Latest news with #MāoriDevelopment
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Government Recognises Matariki Near Ohakune
Hon Paul Goldsmith Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage Minister for Māori Development The Government is recognising Matariki at the official ceremony near Ohakune today, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. 'We are honoured to be guests of Ngāti Rangi for this traditional hautapu ceremony,' Mr Goldsmith says. 'This is the fourth national Matariki broadcast but the first time it has been hosted by a marae, and the first year Puanga is the star of national celebrations. "Matariki and Puanga are both stars that sit in the night sky together to signal the start of the Māori new year for different iwi. 'We are very fortunate to have this opportunity to witness and share in the Puanga traditions of Ngāti Rangi. 'The theme for this year's celebration is Matariki mā Puanga, which means celebrating together. I hope that no matter where people are, they get the chance to remember, celebrate and look to the future. Mānawatia a Matariki!' 'For many Iwi, Puanga shines brightest above our communities as we grow the tradition of celebrating together,' Mr Potaka says. 'These Puanga observations signal the year is coming to a close, and inform forecasts for the future. It's a time to reflect on the past, remembering and giving thanks to those who have passed on before us. 'It's also a time to reflect on what was achieved over the past year. Along with the rising of Matariki, we welcome the dawn of a new year and plan ahead with ancestral wisdom.' Notes: Ministry for Culture and Heritage research shows 63 per cent of New Zealanders did something to celebrate Matariki last year, up from 60 per cent in 2023. This year, more than 2.8 million New Zealanders are expected to participate, and 68 per cent of New Zealanders feel that Matariki's significance is growing each year.
Scoop
07-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Congratulates Ahuwhenua Trophy Winners
Press Release – New Zealand Government Sheep and beef farms are the backbone of the Mori primary sector, valued at over $12 billion, and these awards honour the landowners, rangatira and kaimahi who keep that success going, says Mori Development Minister Tama Potaka. Minister of Agriculture Hon Tama Potaka Minister for Māori Development Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka have congratulated the winners of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy and the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award, recognising their excellence and leadership in Māori agribusiness. The Northland-based Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust was awarded the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy for excellence in Māori sheep and beef farming at a gala dinner in Palmerston North tonight. 'Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust turned a struggling farm into a thriving 1,200-head bull beef operation, and it's a clear example of what vision and hard work can achieve,' says Mr McClay. 'This award celebrates Māori excellence in farming and the kind of leadership that will help us double the value of exports in 10 years,' says Mr McClay. Mr Potaka says the Ahuwhenua Trophy recognises excellence in farming know-how, as well as the wider role that Māori intergenerational farming entities play in our regional communities and in protecting the environment. 'Sheep and beef farms are the backbone of the Māori primary sector, valued at over $12 billion, and these awards honour the landowners, rangatira and kaimahi who keep that success going,' says Mr Potaka. Te Tai Tokerau farm manager Coby Warmington took out the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award for sheep and beef. 'Congratulations to the winner and all those who took part in this year's competition. 'The prosperity and wellbeing farming generates for Iwi and Māori across the motu has far reaching impacts for communities, for whānau, for reinvesting back into marae and more. I tautoko the outstanding work these finalists are doing.'
Scoop
07-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Congratulates Ahuwhenua Trophy Winners
Hon Todd McClay Minister of Agriculture Minister for Māori Development Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka have congratulated the winners of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy and the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award, recognising their excellence and leadership in Māori agribusiness. The Northland-based Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust was awarded the 2025 Ahuwhenua Trophy for excellence in Māori sheep and beef farming at a gala dinner in Palmerston North tonight. 'Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust turned a struggling farm into a thriving 1,200-head bull beef operation, and it's a clear example of what vision and hard work can achieve,' says Mr McClay. 'This award celebrates Māori excellence in farming and the kind of leadership that will help us double the value of exports in 10 years,' says Mr McClay. Mr Potaka says the Ahuwhenua Trophy recognises excellence in farming know-how, as well as the wider role that Māori intergenerational farming entities play in our regional communities and in protecting the environment. 'Sheep and beef farms are the backbone of the Māori primary sector, valued at over $12 billion, and these awards honour the landowners, rangatira and kaimahi who keep that success going,' says Mr Potaka. Te Tai Tokerau farm manager Coby Warmington took out the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award for sheep and beef. 'Congratulations to the winner and all those who took part in this year's competition. 'The prosperity and wellbeing farming generates for Iwi and Māori across the motu has far reaching impacts for communities, for whānau, for reinvesting back into marae and more. I tautoko the outstanding work these finalists are doing.'
Scoop
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
King's Birthday Honours Recognise Significant Contributions Of Māori
Press Release – New Zealand Government The impressive mahi of Mori recipients this year are too numerous to mention. They have been honoured for achievements across many fields it is my privilege to recognise all of them today and to highlight just some examples, Mori Development … Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka today recognises the significant achievements of the Māori recipients in the King's Birthday 2025 Honours List, for their dedicated mahi and outstanding contributions across various important areas. 'The impressive mahi of Māori recipients this year are too numerous to mention. They have been honoured for achievements across many fields, coming from Iwi right across New Zealand – it is my privilege to recognise all of them today and to highlight just some examples,' Mr Potaka says. 'The King's Birthday Honours recognise the commitment and the passion that the recipients have shown, along with what has come from their dedication to their work and their causes. 'Among those recognised are, Mrs Deborah (Debbie) Davis, who has done extensive work to bring so much good, including through He Iwi Kotahi Tātou Trust, the grassroots organisation transforming the community of Moerewa in Northland, along with her husband, Mr Ngahau Davis (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Manu, Kohatutaka) 'Mrs Davis (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu) has worked, through the Trust since 1987, to address challenges including housing, food security within the community, and youth engagement. Her and her husband's work helped to provide insulation and heating solutions to more than 12,000 Northland homes since 2008. 'They have developed food rescue programmes and have introduced cultural and sports programmes that blend physical activity with the preservation of Māori traditions. They have expanded whānau support services to offer counselling, school programmes, and drug and alcohol programmes. Over the past 15 years, they have been involved in the establishment of a rehabilitative-focused sentencing in Kaikohe, Matariki Court. 'Hon Dover Samuels is recognised for services as a Member of Parliament and his achievements and what he progressed in that time, including as Minister of Māori Affairs. 'Mr Samuels (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kura, Ngāti Rēhia) was a Labour MP and MP for Te Tai Tokerau, working across various portfolios, including not least Māori Affairs, where his care and ability made considerable gains that continue to benefit Māori today. He also helped establish Rawini Health Hub for a rural Māori community and led the Rainbow Warrior project to sink the wreckage of the vessel and erect a memorial on Matauri Hill. He is kaumatua of several organisations. 'Mrs Elizabeth (Liz) Graham, who has dedicated more than 40 years to her community and to Māori education. 'Mrs Graham (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Toroiwahi), has contributed to her community in many ways – that includes through the education of our tamariki and to the education sector through many roles across her career, work she continues today as a teacher at Te Aute College. She helped guide her community through the Treaty Settlement process, and her knowledge of traditions, values, and customs, has helped the marae in hosting funerals, weddings, gatherings, and other events for over 20 years. 'The Honourable Sir Mark Cooper KC, High Court Judge, Court of Appeal Judge and President of the Court of Appeal, who was Chairperson of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure caused by the Canterbury Earthquakes. Sir Mark (Ngāti Mahanga, Waikato-Tainui) chaired 33 public hearings to deliver four reports, all of these under intense time pressure and public scrutiny. The detailed findings and recommendations of those reports helped avoid delay to the Canterbury rebuild and helped provide a resolution to the community. Amongst some of his other work has been his leadership in resource management and local government law, and his work that helped integrate various councils into one North Shore-based Council. I want to thank all of today's recipients, those mentioned here and all others who I trust will be celebrated by their people and their communities, and all the people who have worked with them along the way. 'Ko te amorangi ki mua, ko te hāpai ō ki muri.'
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
King's Birthday Honours Recognise Significant Contributions Of Māori
Minister for Māori Development Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka today recognises the significant achievements of the Māori recipients in the King's Birthday 2025 Honours List, for their dedicated mahi and outstanding contributions across various important areas. 'The impressive mahi of Māori recipients this year are too numerous to mention. They have been honoured for achievements across many fields, coming from Iwi right across New Zealand – it is my privilege to recognise all of them today and to highlight just some examples,' Mr Potaka says. 'The King's Birthday Honours recognise the commitment and the passion that the recipients have shown, along with what has come from their dedication to their work and their causes. 'Among those recognised are, Mrs Deborah (Debbie) Davis, who has done extensive work to bring so much good, including through He Iwi Kotahi Tātou Trust, the grassroots organisation transforming the community of Moerewa in Northland, along with her husband, Mr Ngahau Davis (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Manu, Kohatutaka) 'Mrs Davis (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu) has worked, through the Trust since 1987, to address challenges including housing, food security within the community, and youth engagement. Her and her husband's work helped to provide insulation and heating solutions to more than 12,000 Northland homes since 2008. 'They have developed food rescue programmes and have introduced cultural and sports programmes that blend physical activity with the preservation of Māori traditions. They have expanded whānau support services to offer counselling, school programmes, and drug and alcohol programmes. Over the past 15 years, they have been involved in the establishment of a rehabilitative-focused sentencing in Kaikohe, Matariki Court. 'Hon Dover Samuels is recognised for services as a Member of Parliament and his achievements and what he progressed in that time, including as Minister of Māori Affairs. 'Mr Samuels (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kura, Ngāti Rēhia) was a Labour MP and MP for Te Tai Tokerau, working across various portfolios, including not least Māori Affairs, where his care and ability made considerable gains that continue to benefit Māori today. He also helped establish Rawini Health Hub for a rural Māori community and led the Rainbow Warrior project to sink the wreckage of the vessel and erect a memorial on Matauri Hill. He is kaumatua of several organisations. 'Mrs Elizabeth (Liz) Graham, who has dedicated more than 40 years to her community and to Māori education. 'Mrs Graham (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Toroiwahi), has contributed to her community in many ways – that includes through the education of our tamariki and to the education sector through many roles across her career, work she continues today as a teacher at Te Aute College. She helped guide her community through the Treaty Settlement process, and her knowledge of traditions, values, and customs, has helped the marae in hosting funerals, weddings, gatherings, and other events for over 20 years. 'The Honourable Sir Mark Cooper KC, High Court Judge, Court of Appeal Judge and President of the Court of Appeal, who was Chairperson of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure caused by the Canterbury Earthquakes. Sir Mark (Ngāti Mahanga, Waikato-Tainui) chaired 33 public hearings to deliver four reports, all of these under intense time pressure and public scrutiny. The detailed findings and recommendations of those reports helped avoid delay to the Canterbury rebuild and helped provide a resolution to the community. Amongst some of his other work has been his leadership in resource management and local government law, and his work that helped integrate various councils into one North Shore-based Council. I want to thank all of today's recipients, those mentioned here and all others who I trust will be celebrated by their people and their communities, and all the people who have worked with them along the way. 'Ko te amorangi ki mua, ko te hāpai ō ki muri.'
