Wednesday, 14 May 2014

To the Minister of Finance in 2014

Nei ka mihi ki te Minita

Sir, I have listened to my MP, Dr. Pita Sharples, speak of you in glowing terms.

You truly care not just for moving the country as whole FOWARD, But, I can see that your Government deeply cares for families.

Because of you, more people have warmer homes, more kids can get a better Education at ALL Levels, more families can be safe and secure and most of ALL New Zealanders can direct their own future.
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For me, I want to praise the fact that you have successfully steered us out of the worst financial crisis in a generation.

The recession dealt heavy blows to Maori. We lost jobs, we lost livelihoods and our families were hurt the most by that catastrophe.
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Now, we have a 30 BILLION Dollar Economy, More Maori are employed every day, Our radio stations and our TV Station streams our language, our sporting traditions are being upheld, our sacred knowledge is being protected, our tamariki will have BETTER health, our kids can be more ready every morning for kura, We can build MAORI Innovation and our beautiful story can be told again.

I express my heartfelt thanks, both to You, and your fellow Ministers.

MOST Of all, I greet, applaud and THANK Our Honourable Prime Minister.

E te Matua,

Nga manaakitanga ki runga i a koe, ki runga i to whanau, otira, kia taatou katoa.

Kia ora ra

TeRata Rangi Hikairo

Sunday, 4 May 2014

You deserve it

Maori people are at a huge crossroads.

Two of their greatest leaders, This side of the millennium are stepping down from Political life.
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The 2 founding co-leaders of the Maori Party are making way for new leadership and are giving younger people a chance to step up.
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Their achievements are numerous.
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But this blog is LESS about their incredible achievements.. but MORE about their undeniably genuine... heartfelt.. PERSONAL Principles.
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Those principles are Whakawhanaungatanga, Manaakitanga and Rangatiratanga.

Their principles are OUR principles as Maori.

Their principles are instilled in those they work with AND are in the one's who will FOLLOW them.

They lead all Maori to Parliament in 2005.. and we got them in to Government in 2008.'

We deserve to have an independent INDIGENOUS Voice in Government.

We are the ONLY One's in all the world that have that.

It's is as valuable as the lives of our tamariki mokopuna. In fact.. their future is secured.. so long as that voice is there.

Kia Ora ano taatou.

Sunday, 13 April 2014

Official Languages

These are all my OWN Thoughts and opinions.

On the status of official Languages in New Zealand...
The purpose of granting legal recognition to a language is so that a sovereign Government can make a call on which languages can be used in official settings, documents, laws, departments, ministries, speeches etc etc. It also is a strong stance of that Government which gives, in New Zealand's case grants LEGAL Recognition to it's Native language.
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LEGAL Recognition does not affect usage. Even if a Language is not legally recognised by a country... that Language, it's prestige, it's history, its' associated culture... is NOT Diminished.
No Language on Earth, needs a Bill or Act to make it great.
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The Maori Language in New Zealand, NEEDED Government support to help it stay alive.
And there was the idea that the Government of the past needed to play a role in this.

The same is true today.

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All 3 of our current national languages have played a significant role in our society, and are in high regard at many levels of society, but MORE work needs to be done.
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THIS Is a HUGE Undertaking, and needs to be the priority of successive NZ Governments.
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It would be too much to try to officially help and legislate the status of foreign Languages in New Zealand.

NO Foreign Languages, nor their speakers actually need 'legal or Government help' in the speaking and living of Their languages.

They are spoken widely, used freely and play a major role in the communities that speak them.

Moreover it rests with FOREIGN Governments to revitalise and sustain their own languages in their own countries. Indeed the communities in those countries share that responsibility with their own foreign Governments.

As a stellar example, the Samoan Government has set up a Samoan Language Commission in Samoa. This protects Gagana Samoa.

The Cook Island's Government has also officially recognised their own native language and ought to be congratulated for this.
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I am not seeking to stomp out other languages or say anything to that effect.

What I'm saying is that the NZ Government will focus on NZ Languages, and foreign Governments can focus on foreign languages.

I do not wish to stop anyone in New Zealand from using, reading, writing or speaking their own special language. In fact I strongly encourage that, and everyone should do so.

I am saying that the NZ Government need Not focus on foreign languages as this tramples on the mana of Foreign Governments to do so.

The priority of the NZ Government should be NZ Languages.



Saturday, 29 March 2014

Influence with Integrity

This blog post expresses personal political ideas and beliefs. It is indeed up for discussion and is completely open to debate.

It has been posted, as you'll see on the 30th of March 2014.
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YES!!!

Your Maori Party IS In Government. We have been since 2008 and we hope to always Be in Government.

We need to be there. You need us there.
We the Maori Party do our best to listen to you and the aspirations and dreams of you and your whanau. You and your whanau GUIDE Our direction, because we are all on this Waka together.
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 Kawanatanga is a WAKA.... It is a Waka that we travel on together.

Styled after the Waka of old, Kawanatanga is where we lead and advance our people.. All Maori and indeed ALL New Zealanders are on Our Waka together.
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Understand this critical point. The Kawanatanga is United, but still has different people in it, all with differing views and opinions.


Our ancient waka were like this. Hoturoa, the Captain of Tainui did NOT have his tohunga Rakataura on his Waka with, BUT, Both Rakatuara AND Hoturoa made it to the Same destination... because the intention of Advancing toward Aotearoa was the same.
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Nowadays, The waka (of Kawanatanga) doesn't go toward.. but For.. and Forward WITH Aotearoa.
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Critical to this whole kaupapa though is the modern concept of Democracy.
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The current Kawanatanga has an agenda, has kaupapa and things it wishes to push. Recent examples of this are the Resource Management Act Reforms, State Assets Sales AND the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The current roopu who lead the Kawanatanga wanted to push these 3 kaupapa.

The State Asset sales would takahi the Mana of Wai Maori.
And has done so...
BUT!!! From the Start, despite what that other Roopu (National) have done.. WE STAUNCHLY OPPOSED Them.

The other roopu wanted to takahi Papatuanuku with the Resource Management Act...
But we.. Your Maori Party held them up and did our best to defend Papatuanuku and stop them at every turn.

And,  with the TPPA. Your Maori Party STAUNCHLY Opposes National as they try to drive forward a kaupapa that could diminish our Tino Rangatiratanga.
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Therefore, I need you to Know that every time the other Roopu on the Waka, wish to hurt Maori and hurt Aotearoa.. we, YOUR MAORI PARTY are there to halt them... to Oppose them and to stop them.

We are NOT National. National is not us. They are not Maori.
National is National.
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We hoe the waka of Kawanatanga to make sure that we can advance the interests of Maori.
And we know that when we advance Maori, we advance Aotearoa.

For more information, go to the Maori Party Website

Saturday, 22 March 2014

MANDATED AUTHORITY

This is a personal blog, expressing personal and individual thoughts and opinions.

It is open to challenge. Nevertheless, I hold to my own ideas.
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I grew up in Ngapuhi. I have climbed my maunga and I have swam in my awa and the wahapu.
I have spoken on my own marae and have good relationships with the taumata.
I have my pepeha and my whakapapa.

I am one of the tens of thousands of Ngapuhi living in South Auckland. But, my Nan, my uncles and my cousins live under my maunga and in between our urupa and our awa.
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I AM NGAPUHI, NGAPUHI IS ME!!!!
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I freely admit that I did Not actively participate in the selection of the [former] Tuhoronuku group.
In fact, I remember getting the voting forms and thinking 'Why vote in this??? Ngapuhi will Never settle'.
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BUT, On the 14th of February 2014, This personal assertion was smashed to pieces.

I had just days earlier, shaken hands with and greeted Minister Finlayson and walked with him on to Te Tii Marae.

I had No actual idea, that he with his Ministerial colleague, Dr. Sharples who we also walked on to the Marae with, would sign the letter sent to Ngapuhi.

The Crown had recognised the Mandate of Tuhoronuku.

I remember standing in a carpark, reading the email that had informed me of this.

MY HEART SOARED!!!!!

I was taken aback, but also extremely proud, extremely pleased, that at long last, we as an Iwi, had the oppurtunity to begin to move forward.
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I have proudly carried that joy for just over a month.

Tonight, after attending a Tuhoronuku Information Hui, I have the substance to back up why I can feel proud.
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My heart praises the integrity of the caretaker committee, who were once part of Te Runanga, but are now Independent. But, even THEN, for the sake of their integrity, they are stepping aside to FULLY AND COMPLETELY allow for the Democratic unity of Iwi to decide who will make up the
'Tuhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority'.
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OF COURSE, there is opposition. In all things, there is Opposition.

But I Now know, for a fact that that litigious rag-tag bunch [which lessens and lessens each day], has VESTED Interests, and actively spread mistruths and misinformation, coupled with seemingly genuine rhetoric, to advance said vested interests.

I am saddened that a small small group, blinded by greed and pride, wish to derail and stop OUR Ability as an Iwi, to move forward.
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It is not my place to reveal their true intentions, but I will say that this opposition only wish to feather their own nests.
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BUT, Tuhoronuku, the Kite of Peace, will keep flying on. Will keep soaring higher and higher.

Our kite, carries our aspirations. We are our largest iwi, with many many many hapuu and marae.

We are at a historical crossroads.
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But it is with Tuhoronuku, that we fly higher.

Teena Taatou Katoa.

Saturday, 1 March 2014

Mate Atu He Tete Kura, Ara Mai Ano He tete Kura

Mate Atu He Tete Kura, Ara Mai Ano He tete Kura

This proverb is poignant.

In all places, in all times, in all groups, in all organisations, in all movements and in all teams, This proverb rings true.

The meaning is simple: 'When one falls [or goes] another takes their place'.

I think of the New Zealand Political landscape.

Off the top of my head, I know of 4 Outstanding MPs who will not seek re-election in the upcoming General Election. Two from the same party, one from another party, and one from even another party,

Indeed, those who serve this nation in the House of Representatives have a most difficult task.

Most days, they'll wake before dawn to get early flights to Wellington [or wherever they are needed that day]. If they do get to return home that day, it won't be until well in to the night.

In many cases, these incredible individuals may not always get to enjoy the simple things in life.
Simple things like, making it to a family function, sleeping in their own bed, sitting at their own table to eat.

Things that we take for granted, like having a night at home with family, just blobbing out and watching a DVD, or going to the beach in the weekend, or a park, or just being together with whanau...

These things can be very rare for our MPs in the House of Representatives.
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As electors, we might sometimes forget that our MPs are human.
And the offices and stations that they hold, have great power and influence, YES..

But these people are human.
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And so, I believe that, it is fitting, that once an MP has had a long, illustrious career, that

They must be given a chance to retire. We must allow them to go back to their families.

Go back to their husbands and wives, sons and daughters, to their whanau in the places that they call home.

They have done their time for us, under exceeding pressures, the likes of which, you and I, [for the most part] would find most difficult.

They need to be proud of their accomplishments, And the many things they have done.
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I am thankful for the services of our MPs in, to and for this nation. They are our pillars of Democracy and provide the things we need to get on each day.
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As a last note, it is EQUALLY Important that the legacies they leave behind are carried on by new, dynamic and innovate people who can carry out the great tasks ahead.

May we all step up to this great legacy, left to us by our ancestors so that we can continue, despite EVERYTHING to build a great Nation.



Tuesday, 11 February 2014

MA TAATOU KATOA TE REO

Naaku teenei reo.

Nau teenei reo.

Na taatou tenei reo. Ma matou, ma tatou tenei reo.
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Engari me pehea te whakatinana i enei korero ooku?

Ki au nei, ehara ma nga hunga pakipaki noa iho [language elitists].

Ehara na tetahi roopu iti.

Ki au nei, he ahua orite teera ki te whakawhirinaki katoa ki te tuutei [sentinel/gatekeeper]. Engari, ka aha? Me pehea taatou ina kua taka taua tuutei? Ka aha taatou ina ka RUPAHU? Me pehea te mohio, ina kua huri tuara taua tuutei, a, ka 'kapo' haere taua tuutei mo te wa poto, katahi ka tau mai te hoariri ki te whakamate i a taatou?? Ka aha taatou ina kei te peera?
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Ki oku nei mohio, roa te wa, ko te reo teera e noho tupono ana.

Ae ra, he maha nga reo irirangi Maori, Kei reira a Whakaata Maori, Ko nga Kura, nga kohanga me nga waananga eera e korero, e whakaora ai i to taatou reo.

Engari, ae, kei te mohio pai, mohio whaanui, ehara ma aua roopu, aua mahi no raatou noa iho e whakaora tika ai i to taatou reo.

Ano ra, kei te kite tonu taatou, kei te noho tupono te reo.
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No reira ka aha taatou??? Ka aha te reo???

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Ma nga Wananga noa iho? Ma nga Kura noa iho? Ma nga kohanga noa iho? Ma nga reo irirangi noa iho? Ma Whakaata Maori noa iho?
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Ina kei te peera, me pehea ma taatou? Ka aha te tangata ina ko tana waerehe, tana pouaka whaakata noaiho eera e korero te reo??
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Ki oku nei whakaaro, he roa te waa!!! Roa te waa i te noho peera me te whakaaro, me whakawhirinaki noaiho ki enei roopu, enei mahi noaiho hei whakakaha, hei whakaora ai te reo.

Engari, anoo ra te kii, kei te noho tuupono te reo.
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Nei ka mihi kia tika, ki too tatou Minita Take Maori o Te Puni Kokiri.

Kua taka te kapa mo tenei o wa taatou Matua, tenei o wa taatou rangatira.

Kua whai te Minita i te mohio, me whakawhaanui, me whakanui, me rahi haere nga mahi KATOA hei whakaora ai to tatou reo.

Kei te mohio pai te Minita, ehara teenei reo o taatou he reo tuutei, he reo pakipaki.

Ko tenei reo o taatou, na taatou, ma taatou.

Kia au nei, ae, whakakaha i nga rautaki, me nga roopu kua whakaputa kaha ana mai raa ano.
Peera i te Panikiretanga, Te Ataarangi hoki. Maha ake atu i a ratou. ae, me whakakaha hoki i a ratou.
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Engari kaua wareware, Taa te wharangi ipurangi o Tatauranga Aotearoa e 668,724, e kia nei, he uri Maori.
A, ko raatou eera e noho ki konei, ki Aotearoa.
Hei taa Wikipiiria, e 146,805 nga Maori e noho ki te Ao Whanui.
No reira e ahua 815,529 nga Maori me o taatou uri e ora ana, e noho ana ki tenei Ao o taatou.
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Ano ra, me maumahara taatou, ki to taatou ake Mana Maori. Ma taua mana, ko taatou te Maori, nga tohunga [experts] nga rangatira [leaders] o te Ao taketake. Taa te Kotahitanga o Nga Iwi o te AO, E  ahua 370,000,000 nga iwi taketake o te Ao.

He nui nga mahi kei mua te aroaro, kei mua i a taatou katoa. Ina hoki, ki te mate te reo, ka noho tuupono katoa, nga reo me nga tikanga o wa taatou Matua Tupuna.

Ano ra, ki te mate te reo Maori, ka mate tatou, a, kahore he paku awhero mo nga hunga taketake 370,000,000 o te Ao whanui!!!!

No reira, me noho tupono te Ao taketake katoa i roto i nga ringaringa iti o te roopu iti????

Ki au nei,  Me kaua maa tetahi roopu iti, roopu pakupaku e "whakakaha" i to taatou reo.
Ina kei te peera, ka mate rawa te reo.
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Ki au nei, maa te kotahitanga, ma te nui, ma te rahi, ka ora taatou, ka toa te katoa.

No reira, ma nga IWI te reo e kawe. Ma nga hapu me nga whanau e whakakotahi i raro i te maru o wa taatou roopunga iwi, e whakakaha nga rautaki o nga IWI kia ora pai, kia ora tonu te reo.

Kia au nei, ina kei te pirangi maatou ki ora pai, ora tonu ai i to taatou reo, ma taatou kee teera.
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Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, Engari ma te toa takatini.

Mo te roanga ake o enei korero, whakapaa atu ki te wharangi ipurangi:

http://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/newsevents/news/change-of-governance-proposed-in-maori-language-strategy/



Disclaimer: I acknowledge in English, that this blog entry may not be written in perfect Maori. But neverthless these are my views. And really the point of this blog is what is really important, i.e. that we need a world-beating strategy to enliven and properly revitalise the language of our ancestors, this pure language, The Maori Language.