Te Ao Māori News - 🤖 (unofficial)

Selwyn brings back Mana Whenua representative A new mana whenua representative will return to Selwyn’s council this term.

A new mana whenua representative will return to Selwyn’s council this term.

High Court ruling signals path to restoration for Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Te Pāti Māori A High Court ruling reinstates Mariameno Kapa-Kingi to Te Pāti Māori, opening the door to restoration, but leaders say rebuilding trust will take time.

A High Court ruling reinstates Mariameno Kapa-Kingi to Te Pāti Māori, opening the door to restoration, but leaders say rebuilding trust will take time.

Father forced to Australia for life-saving cancer treatment NZ haematologists warn underfunded Pharmac leaves blood cancer patients behind. West Coast father seeks lifesaving myeloma drug in Australia, amid political funding dispute.

NZ haematologists warn underfunded Pharmac leaves blood cancer patients behind. West Coast father seeks lifesaving myeloma drug in Australia, amid political funding dispute.

Urgent Waitangi Tribunal inquiry into government’s removal of schools’ Treaty obligations Ngāti Hine and Te Kapotai, alongside NZEI, filed the claim in November last year, arguing the changes undermined Māori rangatiratanga, partnership and equity in education.

Ngāti Hine and Te Kapotai, alongside NZEI, filed the claim in November last year, arguing the changes undermined Māori rangatiratanga, partnership and equity in education.

Gisborne dad and daughter plea for safer school crossing A video with 15-year-old student leader Malea Procter has reached around 56,000 views.

A video with 15-year-old student leader Malea Procter has reached around 56,000 views.

Peeni Henare reflects on service and sacrifice in final speech to Parliament Peeni Henare retires after 12 years in Labour, reflecting on serving Tāmaki Makaurau and personal sacrifices, including time away from his children and whānau.

Peeni Henare retires after 12 years in Labour, reflecting on serving Tāmaki Makaurau and personal sacrifices, including time away from his children and whānau.

Department of Corrections aims for rongoā Māori services in 14 prisons Rongoā Māori services could be rolled out at prisons across the country, including the Whanganui site at Kaitoke.

Rongoā Māori services could be rolled out at prisons across the country, including the Whanganui site at Kaitoke.

Councillors shoot down Duncan Garner’s claims of ‘co-governance creep’ Councillors dismissed claims from commentator Duncan Garner that their recognition of an iwi environment plan is evidence of “co-governance creep” happening “by stealth".

Councillors dismissed claims from commentator Duncan Garner that their recognition of an iwi environment plan is evidence of “co-governance creep” happening “by stealth".

Bay of Plenty fans excited for Chiefs’ long-awaited return to Hāngī Pit Rotorua rugby fans, including the mayor, are looking forward to welcoming the Chiefs back to the city for a Super Rugby Pacific clash next month.

Rotorua rugby fans, including the mayor, are looking forward to welcoming the Chiefs back to the city for a Super Rugby Pacific clash next month.

Wāhine Māori honoured in Aotearoa’s Top 50 food leaders Online food sensation Raukura Huata and Te Kaahu executive chef Nancye Pirini are among those nominated for the Top 50 Women in Food and Drink list, two wāhine shaping the industry

Online food sensation Raukura Huata and Te Kaahu executive chef Nancye Pirini are among those nominated for the Top 50 Women in Food and Drink list, two wāhine shaping the industry

Growing demand for te reo Māori classes in Australia More than 170,000 Māori currently live across the ditch, and as demand for Te Reo Māori classes grows, institutes like Te Wānanga o Aotearoa are launching courses to meet the need.

More than 170,000 Māori currently live across the ditch, and as demand for Te Reo Māori classes grows, institutes like Te Wānanga o Aotearoa are launching courses to meet the need.

Wellington leaders send open letter to PM opposing ‘move-on’ orders The open letter is in oppposition of the proposed introduction of the Move-On orders.

The open letter is in oppposition of the proposed introduction of the Move-On orders.

Charges dismissed against Te Wehi Rātana over Te Papa Treaty protest Rātana had been facing charges of intentional damage and obstructing a Police officer, with the matter set down for a firm jury trial beginning on 30 March 2026.

Rātana had been facing charges of intentional damage and obstructing a Police officer, with the matter set down for a firm jury trial beginning on 30 March 2026.

National Minister Shane Reti retiring from politics National MP Dr Shane Reti is retiring from politics and will not seek re-election.

National MP Dr Shane Reti is retiring from politics and will not seek re-election.

High Court rules Mariameno Kapa-Kingi expulsion from Te Pāti Māori unlawful The High Court has ruled Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi was unlawfully expelled from Te Pāti Māori, finding the party failed to follow its own constitutional process.

The High Court has ruled Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi was unlawfully expelled from Te Pāti Māori, finding the party failed to follow its own constitutional process.

‘I haven’t healed from it’: Grieving Aboriginal family processing death in custody inquest findings The family of an Aboriginal man who died in custody says they’re struggling to process their loss, as the NSW Coroner recommends policy changes.

The family of an Aboriginal man who died in custody says they’re struggling to process their loss, as the NSW Coroner recommends policy changes.

Rob Ruha, Taumata o Apanui and NZSO re-defining Aotearoa’s national sound At the 2026 NZ Festival, Rob Ruha, Te Taumata o Apanui, and the NZSO unite in TEIWA, elevating te reo, waiata, and kapa haka with orchestra, celebrating equal artistic mana.

At the 2026 NZ Festival, Rob Ruha, Te Taumata o Apanui, and the NZSO unite in TEIWA, elevating te reo, waiata, and kapa haka with orchestra, celebrating equal artistic mana.

What will the inquiry into racism towards Indigenous Australians look at? The announcement of a federal inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Indigenous people has been broadly welcomed, as submissions to the inquiry open.

The announcement of a federal inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Indigenous people has been broadly welcomed, as submissions to the inquiry open.

Friends and whānau honour the life and legacy of Herbs musician Dilworth Karaka Kua ngū te reo waitī o Dilworth Karaka, kua hinga i ngā rā tata nei. Ko Karaka tētahi o ngā kanohi rongonui o te rōpū o Herbs.

Kua ngū te reo waitī o Dilworth Karaka, kua hinga i ngā rā tata nei. Ko Karaka tētahi o ngā kanohi rongonui o te rōpū o Herbs.

Women invoice Luxon for gender and ethnic pay gaps NZ group STILL Minding the Gap urges women to invoice PM Luxon for wages lost to gender and ethnic pay gaps, pushing mandatory reporting; leaders cite personal inequities and impacts.

NZ group STILL Minding the Gap urges women to invoice PM Luxon for wages lost to gender and ethnic pay gaps, pushing mandatory reporting; leaders cite personal inequities and impacts.

First Nations leaders head to England to raise treaty concerns with King Charles According to one of the delegates, Gary LaPlante, they’ve been asked not to bring up political issues during their visit.

According to one of the delegates, Gary LaPlante, they’ve been asked not to bring up political issues during their visit.

Former Nelson deputy mayor Rohan O’Neill-Stevens to stand for Greens in general election Rohan O’Neill-Stevens (Ngāti Apakura) said he is looking forward to bringing his experience in collaboration, advocacy and delivering change to the election.

Rohan O’Neill-Stevens (Ngāti Apakura) said he is looking forward to bringing his experience in collaboration, advocacy and delivering change to the election.

Meet the queer Blak rugby team taking on the Ella 7s The Lorikeets are competing in the Ella 7s, the flagship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rugby Union 7s tournament; they’ll be the first queer-identifying club to compete.

The Lorikeets are competing in the Ella 7s, the flagship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rugby Union 7s tournament; they’ll be the first queer-identifying club to compete.

Australian MP urges further appeal on sentence that saw fatal hit-and-run driver avoid jail time 39-year-old Kunwinjku man, Whitehurst, was thrown several meters and later died from his injuries, while another man was left seriously injured.

39-year-old Kunwinjku man, Whitehurst, was thrown several meters and later died from his injuries, while another man was left seriously injured.

Bay of Plenty fans excited for Chiefs’ long-awaited return to Hāngī Pit Rotorua rugby fans, including the mayor, are looking forward to welcoming the Chiefs back to the city for a Super Rugby Pacific clash next month.

Rotorua rugby fans, including the mayor, are looking forward to welcoming the Chiefs back to the city for a Super Rugby Pacific clash next month.

They were almost hunted to extinction. Now, the southern right whale is at risk again Once a pillar of conservation success, the tide has turned for the Southern Right Whale as they face dwindling numbers in the wake of climate change.

Once a pillar of conservation success, the tide has turned for the Southern Right Whale as they face dwindling numbers in the wake of climate change.

‘I feel like a Māori’: Argentinian Uber driver Diego Acuña on his full-face mataora Argentinian Uber driver Diego Acuña says he is Māori at heart.

Argentinian Uber driver Diego Acuña says he is Māori at heart.

300 people of colour died during Cyclone Mahina, but the Australia only remembers the 9 white casualties 127 years ago, the most devastating tropical cyclone in Australia’s recorded history struck the eastern coast of Far North Queensland with catastrophic force.

127 years ago, the most devastating tropical cyclone in Australia’s recorded history struck the eastern coast of Far North Queensland with catastrophic force.

Te Matatini 2027: Ngā Purapura o Te Tai Hauāuru triumph Ngā Purapura o Te Tai Hauāuru crowned new champions as four teams qualify for Te Matatini 2027.

Ngā Purapura o Te Tai Hauāuru crowned new champions as four teams qualify for Te Matatini 2027.

‘Unnecessary, degrading and deeply harmful’: New report calls for strip searches to be banned in prisons In most Australian jurisdictions, children as young as ten can be subjected to strip searching, with First Nations people significantly more likely to be targeted .

In most Australian jurisdictions, children as young as ten can be subjected to strip searching, with First Nations people significantly more likely to be targeted .