Korero Whenua
| Mahuru 2007 | Tēnā ko te toa mahi kai e kore e paheke |
Download this newsletter in PDF Format [PDF 195KB]
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MihiTihei Mauri Ora! Welcome to the re-launch of Korero Whenua, a newsletter containing articles on Minsitry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) issues of interest to Māori involved in the land-based industries and rural sector. It is produced by the MAF Māori Strategy Unit in conjunction with MAF Communications. Korero Whenua is taken to mean "land news" encompassing all the areas of activity with which MAF is involved. The pepeha in the masthead - Tēnā ko te toa mahi kai e kore e paheke - translates as 'A warrior who works hard at growing food will not fail'. This particular pepeha was chosen to reflect the long-standing successful Māori involvement in agriculture and the land-based industries. The auaha matua (motif) that appears on the front page was designed specifically for Korero Whenua and contains a number of elements relating to MAF's interests. The top section is of the forest god, Tane Mahuta and below this is the trunk of a tree that supports him. The corner section represents the forest - ngaherehere - and across the bottom of the right-hand section are roots (or aka) symbolising horticulture and new growth. The top piece of this right-hand section alludes to agriculture, as there are depictions of furrows and a paddock. This auaha matua was designed by former MAF staff member Sid Hanna, who is of Ngati Porou descent. |
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Getting to Know the Māori Strategy Unit (MSU)
The MAF Māori Strategy Unit (MSU) was established on 1 July 2000. The primary purpose of the MSU is to implement the MAF Māori responsiveness strategy. The strategy aims to promote a greater awareness by MAF of Māori issues and concerns, increase MAF's understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and help MAF develop more effective relationships with Māori.
Team members are: George Ria (Director), Beth Tupara (Policy Analyst), Erica Gregory (Senior Adviser MAF Biosecurity New Zealand), Thomas Haapu (Senior Analyst), Zara Morrison (Assistant Analyst - not pictured). We will profile team members in upcoming newsletters so you can get to know us better, beginning with George Ria.
MSU Staff Profile: George Ria
George Ria started work at MAF in 2004. He is happy to be acknowledged as a mokopuna of Te Tairawhiti as he feels comfortable sitting in both the Horouta and Takitimu waka.
As MSU's Director, George manages the implementation and operation of the MAF Māori responsiveness strategy. George is strong on the view that MAF must be vigilant in the management of Māori issues.
"Māori are a major player in the management and utilisation of New Zealand's natural resources. By enhancing the Ministry's Māori capability we will be better able to deliver on our core business functions" says George. Outside of MAF, George is involved with tribal land and runanga aff airs back in his hometown of Gisborne and dedicates much of his time as tutor of the well known kapa haka ropu Waihirere.
What does MAF do?
MAF has a broad mandate covering biosecurity, agricultural and forestry policy, animal welfare and the management of Crown Forestry Assets. MAFs stated purpose is the thread that ties these diverse areas of work together − leading the protection and sustainable development of our biological resources for all New Zealanders.
MAF released its Statement of Intent (SOI) on 17 May 2007 identifying the outcomes, or effects, that MAF is trying to achieve in pursuit of our goals and objectives. Two of our intermediate outcomes are specific to Māori and provide a focus for the work of the Māori Strategy Unit within MAF. They are:
- Enhanced prosperity for Māori engaged in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors;
- Prevention and reduction of harm to resources of economic and cultural value to Māori from pests and diseases (biosecurity).
In coming issues of Korero Whenua we'll be aiming to provide you with updates on the work MAF is doing to deliver on these outcomes. Here's a website link to the SOI. Check out page 10 which shows MAFs outcomes in context): http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/publications/statement-of-intent/2007-2010/
MSU and Recent Hui
At the end of June, Beth Tupara and Erica Gregory attended the Environmental Risk Management Authority's (ERMA) Annual Māori Network Hui in Whangarei. The hui was an excellent opportunity to meet and talk with Māori working on environmental issues. Thank you to the people of Terenga Paraoa Marae, the participants and Linda, Zak and Maraea from ERMA's Kaupapa Kura Taiao for such an awesome hui. Ka mau te wehi!
MSU and MAF colleagues, were delighted to accept invitations from Kahungunu Ki Wairarapa to discuss relationship issues with government agencies in general and Ngāti Tuwharetoa to discuss the long term management of the aquatic pest didymo and the establishment of regional networks as part of this process. As one of our partners in the Central North Island regional didymo network, the input of Ngāti Tuwharetoa into the development of a regional strategy has been invaluable.
Our thanks to Paora Ammunsen and the Wairarapa whanui for the lively discussion we had with them and other agencies, and to Bubs Smith, Tina Porou and the people of Korohe Marae for their wonderful hospitality. Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou.
MAF Policy
Climate Change
Our climate is changing. How we respond to the issue of climate change now will determine the shape of our future - our economy, environment, and communities. The debate is no longer about whether climate change is happening, but on what we do about it.
The government recognises climate change as a long-term strategic issue for New Zealand within the broader context of economic transformation, national identity, and other leading issues, for example, water quality and flood control. To support the government's strategy, a series of whole-of-government work programmes has been approved and will be implemented over time.
Government is also committed to working in partnership with Māori on the upcoming climate change policies. Hui are scheduled to be held around the country during the month of October. Information on dates and locations will be on the following websites.
If you would like more information about MAF's work on climate change policy visit http://www.maf.govt.nz/climatechange/ or contact Beth Tupara on (04) 894 0489.
Further information about Government's overall climate change policies visit http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/climate/
Sustainable Water Programme of Action (SWPOA)
Our rivers and lakes are valuable for many reasons - for drinking water, for the environment, for irrigation, for energy, for cultural values, for recreation and for tourism. It is important that we determine how to fairly use, protect and preserve our water quality and quantity.
This is why the Government has embarked on a Sustainable Water Programme of Action, coordinated by the Ministries for the Environment and Agriculture and Forestry. The government has agreed to a new strategy to improve the management of freshwater, protect our freshwater resources into the future, and acknowledge the fundamental importance of water to all New Zealanders.
Government has a commitment to working in partnership with Māori to improve their participation in freshwater management, and to improve the incorporation of Māori values into decision-making on freshwater.
If you would like more information about the Sustainable Water Programme of Action visit http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/water/prog-action/ or contact Beth Tupara on (04) 894-0489
Wai 262
MAF Policy and MSU worked together on MAF's engagement with the Wai 262 Treaty of Waitangi claim. Wai 262, also known as the fl ora, fauna and cultural intellectual property claim, has been before the Waitangi tribunal for the last 16 years. Closing submissions for Claimants and the Crown have now been heard and the Tribunal has entered its report writing phase. The claimants are Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Koata, Te Waka Kai Ora and the Wairoa-Waikaremoana Trust Board.
Food Safety Authority Established as a New Government Department 1 July 2007
On 1 July 2007 a new department came into being, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA). Previously, operating as an independent agency within MAF, NZFSA will continue to protect and promote public health and safety in relation to food and food-related products, and to develop economic opportunities by facilitating access to international markets for these products. More information about NZFSA can be found on their website: http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
In the biosecurity area, MSU and MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) have been in contact with iwi and hapu in several regions about a number of pests that have posed potential risks in Auckland, Northland, South Island, Central North Island and Hawkes Bay. These include didymo, Asian tiger mosquito, red imported fi re ant, termites, deformed wing virus in bees, southern salt marsh mosquito and a new sea squirt.
In November/December 2007, a series of hui are being planned in which we aim to share information with Maori communities about how, when and why MAFBNZ gets involved in responding to a new to New Zealand pest or disease. At these hui we would like to get your thoughts on how MAFBNZ can be more eff ective at engaging Māori in biosecurity matters that impact on Māori and kaitiakitanga. Keep an eye on the MAFBNZ website for the hui dates: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/
NCBID Tree Planting Ceremony
Construction is underway to develop a National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Disease (NCBID) at Wallaceville, Upper Hutt.
The centre will link:
- the existing facilities and staff of MAF's investigation and diagnostic centre;
- new ESR facilities and staff;
- the parts of AgriQuality that make diagnostic reagents; and
- the infectious diseases diagnostic component of AgResearch.
Last year, traditional practices led by Te Atiawa kaumatua Sam Jackson, saw the removal of five totara trees which were gift ed to the Wellington Tenths Trust. On 9 May 2007, Sam and June Jackson led a traditional ceremony to replant on the site.
"During the process of establishing the National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Diseases (NCBID) a good relationship has been built up between the NCBID partners and Te Atiawa" said Hugh Davies, Director Investigation & Diagnostic Centres for Biosecurity NZ.
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From left to right: George Ria (Director Maori Strategy Unit) June Jackson (Kaumatua, Te Atiawa), Dr Virginia Hope (Programme Leader ESR), Murray Sherwin (Director-General MAF), Dr Andrew West (Chief Executive AgResearch), and Sam Jackson (Kaumatua, Te Atiawa) put their hands to the spade during the tree planting ceremony. |
North Island didymo response tested
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand ran a simulation exercise in Taupo on the May 31st 2007 to test its response plans to a didymo fi nd in the North Island. The simulation exercise was focused on a waterway in the Horizons-Manawatu regional boundary. Bubs Smith from Tuwharetoa was involved in the exercise and was able to share his experience from an iwi perspective with other participants.
Didymo has yet to be detected in the North Island, but MAFBNZ says it would thrive in some parts of the island if introduced. MAFBNZ's response to didymo to date has focused on slowing the spread in the South Island, and protecting the North Island as long as it can.
Didymo is currently known to be in 52 rivers and fi ve lakes in the South Island, covering nine catchments. Check our website for more information on didymo http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/
Biosecurity Surveillance
Biosecurity Surveillance means keeping watch over our land and oceans for new or unwanted diseases, plants and animals. The Biosecurity Surveillance Group is working on a project to develop a strategy for a national biosecurity surveillance system, which will help protect our land and marine environment, our native plants and animals, and our farms and forests. The strategy will help bring together all of the things people are doing now, and will set out a path for the future. If you are interested in being kept up to date with writing the strategy, or have ideas about improving biosecurity surveillance, please contact NZBiosecuritySurveillance@maf.govt.nz.
Crown Forestry Group
Crown Forest Group is a dedicated group within MAF which is responsible for managing the Crown's interest in a number of commercial forestry related assets. This includes management of 29,982 ha of forest planted on 16 separate Māori leases (i.e. land leased from Māori by the Crown and where the Crown has established a forest). The Crown has a policy of exiting its ownership interests in the forests where that is the wish of the Māori lessors, and such an exit can be achieved on fully commercial terms. Over the past year 2,665 ha was surrendered from Māori leases and returned to the direct control of the land owners.
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
http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/publications/maf-policy-news/
For Biosecurity Magazine, Surveillance Magazine and Container Watch
http://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.
Calendar of Events 2007
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October | Climate Change Hui | Check website for details |
| 24-25 October | Biosecurity Summit | Ellerslie Event Centre, Auckland |
| Nov / Dec | Biosecurity Hui responding to pests and diseases | TBA |
Give Us Your Feedback
Korero mai, patai mai!
We would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions on how we can improve this newsletter or on any information that would fi nd useful. We will be aiming to send out newsletters every three to four months with some of the highlights of the previous months.
You can 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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