Māori & Pasifika News: Te Pāti Māori Introduces Tribunal Bill, Waikato-Tainui in Paris, New Caledonia's Customary Senate Chief Resigns

TE HUIHUI O MATARIKI CHI HUY TRAN (HE/HIM)

TARANAKI TŪTURU, TE IWI O MARUWHARANUI, NGĀTI MANIAPOTO

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Te Pāti Māori Proposes New Law to Empower Waitangi Tribunal

Te Pāti Māori has introduced a bill to make Waitangi Tribunal recommendations binding on the Crown. Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris submitted the Treaty of Waitangi (Empowerment of Waitangi Tribunal) Amendment Bill, which would also allow the Tribunal to review proposed legislation for consistency with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Ferris stated the bill is necessary to ensure the Government honours Te Tiriti, as recent actions have been seen as anti-Māori. This follows protests against Government policies affecting Māori, including changes to Māori Health Authority and Māori wards.

Waikato-Tainui To Da World

Kiingi Tūheitia has made history as the first Māori monarch to attend the Olympics. He was welcomed with a pōwhiri at the Olympic Village upon arrival in Paris. The New Zealand Olympic Committee invited him to support the athletes and bless the new korowai for the flag-bearers. The new korowai, named 'Te Hono ki Matariki', honours the legacy of 'Mahutonga' and symbolises the pride of representing New Zealand. This significant cultural presence showcases Māori heritage on the global stage. Up the TAINUI WAKA !

New Caledonia's Customary Senate Chief Resigns Amid Criticism

Hyppolite Sinewami, President of New Caledonia's Great Council of Chiefs Inaat Ne Kanaky, has announced his resignation from the Customary Senate. Sinewami, who once presided over the 16-member traditional Senate of chiefs, cited "inefficiency" and "politicisation" as reasons for his departure. He expressed concerns that the Senate is not representative of all Chiefly areas and is overly dependent on the government. The 47-year-old chief also criticised the Senate's silence amid ongoing unrest since 13 May. His resignation marks a significant shift in the leadership dynamics of the Customary Senate.