Displaying 97 - 111 of 111 results.

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples has congratulated his colleague, Trade Minister Tim Groser, for saying te reo Maori should be taught in all primary schools.

“I welcome Minister Groser's comments. His work at global meetings would show him that most people in the world today are bilingual or multi-lingual,” said Dr Sharples.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

Former Minister Georgina te Heuheu has been appointed to the Board of Māori Television, Māori Affairs Minister Hon Dr Pita Sharples said today.

“Mrs te Heuheu has been appointed to the Board for three years, effective immediately, and she will replace the current Chair of the Board when his term expires on 30 April 2012,” said Dr Sharples.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

Mr Speaker I move that the Ngati Porou Settlement Bill be read a third time.

To the sons and daughters of Porou Ariki Te Matatara a Whare Te Tuhi Mareikura o Rauru, welcome.

From the resting place of the sacred waka Nukutaimemeha atop the peaks of Hikurangi, to the Waiapu waters at Rangitukia as it surges into Te Moana Nui A Kiwa.

The first on earth to see the dawn of a new day – since the dawn of time itself: Ngati Porou mana whenua, mana moana, mana tangata, mana Atua.

Ko Hikurangi te maunga, Ko Waiapu te awa, Ko Ngati Porou te iwi

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

Mr Speaker, I move that the Ngati Pāhauwera Treaty Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time.

Although I was unable to participate in the policy decisions about the Ngati Pahauwera settlement, due to a declared conflict of interest, it is with great pleasure that I stand to speak today in this third reading of the bill.

I stand to acknowledge the children of Tamatea Arikinui mai Tawhiti, Tureia, Te Huki, Puruaute. I pay tribute to those who have travelled from the brow of the sacred mountain, Tawhiwhirangi, from the ancestral waters of Mohaka.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

Mr Speaker I move that the Nga Wai O Maniapoto (Waipa River) Bill be now read a third time.

The Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Bill formalises the eternal relationship of Ngati Maniapoto with the Waipā River. The Waipa’s journey from the headwaters in the Rangitoto Ranges into the heart of the Waikato River has been chronicled and cherished by generations.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

Mr Speaker

I move that the Ngati Manawa and Ngati Whare Claims Settlement Bill be now read a third time.

This legislation brings together the Treaty of Waitangi claims of the descendants of Apa-Hapai-Taketake, Tangiharuru and Toi Te Huatahi.

These are the peoples of the Kuhawaea and Kaingaroa Plains, the Rangitaiki and Whirinaki rivers, the lands of Te Whaiti and Minginui, Te Whirinaki te Pua A Tane, Urewera lands in the east, the mountains Tawhiuau and Tuwatawata.

I welcome the descendants of Ngati Manawa and Ngati Whare to this house.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

The Minister of Māori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples, is encouraging people to make submissions on a Māori Economic Development Panel: Discussion Document which was released today

“Māori are significant players in the New Zealand economy, with assets worth $36.9 billion, but when Māori realise our full potential, we can contribute so much more than we do already,” Dr Sharples says.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson confirmed today that New Zealand will be sending a waka taua (war canoe) as the country's official participant in the Thames River Pageant, which marks the Diamond Jubilee celebrating the 60th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II on 3 June.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Māori Affairs
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples says the formalisation of a collective of Maori tradesmen in Christchurch today shows ‘whanaungatanga in action’ – and the value of traditional cultural bonds to meet a modern crisis.

Speaking at the launch at Rehua Marae this afternoon, Dr Sharples said: “These guys forged strong bonds when they came together on the old Maori Affairs Trade Training Scheme thirty, forty or fifty years ago – and now those links will give extra value to the people of Christchurch as they rebuild after the earthquakes.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

Survey results released today show visitors to te Waka Māori during Rugby World Cup 2011 rated the experience as highly or higher than other RWC 2011 events and venues.

“Almost 180,000 people visited Waka Māori and survey respondents reported an average satisfaction rating of 8.2 out of 10; and 27 percent gave it ten out of ten,” said Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples.

“Results of similar surveys were 7.7 out of 10 for the Fan Zone and the Cloud, and 7.8 out of 10 for the REAL New Zealand Festival,” said Dr Sharples.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

The late great scholar of Ngāti Porou, Te Kapunga ‘Koro’ Dewes, used to say that, to introduce yourself properly, you must answer the questions:

Ko wai koe?

Na wai koe?

No hea koe?

I want to talk this afternoon about what it means to be a New Zealander, and what is our place on the world stage.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples has expressed support for the staff of Te Puni Kokiri, who have been given a preliminary briefing by the Chief Executive on the Ministry’s operating environment.

“How the Ministry manages their fiscal pressures and efficiency dividend is of course an operational matter for management. I expect to be consulted on the Chief Executive’s proposals for how Te Puni Kokiri continues to deliver the most effective services to the public, within the budget they have been allocated,” he said.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

Associate Education Minister and Maori Party Co-leader Dr Pita Sharples says the ten-year anniversary of the Enviroschools Foundation is a milestone that’s really worth celebrating.

Speaking at a function in Hamilton this evening [6.30pm Wednesday 18 January 2012] Dr Sharples congratulated the Foundation, and all its support partners, for carrying on their work.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Education

Associate Corrections Minister Dr Pita Sharples says a recent incident involving prisoners diving for food in a marine reserve is most unfortunate.

"As I understand it, this reintegration programme teaches prisoners a way to help support themselves and their families, and how to sustain the natural environment,” said Dr Sharples. “These are valuable social and cultural skills which prisoners can contribute to their community after they are released.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Corrections

The Minister of Māori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples, is inviting contributions for designs for tukutuku panels that will enhance the New Zealand Wall in the United Nations Headquarters General Assembly building in New York.

While at the UN Headquarters in 2010, Hon Dr Sharples identified an opportunity to both demonstrate New Zealand’s long-term commitment to the UN, while showcasing the unique cultural identity of Māori as tangata whenua, the indigenous people of Aotearoa.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs