Latest news with #WaitangiDay
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Bay News: Matariki and Puanga, a tale of two star clusters
Ngā Mata o te Ariki, more commonly known as Matariki, was first officially recognised as a national public holiday in New Zealand in 2022. It was announced by the then Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, and it was the first new public holiday since Waitangi Day in 1974. Matariki is
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Serious crash near Rotorua
Rotorua's Reg Stag speeds to victory at 2025 Red Bull Trolley Grand Prix. Video / Red Bull Smoke from the Rotorua Recycling Centre fire blanketed the surrounding area. Video / Supplied Amelia Branson is going to America for surgery and radiation for her brain tumour, which costs about $550,000. Video / Megan Wilson Thousands attend official Waitangi Day event in Rotorua. Video / Kelly Makiha Locals feared they looked like container homes when they first arrived, but today they had a chance to look through the finished product. Video / Kelly Makiha Security footage of a ram raid at Westbrook Liquor Centre in Rotorua. Video / Supplied Vaishali McNeill, 15, died in a 2023 head-on crash with a truck. Parents Sarb Mann and David McNeill want harsher penalties for impaired drivers. Video / Andrew Warner, Supplied Twelve fire crews joined the battle to contain a scrub fire in the Tahorakuri Forest area between Rotorua and Taupō on Wednesday. Video / Supplied Rotorua Māori ward councillor Rawiri Waru at the final meeting for the year. Video / Laura Smith Salvation Army's choice model supermarket empowers those in need. Video / Andrew Warner The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM presenter Paul Hickey announces the final tally for Fill the Bus 2024. The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM's Fill the Bus fundraiser is part of the six-week annual Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal for the foodbank. Video of the fire showed large flames and black smoke coming from an address on Ngongotahā Rd at the time. Video / Out There Industries Thousands of protesters marching up Fenton St in Rotorua Hīkoi mō te Tiriti protesters in Rotorua.
Newsroom
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsroom
The injustice of a freshwater crisis
When the Prime Minister dodged Northland on Waitangi Day, he ended up getting an earful instead in the South Island. It came from Justin Tipa, the chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, in a speech at the Ōnuku Marae. 'Our rangitiritanga has been ignored for decades, and the state of freshwater in our takiwā (territory) has gotten worse and worse … and it's not good enough, and we're doing something about it.' That something has just come to a conclusion. A two-month-long High Court case against the Crown to get a declaration that the tribe has legal rights over freshwater in its territory – an attempt to get real engagement on designing a better way to manage lakes, rivers and waterways that are becoming increasingly polluted. Newsroom's South Island correspondent and environment editor, David Williams, covered the case extensively. 'What it comes down to is they're saying that, in a simple way, the waterways aren't in a good state,' he tells The Detail. 'And part of this problem is the fact that they haven't had a seat at the policy table, and that that would actually improve things.' Ngāi Tahu is asking for a series of declarations, seeking recognition of these rights, and direction that the Crown ought to, with Ngāi Tahu, create a better regime to protect freshwater. The tribe produced scientists who gave evidence of the issues, and you only have to have half an ear on the news to know what they are. The Shotover River being renamed by locals as the 'Shitover' after the Queenstown Lakes District Council pumped treated wastewater directly into it; boil water notices for Canterbury areas; statistics on our rivers and lakes that show about 60 percent are unswimmable, 74 percent of freshwater fish are threatened, and 95 percent of rivers flowing through pastoral land are contaminated. University of Otago research this year found 800,000 New Zealanders were drinking water with unsafe levels of nitrate contamination. The Government's own reports say waterways have deteriorated. When it comes to how our waterways are managed, it's a top-down situation. Governments issue national policy statements (there's one about freshwater management) and set environmental standards. Regional and local councils need to implement them, through their water plans. 'So people might be familiar with Te Mana o te Wai which was the idea that the water would come first, the health and wellbeing of the people would come second and commercial things would be third.' That was rolled back with the Resource Management Amendment Bill, which makes it clear that resource consent applicants no longer need to demonstrate their proposed activities follow the Te Mana o te Wai hierarchy of obligations. That's the kind of legislation Williams means when he talks about 'shifting sands' underneath this case. 'The Government certainly has proved that it's willing to change the law to pursue its policies,' he says. Other tribes around the country are watching for the result of this case. 'There is a thought that this could actually provoke claims in other parts of the country and provoke a bit of a headache for the Government,' says Williams. 'But some would say that's a good headache because actually if you're not protecting fresh water, something needs to be done differently, and maybe this is the way.' Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here. You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.
1News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- 1News
Budget 2025: Māori Wardens receive $1.5m funding boost
Māori Wardens will receive a $1.5 million funding boost in this year's Budget, which they say will ensure they're better equipped to keep communities safe. The wardens are a group of volunteers that support communities with things like safety, security, youth training programmes and emergency management. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said Saturday's announcement reflected the important work they do, some of which involves "seriously remarkable" responsibilities around community safety. "Māori Wardens offer a friendly face when times are tough," he said. "They've supported whānau nationwide for more than 150 years, providing training programmes for youth, food to those in need, and help in tough times like Covid-19 lockdowns and recent flooding events." The extra funding would go towards volunteer transport and training, administrative support staff to coordinate services, and expanding services in some areas. It brought their total annual funding to $2.7 million. Māori Wardens trust chair Linda Ngata said they were delighted, and the funding would help them build their capability. "It's wonderful to see the Māori wardens recognised for the work that they do," she said. "Māori Wardens are volunteers to start with, they work many hours, day and night, and in all kinds of weather. "It'll certainly strengthen their relationship with not only the New Zealand Police, but other government agencies, the community they service, whānau." Associate Police Minister Casey Costello said the wardens held significant mana and were a calming presence in stressful situations. "They are trusted community members who can help whānau, deter crime and allow Police to focus on their core functions. "Today's announcement will help ensure wardens are supported to continue their important role, including at significant events like Waitangi Day and Poukai."
Scoop
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Supporting Safer Communities With Māori Wardens
Press Release – New Zealand Government Budget 2025 includes $1.5 million per annum of new baseline funding for Mori Wardens, bringing total government funding for Mori Wardens to $2.7 million per annum. Minister for Māori Development Hon Casey Costello Associate Minister of Police Rt Hon Winston Peters Deputy Prime Minister He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata. The great work Māori Wardens do to support communities and safety gets a boost in this year's Budget, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, announced today. 'Māori Wardens offer a friendly face when times are tough. They've supported whānau nationwide for more than 150 years, providing training programmes for youth, food to those in need, and help in tough times like COVID-19 lockdowns and recent flooding events,' Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. 'There are now over 500 wardens supporting New Zealanders every day with everything from engaging with our rangatahi and keeping them in school to de-escalating conflict. 'These services rely heavily on volunteers. Today we are ensuring they receive extra support, including transport and training for volunteers, and greater administrative support for staff to manage service coordination and, in some areas, expanding services to help meet the need.' Budget 2025 includes $1.5 million per annum of new baseline funding for Māori Wardens, bringing total government funding for Māori Wardens to $2.7 million per annum. The extra funding reflects a commitment in the National Party & New Zealand First coalition agreement. 'Māori wardens are a huge asset to New Zealand's social cohesion and the prevention of social dislocation before it happens. This funding uplift not only provides critical support to a voluntary organisation but is testament to the valuable work that they do,' says Deputy Prime Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters. 'Māori wardens hold significant mana in our communities and make an important contribution to community safety alongside Police and other groups,' Associate Police Minister Casey Costello says. 'Because they are so closely connected to their communities, they can be a familiar, caring and calming presence in sometimes stressful situations. They are trusted community members who can help whānau, deter crime and allow Police to focus on their core functions. 'Today's announcement will help ensure wardens are supported to continue their important role, including at significant events like Waitangi Day and Poukai.'
