For your local and regional news... 

Maori Affairs Select Committee - Friday 1 July 2011

The Maori Affairs Select Committee is coming to Rahui Marae, Tikitiki on Friday the first of July to hear public submissions and feedback on the Ngati Porou Claims Settlement Bill. The hui runs from 9am to 2pm and will be facilitated by Committee Chair the Honourable Tau Henare.

The Ngati Porou Settlement Bill has already been presented in Parliament and had what is referred to as, it’s ‘first reading’. The first reading of the bill happened on the 17^th of May. The public was invited to make submissions on the bill for consideration by the Maori Affairs Select Committee. The Select Committee will hold its hearing at Rahui Marae on the first of July and report back to Parliament on the 30^th of August. It’s hoped the Bill will have its second reading in September, a final reading in October and become law in November.

Kei te haramai te Komiti Whiriwhiri I nga Take Maori o te Kawanatanga ki Rahui Marae, Tikitiki ki te whakarongo ki nga whakaaro o te iwi mo te Pire Whakatau I nga Tono Tiriti o Ngati Porou. Ka timata te hui hei te iwa I te ata ka mutu hei te rua karaka I te ahiahi. Ko Tau Henare te kaiwhakahaere o te hui. 

Kua oti te panuitanga tuatahi i taua Pire ki roto I te whare paremata. Hei te tuatahi o Hurae ka hui te komiti whiriwhiri I nga take Maori ki Rahui aa ka tuku ta ratou ripoata kit e whare paramata hei te toru tekau o Akuhata. Ko te tumanako ka oti the panuitanga tuarua I te Hepetema, te panuitanga whakamutunga hei te Oketopa aa ko te tikanga, ka whakamanahia te Pire whakatau I nga tono tiriti o Ngati Porou hei ture, I te Noema.

Christchurch Radiothon Highlights

Click Here to listen to Radiothon Highlights

News Flash!!!

“It is our way to show our people and whanau whanui living in Christchurch that we care. Radio Ngati Porou has run three Radiothons over the past 23years and they’ve been really successful. We know it’s a very sad time for everyone down there however we’re hoping to, not only raise much needed funds to help them re-build their lives,  we’re hoping to lift their spirits. We’re also happy that our Turanga relations are on board and Turanga FM are going to be assisting us with the Radiothon, “ said Radio Ngati Porou Chief Executive Officer Erana Keelan-Reedy.

Te Runanga o Ngati Porou set up an ANZ bank account for donations and collection points in Gisborne and Ruatoria to receive donations of goods and non-perishable items like spades, toilet paper, nappies, tin food etc to send to whanau in Christchurch. 

Te Runanga o Ngati Porou Acting Chief Executive Officer Victor Walker has been in daily contact with the tribe’s Taura Here representative, Chris Marsh, and the Te Puni Kokiri staff members who are on the ground in Christchurch helping whanau.

“Chris’s home is totally destroyed however he’s been checking on the nannies and whanau to make sure everyone is okay. We hope to use some of the funds we raise in the Radiothon to pay for air flights so we can fly people home to family in Gisborne and on the Coast for respite care. The Runanga is coordinating a list of people in Gisborne and on the Coast willing to take Christchurch people in, especially those who no longer have liveable homes,” said Victor Walker.

Turanga FM announcers will help host the Radiothon and the Whanau Show host, Lindsay Henare, who has a huge following nationwide, will do a four-hour stint during the Radiothon. The two stations recently produced the live four-day iwi radio broadcast of Te Matatini o te Ra 2011. 

“We have whakapapa ties to whanau in Christchurch. Some of them are ours. We want to help where we can. With a Radiothon we make money and we make people smile,” said Erana Keelan-Reedy.

Radio Ngati Porou has the full support of the iwi radio parent body, Te Whakaruruhau – that is, the 21 iwi radio station network spread throughout country. They will use Christchurch based iwi station Tahu FMs frequencies in the South Island to broadcast the Radiothon, so that Christchurch whanau can listen and participate.

“Tahu FM has been offline since the earthquake struck on Tuesday and staff won’t be able to return to their work premises for months. Their building is close to the Grand Chancellor Hotel. So on Sunday Wellington based Te Upoko o te Ika started broadcasting on Tahu FM’s frequencies to keep their whanau, their listeners up to date with developments. Tahu FM kaimahi have not only lost their workplace, some have lost their homes and everyone is still in shock and in times like this we do what we can to support,” said Te Whakaruruhau Chair Willie Jackson.

Radio Ngati Porou and Turanga FM will broadcast the Radiothon via their radio frequencies and online via their websites so people around the country and the world will be able to listen and participate.

“We’ve already received our first donation of $20 from one of our pakeke in her nineties. People want to give. People want to help. So I’m hoping everyone tunes in and supports this very important kaupapa,” said Erana Keelan-Reedy.

The Radiothon kicks off at 9am Thursday 3 March and runs till 9am Friday 4 March. 

For more information contact: Erana Keelan-Reedy (06) 8648020 or (021) 2848382. You can listen to the Radiothon online by going to:

www.radiongatiporou.co.nz or www.turangafm.co.nz 

OR by tuning in to these frequencies: 

People wishing to pledge donations can do so by calling 0800 8648585 our landline 06 8648020 or by emailing donations@radiongatiporou.co.nz