A mining exploration permit has been quietly granted inside a marine sanctuary off the Taranaki coast to protect the endangered Māui’s dolphins. The decision, which was approved in May, has shocked conservation groups who were unaware of it. But the Department of Conservation (DOC) had been aware of Ironsands Offshore Mining Ltd’s application since March. It has voiced “significant concerns” about the safety
An attempt to provide care for a child by advertising on TradeMe has backfired for Oranga Tamariki. The child welfare agency advertised for a caregiver on the site and provided some of the child’s personal information including her age, gender and iwi. It has since removed the listings. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer is kaiarataki (leader) of the
Oranga Tamariki has apologised for what the National Party is calling the crass use of auction website TradeMe to find foster parents for children. The child welfare agency advertised for a caregiver on the site. One ad on the website described a young Whanganui schoolgirl who had had a tough start in life and needed
Iwi have criticised Oranga Tamariki for advertising for a caregiver on Trade Me, and including some of the child’s personal information. An advertisement seeking a caregiver or caregivers for a girl in Whanganui was posted on the website’s job section by Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry for Children. The listing included the girl’s iwi, her interests, and details about
South Taranaki Māori are concerned about an unprecedented number of young, male sperm whales stranding along the area’s coast. The 13th whale found stranded on Ngati Ruanui Hapotiki hapū in less than two weeks was discovered last Friday at a remote location accessed on foot along the Waihi Beach coastline. “It is highly unusual and
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Ruahine, Ngā Rauru) has worked in various roles at Māori Affairs, TVNZ and iwi radio. She is kaiarataki for Te Runanga o Ngāti Ruanui and technical adviser to the Iwi Chairs Forum and campaigned successfully to stop experimental seabed mining off the West Coast in 2014. In 1999, Debbie brought
A year into running, spin, core and step classes has a group of grass roots fitness buffs transforming their lives. IronMaori Ki Hawera Whanau Training and Support was formed to create a family-based, non-judgmental environment to support all levels, sizes and ages. Each member is supported in achieving their own goals while aiming for events such
Being treated differently is something Debbie Ngarewa-Packer knows a thing or two about. These days she is the head of Te Runanga o Ngati Ruanui and oversees a treaty settlement portfolio worth about $60 million but she admits has never quite shaken the stigma attached to her when she was a 19-year-old single mother. After