Māori land owners’ aspirations for their whenua are being realised with support from the Whenua Māori Fund says Minister for Māori Development Te Ururoa Flavell.

Just 13 months after the Whenua Māori Fund opened, Te Puni Kōkiri has successfully partnered with 40 projects supporting Māori land owners, Mr Flavell says.

The funding will enable Māori land owners and trustees to start projects that will assist their existing operations, and or diversify and prepare for new opportunities.

Minister for Māori Development and Minister for Whānau Ora, Te Ururoa Flavell says a $1.5 million marae-led social housing development in Christchurch will provide warm, healthy and affordable homes for whānau.

Mr Flavell made the announcement at the Unleash The Māui Summit held in the Lincoln Event Centre in Christchurch today.

Unleash the Māui is one of the first Māori land-based summit to be held in Aotearoa and is designed to enable innovative, creative and sustainable solutions for the whenua.

Māori Development Minister, Te Ururoa Flavell, says a dream has been realised for five whānau in Ngāruawāhia with the opening of a new papakāinga today.

The papakāinga project will house five whānau, and for the Hone and Miriama Turner Whānau Trust, which is the driving force behind the project, today’s opening is a dream come true, Mr Flavell says.

“This project highlights one of the key outcomes of the Māori Housing Network, that is to build the capability of whānau, hapū and iwi within the Māori housing sector.

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says the launch of Te Huarahi He Wahi Oranga Action Plan and the Tairāwhiti Māori Economic Development Report, will help increase job opportunities in the region.

The two plans aim to also increase incomes and investment across the East Coast region, were launched today in Gisborne, Mr Flavell says.

Māori Development and Associate Economic Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell welcomes a new social media campaign aimed at inspiring Māori youth to think about their aspirations and their future.

The DreamBig Māori campaign is fronted by influential Māori figures – Tammy Davis, Dr Lance O’Sullivan, Stacey Morrison, James McOnie, Robett Hollis and Lisa Carrington.

Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell have announced the establishment of an Iwi-Crown Economic Taumata at Waitangi today.

The Taumata will provide an opportunity for high level discussions between economic Ministers and iwi chairs on issues of economic significance to both parties, and will meet twice a year.

Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith and Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell have today opened a fifth round of the Te Pūnaha Hihiko - Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund in which up to $4 million is available for successful projects.

“We are seeking proposals that strengthen connections between Māori and the science and innovation system. This fund will continue to foster a greater understanding of how science and technology can contribute to the aspirations of Māori organisations, for the benefit of New Zealand,” says Mr Goldsmith.

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell announces the second round of nation-wide wānanga on the proposed Māori Land Services starting 23 January 2017. 

The Māori Land Service team held the first wānanga during September and October 2016.  Those wānanga were part of the engagement with Māori owners and trustees to hear their views and aspirations for their whenua and also for the proposed Māori Land Service.   

The Minister for Whānau Ora has released two reports that provide valuable insights into the first year of the Whānau Ora commissioning agency model.

“I pay tribute to Te Pou Matakana, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu and Pasifika Futures who are at the forefront of this innovative practice for whānau and the public sector. While substantial gains for whānau were not expected in the first year of commissioning, these agencies reached almost 6,000 whānau,” says Whānau Ora Minister Te Ururoa Flavell.

Minister for Māori Development and Associate Minister for Economic Development Te Ururoa Flavell is welcoming Māori involvement in the Southland Regional Development Strategy Action Plan launched today, which aims to diversify Southland’s economy, grow the population and strengthen local business.

Southland is an area where Māori are already important players in the local economy, Mr Flavell says.

Kaikōura’s Takahanga Marae is a shining example that Māori are a vital cog during a civil emergency says Minister of Whānau Ora Te Ururoa Flavell.

The call comes after the Minister visited Kaikōura on Saturday, 26 November, to see how whanau were after the 7.8 magnitude quake earlier this month.

Mr Flavell says the marae worked alongside the Civil Defence despite not being a designated centre in their efforts to help more than 800 tourists who were stranded in the small seaside settlement after the quake struck.

“I thank the committee for its deliberation on the Bill and I will take the time to fully consider their recommendations,” says Minister Flavell.

“I would also like to thank the many Māori land owners, trustees, organisations and others for their considered and constructive feedback on the Bill that contributed to further strengthening the Bill.”

“This Bill is another milestone in our journey to recognise and enhance the mana and tino rangatiratanga Māori have always exercised over their whenua, resources and taonga.

The Māori Development Minister and the Associate Minister for Economic Development, Hon Te Ururoa Flavell, presented Ngāi Tahu Tourism with the award in Auckland last night.

Mr Flavell says it is great to celebrate Māori businesses making a significant contribution to the Māori and national economy.

“Ngai Tahu Tourism owns and operates some of the most iconic experiences in New Zealand and has proven that having Māori values embedded in business is a successful strategy,” says Mr Flavell.

One of New Zealand’s largest tourism operators, Ngāi Tahu Tourism, has won the Māori Excellence in Export award He kai kei aku ringa at the 2016 New Zealand International Business Awards.

The Māori Development Minister and the Associate Minister for Economic Development, Hon Te Ururoa Flavell, presented Ngāi Tahu Tourism with the award in Auckland last night.

Mr Flavell says it is great to celebrate Māori businesses making a significant contribution to the Māori and national economy.

Minister for Māori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell has appointed two prominent Māori academics to the Waitangi Tribunal.

Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou) and Dr Thomas Roa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato Tainui) will join the Tribunal.

Minister Flavell says the new appointees are a great addition to the Tribunal.

“Professor Smith and Dr Roa are highly regarded for their expertise and extensive background in research and in historical knowledge,” Minister Flavell says.

“We want to see bilingual signage in all government and local government offices throughout the country, so I’m encouraging leaders within that sector to embrace this guide and start their te reo Māori journey.

“Every day, the public visit their offices so they have the eyes and ears of many on them.”

Māori Development and Whānau Ora Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says the investment will be managed by the Chatham Islands Housing Partnership.

The new entity comprises Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust, Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust and the Chatham Islands Council.

“Living in a remote area like the Chatham Islands has its challenges,” Mr Flavell says.

“However, today we have a new housing entity with the combined talents and expertise of four groups to wisely decide how the investment will be used.”

“This intensive eight-day programme, Te Tira Toi Whakangao, is part of the Government’s push for more export growth and high-value jobs for Māori,” Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says.

“Innovation and technology careers and businesses offer a path to doing that. We need to connect Māori to the best programmes that connect themn to jobs and income growth. Much of this happens at a whanau and community level. But this programme offers it on a global scale which is huge.

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell announced the appointments of Hinerangi Edwards (Taranaki, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Ruanui, Te Arawa) and Wayne Panapa (Waikato Maniapoto) to the Board of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori today.

Current Board member, Ms Charisma Rangipunga has also been appointed to the role of deputy chair.

Mr Flavell says the new board members are a valuable addition to the board and their appointments are for a three year term.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell today announced that applications are open for the Māori Digital Technology Development Fund which will support greater participation by Māori in New Zealand’s digital technology industries.

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell announces the nation-wide proposed Māori Land Services wānanga starting Monday 19 September 2016.

“This is an exciting part of the journey as we look at further strengthening the protection of Māori land, retaining ownership of whenua Māori for future generations and making it easier for land owners to make decisions about their land,” says Minister Flavell.

Māori Development Minister Hon Te Ururoa Flavell has announced the final two members of Te Mātāwai and says the board is ready to lead te reo Māori to a new level.

Mr Flavell has appointed Professor Rawinia Higgins and Robin Hapi to Te Mātāwai – the new entity to lead the revitalisation of te reo Māori on behalf of iwi.

“Iwi and Māori have already selected 11 highly skilled and experienced members for Te Mātāwai and now that the board in complete I look forward to some dynamic and inspiring plans.”

A significant part of the country’s history, the New Zealand Land Wars was acknowledged today with the return of Rangiriri Pa to Waikato-Tainui says Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell.

The Minister joined other Crown representatives today at the 10-year Koroneihana (Coronation Anniversary) held at Tūrangawaewae Marae to mark the return of Rangiriri Pā and Te Wheoro Redoubt historic reserve to Waikato-Tainui.

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is welcoming the ‘Accelerate 25’ Manawatū-Whanganui Economic Action Plan, launched today, which aims to increase jobs opportunities, incomes and investment across the region.

Mr Flavell says he is pleased to see the collaborative efforts between iwi, businesses, and local and central government in finalising the plan.

“This is a plan that will help tāngata whenua realise their economic aspirations and enable better utilisation of their land,” he says.