Coming up on Te Karere Hinerangi Puru, the daughter of Dame Whina Cooper has been laid to rest in her kāinga of Panguru. The argument for and against Māori wards continues as submissions are made at select committee in Parliament. Stats NZ has asked an independent external party to investigate allegations of misuse of census data collected for the 2023 Census. 4 June 2024 Tēnā koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Stats NZ has asked an independent external party to investigate allegations of misuse of census data collected for the 2023 Census. Last year Stats NZ partnered with Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency to lift low response rates from Māori in Auckland. Our reporter Marena Mane is in our Auckland newsroom with the latest. Kia ora Scotty. The collection operations with non-responding and partial-responding Māori households were led by Te Pae Herenga o Tāmaki. As part of this Whānau Ora worked with Manurewa Marae. Late last week Stats NZ received allegations relating to the inappropriate use of census data collected at Manurewa Marae. Government Statistician and Stats NZ Chief Executive Mark Sowden said “We are taking these allegations very seriously,” Scotty back to you. Hinerangi Puru, the daughter of Dame Whina Cooper has been laid to rest in her kāinga of Panguru. The matriarch of Ngāti Manawa, of Waipuna was remembered for her fighting spirit as an educator, treaty rights and Kotahitanga advocate. Harata Brown has more. The last journey. The Matakite flag flies, the flag, the flag bearer of the Hīkoi Whenua Māori flag. She was mighty at taking care of whānau. Ngāpuhi. We would take a walk around Ngāpuhi events. And she would always say to me, “Ngāpuhi are a clever lot!” We will always resist, forever and ever! Opposing. She’d oppose both central and local government, and she’d oppose her elders and her relations! She was a strong opposer, but she’d do it for a good reason. A teacher and supporter of her mother’s work. In the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s she put a lot of effort into teaching te reo Māori. She was also involved in organising her hapū. That was the power of that woman. The power within her genealogy. A treaty claims claimant. A dear friend as well. This was the last thing she said to me on Facebook about my stand in Parliament. My memory goes back to the time we were fighting in the Waitangi Tribunal and Whaea Hinerangi and Matua Moka were there at all the Te Kotahitanga events, and at all the tribunal sittings. We are sad and feel bereft here in Ngāti Rēhia for both of them. For the late Moka, and for our late aunty, Hinerangi. Hinerangi Puru was also from the chiefly lines of Panguru. Our aunty who lays in the house is the very last grandchild of Heremia. So we acknowledge those leaders and that genealogy. This beloved elder passed away at 87 years old, the last of her generation, and now lays to rest with her ancestors. Harata Brown, Te Karere. And the Prime Minister's been urged to deliver on a promise of more funding for cancer medicines or quote "people will die". An open letter's been sent to the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Nicola Willis and associate Minister of Health David Seymour after last week's budget failed to fund 13 new cancer drugs. National pledged 280 million for the drugs during its election campaign. Cancer patient's organisations and advocates telling the government to "act with urgency" National said the new drugs would be funded in part by the reinstatement of the 5 dollar prescription copayment which kicks in on the first of July. The Prime Minister says he's not apologising for cutting police numbers while promising to crack down on crime Last week's budget included funding for 500 new constabulary staff but there's currently 200 vacant police roles and a further 175 jobs being cut. Police have also been told to save 55 million dollars to meet government savings targets with a hiring freeze and pay negotiations stalled. Christopher Luxon says organisations need to focus on efficiency. Police pay is currently in arbitration with the government blocking out 242 million dollars in the budget to help resolve the dispute. Local government New Zealand's taking steps for a "refreshed approach" to local elections and increasing voter participation. An electoral reform group has been formed to drive necessary changes including looking at 4 year terms and increasing voter turnout. Local government NZ President Sam Broughton says the decline in voter participation over the last three decades is a threat to the mayors and councils and serious reform to the system is needed. Māori ward councilors have been in hearing all day before the justice select committee. They're criticizing the government's bill to hold a referendum without a local poll. Taroi Black with more Sitting face to face discussing the future of Māori wards. This bill will put our people back. In the select committee the meeting was confronting. Concerned and frustrated because the government's bill intends to force councils to hold a referendum on the establishment of Māori wards. What concerns do you and colleagues currently carry? At the moment we are entirely focused on fighting and ensuring the survival of Māori wards. Across the country the interest in establishing Māori wards. This councilor showed how far they've come. But this government is not holding back. For me it's a difficult situation. That's been brought about by this proposed legislation. Māori in Palmerston North are facing this, as are others around the country. Come and take a look for yourself to see what's happening in the local councils. You can fix it. There are so many things like roading and waste water treatment plants. Return Kaitaia Airport to us so we can keep it going up here in Te Hiku o te Ika. Over 50 mayors and regional council chairs support Māori wards but it will come down to central government how that looks. Taroi Black, Te Karere. After the break, Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson joins us live to discuss the latest issues in politics Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson joins us live from her office in Auckland to discuss the latest issues in politics. Marama thank you for joining us on the show today Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson joins our programme today from her office in Auckland. E mihi atu ana, tēnā koe! Tēnā koe e hoa, Scotty. Kia ora. To the streets! Haha, great. My friend, today discussions began on the proposed Māori wards bill by the select committee. From what you’re aware of, what were some of the larger talking points? Well, the strength and anger of the voices of those advocating for Māori wards, like former National Party MP Jo Hays. She says that the injustice being carried out by this Government is prejudicial to the indigenous people and to Māori. This sets back all of the work done with Māori communities with building connections with non-Māori and to local government. She says that this bill is wrong for aiming to trying to get rid of Māori wards and she was quite forthright and angry when she presented to the select committee. So Māori communities, and non-Māori communities, need to be absolutely loud in their support for Māori wardsand in opposing this bill which will do away with Māori wards. Go you, Jo Hays! It’s good to see National sorting National out. Anyway, heading back to the Greens, Marama. The Green Party has labelled this year's budget as unambitious for Māori and unapologetic in its disregard for Te Tiriti. Why do you believe that? What are some Māori initiatives that have been ignored by this Government’s budget? What has been scrapped for Māori? This budget is a total disappointment to Māori families, to Māori dreams, and to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It’s just like the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora. Just like this bill that seeks to remove Māori wards. Just like the move that seeks to remove references to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in statute law. This budget is an attack on Māori families. Māori housing gone. Rangatahi transitional housing gone. This budget really attacks Māori families. So, this is a budget that attacks Māori. What about the Environment? What does this budget bring for the environment and climate change? Nothing for the environment, nothing for climate change. So I have line right before me. Now this is a very long line. Those policies, those plans are gone thanks to this budget. Items such as mātauranga Māori in protecting the environment, mātauranga Māori base approaches to protecting the environment. Then there’s the community renewable energy fund. And transport choices which aimed to make buses and cycleways attractive options for families around the country to use. They are all gone. All of those positive initiatives which aimed to conserve the environment for our children and future generations are gone. This is a real attack. It’s an attack on the relationships of mana whenua and Māori who are putting the hard yards in to work with non-Māori and wider communities. All of that good work is going backwards and those initiatives are gone thanks to this Government’s budget. I can hear the firey passion in your heart as you answer about the environment. Those are major missteps this government has made but biggest the misstep the government has made is the fact that out all of the people that live in NZ Māori are the ones most invested in looking after the environment. There is nothing better than mātauranga Māori in terms of looking after the environment. Marama, it has been a pleasure to speak to you this afternoon as always. Thank you so much. Marama Davidson, Green Party co-leader, tēnā koe. Tēnā koe, kia ora rā! Now to Netball, At the Anz Premiership, with the Magic playing the stars here in Auckland last night. Throughout this season all teams now have suffered many injuries and, in this match, both teams were unnerved by losing their centers due to knee injuries. Here's Mārena Mane with this report. It was fairly an even game at the beginning. Until Magic pulled away near the end of the first-half to lead by six goals at half-time. In the first half, Stars midcourter Mila Reuelu-Buchanan suffered a knee injury. and resulted in being carried off the court. Until this game, the Magic were about the only side in the ANZ Premiership which had not been impacted by injuries. And then Magic midcourter Ali Whilshire buckled with a injury to her knee. The Magic led by 10 goals at three-quarter time but the Stars got within four with a few minutes left. Magic midcourter Claire O'Brien provided great stability to the attacking end, who picked up another MVP award. Magic winning the match 60 - 56 against a side that's facing a woeful season. Marena Mane, Te Karere. After the break we have the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. That's all we have for today. Turou Parea. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Māngai Pāho. Copyright TVNZ 2024.