Korero Whenua
| Hakihea 2007 | Tēnā ko te toa mahi kai e kore e paheke |
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MihiTihei Mauri Ora! Nau mai, hara mai ki te pānui tuarua a Korero Whenua. He mihi nui ki a koutou mo te awhi me te tautoko. Ngā mihi nui mo te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou. Tēnā tātou katoa. Welcome to the second edition of Korero Whenua, a newsletter containing articles on Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) issues of interest to Māori involved in the land-based industries and rural sector. Thank you very much for the emails and comments of support that have been received. On behalf of MAF, we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The past two months have been busy ones for the MAF Māori Strategy Unit (MSU). We’ve been on the road a lot recently talking with Māori about some of the big issues of the moment, including climate change, sustainability, and protecting Aotearoa from pests and diseases. The impact of each of these issues is significant for the primary sectors. This pānui aims to provide information about MAF’s activities. If you want more detail about any of the articles, or something you’ve heard about that we haven’t touched on, please give us a call or send an email. And, as promised in September, we begin this pānui by profiling another MSU member, Erica Gregory. Na, MAF Māori Strategy Unit |
MAF Māori Strategy Unit
MSU Staff Profile: Erica Gregory
Ko Taupiri te maunga,
Ko Waikato te awa,
Waikato Taniwharau,
He piko he taniwha, he piko he taniwha
Erica Gregory joined MAF’s Māori Strategy Unit (MSU) in September 2006 as Senior Māori Advisor for Biosecurity New Zealand. Waikato born and bred, this is Erica’s first experience of working in a kaupapa Māori team.
Prior to MAF Erica was a policy analyst with the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) leading their domestic work programme around the intersect between intellectual property law and Māori traditional knowledge or mātauranga Māori.
“Within the agriculture, forestry and biosecurity sectors, there are many opportunities to learn from the depth of knowledge encompassed by mātauranga Māori me ona tikanga” says Erica. This edition of Korero Whenua includes an article on mātauranga Māori and the recently launched Biosecurity Science Strategy which is intended to guide the direction of biosecurity science research within New Zealand over the next 25 years.
Away from MAF, family life is a priority for Erica along with Te Ataarangi studies to improve her ability to korero Māori. Tino rawa atu te kaupapa o Te Ataarangi.
“Tōku reo, tōku ohooho! Tōku reo, tōku mapihi maurea! Tōku reo, tōku whakakai marihi!”
MSU and Recent Hui
Climate Change
George Ria spent much of October on the road with climate change, engaging with Māori at regional hui on the government’s proposal for a New Zealand emissions trading scheme.
Tour of MAF Biosecurity Facilities, Auckland
At the end of October Erica took a small roopu from Manukau - Moana Herewini, Wiki Watson, Jimbo and Karen Matata - around MAF’s biosecurity facilities at the airport and the Auckland wharf. It was a good opportunity to get a sense of the scope of activity at the wharf and some of the measures in place to safeguard our borders.
One lesson learnt, don’t put the woman from Wellington in charge of finding her way around Auckland if the timetable is tight – Kia ora Jimbo for getting us where we needed to go, quickly.
Wānanga-ā-Tangaroa ki Mahia, 1 to 3 November 2007
This wānanga was hosted by Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) at Kaiuku Marae, Mahia. The wananga provided ERMA New Zealand's Māori National Network a forum to discuss environmental, cultural and other issues associated with kaitiakitanga, Tangaroa and sustainability.
MAF, Ministry for the Environment (MfE), Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) and Department of Conservation (DoC) worked with ERMA to organise the wānanga. Representatives of these agencies, plus Te Puni Kōkiri and the Hawkes Bay District Council. were on hand to share information and respond to questions from participants. Beth Tupara and Erica Gregory from MSU, along with Peter Stratford, Abi Loughnan, senior marine advisers with MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, provided the MAF input.
Tenei te mihi atu ki te whanau o Kaiuku Marae mo te tautoko me te awhi.
FOMA Conference, Hamilton, 9 to 11 November
The conference was a great opportunity for the MSU team to catch up with old friends, make new ones and learn more about the opportunities for Māori in the primary sector from a range of interesting presentations.
Biosecurity Hui
In the September edition we mentioned that we were working with MAF Biosecurity New Zealand to put together a series of hui for November/December 2007. The hui were to discuss how MAFBNZ can more efficiently and effectively engage kaitiaki Māori in biosecurity matters that impact on Māori. Four hui went ahead but, given the lateness in the year, other hui have been postponed till the New Year.
Our thanks to Hayden Henry (Tauranga Moana), Tania Richardson (Kai Tahu Ki Otākou, Otepoti), Tui Shortland (Ngāti Wai Trust, Whangarei) and Morry Black (Kahungunu, Heretaunga) for their support organising the hui.
MAF Policy
Climate change
Regional hui to consider the government’s proposal for a New Zealand emissions trading scheme are now complete. A national hui was held on 26 October at Te Papaiouru Marae in Rotorua, and a further national Māori forestry hui was held on 8 November at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Hamilton. Māori leaders and their advisors are now in discussions with Ministers on issues of importance to Māori on this kaupapa.
For more information about MAF's work on climate change policy visit www.maf.govt.nz/climatechange/ or contact Beth Tupara on (04) 894 0489.
For further information about Government's overall climate change policies visit www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/climate/
Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) - New Funding Round now open
Applications must be in by 11th February 2008. If you are interested in developing a project, contact your local project advisor, our contact details and more information can be found on our website: www.maf.govt.nz/sff
An SFF project snap shot – Enhancing the performance of multiple owned Māori land through the adoption of technology and business practices
The Tairawhiti Māori Land Group had a vision of building capability in Māori land owners and managers so that their land could be developed and brought into economic pastoral production. In 2002, they approached the Sustainable Farming Fund and the project idea was developed.
Taurawharona, Awatere, Hakurenga and Waitangihia stations became the “Focus Farms” for the project. The project team developed individual business plans for these stations. In return the stations hosted field days, where their experiences were presented to the wider community. Sharing information and experiences at the field days have been the key to the success of this project.
The project will finish in June 2008. The four stations have been actively working on their development plans, improving their land, their stock numbers and their overall economic performance. Their experiences will provide confidence to the wider community and the links that have been formed will continue after the life of the project, providing benefits to the Tairawhiti region.
Mataraoa Station August 2006 Heading up the back!
Biosecurity
Biosecurity Science Strategy
At the end of October, the Biosecurity Science Strategy for New Zealand, Mahere Rautaki Putaiao Whakamaru, was launched. The strategy identifies the inter-disciplinary nature of mātauranga Māori and recognises that Māori have a repository of scientific knowledge to offer the biosecurity system.
The strategy sets out a vision for the biosecurity science system for the next 25 years that weaves together excellence in science across all sectors and disciplines, including mātauranga Māori. This is a key element of keeping Aotearoa and our unique natural resources, plants and animals safe and secure from damaging pests and diseases. Send us an email if you would like a hardcopy or click on the following link to view the strategy: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/science-strategy
Ballast water discussion document
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has released a discussion document on managing the risk of marine pest organisms being introduced to New Zealand in ships' ballast water. The discharge of ballast water is one of the main ways marine pests can be introduced to New Zealand. For Māori, these pests pose a significant threat to taonga and traditional resources.
To view the paper online and for instructions on how to make submission go to: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/strategy-and-consultation/consultation/ballast-water-convention. Although formal submissions close this week, please still send in your comments as there will be further opportunities for input.
Biosecurity Surveillance Update
Biosecurity surveillance, watching over our land and oceans for new or unwanted diseases, plants and animals, is a key part of their protection. Work is well underway with developing a draft strategy for New Zealand's future biosecurity surveillance activities. Public consultation is proposed for mid to late 2008 but you can have some input now. If you have any ideas from a Māori perspective on what can be done to improve biosecurity surveillance, please email NZBiosecuritySurveillance@maf.govt.nz
Links to Other MAF Publications
Here are links to some of the MAF publications that provide more detail about MAF and MAF Biosecurity New Zealand’s activities than can be covered in this newsletter.
MAF Policy News
www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/publications/maf-policy-news/index.htm
For Biosecurity Magazine, Surveillance Magazine and Container Watch
www.biosecurity.govt.nz/biosec/pubs-news
For Biosecurity Magazine, you can also subscribe to receive a hard copy of the magazine at no cost. The other publications are produced in electronic format only.
Give Us Your Feedback
Korero mai, patai mai!
Let us know if you want more information about any of the articles. We’re also keen to hear your suggestions for future articles or improvements to this pānui. Contact us by email at patai.mai@maf.govt.nz, by phone: Erica Gregory on (04) 894 0269 or by post to Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, PO Box 2526, Wellington.
Contact for Enquiries
MAF Communications
Level 9
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: +64 4 894 0100
Fax: +64 4 894 0300
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