Latest news with #Māori-led
Scoop
14 hours ago
- Health
- Scoop
Pātea: A World-First Māori Gambling Harm Digital Platform Launches Across Aotearoa
Aotearoa is leading the world in gambling harm innovation with the launch of Pātea - a groundbreaking digital platform designed by Māori, for Māori, to help free whānau from the burdens of gambling harm. Pātea, meaning to be free or lifted of burden, is an indigenously designed, built, and operated digital platform, the first of its kind globally. It was co-designed with whānau who have lived experience of gambling harm, ensuring every part of the app feels supportive, culturally grounded, and whānau friendly. Morris Pita, CEO of the Māori-owned and operated software firm Tai Pari Mōhio Ltd, is excited by the impact of digital technology as a tool to reduce gambling harm. "It has been an incredible experience for our tech and data science team to take their unique blend of technical and cultural skills, and use these to build a state-of-the-art cloud platform and application - deploying agentic AI to deliver 24/7 online support to whānau suffering from the impact of gambling harm." With the rapid rise of online gambling and digital casinos, whānau are being targeted like never before. Māori communities, already disproportionately affected by gambling harm, are particularly at risk. "We see the harm gambling has every day in our communities," says Jason Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Hāpai Te Hauora. "The environment is changing fast, and we need new tools that meet whānau where they're at. Pātea is one of those tools. A safe, judgement free space to pause, reflect, and find support." Pātea was created by three Māori-led organisations - Hāpai Te Hauora, Whare Tiaki Hauora, and Tai Pari Mōhio - combining over 60 years of expertise in public health, mental health, digital innovation, and whānau-led service design. Pātea offers features like: 24/7 generative AI chatbot - providing instant, culturally safe support Online counselling sessions - available for gamblers and their whānau Whānau testimonial videos - real voices sharing hope and strategies Self and whānau assessment tools - to identify when help is needed Links to local services and app-blocking tools Accessible, easy-to-read information on gambling harm "This isn't just another platform. It's a digital extension of kaupapa Māori care, designed with the people we serve, not just for them," says Alexander.
Scoop
13-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Focus Taiwan Summit To Explore Trade And Investment Opportunities
The New Zealand Taiwan Business Council, in partnership with the Taiwanese Business Association of New Zealand (TBANZ), is proud to announce Focus Taiwan 2025, a flagship trade and investment forum set to take place on Monday, 28 July 2025 at the Ellerslie Events Centre in Auckland. In the midst of a highly volatile global trading environment, the summit brings together senior trade officials, business leaders, and innovators from both New Zealand and Taiwan to explore bilateral growth, sector-specific export strategies, and emerging market opportunities. The morning session will feature strategic insights from Kendra Chen (Director General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Auckland), Howard Song (Director, Economic Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Wellington), and keynote addresses from Charles Finny (Chairman, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise) and Mayor Tania Tapsell of Rotorua. The session will explore Taiwan's economic outlook in the face of looming US tariffs, trade restrictions and geopolitical tensions, and how New Zealand exporters can best navigate these challenges. The afternoon session will focus on sector specific opportunities for New Zealand companies in Taiwan, including Māori-led businesses. A high-profile speaking panel including Wayne Mulligan (CEO, NZ Bio Forestry Ltd), Joshua Tan (Executive Director, ExportNZ), and Steven Chang (Wealth Adviser, JBWere) will present case studies and insights across science and technology, Māori-led sustainability, food and beverage, and AI investment trends. The summit will close with a curated display of premium New Zealand and Taiwanese products alongside afternoon tea, networking and informal business matchmaking. " Focus Taiwan 2025 will address some of the most important challenges that New Zealand exporters have had to face in a very long time," says Chris Tse, Chair of the NZ Taiwan Business Council. "The present international trading environment is one of the most volatile we have ever experienced, with tariffs and trade restrictions set to disrupt supply chains and trade flows. How can island economies such as Taiwan and New Zealand, which rely heavily on export growth for prosperity, find opportunities amongst the uncertainty?" Focus Taiwan 2025 is open to exporters, entrepreneurs, investors, academics and policymakers with an interest in engaging with one of Asia's most dynamic markets. Register now to secure your place at this pivotal event and be part of shaping the future of New Zealand-Taiwan economic cooperation.
Scoop
10-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund Supports 15 More Regional Initiatives
The final round of the Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund has been allocated, with 15 Northland-based projects receiving a combined $230,000 in support. The second round attracted 42 applications seeking over $700,000, highlighting strong demand for early-stage investment in community-led development. A third of the funded projects from the second round are Māori-led. 'The quality and ambition of projects coming through this fund has been very high,' says Vaughan Cooper, Head of Investment and Infrastructure at Northland Inc. 'From community wellbeing, promotion of our districts, and Mātauranga Māori, it's clear that Northlanders are ready to lead the change they want to see.' The Te Tai Tokerau Impact Fund is administered by Northland Inc and NorthChamber, with support from Transpower and Omexom. It was created to back community and kaupapa-driven projects that contribute to long-term regional resilience. Across two rounds, the fund has now distributed $430,000 to 32 projects throughout the region. Projects funded through the two rounds of allocations are already underway, with initiatives such as Girls Who Grow launching its climate-positive agriculture programme for young women into Taitokerau Northland, and the Kerikeri District Business Association and Bay of Islands Business Association rolling out a groundbreaking project focused on CCTV and community safety in the Mid and Far North. NorthChamber Chief Executive Leah McKerrow, who was part of the fund's decision-making panel, says the calibre of applications highlighted the region's determination and desire to make a difference. 'This fund gives communities the chance to lift up great ideas and turn them into action. The panel was keen to support those ideas that will make a tangible and far reaching impact. It's positive to see the difference this funding is already making on the ground in Te Tai Tokerau.' Transpower's Executive General Manager Customer and External Affairs Raewyn Moss supported this view. 'We are so pleased to see this funding empowering real opportunities for development, community-building and increased resilience across Taitokerau Northland. We look forward to the stories of the impact the funding has and the achievements from the initiatives that were successful in this funding round.'
Scoop
09-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Tai Tokerau Leader Pita Tipene Announces Bid For Northland Regional Council - Te Raki Māori Constituency
A Tai Tokerau leader, Pita Tipene, has today confirmed his intention to stand as a candidate for the Te Raki Māori Ward in the upcoming Northland Regional Council elections. Known for his longstanding commitment to whānau, hapū and iwi development across Tai Tokerau, Pita Tipene says the decision to stand reflects a continued desire to bring strategic, Māori-led solutions for environmental, economic and regional issues. Pita has worked within the Northland Regional Council as part of Te Ruarangi - Māori and Council Working party for the past twelve years, most of that as co-chair, so is well acquainted with the workings of Council. 'It's time for bold, committed and unapologetic Māori leadership at the Council table — to protect and enhance our environment, support our Tai Tokerau communities, and hold our institutions accountable,' says Pita. 'Standing for the Te Raki Māori Constituency is a continuation of the work I've dedicated my life to — empowering and building resilient communities, protecting our environment, and ensuring Māori voices are heard where strategic decisions are made.' 'Te Raki Māori Ward offers an opportunity to bring our values and ways of working into the council chamber. It's about partnership, kaitiakitanga, and working together to solve the challenges facing our rohe, from water quality and climate change to public transport and economic opportunity.' This year has already been momentous for Pita having recently received the King's Service Order for services to Māori, as well as being awarded the Tai Tokerau Māori Business Leader Award in recognition of his work across multiple sectors and serving the people and indigenous communities globally. Pita's candidacy is expected to resonate across Tai Tokerau, where he has served in key governance and leadership roles including Chair of the Waitangi National Trust, Chair of Te Pouahi o te Tai Tokerau (Māori Housing), Chair of the Motatau Marae and co-Chair of the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Co-operation Arrangement, amongst other key governance roles while serving his people at local, regional, national and global levels. Nominations for the Northland Regional Council elections are open and close on 1st August 2025. Voting packs will be delivered from Tuesday 9th September, with votes closing Saturday 11th October, 12pm. Official results will be announced on Friday 17th October 2025.
Scoop
09-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Mental Health Grabs The Mic At Youth Parliament 2025
Youth Parliament made headlines for the alleged censorship of its participants. The focus inside the chamber was a little different, with a number of Youth MPs speaking out about mental health issues from various angles. Some content in this article discusses suicide, and may be distressing. Youth Parliament as a concept aims to platform passionate young people with a flair for politics — whether or not the event effectively did that has already been covered extensively. What Youth Parliament has effectively revealed is how concerned young people are with the state of mental health in New Zealand. 80 Youth MPs gave speeches in the General Debate portion of the event. Of these 80, several spoke about mental health issues that young people face. Taiko Edwards-Haruru, Youth MP for Carl Bates, directly addressed the speaker as he declared 'Our young people are not just struggling. They are suffering.' Edwards-Haruru told the story of young person he knew of that commit suicide after a call to a mental health crisis line went unanswered for the last thirty minutes of their life. 'They [young people] are told to speak up. But how can they speak up when no one is listening, and no one is answering?' Edwards-Haruru wasn't the only Youth MP to turn the attention of the house onto Mental Health. Dr. Ayesha Verrall's Youth MP from Kāpiti Coast Mackay Thomson also approached the issue, this time from the perspective of the need for more community-based health services. 'Kāpiti Youth Support is a great example of this. In my community, they provide clinical, addiction, mental health and counselling services, and they see over 60% of the entire population of young people in the region. I know very few people that have not been helped by these services.' Kāpiti Youth Support is described as a 'Youth One-Stop Shop', providing medical as well as mental health services. However, as Thomson described in his speech, they alongside similar services are 'chronically underfunded.' On their website, the charity and NGO writes that 'although we receive funding from various government agencies, this funding does not cover the full extent of services we offer.' Thomson expressed the need for more government support for these Youth One-Stop Shop services, saying that 'what matters is that whenever a service has to add a young person to a waiting list that's a bit too long, or they have to reschedule an appointment for another day, that is directly affecting our young people. They relapse, or they miss school because they don't get the help they need.' Edwards-Haruru also gave his opinion on what is necessary to continue supporting young people in New Zealand. In the chamber, he asserted his belief that 'we need mental health lines that answer — fast. Qualified, culturally grounded counsellors in every school. Pasifika and Māori-led support services that understand our worldviews. A system built around prevention — not just crisis management.' Youth Parliament brings together young people with strong opinions from all over the country. Part of the beauty of the programme is how such a diverse range of people are able to share their beliefs. From youth in trades voicing their concerns about the job market, to Māori Youth MPs calling for the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori, to young people living rurally sharing their experiences with difficulty accessing transport and healthcare, people from all walks of life were able to provide insight on various issues. Yet in the same vein, people from all walks of life, who had never met before, came to Youth Parliament to advocate for the same thing.
