Te Korimako o Taranaki

20/01/2024

19/01/2024

19/01/2024

Taakiri Tuu te Kotahitanga! Taakiri Tuu te Mana Motuhake! 2024

We will be crossing over to Tainui Live at 8am 20th January to take this important hui ā motu with live commentary from Mamae Takerei, guest discussions with Julian Wilcox, Hone Harawira and others.

The broadcast will consist of waiata and collected interviews from those attending the kaupapa.

For updates on this important hui go to the Kiingitanga Page.

Remember if you can't attend and would like to participate.

Download the Whova app
Invitation code is: TaakiriT20
Search: Hui aa motu

17/01/2024

𝗚𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘂̄ 𝘁𝗼 𝗨𝗡

Hapū of Ngāruahine iwi are going to the United Nations to challenge fast-track resource consenting as undemocratic after failing to stop New Zealand’s tallest wind power turbines being built in South Taranaki.

The hapū are filing three claims under separate UN mechanisms because the usual right of appeal to the Supreme Court is not available under the Covid fast-track law, by which the windmills got consent.

Hapū representatives say laws with slashed input from locals risk becoming the norm as resource management is overhauled by the coalition Government.

The UN challenge comes with Māori poised to converge on Tūrangawaewae this weekend to answer Kīngi Tūheitia’s call for a united, independent response to the new Government’s blitz on established iwi and hapū rights.

Four turbine towers – at 206 metres, second only to Auckland’s Sky Tower in the country’s highest building stakes – are to be built by Hiringa Energy and Ballance Agri-Nutrients at Kāpuni to power a hydrogen-making plant.

Just before Christmas the Court of Appeal rejected an attempt to stop the windmills coordinated by the post-settlement iwi entity Te Korowai o Ngāruahine and Greenpeace.

Hiringa Energy chair Cathy Clennett said the court decision was a tremendous relief and that the company “looks forward to continuing to work together with local iwi, hapū, and the community to deliver the regional benefits of a low-emissions future.”

But Ngāruahine maintain that the giant windmills will be dominant in a highly-valued cultural landscape, blocking views of Taranaki Maunga and impacting on hapū relationships with what the Crown recently recognised as an ancestral mountain.

Ōkahu-Inuāwai hapū led the appeal court case alongside Greenpeace and hapū chair John Ho**er wants the Government to “urgently take swift steps to reject these undemocratic fast track reforms.”

Ho**er said the now-repealed COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act was meant to support recovery from the pandemic but normalising its mechanisms was a dire threat to all New Zealanders.

Constitutional and Te Tiriti breaches embedded in the fast-track process were “abhorrent” and “hapū multi-track international law filings” were a bid to guarantee democratic rights of meaningful participation for all in public decision-making, he said.

A hapū environment committee representative, Mere Brooks, said the exclusion of proper tikanga-led consultation was a “blatant continued imposition of colonialism which will not be accepted.”

In a hapū statement, they said they were filing under the investigative mechanism of the UN’s Human Rights Council due to denial of the right to advance to the Supreme Court.

A request had also been made to UN Special Rapporteurs for a formal complaint to be lodged against the Government, which would trigger a 60-day countdown it to “defend their position or amend to uphold democratic rights at the heart of this case”.

A third filing was a complaint under the UN Human Rights Committee for breach of the right to culture under Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

That complaint was “informed by” the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People which New Zealand signed up to under Sir John Key’s previous National-led Government.

Included at the Court of Appeal were the hapū Ōkahu-Inuāwai me ētehi atu, Ngāti Tū, Ngāti Tamāhuroatitahi, Ngāti Haua and Kanihi Umutahi me ētehi atu.

The judges found that consent for the windmills had been consistent with the principles of the Treaty as applied in the Covid fast-track law and “the project reflected a balancing of interests reflective of the partnership that the Treaty represents.”

The original consenting panel stipulated that future replacement turbines must be built on the coastal side of State Highway 45, far from the mountain, on a site chosen in collaboration with hapū.

The hapū and Greenpeace also appealed against consent conditions they said did nothing to stop Hiringa Energy using the hydrogen to make nitrogen fertiliser for decades, and said the court needed to rule that out.

The appellants say they oppose current levels of synthetic urea fertiliser use because of nitrogen pollution in rivers and drinking water.

The appeal court rejected their call for a mandatory timetabled move away from fertilizer production and towards use as a transport fuel, saying the uptake of hydrogen by trucking companies was outside Hiringa Energy’s control.

Hiringa's Clennett said the giant windmills will power an electrolyser to produce industrial scale green hydrogen as feedstock to reduce the Balance plant’s environmental footprint, and as a zero-emission transport fuel.

Ballance's chief executive Kelvin Wickham said they would begin producing hydrogen as soon as possible.

Greenpeace Aotearoa programme director Niamh O'Flynn said Hiringa should “commit to a transition out of fertiliser production within five years as well as honouring the wishes of local hapū with regards to the location of the wind turbines".

By Craig Ashworth [email protected]

𝙇𝘿𝙍 𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙢 𝙘𝙤-𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙍𝙉𝙕 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙕 𝙊𝙣 𝘼𝙞𝙧

Caption 1 - Ōkahu-Inuāwai hapū chair John Ho**er says Ngāruahine are standing up for everyone's right to have a say in decisions about resource development. (Te Korimako o Taranaki)

Caption 2 - Hiringa Energy's simulated view of a wind turbine tower from Aotearoa Pā. (supplied)

Caption 3 - Hiringa Energy's simulated view of the wind turbine towers from Te Aroha Marae. (supplied)

17/01/2024

Never underestimate the power of fresh air and movement, especially if you’re feeling down. Here’s Episode 20 of Whānau Matters … Hikoi.

16/01/2024

Travel details for Taranaki Iwi Whānui, attending the hui-a-motu at Tūrangawaewae Marae, Ngāruawahia, on Saturday 20th January 2024.

Tākiri Tū te Kotahitanga!
Tākiri Tū te Mana Motuhake

Saturday, 20 January 2024:

3.45am - Meet at Owae Marae
4.00am - Bus departs Owae Marae
8.30am - Arrive Tūrangawaewae
9.00am - Pōwhiri
10.15am - Karakia
10.30am - Hui Tikanga
10.40am - Opening Kōrero
11.00am - Breakout Sessions
2.30pm - Plenary Session
4.00pm - Kauwhau aa te Kiingi
4.30pm - Karakia Whakamutunga (bus will depart following karakia)
8.30pm - Arrive Waitara

For people wanting transport please contact your respective iwi offices.

Read the full invitation from Te Tari o Kiingitanga here: http://surl.li/pirnn

Like and Follow the Kiingitanga page for up-to-date information on the day and how you can virtually participate in the workshops.

14/01/2024

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14/01/2024

| SHIMMERING WATERS - Triple Crown Summer Series 🌊🏄 🏄‍♀️ 🏄🏾‍♂️ 🌊
WBBRC's Peter Martin Speaks to Tamzyn about the upcoming Summer Series which is sponsored & named by Dano (Deep in the Barrell) Waiwiri.

Many of our loyal listeners will remember Dano's Surf Segment on Te Korimako o Taranaki back in the days! We are proud to tautoko the kaupapa!

11/01/2024

THOUSANDS EXPECTED TO ATTEND NATIONAL HUI FOR UNITY AT TURANGAWAEWAWE ON 20th JANUARY

The Office of the Kiingitanga and Iwi of Tainui Waka are finalising plans to host more than 3,000 guests at Kiingi Tuheita’s Hui-aa-Motu at Turangawaewae Marae on 20th January, with thousands more to follow the discussions online.

Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII issued a Royal Proclamation last December calling for the national hui to unify the nation and hold the Government to account.

Hui-aa-Motu will be a safe place to discuss Taakiri Tuu te Kotahitanga, Taakiri Tuu te Mana Motuhake – unity together as we strive for self-determination.

For the past five decades Te Iwi Maaori have worked tirelessly to achieve substantial gains for future generations by asserting rights and interests under the Treaty of Waitangi.

These achievements have been secured via grassroots action, protests, advocacy, negotiations, legal opinion and cases, petitions, submissions to Parliament, and legislation.

All of this has been accompanied by a renaissance in cultural understanding and pride and a burgeoning Maaori economy with significant businesses and assets.

Kiingitanga Chief of Staff Archdeacon Ngira Simmonds says the hui will be positive and future focused.

“We have invited people to lay down their koorero and their aspirations and ideas for Mana Motuhake and upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“As signalled at Koroneihana last year, Mana Motuhake is an approach offering solutions and hope for the future of our nation. Maaori can lead for all, and we are prepared to do that.

“The hui is open to all and will be conducted in accordance with Tikanga.

The hui at Turangawaewae will be one of several opportunities for people to express their views and explore potential solutions."

There will be a pōwhiri, opening speech, plenary session and closing of Te Hui-aa-Motu.

The five breakout sessions will be held in private and are for invited guests only. These sessions will cover National Unity; Te Tiriti o Waitangi; Te Reo and Tikanga; Wellbeing and the Economy; and a Rangatahi led focus forum.

09/01/2024

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04/01/2024

We don’t often talk about it, but we really need to before it’s too late. Here’s Episode 19 of Whānau Matters … Dying.

02/01/2024

Sooo 2024 has arrived what was the first thing you did on new years day 1st January 2024.

28/12/2023

The Taranaki iwi rahui group have been nominated for the Taranaki Daily News Person of the Year 2023.

27/12/2023

The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is for good people to do nothing.

Here’s Episode 18 of Whānau Matters … Don’t Be a Sheep.

25/12/2023

24/12/2023

☀️MERI POHUTUKAWA☀️

On CHRISTMAS DAY. We Will be playing a 🔥TOP 100 🔥 Waiata for you and your whanau to enjoy.

TUNE IN from 10am on your radio or on online at Iheart Radio.

📸: winners of the Te Ata Hihiko $50 Voucher.

22/12/2023

Kei te karangahia e Kīngi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII ki ngā iwi o te motu kia tae atu ki tēnei hui nunui……

22/12/2023

22/12/2023

22/12/2023

20/12/2023

It’s not ok to inflict pain on whānau, physical or emotional. There’s always another way. Have you heard about red brain / green brain?

Here’s Episode 17 of Whānau Matters … Domestic Violence.

20/12/2023

20/12/2023

Iwi appalled at arrogance of Minister Jones

Ngāti Ruanui is inviting the Minister for Resources and Regional Development to front their people after his arrogant outburst last week.

“Ngāti Ruanui is appalled by the arrogant insults made against mana whenua in question time last week by Shane Jones,” said Tumu Whakaae, Haimona Maruera.

“The arrogance of Minister Jones calling hapū ‘pixie like’ and nullifying tikanga Māori when it comes to the seabed is reckless and disgusting.

“Ngāti Ruanui has fought two applications to mine iron sand off the South Taranaki Bight, over the last 11 years. We have won every court battle including the Supreme Court.

“The Supreme Court outlined the legal status of mana whenua. Subsequently, we have led the community against this polluting industry which wishes to mine the seafloor,” said Maruera.

Ngāti Ruanui taiao spokesperson, Graham Young, says that the impacts of pollution and fishing are huge.

“Three courts have now said the pollution impacts are too great to allow the application to go ahead,” said taiao spokesperson, Graham Young.

“This is not just iwi saying this but some of the leading experts in their field both nationally and internationally.

“The South Taranaki District Council is also onside. They know that any economic benefits will be insignificant and the pollution potential too greater a risk.

“The potential pollution impacts will be felt from South Taranaki and as far away as the Wellington coastline. Modelling of the sediment plume by all experts is undisputed.”

“Ngati Ruanui is out there actively protecting our environment for everyone, not just now but for future generations. It’s our kaitiaki responsibility,” said Maruera.

“It’s not only about the sea floor but the impact on both commercial and recreational fishing. The risk is just too great.

“It is becoming evident that this new government has sold out to international interests who wish to exploit our resources polluting as they go.

“Clearly Shane Jones has been lobbied. They will, in 30 years’ time leave us with a legacy of a biodiversity disaster.

“Ngāti Ruanui invites Shane Jones to front our people and the community and repeat his statements,” concluded Maruera.

19/12/2023

TSB Festival of Lights kicks off with a bang for opening weekend.

NPDC’s award winning TSB Festival of Lights kicked off on Saturday with thousands turning out to Pukekura Park and a romantic marriage proposal.

Eleven new light installations from Aotearoa New Zealand, Thailand, and Peru feature in the festival, which attracted locals and out of town visitors. There were plenty of smiles on children’s faces thrilled to see some features such as the Sleeping Giant and Glow Zone in the mix.

Also popular was opening night act Allen Stone, this show had to be moved to TSB Showplace where the audience danced and sang the night away as well witnessing a proposal to Stone’s well-known track ‘Consider Me’.

“It’s great to be back,” says NPDC Events Leads Lisa Ekdahl.

“After the months of work our team puts in leading up to the festival, opening weekend is always an exciting time when people are in the park enjoying the lights and entertainment, it makes all that hard work worth it. We’re looking forward to the delivering the rest of the season with our jam-packed programme,” says Lisa.

The festival will run from Saturday 16 December 2023 to Sunday 21 January 2024 with lights on every night, rain or shine from 8.30pm to 11pm.

Events run throughout the five weeks which can be found at festivaloflights.nz

19/12/2023

NPDC looking after our maunga this summer holiday season.

People planning get a closer look at Taranaki Maunga this summer need to be prepared for delays with summer traffic controls back in place at the Egmont Road entrance from this Saturday (23 December).

The ‘one car out, one car in’ system helps ease congestion road on the road up to the North Egmont Visitor Centre during the busy summer season.

First introduced in 2019, the system was put in place due to the visitor centre’s car park and the road leading up to it regularly becoming congested on public holidays and weekends. The overcrowding creates a significant safety hazard and poses a threat to the fragile alpine landscapes beside the parking areas.

“When we’ve used this system in previous years, we’ve successfully managed the limited numbered of parking spaces available at the maunga’s north entrance while keeping Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki (the national park) accessible for visitors.

Our maunga is precious to everyone who lives in Taranaki, and we want to make sure that its special character is preserved,” says NPDC Manager Infrastructure Rui Leitao.

The one in and one out system be introduced once the 82 parking spaces around the visitor centre are full, which in previous years was about 6.30am until late afternoon on the following dates:

Daily from 23 December 6 February (except Christmas Day).
Taranaki Anniversary Weekend.
Easter weekend.

People wanting to drive to the national park this summer need to be prepared for delays and groups should look at other options, such as hiring a commercial shuttle which will be allowed to bypass queues to drop-offs and pick-ups.

Portaloos and water will be available to those waiting in the traffic queue and on days with low demand, such as when it is raining, there will be no traffic management in place.

“If people find there’s a wait to access the national park, they could look at one of the other park entrances or explore walks in other areas of the district, such as around Lake Mangamahoe or at Purangi Reserve – the New Plymouth i-SITE at Puke Ariki has lots of recommendations for outdoor activities,” says Rui.

NPDC is working on a long-term solution to the traffic issues by building a public car park on Egmont Road (outside the national park) that will have facilities for commercial shuttles.

Construction is currently being planned to start in 2025/2026 subject to gaining consent and funding through next year’s 10-year Plan (2024-2034).

15/12/2023

Kia ora e te whānau,

Māori Creative in Partnership with Skill NZ is back in Te Hāwera running the IT Programme again, due to the success of the previous one, held earlier this year.

There are more scholarships available for rangatahi between the ages of 16 and 24.

The start date is 1st March 2024, so get in and ENROL NOW by contacting us on 0800447568 or [email protected] or even leave a comment below and we will be in touch.

Tō Whētuki Manawa

14/12/2023

Te Pāti Māori announce portfolio allocation for the 54th Parliamentary Term

Te Pāti Māori has this morning announced its allocation of portfolios among the six Members of Parliament, having concluded a historic week of maiden speeches.

“Te Pāti Māori commits to being the voice of te iwi Māori in Te Whare Paremata. From Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhē in the north to Rakiura in the South, our whānau in the Māori electorates have mandated the largest Te Pāti Māori caucus,” said Te Pāti Māori co-leader, Rawiri Waititi.

“After a historic week of maiden speeches from our growing team with four new members, we are ready to contest the agenda of the coalition government in the 54th parliamentary term.

“With backgrounds in education, health, Whānau Ora, arts, business, governance and picking up a tea-towel on the marae – the team is well versed to represent te iwi Māori.

“We face the most right-winged government this country has seen since the 1990’s. But even more so, with a growing Māori population, we are empowered by their mobilisation that is occurring on the street.”

“Te Pāti Māori knows our whānau are dealing with the increased costs-to-live, are struggling to pay the bills, and put kai on the table,” added co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

“Thanks to this new government, we also know that Te Reo Māori is at threat. That our rangatiratanga and rights to thrive in our own nation is at threat.

“Our message to our whānau, tangata-tiriti included, is fear-not. We will ensure your voice is heard, we will ensure we will fight for you, but most importantly, ensure that the mana lies in the hands of the people.”

14/12/2023

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14/12/2023

Bush clearance leads to DOC investigation

The clearance of several areas of native bush within Egmont National Park/Te Papa Kura-o-Taranaki has prompted a Department of Conservation investigation.

Senior Ranger Cameron Hunt says in July DOC staff became aware of several sections of cleared bush on the northwest side of the park near Pukeiti.

Working closely with NZ Police, they discovered a campsite and several clearings in the area. The clearings measured up to 10m by 10m, and a pile of rubbish was found at the campsite.

A CCTV camera set up at one of the clearings captured the picture of a man DOC is keen to identify – prompting the release of the image and a call to the public for help.

“This man’s face is clearly shown in the CCTV image and we’d like to speak to him about what’s happened here.

“We believe someone knows who he is, and we’d welcome any information which helps us identify him.”

Cameron says whoever set up the camp has gone to some trouble, taking in 200l plastic water tanks, a 44-gallon steel drum, five car batteries, a small fridge, a gas cooker and even constructing a basic platform, or floor, from ponga logs and plywood.

“This person is obviously pretty organised and quite committed to whatever they were doing.”

Anyone who can identify the man in the picture is urged to contact Cameron Hunt on 027 246 1083 or by emailing [email protected].

Under the Conservation Act, it is illegal to fell or remove trees, shrubs or plants on or from public conservation land.

It can result in a fine of up $100,000 and two years in jail. If the offending continues, further fines of $10,000 a day can be imposed.

13/12/2023