May 09, 2022
Black Power looks for positive change
More than 120 Black Power members turned up to a wananga at Rotorua at the weekend to hear from speakers including former rugby league coach Sir Graham Lowe and Māori doctor Rawiri McKree Jansen.
Organiser Denis O Reilly says the wānanga aimed to set young members in a progressive direction.
He says there were discussions around deliberate disinformation on social media that has led to many young mothers refusing to immunise their pēpi, and also how social media could be used for positive ends.
“We’re setting up a little team to deal with social media to get away from this whole glorification on TikTok and whatever with kids trying to our-dare each other and promote pro-social messages there,” Mr O’Reilly says.
The hui also looked at the potential of Black Power members as a labour force.