Mānia Clarke

Auckland Women’s Refuge are calling for more government funding to ensure they can adequately assist the thousands affected by family violence.  Advocacy Supporter Megan Grace says Christmas is the busiest time of the year for Women’s Refuges and resources are stretched.

The Amalgamated Workers Union (AWUNZ) says the government should pay the living wage to seasonal orchard workers.  The living wage is the income necessary to provide workers and their families with the basic necessities of life.

A Tauranga-based Māori kiwifruit orchard is taking action to attract more fruit pickers to address the shortfall of workers they are anticipating during harvest that starts in March.

A call from Māori Trademarks advisor Karaitiana Taiuru for New Zealand business to stop Māori cultural appropriation is being supported by some Māori.  The BP and The Warehouse are among some business Taiuru has identified.

The General Manager of Feed the Need is calling on the government to establish a central school food programme fund to address Child Poverty.  The food in schools advocate Laurie Wharemate-Keung has been honoured with the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to children.

Police continue to investigate the homicide of a 22-year-old Matakana Island man who died on New Year's Day.  Tauranga police are seeking witnesses who were present at a temporary camping ground on Matakana Point Road on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Ngāti Naho Kaitiaki are looking to create a guardianship strategy for the historic cultural battle sites of Rangiriri Pā and Te Wheoro Redoubt which was returned to Waikato-Tainui in 2016. However since that time the sites have come under disarray.

King Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII along with hundreds of Kiingitanga supporters gathered at the 85th Poukai held at Horahora marae, on the first day of the Pākehā New Year.

Te Puea marae chair Hurimoana Dennis is not surprised at the unprecedented demand for Salvation Army emergency aid this Christmas. Sallies have helped a nearly 16,000 children with parcels during the festive season, and Dennis says it’s the result of multiple issues.

A new survey shows that financial debt and insecurity alongside housing affordability and homelessness are the two main concerns for Māori.

Te Puea Marae frontman Hurimoana Dennis isn't surprised and says these are the same issues affecting whānau they help through their homelessness programme.

The Principal of a South Auckland Wharekura says the government must continue to fund the Māori Science Pūhoro programme.

Maahia Nathan says Māori students have an aptitude in the STEM subjects and need to be supported to succeed.  

Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare has fronted up to last Xmas parcel distribution at Ngā Whare Waatea marae in South Auckland at the invitation of MUMA Whānau Ora.

Manager Veronica Henare says she wants the government to do more to support struggling families at Christmas.