Māori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples paid tribute to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Ngāti Manuhiri descendants today as their respective Treaty of Waitangi settlements became law. 

Dr. Pita Sharples said “today marks a significant day for these two iwi who have walked a long road to have their grievances settled by the Crown.”

“As we moved through the final reading of the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Claims Settlement Bill and the Ngāti Manuhiri Claims Settlement Bill we were reminded of the terrible injustices inflicted upon these iwi.”

The Minister of Māori Affairs, Hon Dr. Pita Sharples has today congratulated Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei, and Structurflex Limited for winning a 2012 Industrial Fabrics Association International award of excellence for the design of Waka Māori.  The award was announced at the association’s international expo held this week in Boston, Massachusetts.

Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples told Parliament today that he looked forward to the Mokomoko (Restoration of Character, Mana, and Reputation) Bill being passed so Te whānau a Mokomoko can move on to the next stage of their journey without the shame and stigma they have carried for so long.

In moving the first reading of the Bill, Dr Sharples said it gives statutory recognition to an agreement he signed with Te whānau a Mokomoko last year, on behalf of the Crown, to rectify unresolved matters relating to the free pardon granted to Mokomoko in 1992.

Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples welcomes the appointment of Michelle Hippolite as the new Chief Executive of Te Puni Kokiri, and thanks the departing CE Leith Comer for his ‘active service’ over the past 12 years.

“Michelle has a very solid track record of public service and experience in a range of roles that will greatly benefit Te Puni Kokiri into the future,” said Dr Sharples.

Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples today paid tribute to Te Reo Māori Society and Ngā Tamatoa, on the fortieth anniversary of the Māori Language Petition being presented to Parliament.

“14 September 1972 was declared the first National Māori Language Day, and it marks the start of the most incredible struggle for the revitalisation of te reo Māori,” said Dr Sharples.

Hon Dr Pita Sharples, Minister of Māori Affairs, has recognised the importance of Monday’s forum in bringing together various representatives across hapū and iwi to discuss their collective aspirations around water.

The theme of this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous People has been welcomed by the Minister of Māori Affairs as an opportunity to celebrate the work of indigenous media in influencing the social and political agenda.  The focus of this year’s International Day is "Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices".

The Minister of Māori Affairs has called a hui of iwi representatives and claimants to the Waitangi Tribunal on Māori custom and interests in fresh water.

“My hope is that, by coming together to discuss the issues, all groups will be clearer about each other’s thinking, and may be able to find a way to achieve their collective aspirations,” said Dr Sharples.

“Each iwi has its own customs relating to fresh water, and each will follow its own pathway to maintain its mana – and that is fine,” he said.

Minister of Māori Affairs Dr Pita Sharples, and Associate Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Tariana Turia, are pleased that the partnership between iwi, industry, tertiary providers and Government has received the confirmation of further investment in activities in Otautahi.

“We have been working within our respective portfolio areas, to increase the participation of Māori in trade-based careers at all levels” said Dr Sharples.

Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples says he has not advocated that people move into unsafe houses in the Christchurch red zone.

“My reported statement was in response to information I was given about a person who had been living in a car for some time, and my genuine concern for her health and wellbeing as winter was approaching,” said Dr Sharples.

“I told the Press reporter that my immediate priority was for the welfare of people in emergency situations, and that some solution had to be found.

E haruru ana te Tai Rāwhiti i ngā tai aroha e whati ana ki te akau!

Ko te riri a Tū! Ko te riri a Tū!

Kei te waipuke ngā awaawa o Motu, o Kereu – ko te mamae a Papa!

Te Whānau a Apanui! Ngāti Porou! Kei te tangihia to koutou rangatira!

E te uri o Horouta, e te tama a Tumatauenga, e te rangatira o te wa kāinga o Te Whānau a Apanui e tiraha mai rā i ngā marae o o iwi, takoto mai, takoto mai!

Takoto mai i te putake o Tihirau, i mua i ngā tauranga hi moki, i runga i ngā whenua tapu o o tipuna, kia tangihia koe e te motu.

E haruru ana te whenua, e ngunguru ana te iwi i te hinganga o te kauri tū teitei o te Wao Nui a Tāne!

E te rangatira o te Tai Tokerau, o te Ope Keri Kapia o te Rōpū Rua Tekau ma Waru, e te uri o Patuharakeke o Ngāti Wai, o Ngati Pūkenga, Takoto mai! Takoto mai! Takoto mai!

Ka haere taitama koe ki tawahi tū ai ki te mura o te ahi, ki te pae o te riri, ka toa koe!

Ka hoki mai koe ki te wa kāinga, ka eke koe ki te taumata o te kaumātua, ināianei kua mate koe! Aue te tangi!

Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples says he is pleased to hear that the Chinese buyers of the former Crafar farms, and representatives of Maori trusts with ancestral links to two of the farms, have confirmed they are in negotiations.

“I had heard informally that discussions were taking place, and I understand that has now been confirmed.

“Any agreement is a matter between the parties, and the Government is not involved in negotiations.

An innovative plan to showcase New Zealand to Chinese consumers will see Māori culture and products playing a central role.

‘New Zealand House’ is being developed in Shanghai by Richard Yan and the Richina Company. It will involve a one-stop showroom for a wide range of New Zealand goods and services. On Friday, Mr Yan presented to members of the Maori business delegation to China being led by Māori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples.

Representatives from three New Zealand fishing companies have met with their newly appointed employees and agents in Shanghai and Guangzhou this week. The businesses are part of the trade mission to China headed by Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples.

“Māori asset holders represent generations of people and now control 37% of New Zealand’s total fish quota. They are continuing to manage assets innovatively and carefully,” said Dr Sharples.

New Zealand’s Minister of Māori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples, and members of his business delegation, met with senior executives from the China Forest Group and discussed future proposals in Beijing this week. China Forest Group executives proposed exploring a programme that would see the next generation of Māori leaders in the forestry sector head out to China to gain experience working in some of China’s largest State Owned Enterprises and companies.

The People’s Republic of China’s Government of Guizhou Province and New Zealand’s Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry of Māori Development) have launched an international agricultural exchange programme.

The programme recognises that investing in the education of young people is a vital way to boost development in rural areas, The Vice Governor of Guizhou Province, Mu Degui and New Zealand’s Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive, Leith Comer, signed a joint statement on agricultural co-operation in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China today.

New Zealand’s Minister of Māori Affairs Dr Pita Sharples, paid tribute to China’s phenomenal and ongoing contribution to global culture, economy and civilisation today at a meeting with Vice Premier of the People’s Re

An expert panel will review Te Ture Whenua Māori Act with a view to unlocking the economic potential of Māori land for its beneficiaries, while preserving its cultural significance for future generations, Associate Māori Affairs Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.

There are over 27,137 blocks of Māori land under Te Ture Whenua Māori Act, comprising 1.42 million hectares, or around 5% of the total land in New Zealand.

Māori education remains a Government priority, despite the challenging economic climate, Māori Affairs and Associate Education Minister Pita Sharples says.

“Several initiatives in this year’s Budget will help improve education outcomes for Māori,” Dr Sharples says. “The Government’s investment of $76.4 million over the next four years will help our tamariki and mokopuna achieve education success.

The Government will fund 1,000 Māori cadetships over the next four years, Māori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples says.

“A total of $10 million allocated to the Māori cadetship programme over the next four years will enable 250 young Māori cadets a year to get paid jobs and training opportunities for at least six months,” Dr Sharples says.