Whānau Ora rugby funds under investigation: Te Puni Kōkiri, Māori policy advisers launch review
The organisation using taxpayer money to fund rugby team Moana Pasifika is among two agencies subject to a just-launched probe into allegations of inappropriate use of public money.
The review is in aim of safeguarding taxpayer funds, Te Puni Kōkiri secretary for Māori development Dave Samuels said.
The
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
10 hours ago
- Scoop
Q+A Panel Confirms Why Local Government Needs Real Change
Responding to this morning's episode of TVNZ's Q+A, ACT's Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says the panel made the case for change better than ACT ever could: 'If anyone's wondering why ratepayers face crushing rates hikes, crumbling infrastructure, and endless division, just listen to the views being defended around the council table. This panel put it on full display. 'The four outgoing councillors sounded like they'd been swallowed whole by collective groupthink, completely ignoring the people who actually pay the bills. 'They claimed it's dishonest to promise rates restraint – but clearly haven't met ACT Local candidates. Ratepayers see local councils that are bloated, wasteful, and addicted to vanity projects. ACT Local councillors will get back to basics: roads, rubbish, and reliable water infrastructure. 'ACT councillors will do what ratepayers and businesses have been forced to do for years – take the chainsaw to pet projects and 'nice-to-haves' that have nothing to do with core services. That includes scrapping councils' ideological obsession with expensive speed bumps and cycleways, and actually listening to the people who pay rates. 'In central government, ACT is making this easier for councils by pushing RMA reform, fixing infrastructure funding and financing, exploring GST sharing with councils, and developing regional deals. 'Then there's Māori wards. Every panelist backed race-based seats or automatic places for mana whenua with no democratic accountability. Labour deliberately rewrote the law so only some New Zealanders can vote for certain candidates based on who their great-grandparents were without opportunity for the local community to object to this division. "Council seats should be based on geography, where anyone can vote if they live in the area, regardless of their identity. That's how it works for every other ward, including rural wards, despite the attempts from some media and councils to frame it differently. That's why ACT has restored communities' right to remove these divisive Māori Ward seats. 'ACT Local candidates will cut waste to keep rates low, end divisive race-based privileges, and bring some long-overdue common sense back to the council table.'
Scoop
19 hours ago
- Scoop
50 Years On: Petition Calls For Review Of NZ's Outdated Drug Laws
Campaign: Modernise Our Drugs Act A new petition is calling on Parliament to launch an independent regulatory review of New Zealand's outdated Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (MoDA) and its associated framework, including the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013. Launched under the banner Modernise Our Drugs Act, the campaign is non-partisan and focused on sound governance — not ideology. The petition specifically calls for the review to be led by the Ministry for Regulation, to ensure an evidence-based, impartial assessment of whether these laws are effective, efficient, fair, and fit for purpose in 2025 and beyond. 'This is about public interest and modern regulation. These laws haven't had a full review in 50 years — it's time to assess whether they're working, not from a moral or political standpoint, but through the lens of good governance.' Why Now? Outdated framework: MoDA was passed in 1975 and reflects an era long past. Fragmented laws: Ad hoc amendments have created inconsistency and confusion. Equity concerns: Māori, Pasifika, and young people are disproportionately impacted. Inefficiency: Current laws impose high costs on police, courts, and health services with limited results. Global leadership: New Zealand has previously led the world on needle exchange, medicinal cannabis, and drug checking — it's time to lead again. What This Petition Is Not Calling For This campaign does not advocate for: The legalisation or decriminalisation of any specific substance Specific changes to health or justice policies Any predetermined reform outcome Instead, it simply calls for a regulatory review — a neutral, expert-led process to evaluate whether our current laws are achieving their intended goals and aligned with modern evidence. The petition is live on OurActionStation and open for public signatures: About the Campaign Modernise Our Drugs Act is a grassroots, cross-partisan initiative seeking an evidence-informed, modern approach to drug law in Aotearoa. The campaign is focused on clarity, fairness, and regulatory fitness — not on promoting any specific policy outcome.
Otago Daily Times
20 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Deadline looms for voters to change rolls
PHOTO: ODT FILES Māori voters who would like to change electoral rolls before the local elections have until July 10 to make their choice. "If you are Māori, you choose the Māori roll or the general roll when you first enrol to vote. After that, you can change rolls at any time except in the three months before an election," Electoral Commission chief adviser Māori Hone Matthews said. "You can change the roll you're on for the local elections up until July 10. You can't switch rolls in the three months before the local elections on October 11." "The local elections are when we vote for the people who represent us on our city, district and regional councils. Make sure you're enrolled so you can have your say. "If you're on the Māori roll and your council has Māori wards, you'll vote in a Māori ward. If you're on the general roll or your council doesn't have Māori wards, you'll vote in a general ward." With no Māori ward in Waitaki, those registered on the Māori roll will be able to vote in the ward they live in. To date in Waitaki, 1431 voters of Māori descent are enrolled to vote, 911 on the general roll and 520 on the Māori roll. While the number of people eligible for the Māori roll is not available, for the whole district 84.36% of the eligible voting population is registered on either the general or Māori roll, leaving 3098 people unregistered. "The elections are run by councils and it's a postal vote. Check your address is up to date so you receive voting papers from your local council in the mail," Mr Matthews said. "Go to to enrol, check your details, or change your roll type."
