Jacinda Ardern has announced over $6 million dollars of funding for Samoa to help women and youth to develop businesses. This was announced during the new Government delegations travel through the Pacific as part of an attempt to build indigenous business and cultural ties between Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific . The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is looking to expand indigenous economic opportunity in the Pacific through cooperation and sharing information and business models. The Pacific is also seen as a contested strategic space with China offering loans to develop infrastructure. New Zealand will work closely with the Samoan Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour to boost export opportunities. A further $3 million dollars had been granted to assist in efforts to recover from Cyclone Gita. Talisa Kupenga reports from Samoa: Traci Houpapa (Hemana, FOMA), Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi (Pirimia, Hāmoa).
The Ministry of Social Development says there has been a 23% increase in special needs grants for food over the last year which is attributed to increased housing costs. The Love Soup food charity in Rotorua agrees with the increased need of low income families for support as the cost of living rises. In 2014 363,654 Special Needs grants were approved, by 2017 that had increased to over 493,000. Love Soup say that people are increasingly having to make choices between paying the rent or buying food and they are providing for between 5,000 and 8,000 people each month. Mere McLean reports: Gina Peoffer (Love Soup Rotorua).
The new head of Māori relationships at the Whangarei District Council wishes to promote the Council to the next level. Aperahama Edwards was officially welcomed into his new role with a large number of Ngāti Wai in attendance. His duties are to improve communication and understanding between Māori and the Council and believes his knowledge traditional tribal protocols will allow him to act as an intermediary and bridge for conversations. Raniera Harrison reports: Aperahama Edwards (Paetakawaenga Māori, Te Kaunihera Ā Rohe o Whangārei), Sheryl Mai (Kahika, Whangārei).
More than 2 hundred people have paid their respects to Lieutenant Alfred Preece, the last officer of the 28th Māori Battalion. The service was held at the Chatham Islands where he was remembered as a great host and a skilled hunter and teacher. Many politicians and dignitaries attended and he was honoured with a 21 gun salute, the last post was played and a haka was performed by the first Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. Leah Te Whata reports: ron Mark (Mīnita Kaupapa Waonga).
The 2018 Census Day has arrived and social agencies are concerned that the homeless and those in transient housing will go uncounted. Statistics New Zealand says that census field staff will count any homeless person or those who are sleeping rough, but it would be impossible to find everyone. There are also concerns that older people, and those without computers or phones will be excluded from the census. Te Kuru Dewes reports: Marama Fox.
Ngāi Whātua Ōrākei has announced deal with NIB insurance to provide free universal private health insurance for all members of its hapū to improve health and wellbeing outcomes. All New Zealand based registered members of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei wil receive base coverage for surgical and medical hospitalisation, cover for specialist consultations which do not require hospitalisation and also other health costs such as GP visits, dental care, physiotherapy and opticians. The aim of this deal is to increase the use of preventative medicine amongst Māori and to reduce the hospital admissions. Rukuwai Tipene-Allen reports live from the Auckland Newsroom.
Auckland teams dominated the field at the National Touch Rugby tournament in Takanini. Auckland won the Open Men’s title after defeating Waikato 8-7 in a hard match. Auckland defeated Otago 13-7 to win the Open Mixed final and Counties Manukau won the Open Women’s final after defeating Waikato 7-6.
Kaiwhare Kara-France has defeated Xiaoyu Shi in a successful return to the fight scene at the New Zealand versus China event. This win has increased his chances of being accepted into the UFC. The City Kickboxing Gym had 3 wins in the nights events with Blood Diamond and Wendy Talbot taking victories. Tamati Tiananga reports: Kaiwhare Kara-France (Waikato- Tainui).
The New Zealand team have defeated England 19-14 to claim fifth at the Las Vegas Sevens. This follows being knocked out of the quarter finals be Fiji.
The Canberra Raiders NRL side with feature some Māori players this year. Charlie Gubb, Jordan Rapana and Joseph Tapine have joined the team as they prepare to improve on their 10th ranking in last year’s tournament. Jordan Rapana (Ngāti Toa), Joseph Tapine (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Waikato Tainui).
Kawa Roes delivers the first Māori focused weather report on Te Kāea: The Lunar Calendar – The moon moves into the phase of Oike.