Te Taura Whiri, Te Māngai Pāho and Te Mātāwai appeared before the Māori Affairs Select Committee today. The agencies tasked with revitalizing te reo Māori delivered their annual performance review. The committee seemed most impressed by Te Mātāwai and its Maihi Māori strategy. Te Taura Whiri was asked hard questions over the delays in Maihi Karauna, with some saying it showed the incompetence of the Māori language commission. Te Māngai Pāho told the committee they were also delayed until their strategy is complete. Te Mātāwai said that being accountable to its people and not the Government is what is driving its success. Talisa Kupenga reports live from Parliament: Ngahiwi Apanui (Pou Whakarae, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori), Te Atarangi Whiu (Tumu Whakarae, Te Mātāwai), Rino Tirikatene (Heamana, Kōmiti Māori), Waihoroi Shortland (Hoa-Toihau, Te Mātāwai).
A state of emergency still persists across a number of regions in the South Island following the passage of Cyclone Gita across the country. Area from Dunedin to Taranaki were hit by storm damage, including landslides in Takaka. 13,000 homes in Taranaki are still without power.
A complete overhaul of the education system is being planned by the new Government. Everything from Tomorrows Schools to NCEA will be reviewed. The Minister for Education says that the education system needs to adapt to the 21st Century and too much red tape is hindering innovation. The Minister also says he wants a more personalised learning experience. The latest NZQA statistics show that over one third of Māori students leave school with no NCEA qualifications and only one third leave with level 3 NCEA. The new Government now plans to hold an education summit in May to address all issues surrounding education. Rukuwai Tipene-Allen reports live from Tāmaki Makaurau: Kelvin Davis (Minita Mātauranga Tuarua).
The Stocktake of New Zealand Housing report commissioned by the Minister for Housing and Urban Development indicated that 9 out of 10 homeless people who approached Government agencies for assistance were turned away. The New Zealand Coalition to End Homelessness met in Auckland today to discuss their strategic plan for the next four years. There has been a lack of recognition of the elderly who are homeless, and the number of people over the age of 60 who are homeless will increase over the next decade. There is a need for sustainable housing for the elderly which is not being met. Te Kuru Dewes reports: Rangimahora Reddy (Tumu, Rauawaawa Kaumātua Trust), Janette Kaumoana (Kaimahi Whānau Ora), Yvonne Wilson (Ngā Rau Tatangi).
Mana whenua are urging the Auckland City Council to move quickly on closing high risk tracks to stop the spread of kauri dieback disease in the Hunua Ranges. The Chairman of the Independent Māori Statutory Board says he supports the views of mana whenua and voted to close the walking tracks.
Local residents continue their fight to restore the Napier War Memorial roll of honour which was demolished during construction of the Napier Conference Centre. The roll held the names of more than 600 soldiers. The community is pushing for the roll of honour to be placed on site with the Conference Centre and the name Napier War Memorial reinstated. Aroha Treacher reports: Alan Rhodes (Kaiwhakahaere), Bill Dalton (Koromatua).
Winston Peters had announced that New Zealand will provide $7 million to assist in reducing mortality rates for infants in the Pacific. The Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Vanuatu will receive the majority of the aid. Nearly 1,700 children under 5 year of age dies in the Pacific in 2016, 80% of whom died in their first year of life.
Moana Maniapoto has met with Auckland Māori artists and musicians to discuss a cultural and economic strategy in conjunction with Creative New Zealand’s aim to develop a pathway for Māori artists nationwide. The Ngā Toi Māori National Roadshow collects data from current and established Māori artists to assist Creative New Zealand. The roadshow will be travelling across the country until April. Moana Maniapoto (Kaiwaiata Rongonui), Paula Cuff (Creative New Zealand).
Paul Henare has named his Tall Blacks team for the FIBA World Cup qualifier against China. Reuben Te Rangi will captain the team which seems to be missing key senior players. Dan Fotu will make his debut tomorrow night and anything less than a stellar performance against the Chinese team will not be tolerated. Eru Paranihi reports: Paul Henare (Kaiako, Tall Blacks), Dan Fotu (Kaitākaro Hōu).
Shannon McIlroy is chasing a medal at the Commonwealth Games. The Ngāti Porou bowler has missed out on a medal at the 2010 and 2014 games but hopes to make a comeback on the Gold Coast and is determined to win a gold medal. Having won gold at the World Championships and the Multi-Nationals in the singles, he believes other competitors see him as a threat. McIlroy and the other bowlers in the New Zealand team hope to improve on the 3 medals won four years ago. Moana Makapelu Lee reports: Shannon McIlroy (Ngāti Porou, Mai i Whakatū).
Pangaru ki Papata’s Adam Blair believes that getting back to basics will eliminate errors in the trial match against the Titans. He wants to share his experience in developing basic skills with anyone in the Warriors. Stephen Kearney has named a strong team including Tohu Harris. Adam Blair (Kaitākoro Warriors), Tohu Harris (Kaitākoro Warriors), Stephen Kearney (Kaiako Warriors).