Latest news with #Pātea


Scoop
3 days 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.


NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
‘Payments can be substantial': Millie Elder-Holmes pays $5000 fine for online gambling promotion
Millie Elder-Holmes has paid her $5000 fine for promoting online gambling, as Pātea - a world-first indigenously designed, built and operated digital platform to support Māori and communities suffering from the impact of gambling harm - is launched.

RNZ News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Iwi granted Waitangi Tribunal hearing into fast-tracked plans to mine seabed off Pātea
People marching through Patea in a hīkoi to oppose seabed mining, on 2 October, 2024. Photo: Supplied/ Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust The Waitangi Tribunal has granted iwi a hearing into the way the Fast-track Approvals Act has been used to seek approval to mine the seabed off Pātea. Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) has applied under the legislation to mine in the South Taranaki Bight. South Taranaki iwi Ngāti Ruanui asked the tribunal to investigate alleged breaches of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in the fast-track approvals process . Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust Kaiwhakahaere Rachel Arnott said the legislation excluded iwi and hapu from meaningful engagement when it mattered most. "The government has failed comprehensively under fast-track to consult with tangata whenua, ignored the Supreme Court and is failing to apply the principles of Te Tiriti. "Anything worth doing is worth doing right, and this government is doing it all wrong." The tribunal will now consider whether the government has breached Treaty of Waitangi principles and if it failed to sufficiently involve or consider rangatiratanga, kaitiakitanga and the customary rights of Ngāti Ruanui. The tribunal stated the iwi's claim falls within the scope of the Natural Resources and Environmental Management kaupapa inquiry . Along with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui, other claimant groups include: Groups outside Taranaki facing applications have also joined, including Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki. All eight Taranaki iwi have publicly opposed the seabed mining project. In May, Ngā Iwi o Taranaki released a statement on behalf of the eight post-settlement governance entity iwi of Taranaki, voicing their support for South Taranaki iwi in their opposition to seabed mining off the coast of Pātea. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

RNZ News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
We haven't sold out: council to clarify seabed mine stance
Councillor Bonita Bigham says she's been accused of selling out to the seabed miners, and a public statement is needed. Photo: LDR / Te Korimako o Taranaki Taranaki Regional Council is going public against accusations it has sold out to would-be seabed miners Trans-Tasman Resources. The Australian company has a permit to mine the seabed off Pātea for an initial 20 years, seeking to extract iron, titanium and vanadium. But Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) can't begin mining until it gets discharge consents to pump 45 million tonnes of unwanted sediment a year into the ocean. Iwi and community opponents of seabed mining spoke to councillors meeting on Tuesday morning, urging them to stand with their communities against the proposed mine. But the regional council wants to hang on to any influence it might have in the government's new Fast-track process - and fears taking a public stand might block it from decision-making. Councillor Bonita Bigham said Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) needed to state clearly what it's trying to achieve by staying neutral for now. "I've been… attacked on social media [and] in private for not having a position," the Māori constituency councillor said. "I've been accused of being a sell-out and having been bought out by TTR… I think this is a real risk to our reputation as an organisation." Bigham said those in the room - including opponents - understood the reason for neutrality. "But we've got 100,000 people out there who don't understand why we aren't saying something." As previously published by Local Democracy Reporting, TRC has three likely ways to have a say on the fate of Trans-Tasman's application under the Fast-track Approvals Act The council will help pick one of the four (or more) panel members that will approve or deny the seabed mining. And TRC staff are almost certain they'll be a relevant local authority and be one of the few groups allowed to formally comment on Trans-Tasman's application - and on any consent conditions. Councillor Susan Hughes KC advised elected members to be cautious even in their private lives. "It's just a useful thing to remind ourselves that it's not helpful if we're expressing opinions we think are informal at a social gathering or something like that - it has the potential for coming back to bite us." She advised councillors keep the discussion between themselves "so we don't risk undermining the effectiveness that we might otherwise wish to bring to bear on behalf of the regional council." Council chair Craig Williamson said individuals could have personal discussions to help form their views, but agreed the council would issue a press release to make its position clear. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

RNZ News
19-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Pātea school principal remembers six-year-old killed in boating accident
By Maisie Arnold-Brown Six-year-old Zane loved school and cared deeply for his friends and teachers, according to his principal at Pātea Area School, James Davidson. Photo: Supplied/Pātea Area School A six-year-old boy, who died in a boating accident in Pātea, is remembered as a "boy filled with aroha", according to his school principal. Two people died after a boat capsized off the coast of Taranaki on Sunday. Stuff has reported his stepmother also died, when the boat was swamped by a wave, and his father - the boat's skipper - was the sole survivor. Pātea Area School principal James Davidson said Zane Milham loved school. "Everyone who met Zane instantly fell in love with his cheeky grin and zest for life," Davidson said. "He cared deeply for his friends and those around him," he said. "He showed genuine affection for his teachers and support staff, always offering a cheerful wave or a friendly greeting. "His joy was truly infectious." He said Zane never missed a day of school, rain or shine, and was always eager and excited to learn. "On weekends and after school, he could often be seen riding his trike around the grounds, proudly knocking on windows to show off the skids he had been practising," Davidson said. Investigators at the scene, as the a boat that capzized off the coast of South Taranaki is retrieved. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin He said the school community had been deeply affected by his death and Zane was already missed "immensely". Staff and students had shown incredible resilience, as they rallied around one another, he said, sharing memories of Zane and honouring his life. In a statement provided to Stuff on Thursday, a family member said: "It's with great sadness of the family that we are announcing the passing of our beloved son. "Fly high our little friend, hunting and fishing forever." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.