Latest news with #Whātua
The Spinoff
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Spinoff
We shouldn't have to fight this hard to prove our mana in Tāmaki
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei deputy chair Ngarimu Blair reflects on a hard-fought Environment Court battle, and what the ruling on Westhaven Marina really means for tangata whenua. While there was major gratitude for the success of my iwi in the recent decision from the Environment Court regarding the Westhaven Marina, it was tinged with some sadness. Sadness the action needed to be taken, requiring significant cost and time to fight a process that challenged the very essence of my iwi – our status as tangata whenua of central Auckland. But there was also immense sadness at the unnecessary conflict the Crown and council consultation and settlement process forces on my people, plus the devastation it has had on some formerly close and collegial relationships. The judge asked me why I thought there was so much competition for our rohe. I responded that no one wanted it 100 years ago, but when iwi are forced to fight for the crumbs of the Treaty settlement process, this is what happens. However, it doesn't need to be like this. It is incredibly disappointing that court action was required again to confirm what almost everyone with passing knowledge of and connection to Tāmaki Makaurau knows – that my people, through devastating loss and harrowing adversity, has hard-earned our place as tangata whenua of central Auckland. My people can look across from our marae in Ōrakei to the very development at the heart of this dispute – a dispute where Crown and council policy enabled an action that we had no option but to oppose. This is an ongoing reality for us. The court decision resulted from action taken in response to resource consent obtained by Eke Panuku Development Auckland from the council to expand Westhaven Marina. Conditions required engagement with 19 listed mana whenua groups through a forum. Originally 19 Pou Whenua for each 'mana whenua' were proposed, along with transferring the title of the reclaimed area to the Tāmaki Collective, not to ourselves. Such council action challenges the immense sacrifices of my tūpuna, a challenge that says our centuries of hard-fought occupation, and the immense sacrifice and loss required for our people to keep our home fires burning here in central Tamaki Makaurau, meant nothing: That our kaumātua had no more authority to speak on the whenua at the heart of this dispute than those whose marae are more than 100km away. The court acknowledged the connection of Ngāi Tuperiri of Ngāti Whātua ki Tāmaki to Westhaven through take raupatu, take tūpuna, take tuku whenua, and ahi kā – the pillars that uphold mana for all iwi and hapū across the motu. 'We are struck at just how little evidence there is of use and occupation by any of the [other] parties of the lands and waters around Westhaven over the past 200 or more years,' the decision said. The Marutuahu traditional expert explained that according to their tikanga, we have been keeping their fires warm for them on their behalf as they base themselves in the Hauraki-Thames district. A unique tikanga indeed. The court's decision came last Friday, on the same day we farewelled one of our own, Clay Hawke – a beloved stalwart of our iwi. His tangi was large and filled with aroha. It was there, among our grieving whānau, that our chair, Marama Royal, stood and read the court's summary decision. Despite the sorrow that brought us together, a cheer rippled through the gathering. Not of triumph, but of affirmation. The decision was tika and pono – right and just. It acknowledged the mana of our ancestors, the work of those who have preserved our tikanga, our knowledge of this whenua and waters, and the immense sacrifice of so many to uphold our place here. It acknowledged my cousin Clay who we had laid to rest. For me, I hope this decision begins a change. A change that stops incentivising others to claim equal say with those who clearly are the tangata whenua of a rohe, those who have generations of knowledge to inform their understanding, and place as kaitiaki for their rohe. The value of the whenua where my people live is both a blessing and a curse. No other iwi experiences the incursions and claims into their rohe like my iwi. However, the wealth and power of central Auckland has also allowed my people to regain some resources to help nurture and support our own, to try and undo some of the devastation and exclusion that colonisation unleashed on my iwi, as a consequence of being surrounded by Aotearoa's largest city. We will work with the council to undo and walk back their adversarial policy, and seek a return to the collegiality that existed with our neighbouring iwi prior to the settlement process for my iwi. In some cases, this journey of reconnection, of rekindling whanaungatanga, has already begun. The deep adversity endured by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has honed our patience, our humility, our understanding of the need to fight as hard as we can, but also seek peace and reconnection with those who share our aspirations. We have our investment vehicle, Te Tomokanga ki Tāmaki, so others can access opportunities here through the front door. A number of iwi have already committed to our first development – a twin tower project in the CBD. There will be more for those willing to acknowledge us as the home people. Thank you to the Environment Court, for bringing this sorry process to an end. Thank you to those among the 19 iwi who did acknowledge our status as tangata whenua. Thank you to my people for being so strong and supportive, it is our unity that is our greatest strength. To our neighbouring iwi who we faced in court, let us begin the process of understanding and a return to the times of our past. As iwi Māori we have so much more that unites us, than stands us apart.
Techday NZ
29-06-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
New secure data centre Mātai opens at RNZAF Base Auckland
The Government Communications Security Bureau has formally taken possession of a new all-of-government data centre located at RNZAF Base Auckland, following an opening ceremony. The facility will provide a centralised and secure environment for the processing and storage of some of New Zealand's most sensitive government information. The data centre, named Mātai, was built after several years of planning involving collaboration between multiple government agencies and local iwi Ngati Whātua o Kaipara. Milestone for digital infrastructure GCSB Director-General Andrew Clark described the inauguration of the data centre as an important advancement in the progression of the country's secure digital infrastructure. "This is an investment that has been years in the planning, due to the role of this facility in processing and storing some of our most sensitive government information." He acknowledged the collective work and dedication of all parties involved in the development of the site, noting the particular combination of requirements and expectations that the project demanded. "Both the design and location of the facility were informed by a number of factors, including our unique environment and New Zealand's specific data storage needs." Partnership with mana whenua Clark paid tribute to Ngati Whātua o Kaipara, who played a meaningful role in the project by gifting the name Mātai to the building. He explained the cultural and geographic significance of the name in the context of the region's history. "A key partner in this build has been with mana whenua Ngati Whātua o Kaipara who have generously gifted the name Mātai to the building. The name comes from the site of an ancestral Pā, Rangi Mātai at Ōtakanini in South Kaipara and from where you can see in all directions." Defence Force collaboration The facility is located within the Whenuapai base perimeter, a site that offered the necessary amenities and level of security required for the project. Clark emphasised the value of this relationship and the benefits it brings to the operation of the data centre. "Also integral to the project has been the support of the New Zealand Defence Force, with Mātai located within the Whenuapai base perimeter." Leadership in information security The GCSB is responsible for managing the data centre as the lead agency for information security across government, supporting the wider public sector's requirements for digital safeguarding. The project is positioned as a reflection of the increasing significance of digital resilience and the importance of secure facilities for national data. The opening ceremony was attended by senior officials, with the centre officially opened by Minister Responsible for the GCSB and Minister of Defence Judith Collins. The new facility is anticipated to play a fundamental role in advancing the government's data security and response capabilities as digital needs and security challenges continue to grow. Follow us on: Share on:
1News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- 1News
Matariki celebrated across NZ with ceremony and reflection
New Zealanders right around the country have been celebrating Matariki, with many of them up well before dawn to watch the rising of the star cluster which heralds the start of the Māori New Year. It became an official public holiday only in 2022, but it's already become one of our most meaningful days and the first holiday to recognise Te Ao Māori. It was the first new public holiday since Waitangi Day became a public holiday in 1974. The date of Matariki changes from year to year, but it will always fall in June or July. A public holiday is held for Matariki on June 20, 2025. (Source: Ngāti Rangi hosted this year's national Matariki ceremony at Tirorangi Marae at the base of Mount Ruapehu. ADVERTISEMENT Iwi spokesperson Che Wilson told 1News it was a "huge honour" to be the first marae to host the national holiday ceremony. "It's truly a privilege to welcome everyone here," he said. "It means a great deal to us." Wilson explained that the Matariki celebrations would include offering karakia to specific stars in alignment with their Puanga traditions. "In our Puanga narrative, we'll offer them to four atua – Tāne, Rongo, Tangaroa, and Maru [the gods of forest, cultivated food, the sea, and war]." The Māori Queen, politicians, and dignitaries attended the national ceremony. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said having events across the country was a "real kotahitanga moment". "To bring it to national presence and international presence is something that connects us to the universe, and that's really important for us, that we see our tikanga as a way of life, as a daily platform for kotahitanga. And for me, it also connects to many, many other people from throughout the world." ADVERTISEMENT It was also a poignant moment for European Union ambassador to New Zealand Lawrence Meredith, who lost his father when he was young. "This whole transition for the ancestors is a really powerful message, the idea that ancestors become stars," he said. Hautapu ceremony at Auckland's Bastion Point this morning. (Source: 1News) Hundreds gathered at Auckland's Bastion Point to ring in the Māori New Year this morning with a hautapu ceremony. Food and steam were offered to the stars of Matariki as an offering of thanks from the umu or hāngī. The kai that is prepared for the hautapu connects to four different whetū (stars) in the Matariki cluster: Seafood with the star Waitā; freshwater kai with the star Waitī; kai from above the ground with the star Tupuārangi; and kai from the earth with the star Tupuānuku. Many were up well before dawn to watch the rising of the star cluster. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Kingi Makoare (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) said it was awesome to see the eagerness from people to learn about Māori culture. "It's heartwarming to see people really interested in us." Fiona Smith (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) added that it was a "great reflection of what New Zealand really should be". "Together, collaborative right from the beginning, standing shoulder to shoulder, doing things together, holding hands together." A maumaharatanga ceremony on Mauao/Mount Maunganui. (Source: 1News) In Tauranga, people of all ages summitted Mauao / Mount Maunganui before dawn for a remembrance of loved ones who had died in the past year. Te Puna I Rangiriri trust chairman Jack Thatcher led the maumaharatanga ceremony and said it was a "very emotional" morning. ADVERTISEMENT Maumaharatanga translates to memorial, memory or recollection. Grieving families and friends were invited to place their hands on the monument Te Tapuātea o Mauao and call out the names of their loved ones. "We have people bringing a lot of hurt. To call out the names of the loved ones that they're missing gives them a chance to heal and carry on," Thatcher said.
Newsroom
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Newsroom
Dame Noels: ‘A huge cost on my career and life'
Dame Noeline Taurua (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua) is a legend of New Zealand netball. She played 34 test matches for the Silver Ferns before a serious knee injury ended her playing career. The affable and successful Ferns coach is a key voice in supporting the revised NetballSmart warm-up. The NetballSmart team have conducted research, gathered evidence, listened to community feedback, and enhanced the pre-game warm-up. I fell into coaching. Back in 1999, I was 31 and still playing for the Ferns when I ruptured my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). I was devastated. Even though it was many years ago, I can still clearly remember that feeling of being down and out from a serious netball injury. I had two ACL injuries during my playing career in the 1990s – one on each knee. The first one, I was younger, and I recovered well but the second one ended my career. It is a tough injury to come back from and it had a huge cost on both my career and life. Back in those times, we weren't full-time athletes. We were holding down full-time jobs, so the challenge was even greater. I learnt a lot about what is required in terms of ticking all of the boxes in your rehabilitation. I loved coaching straight away. It's one of those jobs that you learn through experience. Whether good experiences or not so good, you never stop learning. I had the best of the best as a player. I was under the likes of Waimarama Taumaunu for over 10 years while I was playing in Wellington. Dame Lois Muir, at the end of her coaching career, Leigh Gibbs and Yvonne Willering were all huge influences on me. They shaped the way I coach now. To coach in a sport that you love, at any level, is a privilege. I love working with people and getting the best out of them. It's about making that privilege as positive as it can be. I love the feeling of being in the battle. Like when we are taking on Australia or England in a close game and your players are in the zone. It gives me immense pride to see my players express themselves and play with freedom on the biggest stage. It's a hard place to get to, but when you do it is so beautiful and memorable. It is a bit of a rush. Throughout my coaching career I have learnt a lot. We know that many serious injuries in our game are preventable. We know that if players do the NetballSmart warm-up before they train or play, they can reduce their chances of serious injury by up to 50 percent. This year I am helping with the relaunch of Netball Smart – it's not new, it's better. This work is led by Sharon Kearney [Ferns' lead physiotherapist] and we are so fortunate to have her knowledge and experience. We are also lucky to have our partnership with ACC who have been proactive in supporting us and played a massive role in minimising injuries in our game. We have listened to our netball community and feedback from players and coaches. The revised warm-up has an increased emphasis on the landing and deceleration components of the warm-up, and it is more game-specific. Like all player welfare programmes, it's only successful if our community engages with it. ACC data shows that the age brackets 10–14 and 15–19 have the most netball injuries every year so it's crucial that we imbed the values of NetballSmart into our players when they are young, so it's second nature. Supporting this work is important to me because I know what this injury is like. It's also important that we continue to invest in our grassroots coaches and players. Our Silver Ferns come from the grassroots of our game. That is our pathway from local level coming right through to high performance to the Silver Ferns. I am often asked for my advice for coaches around Aotearoa. I tell them to make sure you understand clearly why you're coaching and make it simple for your players to follow what you are wanting to do. Think about your player welfare and conditioning before you try to implement your strategy for the game. But above all make it fun. We want people all over New Zealand to be playing netball from the grassroots to the national team and enjoying our beautiful game. ACC claims – netball injuries In 2024 ACC accepted 23,796 netball-related injuries which came at a cost of $48 million to help people recover. In 2024 ACC accepted 373 ACL related netball injuries, and 335 of those were female. What is NetballSmart NetballSmart is an evidence-based framework made up of six principles. It helps improve your performance in sport by preventing injuries. The six principles are: Smart preparation, Dynamic warm-up, Smart movement, Smart training, Smart Player Welfare / Wellbeing and Smart Injury Management. The revised warm-up focuses more on increased emphasis on the landing and deceleration components of the warm-up and it is more game-specific. For more:
