Stories

Waikato Waters starts operational phase, ushering in new era for regional water services

Waikato Waters has officially celebrated its transition from establishment to operations, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of water and wastewater services across the Waikato region. The shift, celebrated at the Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant, signals the beginning of a collaborative approach to water infrastructure under the Government’s “Local Water Done Well” programme. A Unified Approach to Regional Infrastructure … Read More

Safeguarding Sovereignty – Te Pā Tūwatawata launched

Te Kāhui Raraunga has officially launched Te Pā Tūwatawata, a ground-breaking, Māori-owned digital data network designed to secure data sovereignty for whānau, hapū, and iwi.  In an era dominated by rapid digital transformation and artificial intelligence, this initiative aims to keep indigenous data within the control of its people, treating information as a protected asset rather than just a commodity. … Read More

Te Tai Tonga MP hits out at Labour Party

Te Tai Tonga MP, Tākuta Ferris has hit out at the Labour Party and a political strategy regarding its candidate list which he says “limits representation from the largest Māori electorate in the country”. Today the party announced its candidate list for this years general election where party President Jill Day said “The team we are putting forward today is … Read More

He rau matangi mō Ahorangi Whatarangi Winiata (1934 – 2026)

Nō te ata nei tanu ai a Ahorangi Whatarangi Winiata, o Ngāti Raukawa, ki te rua kōiwi o ōna mātua tūpuna a Raumatangi, i Hōkio. I tērā Raapa rere atu ai te wairua o Winiata ki ōna rau tini, rau mano, ki tōna makau a Francie Winiata, i a ia i te pūāhurutanga o tōna whānau i Ōtaki. Nā te … Read More

150 and Counting: Magic co-captain Erena Mikaere hits major milestone

Co-Captain of Avis Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, Erena Mikaere will reach the 150th milestone today when the Magic play against Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse at Claudelands Arena in Kirikiriroa.  “150 games and completing that at the Magics is unreal for me. I started my career at the Magic as a young teenager, as a training partner and then … Read More

Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective wins top Māori agribusiness award: Ahuwhenua Trophy 2026

The Bay of Plenty’s $130 million Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective has secured Māori horticulture’s highest honour, winning the prestigious 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy Award tonight at a gala dinner in Whangārei. The kiwifruit enterprise, collectively owned by Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa, and Rotomā No.1 Incorporation, was recognised for its excellence, innovation, and long-term stewardship of the whenua. Speaking after the win, … Read More

Mother, Son fined $5k for attempted pounamu export

Two West Coast Ngāi Tahu hapū say today’s sentencing shows people trying to take pounamu out of the country illegally will be caught. Boyuan Zhang and his mother Xin Li were fined a combined $5000 in the Manukau District Court today for attempting to export 17.9 kilograms of pounamu in July 2024. It’s unlawful to export five kilograms or more … Read More

30 Years Celebration - Pukewa Kohanga Reo & Matariki.

IPCA shock: Failures by multiple police members caused death of 15-year-old Trustis Gear

A critical breakdown in Police communication and decision-making was directly responsible for a fatal pursuit in Rotorua that claimed the life of 15-year-old Trustis Gear on 31 October 2024, a damning investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has concluded. The IPCA’s findings reveal a chain of failures, confirming the teenager died following a high-speed chase that should never … Read More

Strengthening community preparedness, resilience

Two marae-based projects are the latest to benefit from the Government’s Māori Climate Platform, which makes practical investments to strengthen community resilience and emergency preparedness, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The projects cover six marae in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions, with funding coming through Stage 2 of the Māori Climate Platform — taking total funding … Read More

Unlocking papakāinga across New Zealand

The Government is making it easier for owners of Māori land to build homes, with the release of new National Environmental Standards for Papakāinga (NES-P), say RMA Reform Minister Hon Chris Bishop and Māori Development Minister Hon Tama Potaka. “The new national standards will provide consistent rules across the country for all councils, reducing complexity, time and cost for Māori … Read More

Maimai Aroha: Ahorangi Whatarangi Winiata kua riro nei

Kua hinga te tōtara haemata nō roto mai o te rohe o Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, a Whatarangi Winiata. Nō te ahiahi o Wenerei rere atu ai tōna wairua ki ngā ninihi o raurangi,ki te mūnga o te tini, ki tōna rahi, ki tāna makau a Francie Winiata,i a ia i te pūāhurutanga o tōna whānau.  Kua rongonui ia … Read More