The Aotea Kapa Haka Regionals took place at Rātana Pā today. The host group Te Reanga Mōrehu o Rātana received thunderous applause when they took to the stage. The haka group Aotea Utanganui from South Taranaki bought messages opposing the extraction of iron sand in the South Taranaki Bight. Most of the members of Aotea Utanganui are descendants of the Patea Māori Club and paid tribute to Te Rangipuano Kershaw who passed away some weeks ago. The crowd are still waiting to hear the judge’s decision after strong performances from all those who took to the stage today. Leah Te Whata reports live from Rātana Pā: Tama Pokai (Kaihaka, Aotea Utanganui), Janine Maruera (Kaitātaki Wāhine, Aotea Utanganui).
The Waka Odyssey Festival on Wellington’s waterfront took time to honour the navigator Kupe today. A theatrical performance included a 1,000 man haka and a 300 strong choir in a production featuring Maisey Rika as Kuramarotini, Kupe’s wife. Double hull waka from Samoa took to the waters along with waka ama and waka taua. The fleet now head to Petone Beach to highlight community efforts to clean up the shoreline.
Five regions are to benefit from the Provincial Growth Fund. Hawkes Bay and Gisborne are among those targeted for having tourism and forestry opportunities. Iwi are hoping that a developed economy will help to keep jobs in their regions. Over $2 million will go towards redeveloping the inner harbour of Gisborne and $200,000 is earmarked for helping to create a wood processing plant that will provide 167 jobs. There is also $5 million earmarked for reopening the Wairoa – Napier railway line, but nothing to reconnect the Gisborne – Wairoa rail link. Rāhia Timutimu reports: Selwyn Parata (Heamana, Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou), Shane Jones (Minita Take Ōhanga a Rohe), Meng Foon (Koromatua, Tūranga nuia Kiwa).
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: 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).
Te Mātāwai has been given $10 million dollars in funding to support Iwi efforts to revitalize te reo Māori. Those funds will be distributed to the regions with 70% being split across seven tribal clusters. The funding will go towards strategies aimed at putting te reo back in the home in communities across the East Coast. 25% of the funding will be placed in a contestable fund for programmes which have more of a national focus. The goal of Te Mātāwai is the empowerment of regional tribes to work more closely with their people in supporting local language revitalisation. Rukuwai Tipene-Allen reports: Jeremy Tātere MacLeod (Māngai mo Te tai Rāwhiti), Te Atarangi Whiu (Tumu Whakarae mō Te Mātāwai).
Doctor Morehu Ngātoko Rahipere, respected elder of Ngāti Ranginui has died. A strong supporter of the King movement, he fought for the return of land in Tauranga Moana which had been confiscated. Awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007, he was a strong advocate for te reo and was passionate about tribes developing strong links with each other. Mere McLean reports: Te Moanaroa Ngātoko Rahipere (Kaikōrero mo te whānau).
The Tall Blacks have defeated China 82 – 73 in their FIBA World Cup qualifier. Paul Henare says it is one of the biggest upsets and greatest wins ever for those in the black singlet. The Tall Blacks loss to South Korea in November now seems like a distant memory as the Tall Blacks are now at the top of the table. The Chinese team boasted top players like Jianlian Yi and Zhou Peng, but a determined New Zealand attack and teamwork won them the victory. The Tall Blacks will now play against South Korea again on Monday night. Rāhia Timutimu reports: Paul Henare (Kaiako, Tāroaroa Pango, Mai i Guangzhou, Haina).
Ngarohi McGarvey has been on the radar of Clark Laidlaw since his days playing at Rotorua Boy’s High School. The first person he informed of his inclusion in the team was his Grandmother, who he phoned to give her the news. Laidlaw believes he needs international experience, but he is already heading in the right direction to be a top level player. McGarvey-Black says it will be a whole new level of competition and difficulty, but it will be achievable. Mere McLean reports: Ngarohi McGarvey-Black (Ngāi Tūhoe), Clark Laidlaw (Kaiako, Whutupōro Takiwhitu NZ).
Lisa Adams will be the first woman with a physical disability to play Rugby League Nines on the world stage when she joins the New Zealand Men’s squad at the Commonwealth Championships. Suffering from minor cerebral palsy, Adams has been a member of PDRLNZ for only four months but has been selected to play at the physical disability Nines tri-series in Queensland. She has also been named as the official flag bearer for New Zealand. Rāhia Timutimu reports: Lisa Adams (Kaitākaro, PDRLNZ, Mai i Rotorua).
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).