January 02, 2018
Kingitanga looking forward to better year
King Tuheitia has told followers he hopes they all have a better year then last year.
The king was speaking at the New Year’s Day poukai at Horahora Marae near Rangiriri, the traditional start to the Kingitanga’s year.
The king made a foray into politics last year, endorsing the Maori Party and backing its Hauraki Waikato candidate Rahui Papa to oust sitting member Nanaia Mahuta.
In the end members ignored the king’s edict and voted overwhelmingly for Ms Mahuta, who addressed Monday’s hui in her new role as Minister for Maori Development.
She said the Labour-led Government‘s 100-day plan emphasised Maori development and iwi partnerships.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones’ target to plant a billion trees over the next decade, the new regional development fund and the Government’s plans to revitalise housing are all area which will generate opportunity for Maori.
Ms Mahuta also endorsed a presentation from Anaru Grant, the police iwi liaison officer for Waikato, about the police goal of increasing Maori recruitment as part of its efforts to be reflective of the communities they serve.
“It's a chance to strategically target youth, Maori, and women to join the police. We’ve spoken with the king and the tribe (Waikato Tainui) to encourage your iwi members to consider joining,” Mr Grant said.
The hui also heard from University of Auckland associate professor of engineering Ashton Partridge and research scientist Leonie Jones about a new sensor which detects nitrates in rivers.
Dr Jones said the devices will revolutionise the way the health of rivers like the Waikato are diagnosed and monitored.
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