Latest news with #mataurangaMāori
Scoop
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Environment Court Acknowledges The Dominance Of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Connection To Westhaven Marina
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei have welcomed a decision from the Environment Court released Friday afternoon (July 4th) regarding the Westhaven Marina. The Court recognised the dominance of the iwi's relationship to the whenua and wai at Westhaven over iwi involved in the court process – Ngāti Maru, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Te Ākitai Waiōhua, Te Patukirikiri, and Ngaati Whanaunga. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Deputy Chair and iwi historian Ngarimu Blair said he was grateful to have further acknowledgement for a situation that was obvious to not only the iwi, but to most who live in Central Auckland and understand the history of Tāmaki Makaurau. 'While it has been incredibly disappointing and frustrating to have to seek the acknowledgement of the courts, a process that requires significant resources and time, this is the system we have to work with. We hope this outcome stops a process which benefits no one, other than those who are claiming a say in the rohe of other iwi.' The Court acknowledged the connection of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to Westhaven through take raupatu, take tupuna, take tuku whenua, and ahi kā - the pillars that uphold mana whenua for all iwi and hapū. In its decision the Court said "We have found that Mr (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei historian and cultural expert Joe) Pihema and Mr (Ngarimu) Blair have provided clear and compelling evidence grounded in tikanga Māori and matauranga Māori on the basis of which we are satisfied that the area around Westhaven forms part of the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei rohe or heartland by virtue of take raupatu, consolidated by take tupuna and strengthened over time by the continuous exercise of ahi kā and mana." The decision resulted from action taken in response to a resource consent obtained by Eke Panuku Development Auckland from Auckland Council to expand the Westhaven Marina. Conditions of consent required Eke Panuku to engage with 19 iwi groups through a forum and to treat them equally. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei appealed the conditions because its relationship with Westhaven is materially stronger than that of the other iwi/hapū, and it should take a lead role in engagement with the applicant, as Westhaven sits at the heart of the tribe's rohe in central Auckland. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei chair Marama Royal said the decision was a powerful step forward in changing a process that unnecessarily added additional costs to developments, and fostered tension between neighbouring iwi. 'Our people can look across to Westhaven from our marae, yet we had this situation where other iwi, some whose marae are more than 100kms away from the development, were claiming to speak with equal knowledge and understanding around this whenua and the surrounding waterways. 'They wanted to speak with the same authority as those who have nurtured and acted as kaitiaki for the whenua and wai for many generations? This is the situation we faced, and continue to face, far too often across our small rohe' A situation acknowledged in the decision: The Crown's Treaty settlement processes have meant that the iwi have been locked in dispute over relative status at tikanga in Central Auckland. But until these contemporary disputes have arisen, 'there has been relatively little challenge to the idea that Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei are tangata whenua/mana whenua in central Auckland, including in respect of the reclaimed land adjacent to Westhaven': at [251]-[252]. 'As a result of the highly contentious and litigious nature of the relationships among iwi in Auckland, the council and public authorities have understandably adopted a cautious approach to iwi engagement. The current approach (almost by default) is for the council and Eke Panuku to send a notice to all 19 hapū/iwi on a register asserting interest anywhere within the city boundaries.' At [268]; '… even when there is ongoing disagreement amongst hapū/iwi, it ought to be possible for the council and public authorities to act in accordance with their Part 2 RMA obligations in light of the findings' in this decision: at [271]; Mr Blair said it was an outcome which provided greater certainty for all seeking to develop and add value in central Auckland. 'We are disappointed that it required the need for court action, however we are grateful for the confirmation and clarity that can help ensure this type of activity no longer continues to occur and seek to undermine those who have the crucial role as kaitiaki for the whenua and waterways of our rohe.' A further finding in the report at paragraph 317 said: "We find the Ngāti Whātua case for recognition to be clearly grounded in and defined in accordance with tikanga Māori and matauranga Māori and that cogent evidence, substantially corroborated by documentary sources (both historical and contemporary) demonstrate a strength of traditional association with Westhaven that has endured into the present. This association is grounded in take raupatu, take tupuna, take tuku whenua, and take ahi kā." Mr Blair said the outcome further confirmed what was already widely known, that in Tāmaki the tikanga of NWŌ is recognised and recognisable and needs to be understood and respected by Council and Eke Panuku. Key Milestones: 2019: NWŌ appealed the consent granted to Panuku Development Auckland to expand the Westhaven Marina on the basis that it did not recognise Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei as having the strongest connection with the area and taking a lead role in mana whenua engagement with Panuku. 2020: The High Court confirmed that the Environment Court has jurisdiction, and must, determine the relative strengths of the hapū/iwi relationships to an area affected by a proposal where relevant to the cultural effects of consent conditions. 023–2025: Final stages of the case concluded, resulting in this recognition of NWŌ deep and enduring connection to Westhaven. Summary: Environment Court Interim Decision – [2025] NZEnvC 228 Case: Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia Ltd v Auckland Council Date of Issue: 4 July 2025 Court: Environment Court (Auckland) Judges: Alternate Judges L Newhook & M Doogan; Deputy Commissioner G Paine; Pūkenga: Dr H Hape Background: Panuku Development Auckland obtained resource consent from Auckland Council to expand the Westhaven Marina, including land reclamation and public space creation. Conditions required engagement with 19 listed mana whenua groups through a forum. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia Ltd (NWŌ) appealed the conditions, asserting its relationship with Westhaven is materially stronger than that of the other iwi/hapū (s 274 parties), and it should take a lead role in engagement. Key Legal Questions: Can the Court determine relative strength of tikanga-based relationships among iwi/hapū under the RMA? Should NWŌ be recognised as having a stronger relationship with Westhaven than the s 274 parties? What are the cultural effects and appropriate engagement conditions? Findings: Jurisdiction Confirmed: The Court can and must make evidential findings on the relative strength of Māori relationships with land under s 6(e) RMA, if it informs the discharge of statutory obligations. Tikanga Assessment Valid: The Court relied on on NWŌ experts (whānau witnesses and an independent historian) principles from previous High Court decisions including several involving NWŌ and section 274 parties (NWŌT v Attorney-General, Ngāti Maru, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua) and guidance from Pūkenga Dr Hape, noting it does not declare tikanga but evaluates evidence-based claims. Outcome on Relationships: Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has a stronger relationship with the Westhaven area than any of the other s 274 parties, based on take raupatu, take tuūpuna, take tuku whenua, and, and occupation since the 18th century. The relationships of the s 274 parties are acknowledged as valid but distinct, not equal in strength to NWŌ.
Scoop
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Minister Stanford's Reaction To Criticism Of Section 127 Is Unprecedented
Hobson's Pledge is a grassroots organisation dedicated to advocating for equality under the law and for New Zealand to move forward as one people. 'We have run many campaigns over the years criticising ministers and politicians from all parties. We have never seen a minister go off the deep end like Erica Stanford has in the last 48 hours,' Elliot Ikilei, Hobson's Pledge spokesperson says. 'On the one hand, on Hosking this morning, Minister Stanford acknowledged repeatedly that there are 'legitimate questions' to be asked about the inclusion of Treaty clauses and embedding matauranga Māori, te ao Māori and te reo in education legislation. On the other, she referred to us as 'frothing at the mouth with hatred' for raising those very questions.' 'The Education Minister is clearly furious that we have drawn attention to her moving the section 127(2)e clause under the heading ' Paramount objective of boards in governing schools '. Her explosion on Mike Hosking's show makes that clear. So does the fact that one of her supporters showed up at the address used by Hobson's Pledge yesterday to pass on the message that we are 'wrong' and that we are risking Labour getting re-elected by challenging her on this. Our trustees also received strongly worded correspondence from donors of Minister Stanford urging us to back down from this. We will not. 'What is the point in keeping Labour out if politicians like Erica Stanford do the very things we don't want Labour to do? She points out the clauses have existed for a long time thanks to Labour. Well, she's the minister – now is the time to take them out! This Government wasn't voted in to just keep on rolling out the same agenda of Māorification of all legislation! 'The minister needs to understand that support is earned, not an entitlement. She says we are compromising 'all the work she has done', but the 'sideshow' of section 127 is her creation. The Education and Training Amendment Bill No. 2 submissions closed after being open for less than a month and with little or no effort to bring it to the public's attention. That left us with no choice but to bring attention to it now. 'Erica Stanford cannot continue to talk out of both sides of her mouth. When discussing section 127, she told the select committee 'We're supporting a bilingual education system'. But she told Mike Hosking the opposite. She also told the select committee one of the things that she is most proud of was the emphasis she has put on Māori in section 127. 'The Education Minister knows there is no intention to remove section 127(2)e. The waffle about Paul Goldsmith's review is meant to make us all shut up and get back in our boxes. We see through this and that is why she is so angry. Why insert the section if you are going to remove it with some other process? Just don't put it in the Bill in the first place. 'Our message to the minister is simple: remove section 127(2)e and call off the attack dogs. Calling us names doesn't achieve anything except show New Zealanders that Erica Stanford considers it 'hatred' to expect the government to fulfil its promises of getting rid of race-based policies and laws. Equality isn't hatred. Most New Zealanders want their kids to go to school and learn respect for all cultures, but if they want Māori immersion they can send them to a kura Kaupapa. 'And, if as the minister exasperatedly says, the whole point of the Bill and her work is reading, writing, and maths, why is that not in her 'paramount objectives' section?'
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Learning support $640m lauded
One of Otago schools' top representatives is weighing the new education budget against the pressures of frontline teaching. Kaitangata Primary School principal Anneta Payne, chairwoman of the South Otago Principals' Association said she was pleased the government had earmarked $640 million for learning support as it was the biggest challenge facing teachers. "The number of neurodiverse students and students experiencing trauma or severe anxiety resulting in behavioural distractions in classes is steadily growing," she said. "Looking at learning support announced [in the Budget] I am certain there will be a lot of happy teachers and school leaders. There is a lot of additional support which will benefit children ... We would like to see funding for every classroom to have a learning assistant to support learners with special needs." But a shortage of relief teachers, the pace of change in curriculum and mixed messages from the Ministry of Education were hurting the sector's morale and ability to deliver, she said. "[The ministry] delivers one message to us ... patting us all on the back for the wonderful job schools are doing. Then we see media releases . . . saying the education sector has been missing the mark, achievement is poor ... That hurts." "Two new curriculum documents [were] finalised in term 4 last year, with schools expected to implement these in 2025 ... [with] another five curriculum documents to be in draft next year for implementation in 2027. "In general, we are quite supportive of the new curriculum documents as they provide more detailed expectations ... It's just the whirlwind implementation that is proving a challenge — the new year 0-8 maths curriculum document alone is 101 pages long." She pointed out nothing was removed from teachers' existing workloads to make room for new expectations and responsibilities added by successive governments. South Otago High School principal Mike Wright was chairman of the Otago Secondary School Principals' Association until the end of last year. His take was in line with Mrs Payne's and he also raised the issue of overall teacher shortage. "Recruitment of teachers into schools is also challenging ... particularly for the sciences, maths and technology," he said. "Recruitment from overseas is not necessarily the answer ... You may bring a teacher into New Zealand who then needs to understand the assessment practices and the culture of New Zealand schools while also adapting to the unique perspective of matauranga Māori." He said New Zealand needed to train its own teachers to meet a growing need created by retirement and professionals changing careers, roll growth with population increase and students staying in school longer.
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
‘Giant In Stroke Research' Focuses On Role Of Nurses
Press Release – University of Auckland Evidence showing how nursing care can improve stroke patient outcomes has been Professor Julia Slark's focus. The strength of the waiata at Professor Julia Slark's inaugural lecture, celebrating her promotion to professor, spoke volumes about her leadership at the University of Auckland's School of Nursing. Slark's purple robe was offset by a korowai and pounamu, gifted by Māori colleagues in recognition of her commitment to transforming the culture of the nursing school with guidance from matua John Tuoro and whaea Erana Poulsen. 'We have daily tikanga, we do karakia together and that connection and learning about matauranga Māori has been a real priority for everybody,' Slark says. 'It has seen a real cultural shift and the creation of a much safer space for our Māori colleagues to come and work with us.' Slark's promotion to professor recognised her excellence in research and teaching, yet associate head of school (pre-registration programmes) Dr Lisa Stewart said what makes her so exceptional is that everything she does comes from a place of caring. 'Whether it's patients in the stroke unit, students, staff or the nursing profession, it is compassion, kindness, social justice and concern for others that drives her.' Slark started her inaugural lecture by laying out the importance of both the art and science of nursing. 'The impact of the profession of nursing is based on the application of theoretical concepts and scientific research evidence, which are underpinned by our conscious commitment to the art of caring through the relationship we have with the person we are caring for,' she said. Slark spoke of her life growing up on the southeast coast of England knowing she was born to be a nurse. She moved to London at 17 to follow her dream and, after a short stint in a surgical ward, found her home in neurology. After qualifying as a registered nurse in 1993, the next decade was consumed by her twin passions of nursing and travel, including extended leave to travel around Southeast Asia. When the money ran out, Slark returned to the UK in 1999, working as a charge nurse at Hammersmith Hospital's NHS Foundation Trust then from 2001 as a stroke clinical nurse specialist. In this role, she 'inadvertently' became involved in clinical trials, seeking an evidence base to support her experience and intuition. 'I enjoyed the complexity and the variety of patient care in the neurology ward. But, as stroke nurse specialist, I found the lack of evidence-based practices for the acute phases very frustrating.' A masters degree in strategic leadership in 2007 was followed by doctoral research that concluded with a randomised controlled trial exploring the impact of patient education to reduce risk factors for secondary prevention. 'The results showed significant improvements in lifestyle behaviour changes and a trend towards blood pressure reduction in hypertensive participants.' There were many more research papers arising out of the challenges of stroke nursing. 'One example was a terrible weekend when a patient died after they received too much IV fluid and an error in their feeding regime. 'We took this failure in care very seriously and developed an initiative of nurse-led ward rounds, specifically undertaken on a Friday afternoon to plan for the weekend. 'We met the nurse in charge of the patients at the door to the bay, and we went to each patient with clear, patient-centred measures to focus on. 'This was three o'clock on a Friday afternoon. It did not take long before the physios started joining us, and then the OTs joined us, patients' whānau and then the junior doctors. 'We were determined to focus on fundamental patient care such as hydration, nutrition, mouth care, pressure care, bowels and bladders. 'We published that project. It's one of my most cited publications, because it's meaningful and it's about care, and it's about nurses taking charge when things go wrong.' In 2013, Julia and her Kiwi partner moved to Aotearoa New Zealand to care for ageing parents. Difficulty finding work as a clinical nurse specialist eventually led to Slark taking up a teaching post in the University's School of Nursing. Her energy, enthusiasm and expertise saw her work her way up to head of school in 2019. It has been a privilege, she says, to work with brilliant students and to encourage quality nursing research. One achievement Slark is excited about has been writing a stroke course that started as a nurse-led course and has become interprofessional. It is offered online, leads to a masters and is highly accessible for people across the whole country, Slark says. 'It's just such a joy to see these people coming together, learning from completely different areas of practice, paramedics, GPs, nurses, and rural and urban clinicians. It's a fantastic opportunity for everybody.' At her inaugural celebration, Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Professor Warwick Bagg praised Slark's outstanding research. 'It used to be that people with strokes would arrive in hospital and we would tell the family the first 24 hours would tell clinicians where the person would land. But now, people come in with terrible strokes and walk out. 'I think we need to recognise the academic giant that Julia is and how she has been part of the journey to provide excellence in stroke care.' Julia spoke with enthusiasm of looking forward to a symposium later this year of the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery, which she chairs and that includes universities across Australia and New Zealand. She's also working on a new research project looking at how to prioritise the relational aspect of care; the connection between a nurse or a health professional with patients and whānau. 'We think that that is a key to improving the patient experience and ultimately patient outcomes.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
‘Giant In Stroke Research' Focuses On Role Of Nurses
Evidence showing how nursing care can improve stroke patient outcomes has been Professor Julia Slark's focus. The strength of the waiata at Professor Julia Slark's inaugural lecture, celebrating her promotion to professor, spoke volumes about her leadership at the University of Auckland's School of Nursing. Slark's purple robe was offset by a korowai and pounamu, gifted by Māori colleagues in recognition of her commitment to transforming the culture of the nursing school with guidance from matua John Tuoro and whaea Erana Poulsen. 'We have daily tikanga, we do karakia together and that connection and learning about matauranga Māori has been a real priority for everybody,' Slark says. 'It has seen a real cultural shift and the creation of a much safer space for our Māori colleagues to come and work with us.' Slark's promotion to professor recognised her excellence in research and teaching, yet associate head of school (pre-registration programmes) Dr Lisa Stewart said what makes her so exceptional is that everything she does comes from a place of caring. 'Whether it's patients in the stroke unit, students, staff or the nursing profession, it is compassion, kindness, social justice and concern for others that drives her.' Slark started her inaugural lecture by laying out the importance of both the art and science of nursing. 'The impact of the profession of nursing is based on the application of theoretical concepts and scientific research evidence, which are underpinned by our conscious commitment to the art of caring through the relationship we have with the person we are caring for,' she said. Slark spoke of her life growing up on the southeast coast of England knowing she was born to be a nurse. She moved to London at 17 to follow her dream and, after a short stint in a surgical ward, found her home in neurology. After qualifying as a registered nurse in 1993, the next decade was consumed by her twin passions of nursing and travel, including extended leave to travel around Southeast Asia. When the money ran out, Slark returned to the UK in 1999, working as a charge nurse at Hammersmith Hospital's NHS Foundation Trust then from 2001 as a stroke clinical nurse specialist. In this role, she 'inadvertently' became involved in clinical trials, seeking an evidence base to support her experience and intuition. 'I enjoyed the complexity and the variety of patient care in the neurology ward. But, as stroke nurse specialist, I found the lack of evidence-based practices for the acute phases very frustrating.' A masters degree in strategic leadership in 2007 was followed by doctoral research that concluded with a randomised controlled trial exploring the impact of patient education to reduce risk factors for secondary prevention. 'The results showed significant improvements in lifestyle behaviour changes and a trend towards blood pressure reduction in hypertensive participants.' There were many more research papers arising out of the challenges of stroke nursing. 'One example was a terrible weekend when a patient died after they received too much IV fluid and an error in their feeding regime. 'We took this failure in care very seriously and developed an initiative of nurse-led ward rounds, specifically undertaken on a Friday afternoon to plan for the weekend. 'We met the nurse in charge of the patients at the door to the bay, and we went to each patient with clear, patient-centred measures to focus on. 'This was three o'clock on a Friday afternoon. It did not take long before the physios started joining us, and then the OTs joined us, patients' whānau and then the junior doctors. 'We were determined to focus on fundamental patient care such as hydration, nutrition, mouth care, pressure care, bowels and bladders. 'We published that project. It's one of my most cited publications, because it's meaningful and it's about care, and it's about nurses taking charge when things go wrong.' In 2013, Julia and her Kiwi partner moved to Aotearoa New Zealand to care for ageing parents. Difficulty finding work as a clinical nurse specialist eventually led to Slark taking up a teaching post in the University's School of Nursing. Her energy, enthusiasm and expertise saw her work her way up to head of school in 2019. It has been a privilege, she says, to work with brilliant students and to encourage quality nursing research. One achievement Slark is excited about has been writing a stroke course that started as a nurse-led course and has become interprofessional. It is offered online, leads to a masters and is highly accessible for people across the whole country, Slark says. 'It's just such a joy to see these people coming together, learning from completely different areas of practice, paramedics, GPs, nurses, and rural and urban clinicians. It's a fantastic opportunity for everybody.' At her inaugural celebration, Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Professor Warwick Bagg praised Slark's outstanding research. 'It used to be that people with strokes would arrive in hospital and we would tell the family the first 24 hours would tell clinicians where the person would land. But now, people come in with terrible strokes and walk out. 'I think we need to recognise the academic giant that Julia is and how she has been part of the journey to provide excellence in stroke care.' Julia spoke with enthusiasm of looking forward to a symposium later this year of the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery, which she chairs and that includes universities across Australia and New Zealand. She's also working on a new research project looking at how to prioritise the relational aspect of care; the connection between a nurse or a health professional with patients and whānau. 'We think that that is a key to improving the patient experience and ultimately patient outcomes.'
