Latest news with #Māhutonga
RNZ News
30-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Ngāti Toa launch new agency to distribute Whānau Ora funds
Minister for Whānau Ora Tama Potaka took part in a launch for a new commissioning service, Māhutonga, provided by iwi Ngāti Toa, on Monday. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Four new agencies have been put in charge of determining how Whānau Ora resources are distributed to Māori and Pacific communities across the country. It is the biggest shake up in the history of Whānau Ora since it was created by the late Dame Tariana Turia in 2010. One of the new commissioning agencies was launched by Wellington iwi Ngāti Toa at Hongoeka Marae near Porirua this morning. The new commissioning agency which covers the eastern and southern part of the North Island is named Māhutonga, the Southern Cross. Ngāti Toa descendant Te Pūoho Kātene will take up the role of chairman of the new Māhutonga Commissioning Agency. The iwi chose the name Māhutonga because the Southern Cross is visible all across the region covered by the agency and so will always be there to guide their work, Kātene said. "Often our services are treated as the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, Māhutonga tells us to keep our eyes up and to be aspirational and to have those aspirational horizons set by the whānau who [we] are trying to serve," he said. Te Pūoho Kātene, chair of the new Māhutonga Commissioning Agency. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The four new Whānau Ora commissioning agencies - Rangitāmiro, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira (Māhutonga), Te Tauraki (a subsidiary of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu), and The Cause Collective (operating as The Tātou Collective) - will begin commissioning services from providers starting on Tuesday. The three original Whānau Ora commissioning agencies - the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu and Pasifika Futures - were informed by Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) in early March their long-held contracts would not be renewed. Minister for Whānau Ora Tama Potaka said the procurement process was timely as the original commissioning agencies had held the contracts for more than a decade. "But we also need to see a bit of a step change in how we consider evidence around the delivery of Whānau Ora services and ensuring there is a really critical alignment between the investment of taxpayer funds, doing it in a very transparent improved audited way and the achievement of outcomes." Some jobs at the old commissioning agencies may be impacted, but there won't be wider job losses among providers, he said. "We absolutely back Whānau Ora, we think that a lot of the solutions reside in the communities." Ngāti Toa's Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira deputy chief executive Jennie Smeaton said the iwi had been a Whānau Ora provider since its inception, so it was a natural progression to step into commissioning. Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira deputy chief executive Jennie Smeaton Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone "We dream about the future of our tamariki, mokopuna and whānau living well, being well and being enabled to live as they choose to live and we've had these visions and kōrero for long time and this was our chance," Smeaton said. "We knew we wouldn't have this opportunity [again] any time soon, so it was now or never and we thought we would put our best foot forward." Smeaton said Ngāti Toa had been welcomed by the existing Whānau Ora provider network. The providers and communities have the solutions within their regions, so it's up to Ngāti Toa to support them, she said. "Working with the existing provider network was really important for us to make sure there was continuity of care for whānau as we were phasing in Whānau Ora that we'd be delivering under Māhutonga, and we'll continue to do that for the next twelve months." Smeaton said one thing they had heard from the providers was that the regions are best placed to determine what is best for their communities, and many of them just want to get on and do the mahi. "They have the solutions within their rohe and we're there to tautoko (support) it. "There's a real want and desire to be operating under the Whānau Ora banner." Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira chief executive Helmut Modlik said the first thing they did once they got the contract was to tour the region and meet with the providers. Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira chief executive Helmut Modlik and Māhutonga chairman Te Pūoho Kātene. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone All provider contracts will carry over for the next twelve months and as the year rolls out they will take any opportunities to strengthen the service, he said. "In the first twelve months for the sake of continuity and because we really didn't know enough to do any different there will effectively be a rolling over of all those who are currently providers in the Whānau Ora community." Modlik said the iwi is aware of what it takes to deliver, thanks to their familiarity with the issues on the ground as a long term provider. "We actually see this opportunity as one of doing ourselves out of a job, because we have a very firm belief that the long term benefits that everyone is after can only be achieved by building up the capability and capacity on the ground." The four new commissioning agencies - two in the North Island, one in the South and one for Pasifika - take over from Tuesday. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Mānawatia A Matariki – NZ Post Stamps Look To The Stars Ahead Of The Māori New Year
Press Release – NZ Post Featuring an image of the Milky Way captured in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, the stamps were developed in partnership with Dark Sky Project General Manager and Ki Tahu astronomer Victoria Campbell. To acknowledge Matariki mā Puaka in 2025, the latest stamps from NZ Post are highlighting the importance of protecting Aotearoa New Zealand's dark skies. One of the world's most precious natural wonders, the spectacle of a clear night sky has fascinated humans for millennia. The position of stars helped to guide Polynesian navigators across the Pacific to Aotearoa New Zealand, and astronomy is one of the world's oldest natural sciences. 'We've been celebrating Matariki with stamps since 2008 and this year we're pleased to highlight six star constellations, including Matariki, the Southern Cross / Māhutonga, and Taurus / Te Kōkota, which can all be seen in our skies this winter,' NZ Post's Programme Manager Lynette Townsend says. Popular Takapō (Tekapo) based astro-tourism experience, Dark Sky Project features in this year's collection. Combining science, Māori cultural perspectives, and awe-inspiring celestial views, Dark Sky Project offers internationally sought-after stargazing and astronomy experiences. 'Dark Sky Project plays a part in making sure New Zealanders have access to astronomy, and to the universally appealing hobby of stargazing. We were delighted to learn that it is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This stamp collection is one way to acknowledge the positive impact astrotourism has had at deepening our understanding of the stars,' she says. Featuring an image of the Milky Way captured in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, the stamps were developed in partnership with Dark Sky Project General Manager and Kāi Tahu astronomer Victoria Campbell. Campbell was a member of the Matariki Advisory Group charged with the task of providing recommendations to the Government on the establishment of the Matariki Public Holiday. She says the constellations and star clusters featured on the stamps will all be visible in our pre-dawn skies this winter, with the best views available from Dark Sky Reserves, such as the one at Takapō. 'We're very proud to share the beauty of our dark skies through this limited stamp collection. The stars we have highlighted are significant to us as descendants of navigators who applied their celestial knowledge to their every day lives. 'We hope collectors will use this opportunity to engage with the names and patterns of the stars in our skies and through that connection be more aware of the importance of good lighting practices, so future generations can enjoy the stars at home like we can in Takapō.' The stamps can be pre-ordered on the NZ Post Collectables website in advance of the issue date of 19 June 2025. They will also be available to purchase directly from Dark Sky Project in Takapō, and New Zealand's highest post box located in the Astro Café at the top of Mount John. Comprised of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve was the third Dark Sky Reserve to be recognised in the world, and Aotearoa New Zealand's first. It is also the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks to the reserve, the dark skies of the Mackenzie region are mostly free of light pollution, which is created by the use of artificial light at night. Light pollution impairs our ability to see the universe through the naked eye Find out more about Dark Sky Project at Formerly known as Earth and Sky, Dark Sky Project is a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu Tourism and co-founders Graeme Murray and Hide Ozawa. Visit to see the stamp collection. More information about the stamps: To acknowledge Matariki, the Māori New Year, this stamp sheetlet highlights Aotearoa New Zealand's dark skies with a stunning image from Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. $2.90 Southern Cross/Māhutonga – The Southern Cross constellation, a national symbol of Aotearoa New Zealand, is visible year-round in the southern hemisphere sky. It has long been used for navigation, helping to locate the South Celestial Pole when used alongside other stars. Across the world, cultures have shared stories about the stars; in Aotearoa, some iwi (tribes) viewed the Southern Cross as the anchor of a great sky canoe. $2.90 Taurus/Te Kōkota – The naming and interpretation of stars vary across cultures. In Aotearoa, the Hyades open star cluster—part of the constellation Taurus—and the adjacent bright orange star Taumata-kuku (Aldebaran) are known collectively as Te Kōkota. $2.90 Orion's belt & sword/ Tautoru & Te Kakau – Orion was named by the ancient Greeks, who saw the seven bright stars as a giant. A line of three stars forms his belt, from which his sword hangs. In Aotearoa, Orion's Belt is known as Tautoru and, when including Te Kakau—another row of stars extending at an angle -is often referred to as a pot with a handle. $2.90 Aries/Pipiri – Pipiri marks the first month of the maramataka, a traditional Māori lunisolar calendar, and is associated with the stars Hamal and Sharatan in the constellation Aries. Aries is an ancient star group that has historically been depicted as a sheep or ram by many early cultures. Its modern name is derived from the Greek and Roman myth of the Golden Fleece. $4.00 Winter Triangle – This asterism—a recognizable pattern of stars—includes Betelgeuse, Procyon, and Sirius (Takurua), one of the brightest stars in the sky. Known as the Winter Triangle in the northern hemisphere, this group of stars is visible during summer in the southern hemisphere. Thanks to its bright stars, it's an excellent starting point for those new to stargazing. $4.70 Matariki – Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster also known as Pleiades, Subaru or the seven sisters. The Māori New Year is celebrated annually across Aotearoa New Zealand when, in mid-winter, the Matariki star cluster rises.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Scoop
Mānawatia A Matariki - NZ Post Stamps Look To The Stars Ahead Of The Māori New Year
To acknowledge Matariki mā Puaka in 2025, the latest stamps from NZ Post are highlighting the importance of protecting Aotearoa New Zealand's dark skies. One of the world's most precious natural wonders, the spectacle of a clear night sky has fascinated humans for millennia. The position of stars helped to guide Polynesian navigators across the Pacific to Aotearoa New Zealand, and astronomy is one of the world's oldest natural sciences. 'We've been celebrating Matariki with stamps since 2008 and this year we're pleased to highlight six star constellations, including Matariki, the Southern Cross / Māhutonga, and Taurus / Te Kōkota, which can all be seen in our skies this winter,' NZ Post's Programme Manager Lynette Townsend says. Popular Takapō (Tekapo) based astro-tourism experience, Dark Sky Project features in this year's collection. Combining science, Māori cultural perspectives, and awe-inspiring celestial views, Dark Sky Project offers internationally sought-after stargazing and astronomy experiences. 'Dark Sky Project plays a part in making sure New Zealanders have access to astronomy, and to the universally appealing hobby of stargazing. We were delighted to learn that it is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This stamp collection is one way to acknowledge the positive impact astrotourism has had at deepening our understanding of the stars,' she says. Featuring an image of the Milky Way captured in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, the stamps were developed in partnership with Dark Sky Project General Manager and Kāi Tahu astronomer Victoria Campbell. Campbell was a member of the Matariki Advisory Group charged with the task of providing recommendations to the Government on the establishment of the Matariki Public Holiday. She says the constellations and star clusters featured on the stamps will all be visible in our pre-dawn skies this winter, with the best views available from Dark Sky Reserves, such as the one at Takapō. 'We're very proud to share the beauty of our dark skies through this limited stamp collection. The stars we have highlighted are significant to us as descendants of navigators who applied their celestial knowledge to their every day lives. 'We hope collectors will use this opportunity to engage with the names and patterns of the stars in our skies and through that connection be more aware of the importance of good lighting practices, so future generations can enjoy the stars at home like we can in Takapō.' The stamps can be pre-ordered on the NZ Post Collectables website in advance of the issue date of 19 June 2025. They will also be available to purchase directly from Dark Sky Project in Takapō, and New Zealand's highest post box located in the Astro Café at the top of Mount John. Comprised of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve was the third Dark Sky Reserve to be recognised in the world, and Aotearoa New Zealand's first. It is also the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks to the reserve, the dark skies of the Mackenzie region are mostly free of light pollution, which is created by the use of artificial light at night. Light pollution impairs our ability to see the universe through the naked eye Find out more about Dark Sky Project at Formerly known as Earth and Sky, Dark Sky Project is a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu Tourism and co-founders Graeme Murray and Hide Ozawa. Visit to see the stamp collection. More information about the stamps: To acknowledge Matariki, the Māori New Year, this stamp sheetlet highlights Aotearoa New Zealand's dark skies with a stunning image from Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. $2.90 Southern Cross/Māhutonga - The Southern Cross constellation, a national symbol of Aotearoa New Zealand, is visible year-round in the southern hemisphere sky. It has long been used for navigation, helping to locate the South Celestial Pole when used alongside other stars. Across the world, cultures have shared stories about the stars; in Aotearoa, some iwi (tribes) viewed the Southern Cross as the anchor of a great sky canoe. $2.90 Taurus/Te Kōkota - The naming and interpretation of stars vary across cultures. In Aotearoa, the Hyades open star cluster—part of the constellation Taurus—and the adjacent bright orange star Taumata-kuku (Aldebaran) are known collectively as Te Kōkota. $2.90 Orion's belt & sword/ Tautoru & Te Kakau - Orion was named by the ancient Greeks, who saw the seven bright stars as a giant. A line of three stars forms his belt, from which his sword hangs. In Aotearoa, Orion's Belt is known as Tautoru and, when including Te Kakau—another row of stars extending at an angle -is often referred to as a pot with a handle. $2.90 Aries/Pipiri - Pipiri marks the first month of the maramataka, a traditional Māori lunisolar calendar, and is associated with the stars Hamal and Sharatan in the constellation Aries. Aries is an ancient star group that has historically been depicted as a sheep or ram by many early cultures. Its modern name is derived from the Greek and Roman myth of the Golden Fleece. $4.00 Winter Triangle - This asterism—a recognizable pattern of stars—includes Betelgeuse, Procyon, and Sirius (Takurua), one of the brightest stars in the sky. Known as the Winter Triangle in the northern hemisphere, this group of stars is visible during summer in the southern hemisphere. Thanks to its bright stars, it's an excellent starting point for those new to stargazing. $4.70 Matariki - Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster also known as Pleiades, Subaru or the seven sisters. The Māori New Year is celebrated annually across Aotearoa New Zealand when, in mid-winter, the Matariki star cluster rises.
Scoop
08-06-2025
- Scoop
Mānawatia A Matariki - NZ Post Stamps Look To The Stars Ahead Of The Māori New Year
To acknowledge Matariki mā Puaka in 2025, the latest stamps from NZ Post are highlighting the importance of protecting Aotearoa New Zealand's dark skies. One of the world's most precious natural wonders, the spectacle of a clear night sky has fascinated humans for millennia. The position of stars helped to guide Polynesian navigators across the Pacific to Aotearoa New Zealand, and astronomy is one of the world's oldest natural sciences. 'We've been celebrating Matariki with stamps since 2008 and this year we're pleased to highlight six star constellations, including Matariki, the Southern Cross / Māhutonga, and Taurus / Te Kōkota, which can all be seen in our skies this winter,' NZ Post's Programme Manager Lynette Townsend says. Popular Takapō (Tekapo) based astro-tourism experience, Dark Sky Project features in this year's collection. Combining science, Māori cultural perspectives, and awe-inspiring celestial views, Dark Sky Project offers internationally sought-after stargazing and astronomy experiences. 'Dark Sky Project plays a part in making sure New Zealanders have access to astronomy, and to the universally appealing hobby of stargazing. We were delighted to learn that it is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This stamp collection is one way to acknowledge the positive impact astrotourism has had at deepening our understanding of the stars,' she says. Featuring an image of the Milky Way captured in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, the stamps were developed in partnership with Dark Sky Project General Manager and Kāi Tahu astronomer Victoria Campbell. Campbell was a member of the Matariki Advisory Group charged with the task of providing recommendations to the Government on the establishment of the Matariki Public Holiday. She says the constellations and star clusters featured on the stamps will all be visible in our pre-dawn skies this winter, with the best views available from Dark Sky Reserves, such as the one at Takapō. 'We're very proud to share the beauty of our dark skies through this limited stamp collection. The stars we have highlighted are significant to us as descendants of navigators who applied their celestial knowledge to their every day lives. 'We hope collectors will use this opportunity to engage with the names and patterns of the stars in our skies and through that connection be more aware of the importance of good lighting practices, so future generations can enjoy the stars at home like we can in Takapō.' The stamps can be pre-ordered on the NZ Post Collectables website in advance of the issue date of 19 June 2025. They will also be available to purchase directly from Dark Sky Project in Takapō, and New Zealand's highest post box located in the Astro Café at the top of Mount John. Comprised of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve was the third Dark Sky Reserve to be recognised in the world, and Aotearoa New Zealand's first. It is also the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks to the reserve, the dark skies of the Mackenzie region are mostly free of light pollution, which is created by the use of artificial light at night. Light pollution impairs our ability to see the universe through the naked eye Find out more about Dark Sky Project at Formerly known as Earth and Sky, Dark Sky Project is a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu Tourism and co-founders Graeme Murray and Hide Ozawa. Visit to see the stamp collection. More information about the stamps: To acknowledge Matariki, the Māori New Year, this stamp sheetlet highlights Aotearoa New Zealand's dark skies with a stunning image from Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. $2.90 Southern Cross/Māhutonga - The Southern Cross constellation, a national symbol of Aotearoa New Zealand, is visible year-round in the southern hemisphere sky. It has long been used for navigation, helping to locate the South Celestial Pole when used alongside other stars. Across the world, cultures have shared stories about the stars; in Aotearoa, some iwi (tribes) viewed the Southern Cross as the anchor of a great sky canoe. $2.90 Taurus/Te Kōkota - The naming and interpretation of stars vary across cultures. In Aotearoa, the Hyades open star cluster—part of the constellation Taurus—and the adjacent bright orange star Taumata-kuku (Aldebaran) are known collectively as Te Kōkota. $2.90 Orion's belt & sword/ Tautoru & Te Kakau - Orion was named by the ancient Greeks, who saw the seven bright stars as a giant. A line of three stars forms his belt, from which his sword hangs. In Aotearoa, Orion's Belt is known as Tautoru and, when including Te Kakau—another row of stars extending at an angle -is often referred to as a pot with a handle. $2.90 Aries/Pipiri - Pipiri marks the first month of the maramataka, a traditional Māori lunisolar calendar, and is associated with the stars Hamal and Sharatan in the constellation Aries. Aries is an ancient star group that has historically been depicted as a sheep or ram by many early cultures. Its modern name is derived from the Greek and Roman myth of the Golden Fleece. $4.00 Winter Triangle - This asterism—a recognizable pattern of stars—includes Betelgeuse, Procyon, and Sirius (Takurua), one of the brightest stars in the sky. Known as the Winter Triangle in the northern hemisphere, this group of stars is visible during summer in the southern hemisphere. Thanks to its bright stars, it's an excellent starting point for those new to stargazing. $4.70 Matariki - Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster also known as Pleiades, Subaru or the seven sisters. The Māori New Year is celebrated annually across Aotearoa New Zealand when, in mid-winter, the Matariki star cluster rises.
