depth and thought" that had gone into the proposal. ADVERTISEMENT "It centred on the key values of Kingitanga and was presented with the grace and strength of kotahitanga that this area is renowned for,' Tā Herewini said. He said the bid received unanimous support from the board. Waikato-Tainui executive chair Tukoroirangi Morgan said: 'As a waka, we have a proud history of hosting the motu and we will pivot every resource we have and work with our partners to make sure it is a resounding success.' Te Whare Haka o Tainui delegate Tony Walker said it was an opportunity to "remind ourselves of how mana motuhake can evolve on a regional, national and international level". Walker said it was an "exciting time" for the Tainui waka community as it provided "stability for this kaupapa". 'I reflect on the words of our late Kiingi Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII when he challenged us all to think about the virtues of unity as a pathway to reconnect and flourish in this challenging world." Tā Herewini said some logistical issues needed to be worked through before a date could be set. ADVERTISEMENT The festival schedule was established over a decade ago, with Te Tauihu initially confirmed as the host for 2025 in 2013. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2021 festival in Tāmaki Makaurau which pushed the event in Te Tauihu out to 2027. In May, Tā Herewini said the event had experienced unprecedented growth since then and was not a significant event on the national calendar. "While Te Tauihu had worked hard to find solutions to deliver the festival at its current size, concerns remained, particularly around accommodation, transport and freight capabilities." Glossary Tainui – ancestral waka, often used to refer to iwi or people who descend from this waka Waikato – an iwi based in the region of the same name ADVERTISEMENT Te Tauihu (o Te Waka a Maui) – region at the top of the South Island kaihaka – haka performer tono – apply/application Tainui waka iwi – iwi that descend from the ancestral waka Tainui Tā – Sir kotahitanga – unity Waikato-Tainui – iwi authority named after iwi and waka ADVERTISEMENT mana motuhake – self-governance
Otago Daily Times
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Six new dames and knights in honours
A total of 188 New Zealanders who have made their mark on New Zealand have received awards for their services, in the King's Birthday Honours list released today. There are 88 women and 100 men drawn from areas including arts and media, business, community work, education, science, health and sport. There are six new knights and dames. Community wellbeing advocate Ranjna Patel, plant scientist Emeritus Professor Alison Stewart and former equestrian and spinal cord injury advocate Catriona Williams become dames. Former president of the Court of Appeal Mark Cooper KC (Ngāti Mahanga, Waikato-Tainui), Sistema Plastics founder and philanthropist Brendan Lindsay and Air Rarotonga founder and Cook Islands tourism advocate Ewen Smith are the new knights. In the entertainment field, comedian Dai Henwood, children's entertainer Suzy Cato, food writer David Burton and TV host, author and fundraiser Jude Dobson are appointed Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit. In sport, recently retired pace bowler Tim Southee, the Black Caps' all-time leading international wicket-taker, Black Fern double Olympic gold medallist Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (Ngāpuhi, Mgāati-Porou and Ngāti Kahu), double Olympic gold medallist Ellesse Andrews and White Ferns captain Sophie Devine are among those honoured. Former All Black Murray Mexted, who has also been a commentator and mentor, and sports governance expert Don McKinnon are also honoured. Prominent politicians include former National ministers Steven Joyce and Ruth Richardson, former assistant speaker and Manawatū mayor Ian McKelvie, and former Labour list MP Dover Samuels (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kura, Ngāti Rēhia). Mr Joyce and Ms Richardson are made Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Mr McKelvie is made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and Mr Samuels is appointed a Companion of the King's Service Order. Other well-known Māori honoured include tikanga and mātauranga expert Dr Alishia Moeahu (Ngāti Awa, Ngā Tūhoe, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Hikaairo, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou); breast cancer expert Dr Maxine Ronald (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai); Waitangi National trust chairman Pita Tipene (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Te Tārawa) kaupapa waka advocate Joe Conrad (Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāi Takoto, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Hauā). Pacific recipients include Arthur Anae, Okesene Galo, and Annie Scoon. Prominent figures from the Asian community honoured for their work are Dr Ai Ling Tan, Panchanatham Narayanan and Santosh Prasad Bhandari. — RNZ
