Coming up on Te Karere... Public pressure is mounting against the repeal of Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act. A first of its kind indigenous youth exchange is taking place in the Bay of Plenty this week with 30 youth from Australia, Canada and New Zealand. And joining us on Te Karere are the world champions. 1, 2, 3, 4! Pūkana! 31 July 2024 Tēnā koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. The Black Fern Sevens have won gold in Paris. Elevating Māori culture centre stage at the Olympic Games as they retained their champion status. Harata Brown witnessed the historic moment. Harata, what was it like? I was there, Scotty, and what a game it was. It was close for a moment, but then the girls just pushed on to victory, perhaps it was the injection of Māori influence knowing that the sevens has the largest pool of Māori athletes at the Paris Olympics. This is perhaps a victory dance. The Tūhoe and Te Arawa descendant twirling poi. A celebratory hooray for the Nathan-Wong whānau. That's because Tyla King (nee Nathan-Wong) of Ngāpuhi descent is retiring from the sport. This was her final game ever. There was a moment in the game where veteran Portia Woodman of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Porou descent was yellow carded. But that was just a mere glitch for the team, who stuck to their guns and came out champions. It's a joy for whānau who came from afar, just like these siblings of the co-captain who hails from the top of the South island, Risi Pouri-Lane. An action packed pūkana knowing the Black Fern Sevens are still at the top of their game. Tyla King and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe are veteran players. This is their third Olympics games and also their last. So last night’s game will be one to remember forever and a day as that was their last game on field. So, when the sun rises here in Paris, and as you can see behind me we have the Eiffel Tower. Anyway, as I was saying, when the sun rises the Black Ferns will be going to Aotearoa House as champions where they will socialize with friends and fans who are here and are wanting to pay tribute to the current Olympic champions, the Black Ferns. The way the Black Ferns athletes have conducted themselves is amazing and very chiefly too as well as how they employ Maori culture, Harata. Thank you so much for the updates you’ve given where you’ve been able to talk to Stacey and others so that we can hear their thoughts on the Black Ferns Sevens global champions. So, thank you so much. Harata Brown from Paris, thank you. As public submissions before the Social Services and Community Select Committee continue, public pressure is mounting against the repeal of Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act. The submissions argue that it is a violation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and urge the government to create a Mokupuna Authority. Political reporter Te Okiwa McLean has more. The Oranga Tamariki Act in the spot light once again. A fiery Lady Tureiti Moxon addressing the Select Committee today with a clear message. Moxon says repealing section 7AA is a breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as treaty partners. Section 7AA came into force in 2019. It imposes specific duties on the CE of Oranga Tamariki that includes Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations including the creation of partnerships with iwi and Māori organisations. The recent Whanaketia report from the Royal Commission into abuse in State Care found that 200,000 children, young people and adults were abused in care, many of whom were Māori. All I can say is it is so wrong, and so bad the course of action that has been undertaken. It walks all over Māori and undermines us as a people. Te Karere made a request to speak with the Minister for Children on this matter but was declined. Within the hypocrisies of this three-headed government, they will not accept or allow Māori to be empowered. Submitters are sick of their message falling on deaf ears through successive governments. They’re now calling on the Crown to establish a Mokopuna Authority, a Māori Transitional Authority Unit. Child wellbeing is the priority. As there are many submissions backlogged, the Select Committee process will continue until further notice. Te Okiwa McLean, Te Karere. We're joined now by the MP for Te Tai Tonga, Takuta Ferris. Thank you for joining us on the show today. Tēnā koe Scotty, and to everyone else watching out there. Kia ora tātou. My friend, before we get into the first question, did you watch the Black Ferns claiming gold this morning at the Olympics? Yes, I watched and was amazed at the efforts the women put in. They represented our Māori culture and practices, thanks to the efforts of Sir Derek who prepared those involved, including the wider NZ Olympic Committee and everyone who is representing Aotearoa on the global stage, through the use of tikanga, karakia and other Māori activities. Incredible. Amazing! Anyway, onto our first issue. You the Māori Party are calling for a Mokopuna Māori Authority to be established to prevent our children going into state facilities where they will be allegedly abused. Can you describe what this new authority you’re calling for would look like? It’s easy to imagine Scotty. The authority would be established based on tikanga, in how Māori look after young people. That’s the definition of by Māori for Māori. As we can see, this Government is determined to repeal Section 7AA. It’s the only section in within the entire legislation that encourages the Government to be accountable to, and follow tikanga Māori especially with models of Māori doing well in Oranga Tamariki. But at the moment the Government is saying they are committed to abandoning the current set up. So, they should let it be for our Māori people to look after our young people, to protect them in the familiar safety of Māori custom. That’s what our ancestors were able to show and role model to us. That’s what’s at the heart of that call that we’re making Scotty. That’s what makes Te Pāti Māori unique. You are not afraid to be innovative or creative. Issue number two, you have submitted a Members Bill into the Member's Bill hat today. The name of the bill is... Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Whakatika i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. What can you tell us about this bill? Yes, well, the purpose of the bill, it’s intent is to empower the Waitangi Tribunal to make binding recommendations on the Government. No matter what the Government, whether they be red or blue. We’ve seen this year the Government’s laws have been quite inflexible and quite ignorant with how they have been passing legislation to undermine our rights enshrined in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. So, we are going to fight for Te Tiriti o Waitangi to be able to have a real impact in the governance of our country. And that’s because it’s we as Maori, who have consented to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The Government is obliged to implement it. So, if they do implement or don’t, we need to say loudly that if the Government does not implement the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi then Maori will retract consent. That will then lead to another discussion about the government. So, this bill seeks to entrench the Waitangi Tribunal, and for all Governments to be bound. Scotty, it will be to the benefit of Māori, and there are also benefits for non-Māori as well. You are a wise man, my friend. I see that you’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on these ideas. Thank you for explaining the purpose and intent of your bill Takuta. My friend, final issue is from last Friday. The report Kei Ahotea Te Aho Matua was released. That report says the Crown is trampling on Te Tiriti o Waitangi on the very same day the Government announced they are going to rescind funding established for renovating classrooms and school buildings for kura Kaupapa. What does your party have to say about this? It’s the same old story all over again, Scotty. The Government is being two-faced. They say one thing but then they take something away. But I’d like to go back to my bill because if my bill was law, the tribunal would be able to make a binding recommendation on what to do as set out in the report. The Government would need to abide with the binding recommendation from the tribunal. So, what’s happened doesn’t come as a surprise. This is the Government. But we, te iwi Maori need to be strong to follow the pathway which we have been on. We need to be strong in upholding our culture and our ways, and to keep going and doing this great work. This Government is like the sun, in time it will set just like the sun. As for us we all will still be here on the land my friend. So, let’s be strong. What an awesome answer to conclude our interview on this afternoon. My chief, Takuta, thank you so much. Tēnā koe, Scotty. Ngā mihi, ngā mihi. After the break, a first of its kind indigenous youth exchange is taking place in the Bay of Plenty this week with 30 youth from Australia, Canada and New Zealand. A first of its kind indigenous youth exchange is taking place in the Bay of Plenty this week. Native nations: Tracing Indigenous Footsteps is a collaboration of 30 youth from Australia, Canada and New Zealand looks at how Māori tourism and its impact on Māori careers and communities with the hopes of strengthening the influence of other cultures in their own lands. Our reporter Timoti Tiakiwai spoke to some of the youth and here is his report. A connecting of cultures with the hope of inspiring change. 30 youth from Australia, Canada and New Zealand are touring the Bay of Plenty looking at different aspects of Māori tourism and how they can implement these learnings to establish their own tourism initiatives back home. For Māori within the group they are hoping to form stronger connections and share their knowledge of tourism with their group, and are also making sure that Māori do not take Māori tourism for granted. I'm wanting the indigenous young people to rise up, to open their minds and to keep fighting. Also it is more than tourism, for some it's about ensuring their voices are heard in their own regions. And this will be the next generation who will rise and take the mantle forward. Do what we do with a Māori outlook not through a pakeha one, if we continue to work with a Pākehā mind frame we are doing it wrong, we need to have a Māori outlook, holistically and all throughout. As the saying goes, with your small gift and my small gift, the people will be fed. Timoti Tiakiwai, Te Karere. New research has been released today, He Whare, He Taonga, that proves a link between domestic violence and housing poverty. An undeniable call for action to those in positions of power, policy and planning to prioritise wāhine due to their primacy in the whānau and the many obstacles they face to acquire shelter, is the reports outcome. Mārena Mane attended the release at Te Whāriki Mana Wahine o Hauraki. A journey that started 40 years ago in the Coromandel. Research found dire shortage of private and public rental housing which created a crisis for low-income whānau. Furthermore, it was evident from this research that there is a link between housing poverty and domestic violence, particularly when it comes to women and children. The voices of these two wāhine and many more were heard as part of the report. And the final recommendations of the report suggests that women with tamariki should be prioritised for housing. 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 Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Māngai Pāho. Copyright TVNZ 2024.