Podcast appearances and mentions of john tamihere

Today on the show... John Tamihere’s Waipareira Trust gets millions in taxpayer funding - yet its execs rake in over $500K each. That’s a 77% pay hike in a year. With little oversight and past financial controversies, shouldn’t the government step in? This isn’t about race - it’s about accountability. Time to open the books. I’ve interviewed a lot of people, but few have a story as insane as Shaun Winstanley’s. A cop, a survivor, and now an entrepreneur - Shaun took a bullet to the face in a live shooter situation and lived to tell the tale. But what happened in that moment? What was going through his head? And how did that near-death experience lead him to launching a protein coffee business? And some more Letters to the Editor! Website: https://www.rova.nz/home/podcasts/duncan-garner---editor-in-chief.html Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast

The Privacy Commissioner will now investigate whether Census and Covid-19 vaccination data shared with Manurewa Marae was misused for election purposes. Waipareira Trust and president of Te Pāti Māori John Tamihere spoke to Corin Dann.

I don't think this counts as breaking news, does it? An inquiry ordered by the Prime Minister has identified significant failures with public agencies' protection of New Zealanders' personal information and management of conflict of interests. The investigation, which focused on public agencies actions, was sparked by allegations last year that data provided to health and social services providers at Manurewa Marae for the census and for Covid-19 vaccinations was misused. Those murmurings were rumbling for some time before the investigation was sparked. It was claimed personal information was improperly used to favour Te Pati Māori and the Māori electorate of Tamaki Makaurau. The allegations have been denied, but the Government wanted assurances that Kiwis' data had been properly safeguarded. Spoiler alert, it wasn't. Among the findings of the report is that the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand did not have control over data once it was downloaded by providers, had no means for ensuring providers were meeting contractual expectations, and had no safeguards for managing potential conflicts of interest. This really doesn't come as any surprise to me at all. Stats New Zealand was found to have insufficient arrangements to protect the shared data. The findings are so serious for Stats NZ that chief executive Mark Sowden has fallen on his sword and will leave at the end of his current term, something public services Commissioner Sir Brian Roche says is the right thing to do. Waipareira Trust chief executive and president of Te Pati Māori John Tamihere on the other hand, is defending the use of data at Manurewa Marae, saying there's no evidence of any wrongdoing. He says they're being targeted for being Māori, a Māori organisation attracting extra scrutiny over suspicions that Māori were somehow crooked. He said whistle blowers had not been able to provide evidence that data was actually misused. He said every political party used data and Waipareira Trust, which had existed for 40 years, had built up huge data sets. He denied that the census data from government agencies that had been shared with the Manurewa Marae was then handed over to Te Pati Māori. Labour leader Chris Hipkins on Three News last night seemed to suggest that he himself had raised eyebrows but would wait the findings of the police investigation. “I've certainly felt that the election in that seat was unfair and the result in that seat was unfair. I think the fact that our polling booth was held at the Manurewa Marae with very active Māori party presence really did draw into question the result there. It was such a close result.” Just to remind you of the result in the electorate of Tamaki Makaurau, Maurewa Marae CEO and Te Pāti Māori's representative Takutai Tarsh Kemp took the seat from Labour's Peeni Henare by four votes, just four. On recount, that went to 42 votes, because naturally, Peeni Henare said “I've held that seat since 2014. I find it very hard to believe I could have lost it. Oh, hang on a minute, no I don't.” Should there be a by-election? If Te Pati Māori believes they won the seat fair and square, that Labour was being rolled in plenty of other long held seats, would their member be willing to put it to the test in a by-election? Where there's absolutely no hint of wrongdoing on behalf of her party, that here we are fair and square, let's go mano o mano, go head-to-head and let's see who wins at this time. I mean, I suppose the horses bolted. If the data has been misused, and at the moment there are no individuals you can point the didgeridoo at and say they misused that information, but there is a police investigation ongoing. There is no clear evidence that could go before a court, that the data was misused. But if it looks like a rat, smells like a rat, and it's got a long tail like a rat, it does make you raise your eyebrows. You need a definitive answer: was the data misused or not? At the moment we have suspicions, we have rumblings. And while those rumblings continue, then it puts the whole judicial process and the whole electoral process in doubt. I mean, you look at the CEO of Manurewa Marae winning the seat and you think really, did she? Was it fair and square? I don't know. Labour was being rolled left, right and centre. She might just have got lucky. I smell rats. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eleven agencies were summoned for a meeting on Friday to discuss “action” to address a series of allegations involving Manurewa marae and Te Pāti Māori, the most serious of which is misuse of census data ahead of the last election, at which TPM's Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp – then CEO of the marae – defeated Labour's Peeni Henare by just 42 votes. Kemp and John Tamihere, president of TPM, strenuously reject the allegations and “baseless innuendo”. Annabelle Lee-Mather, Ben Thomas and Toby Manhire convene their own summit in an attempt to get their heads around the claims and counter-claims, and why they're so serious. Plus: The enduring newsline for Nicola Willis's debut budget was meant to be tax cuts and a tightening of belts. Instead it's something else: a failure to deliver promised funding to 13 cancer drugs. We assess the severity of the backlash, the response, and the reception to the 2024 budget more broadly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shall we open the week with a prediction?  This is the week the Government will call an inquiry into the accusations around the Māori Party, the marae and the use of Covid and census information.  The trouble is if the Government doesn't call an inquiry, too many questions start to get asked around transparency and trust.  The allegations are too specific. They are not hearsay from people who heard from people. They are very specific, detailed allegations from people who were there.  The denials are fine. But the questions remain un-investigated and they are too serious not to be.  Whether a Privacy Commissioner and Stats NZ hiring a bloke to do it is enough, but I doubt it from the Government's point of view.  Do remember, although this goes directly to one party in Parliament, it potentially involves everyone in Parliament.  If those running the country can't be seen to be scrupulous, then that's trouble.  The Māori Party themselves haven't helped, with the president John Tamihere rolling out his standard line about this all being about race.  John is too angry to be credible these days. He has this enormous chip on his shoulder and everything is a conspiracy around race.  The irony here is that the people making the accusations are Māori. So it's not about Māori, it's about rules and laws and whether they have been broken.  Not helping is the food and voucher giveaway. Although Māori can argue this is koha, the previous Government set a damning precedent where bribes, because that's what they are, were handed out for vaccines and Census participation and they muddied the waters.  But what is clear is using Census and vaccine information to campaign and/or recruit for elections is illegal and that is what we need to find out - did it happen, or not?  There is also the matter of said information then being used to contact people via text for votes and not following the prescribed electoral laws.  So does the Government pull the trigger? And when they do, why?  Does it pass the pub test?  Not even close.    LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fascinating interview on the Mike Hosking breakfast this morning, with the lawyer acting on behalf of former workers at Auckland's Manurewa marae, where it is alleged that private information was improperly accessed to help with election campaigning.   Now these are really, really serious allegations and it is just so important to note that Te Pāti Māori and John Tamihere have denied all allegations of wrongdoing so far. At the moment we have Stats New Zealand investigating, the police are investigating as well. Health New Zealand is involved and now the privacy commissioner is considering what, if any steps to take.   But I for one think it's probably reached a point with this issue where a broader inquiry can be justified. Not only to restore public confidence in the census and in election processes, but also for Te Pāti Māori and for John Tamihere to have the opportunity to be publicly cleared of wrongdoing.   You see, there are several issues with this. We have, for starters, several interrelated allegations - which are in themselves a little confusing and a little murky. We have a government department that is investigating, while a legal representative for some of the workers at the centre of these allegations says that another government department, the MSD, has acted improperly. And I think that having won the Government Department essentially investigating another department's role risks perceptions when it comes around a lack of independence, at least in the eyes of some voters.   It's interesting, Christopher Luxon says he's not ruling out a public inquiry, but at the same time he probably needs to be pretty careful to be seen not to be using (as yet unproven) allegations for political advantage. So he suggests the current processes need to be seen through. But I think we probably need something broader. I think we need something broader, something with clear terms of reference, something as transparent as possible. Because it is in the best interests of the voting public, but also the best interests of clearing those who say they've done absolutely nothing wrong.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pāti Māori is facing allegations that personal information collected by a Manurewa marae during Covid immunisations was used for political campaigning.  The marae was also controversially used as a polling booth in last year's general election.  Te Pāti Māori has denied the allegations.  Taxpayers Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, told Jack Tame “At the end of the day, this information isn't in the government's hands.”  Williams said “The Census is such a core function of government – and public must have confidence that the data is protected.”  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Damian Grant came to an IQ fight and was left unarmed as he tried to jolly along and joke with Shane Te Pou and John Tamihere who were having no part of it. Finally, when backed into a corner and seeing an opportunity to go to every Zionists get-out-of-jail-free card by calling them antisemites for disagreeing with Israeli policy. ================================================ Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

Shane Te Pou "debated" Damien Grant on The Working Group Podcast on separatism. Grant resented being called a supremacist, so responded in kind calling Shane and John Tamihere antisemitic for opposes what the Israeli government is doing in Gaza. Louise Nicholas was on Breakfast this morning supporting the reimplementation of the 3 Strikes law. Nicholas is an unbelievable NZers and an advocate we support and hold up...but in this one she is wrong and we'll explain why. David Seymour wants your sick kids to go to school so his attendance numbers look better. He doesn't seem to understand that if a sick child attends school, and infects others in their class, then MORE children will be away from school. ================================================ Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

The Working Group with Matua John Tamihere, Socialist Shane te Pou and Libertarian Voldemort, Damien Grant.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top end charity executives are taking home on average half a million dollars a year. The Herald business investigations reporter Matt Nippert has been crunching the numbers. Waipareira's John Tamihere is up there - followed by the Vice Chancellors from Auckland and Victoria Universities. Childfund chief executive, Josie Pagani, didn't make the list. She told Heather du-Plessis Allan that a bit of a double standard applies.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's almost a clean sweep for Te Pati Maori, snatching another two maori electorate seats from Labour on the special vote count. On election night it was buzzing to secure four of the seven. But now its also taken Tamaki Makaurau by a whisker, just a four vote majority. It also turned Te Tai Tokerau, ousting Labour's Deputy leader Kelvin Davis. Prior to the election he'd said he would resign if he didnt hold his seat. Ko taku manuhiri inaianei ko John Tamihere, Te Pati Maori President speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6340407161112

A post election special with Peeni Henare from Labour, John Tamihere from Te Pāti Māori, Shane Jones from NZ First, Marama Davidson from Greens and Karen Chhour from ACT. 

TONIGHT: We wrap the Election Campaign and make Election night predictions with Māori Party President John Tamihere, Right wing Svengali Matthew Hooton and Libertarian Darth Vader, Damien Grant Issue 1 – Election Campaign 2023 – highs and lows Issue 2 – Finance Debate between Grant and Nicola  Issue 3 – National refused to rule Winston out, then ruled him in and are now begging voters not to vote for him? and Issue 4 – Election night predictions   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Te Pati Maori says an elderly pakeha man has been trespassed after he entered the home of Te Pati Maori candidate Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke. Māori Party president, John Tamihere, says Ms Maipi-Clarke's home was entered unlawfully yesterday morning, and it is clear the incident was politically motivated. The newcomer Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke is standing in Hauraki-Waikato, and is just 20 years old. It is the latest in what is a string of incidents reported by her. Tamihere spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Top stories for 21 September 2023 Fierce winds overnight made a wildfire near Lake Pukaki too dangerous to fight, 6 homes have been evacuated. We have documents which show the government was warned earlier this year removing GST from fruit and vegetables may not make them more affordable. Politicians from 5 parties join us after 8 to discuss Law and Order. Ginny Anderson, Mark Mitchell, Winston Peters, John Tamihere and Ricardo Menedez March will all with us live.

There's nowhere to hide from law and order this election, with ram raids, gangs and violent offending grabbing headlines up and down the motu. Ministry of Justice statistics - released on Wednesday - show a fifteen percent increase in charges taken to court in the year to June, compared with the same period the year before. For youth crime, the increase was thirteen percent. So how would our political hopefuls reduce crime and create a safer country for New Zealanders? Parties on both ends of the political spectrum have produced detailed policies with their plans. Here now to debate them, we're joined by spokespeople from five of the six top-polling parties. ACT declined to participate. Ginny Anderson for Labour is in Wellington, while Mark Mitchell for National, Ricardo Menéndez March for The Green Party, John Tamihere for Te Pāti Māori and Winston Peters for New Zealand First are in Auckland.

This week on the Raw Politics podcast: Why is it so hard to believe any party when they promise tens of billions of spending in NZ over many decades? And, we ask if it really matters to get to 100 percent renewable energy in this country.Raw Politics takes on two big, bold but unlikely spending goals outlined by the Government this week - the multi-billion dollar plan for cross-harbour tunnels in Auckland and the billions to be spent on wind and solar energy to meet an 'aspirational' climate target.Labour is certainly not ceding territory to National this campaign on investing big-time in roading, but its tunnel plan costing up to $45 billion left many in the city in Tui advertisement territory, with the two-word reaction of 'Yeah, Right'. The panel looks at parties' records of following through on such big bold visions and asks if the big numbers are just props to impress the uninformed.Later in the podcast, our climate writer Marc Daalder explains the Government's song and dance act this week in revealing that it has persuaded giant funds manager Blackrock to get its clients behind a $2 billion investment in renewable energy here. New Zealand is already one of the highest in the world for renewables as a proportion of energy output and, overall, electricity use accounts for under 5 percent of the country's total emissions.This week's recommendations from the panel include a strong academic opinion piece on Newsroom over both major parties' obsession with roads, a Herald investigation into John Tamihere and Te Pāti Māori, and a story in which a party leader suggests an interviewer might have been high.Every week, Newsroom editors and political journalists talk through the big issues and scrutinise politicians' performances in a lively 25-minute show aiming to take viewers and listeners inside the actions and motivations of our elected leaders.Watch Raw Politics on YouTube, or download or listen to it as a podcast on Spotify, or via Apple Podcasts.

West Auckland social services charity the Waipareira Trust and chief executive John Tamihere have reached their deadline to settle an outstanding loan. $385,307 was taken from the Trust to pay for John Tamihere's mayoral campaign and Te Pāti Māori's general election campaign- in breach of the law. NZ Herald reporter Matt Nippert says this investigation has been ongoing since the end of 2019- and Tamihere is running out of options. "It's got the nuclear option- deregistration. Which effectively strips an entity of its charitable status and it has to pay tax again. They also get levied a tax across their net assets." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Mark Leishman about coverage putting the Loafers Lodge disaster in context - even in the midst of chaos and confusion, some impressive political fact-checking, whether the media needs to change tack reporting economists' forecasts - and an exclusive interview with a party-swapping MP which wasn't hard to get.

In this week's Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Mark Leishman about coverage putting the Loafers Lodge disaster in context - even in the midst of chaos and confusion, some impressive political fact-checking, whether the media needs to change tack reporting economists' forecasts - and an exclusive interview with a party-swapping MP which wasn't hard to get.

Te Pāti Māori has joined international calls for King Charles to apologise for the horrors of colonisation on his coronation day. Co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, as well as party president John Tamihere, are signatories to a joint statement, alongside indigenous and republican representatives from 12 Commonwealth countries. The statement says the people colonised by Britain suffered from centuries of racism, oppression, colonialism and slavery, and calls for a formal apology and reparations. Ingrid Hipkiss spoke with Te Pati Maori co-leader, Rawiri Waititi.

The number 1 weekly political podcast NOT FUNDED by NZ on Air. This week Māori Party President John Tamihere, Former Labour Party Chief of Staff Matt McCarten and the man who broke RNZs Twitter account, Damien Grant, to debate the following: Issue 1 – 3 Waters and Māori Party as Kingmakers Issue 2 – Shock food inflation – where is your free market god now Damien Grant? Issue 3 – Green on Green unfriendly fire – Dr Kerekere wrestling for power with new woke clique and Issue 4 – Does it surprise anyone that National keep appointing low quality candidates and will Shane Jones get an Epsom cup of tea in Northland?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, current affairs commentator Josie Pagani and Newstalk ZB's Nick Mills joined in on a discussion about the following topics:  The annual North Canterbury Hunting Competition has caused a bit of a stir by creating a competition encouraging under 14's to kill feral cats. The SPCA is now looking into it- what do we think of this? John Tamihere wrote an opinion piece for Stuff claiming that Māori own New Zealand's water. Is this actually correct, or is he trying to be divisive ahead of the election? OliverShaw's latest report says New Zealand's wealthiest people are paying their fair share of taxes. Do we have any immediate issues with our tax system? Could the Government implement a wealth tax? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Labour Cabinet minister John Tamihere recently claimed that water is a Māori-owned asset. In an opinion piece written for Stuff, Tamihere argued that Pakeha had taken control of a '100 percent Māori-owned' resource, citing the Treaty of Waitangi. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says John Tamihere's piece was written to be provocative, but if he had courage in his convictions, he'd be willing to debate it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With James Shaw, David Seymour and John Tamihere.

As you are all aware by now, The Working Group is New Zealand's bestest and greatestest Weekly Political Podcast THAT IS NOT FUNDED by NZ on Air. Despite getting NO MONEY from NZ on Air, our little weekly political podcast keeps hitting number 1! This week Māori Party President John Tamihere, ACT Party leader David Seymour and local NZ Documentary reviewer and stuff columnist –  Damien Grant debate the following: 1 – If Cyclone Gabrielle is our future, what does NZ do? 2 – Latest Taxpayers Union Poll 3 – Labour's policy bonfire 4 – The geopolitics of 3 Waters The podcast broadcasts live 7.30pm Tuesdays from our purpose built studio bunker ADJACENT to Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & YouTube   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Followers of the Rātana faith - and politicians - are heading to the small Rangitikei village to celebrate the 150th birthday of the movement's founder, Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana. Rātana is as much a political movement as a spiritual one, with particularly close ties to the Labour Party. The three-day religious festival, often regarded as the start of the political year, will be attended by politicians including both Chris Hipkins and Jacinda Ardern. Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The Front Page is revisiting some of the major stories covered in 2022.  In June, Te Pāti Māori launched a petition to officially rename New Zealand to Aotearoa. It comes after years of growing acceptance of the Māori name for our islands, seeking to reverse a name assigned to the country by Dutch explorers 500 years ago. The petition comes during a growing embracement of Māori culture in public life – but with that acceptance has come an unsurprising pushback from those happy with how things are. So is it time for us to embrace this movement and make the change official? In September, Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere joined us to explain the history of Aotearoa and share his view on why a name change could be good for the country. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. New episodes return on January 9th. Host: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan Sills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about journalists coming under fire from the subjects of their stories and an unsurprising scandal over a TVNZ reality show.

In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about journalists coming under fire from the subjects of their stories and an unsurprising scandal over a TVNZ reality show.

With Maiki Sherman, John Tamihere, Chlöe Swarbrick, Erica Stanford and Alan Sutherland.

After two High Court judicial reviews, the Director General of Health is releasing data of unvaccinated Māori in the North Island - but with clear conditions. Whānau Ora first took the Ministry of Health to court in October, arguing the data was critical to boosting vaccination rates and saving lives. The Ministry gave some data about unvaccinated Māori in Waikato and Auckland. And in a letter sent to John Tamihere last night, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, laid out what other data they will release - as well as the iwi who opposed the release. Māori news journalist Matai O'Connor reports.

The Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency has had another win in the High Court over its battle with the Ministry of Health for data on unvaccinated North Island Māori.  The agency has already forced the Ministry to give it some information but says it's not enough prompting further court action.   Last night the High Court again directed the Ministry of Health to review its decision not to hand over any more details. Whānau Ora's chief executive John Tamihere spoke to Corin Dann.

The Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency has had another win in the High Court over its battle with the Ministry of Health for data on unvaccinated North Island Māori.  The agency has already forced the Ministry to give it some information but says it's not enough prompting further court action.   Last night the High Court again directed the Ministry of Health to review its decision not to hand over any more details. Whānau Ora's chief executive John Tamihere spoke to Corin Dann.

After weeks of court action, Whānau Ora has received some of the data it's been waiting for on the Māori vaccine rollout.  The agency took legal action against the Ministry of Health for refusing to release details of people who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19. It has asked for contact details of all unvaccinated Māori in the North Island. The legal action isn't over - Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency chief executive John Tamihere spoke to Corin Dann. 

After weeks of court action, Whānau Ora has received some of the data it's been waiting for on the Māori vaccine rollout.  The agency took legal action against the Ministry of Health for refusing to release details of people who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19. It has asked for contact details of all unvaccinated Māori in the North Island. The legal action isn't over - Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency chief executive John Tamihere spoke to Corin Dann. 

So how are Aucklanders feeling about the latest government move? Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson, the National Party's Tamaki MP Simon O'Connor and Māori Party spokesperson John Tamihere spoke to Guyon Espiner. The ACT Party was invited, but declined.

The Ministry of Health has 72 hours to reconsider its refusal to share Māori vaccine information with the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency. It's chief executive John Tamihere took the ministry to court to win access to information on Māori vaccination rates via the National Health Index.  Last night the High Court told the ministry it has until Thursday to reconsider its earlier decision. Tamihere told Morning Report he has a specific need for the data. "We just want to know where our unvaccinated are, so we can offer them a vaccine opportunity."

The Whānau Ora commissioning agency is in the High Court today, fighting the Ministry of Health for data they say could ramp up the vaccination campaign for Māori. The chief executive for the agency, John Tamihere, asked for the health information of all unvaccinated Māori, but the Ministry denied the request, citing privacy issues.  RNZ's Māori News Director Māni Dunlop spoke to Susie Ferguson.

The Whānau Ora commissioning agency is in the High Court today, fighting the Ministry of Health for data they say could ramp up the vaccination campaign for Māori. The chief executive for the agency, John Tamihere, asked for the health information of all unvaccinated Māori, but the Ministry denied the request, citing privacy issues.  RNZ's Māori News Director Māni Dunlop spoke to Susie Ferguson.

Māori health leaders say they need input in the design of solutions to get more people vaccinated against Covid-19, as the rollout looks to reach people who have so far been unable to get a shot. Vaccination buses are hitting the streets on Thursday in parts of Auckland in an urgent attempt to boost vaccination rates Covid-19. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said she wants to see 80 percent of eligible Aucklanders with at least one dose by Monday. Details of the buses are under wraps, but Henderson and Papakura are among the areas that will get a visit. Papakura GP Matire Harwood, who is involved with the drive through centre at Papakura Marae, told Morning Report they have had to be creative with some of the needs at the centre. "We had a young girl yesterday who'd skateboarded across town to come to our drive through vaccination clinic." Skateboards were not one of the options for the drive through, but Papakura Marae chief executive Tony Kake said a solution was found. "We put one of our staff fully PPE'ed up like she was a taxi driver, put her in a car and she came through the vaccination drive through." Waipareira trust chief executive John Tamihere said the current options had not been designed with a focus on pacific and iwi needs. "All programs are designed for middle class white New Zealanders and so we just have to step back a bit and allow us to get into the game of designing these things." The trust runs a vaccination centre in Henderson. Harwood agreed and said it's imperative Māori lead programmes that will affect them. "The solutions have been led by people who don't know our context, who don't know our whānau, who don't understand some of the reasons that they can't get in for vaccinations. "We've had to come up with it ourselves and continue to not only fight for our whānau, fight the system to be able to do this properly."

Maori and Pasifika can turn up to get Covid vaccines without a need to book if they go to a Whanau Ora vaccination provider.The aim is to lift the low number of vaccination numbers for Maori and Pasifika.Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency CEO John Tamihere told Heather du Plessis-Allan that around 35 percent of people who turn up for Covid vaccines aren't booked because they don't know how the system works."The system is geared for those that really are informed, know how to work the system and as consequence for the last sort of four to five months, those have been the numbers."LISTEN ABOVE

West Auckland's Waipareira Trust will today begin offering saliva testing to all its staff involved in Covid-19 vaccination and testing. Saliva testing, which is seen as less invasive than regular nasal swab testing, is currently available only to border workers. The trust is upset about a lack of progress on launching the alternative testing tool and hopes to achieve a swifter government response. Waipareira Trust chief executive John Tamihere spoke to Corin Dann.

Staff at West Auckland's Waipareira Trust - a current testing site - will get saliva tests from Thursday instead of the nasal swab.  The trust wants to trial saliva testing, saying the current nasal swab puts their healthcare workers at longer exposure from those getting tested.  If the trial is successful, Waipareira will look to see if saliva testing can become the norm at testing stations. CEO John Tamihere spoke to Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE 

John Tamihere says he's determined to counter vaccine misinformation as his staff prepare to open a vaccine 'super centre' in West Auckland. The clinic is run by John Tamihere's Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust from the former Noel Leeming warehouse in Henderson. The Trust is also running a social media and web campaign, Vax to the Max, which will feature elders getting their vaccinations and would run videos showing people the process so they knew what to expect. Tamihere spoke to Corin Dann.  

John Tamihere says he's determined to counter vaccine misinformation as his staff prepare to open a vaccine 'super centre' in West Auckland. The clinic is run by John Tamihere's Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust from the former Noel Leeming warehouse in Henderson. The Trust is also running a social media and web campaign, Vax to the Max, which will feature elders getting their vaccinations and would run videos showing people the process so they knew what to expect. Tamihere spoke to Corin Dann.  

Māori health experts are applauding this morning's announcement for a stand-alone Māori Health Authority and what they say is a long-overdue road to recovery.National Urban Māori Authority (NUMA) leaders John Tamihere and Lady Tureiti Moxon said it was "the shot in the arm needed for Māori to finally get equity health care".Health Minister Andrew Little announced yesterday: All DHBs will be replaced by one national health body, Health New Zealand, to fund and run the health system• A new Māori Health Authority will be created, with power to commission health services• The Ministry of Health will become an advisory and policy agency only• A new Public Health agency will be created within the Ministry of HealthLittle's announcement meant finally recognising a "by Māori, for Māori, to Māori" approach.It means that Māori are finally able to have their own governance in health decision making, as a reflection of tino rangatiratanga and the Treaty of Waitangi.Associate Minister of Health Peeni Henare said: "Many Māori do not like going to the doctor because our experiences, our parents' experiences and our grandparents' experiences of the health system have been a negative one.""That is why we must change and transform our Māori health system."A Māori Health Authority will be responsible for ensuring the health system is performing for Māori through:Partnership with the ministry to advise ministers on hauora Māori• Funding innovative health services targeted at Māori (including kaupapa Māori services)• Working with Health New Zealand to plan and monitor the delivery of all health services• Iwi-Māori partnership boards will have an explicit, formal role – including agreeing local priorities with Health NZ• Health NZ will be responsible for improving Māori health outcomes and equity through all of its operational functions at national, regional and local levels• The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor how the system is delivering for Māori overall, partnering with the Māori Health Authority.The National Hauora Coalition (NHC) welcomes the near future establishment of an Independent Hauora Agency. NHC chief executive Simon Royal commented: "in the last 20 years, we as a country have spent over $200 billion on health which has improved health outcomes for every population group, except for Māori"."Doing more of the same is not good enough as Māori are dying every day because of failings in our health system."Royal said the Waitangi Tribunal, through its Health Services and Outcomes Kaupapa Inquiry highlighted the serious challenges the nation faces in being seen as a place where fairness and equity are a reality.The tribunal found that being Māori in Aotearoa means dying eight years sooner than non-Māori.Māori are 170 per cent more likely to die of cancer, 200 per cent more likely to be hospitalised for asthma, and 500 per cent higher chance of sudden unexplained death for Māori babies."The list goes on."A study done by Counties Manukau DHB (CMDHB) in 2009 revealed if Māori and Pasifika populations experienced the same level of health as the rest of the population, it would save CMDHB alone $62 million a year in direct healthcare costs.The Māori Health Authority will help strengthen kaupapa Māori services, build a stronger Māori workforce and provider network, as well as foster innovation in services and models that deliver better outcomes for Māori.Over the coming months, the Government will work with Māori on the design of the Māori Health Authority and a range of other features of New Zealand's future health system.This includes how Iwi-Māori partnership boards are established, operate, and define their rohe.An interim Māori Health Authority will be set up as a departmental agency within the Ministry of Health by the end of 2021.text by Te Rina Triponel, NZ Herald

Jacinda Ardern may be known for keeping the nation up-to-date with Facebook Lives from her lounge but she was not the most active politician on social media during the election campaign. That title can be claimed by John Tamihere of the Maori Party, who research found posted on Facebook 188 times compared with Ms Ardern's 88 posts. Research by Victoria University of Wellington analysed campaign topics, the dominant political actors, and their campaigning strategies on social media during the final four weeks of the campaign. The study was co-led by Dr Mona Krewel. She speaks to Corin Dann.

The country's "unapologetic Māori voice" is returning to Parliament with Rawiri Waititi wresting the Waiariki seat off Labour's Tāmati Coffey."The people have spoken and I am absolutely overwhelmed that they have put their trust in me to represent them for the next parliamentary term," Waititi said."I cannot thank them enough for having the belief in us as te iwi Māori to champion our own mana motuhake and to return our authentically and proud Māori voice to Parliament, ka nui te mihi aroha e te Waiariki."Speaking at his election night party in Tāmaki Makaurau co-leader John Tamihere called the return of the party, eliminated at the 2017 election, an "incredible outcome"."This is rewriting the political history of our country," Tamihere said, as the roughly 200 supporters gathered at Et Tu Bistro in Te Atatu erupted into chants of "Māori Party".But it was a bittersweet moment for Tamihere, losing Tāmaki Makaurau to incumbent Peeni Henare of Labour."I want to mihi Peeni and his whānau, for the way he conducted his campaign," Tamihere said.He thanked Māori Party supporters in the Waiariki electorate, and for voters listening to their calls to split the Māori vote, giving the Māori Party the electorate vote and their party vote to Labour, whose Māori MPs, including Coffey, would all get in on the list anyway.There was also a chance of the party getting another MP with their party vote hovering around 1 per cent and potentially rising, meaning number one on the list Debbie Ngarewa-Packer could enter Parliament for the first time."I think there is a very strong possibility Debbie will get in too," Tamihere said.Asked how he felt about the fact, sitting at seven on the list, he wouldn't be joining them, Tamihere said he wasn't disappointed, and it was his duty as a co-leader to stand behind them.It wasn't over though for Tamihere, signalling another run in 2023."Next time around it will be all seven [seats]," he said, again to a huge reception.The fate of the Māori Party sat on a knife's edge all election night.The closest seats, as predicted, were in Tāmaki Makaurau, Waiariki and Te Tai Hauāuru, with Labour's leads over Māori Party in the mere hundreds in each for much of the night.In Te Tai Hauāuru co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer lost to Labour's Adrian Rurawhe.Labour won the four other Māori electorates.The 2020 election saw the Māori Party launch a fighting campaign.The 2017 election resulted in a tumultuous shift in Māori politics, with all seven Māori seats going to Labour candidates.It eliminated the Māori Party after nine years in Government alongside National, ending the careers of stalwarts Marama Fox and Te Ururoa Flavell, defeated by the very party they were established in protest against, following the Foreshore and Seabed debacle.But despite being outside the Beehive, the party remained active and vocal in its criticism of Government actions and outcomes for Māori.Jacinda Ardern's Labour-led Government ushered in a record number of Māori MPs, making up about 23 per cent of representatives, despite making up only 16 per cent of the population.Yet despite this, Māori remained at the bottom rung for most outcomes, including health, education, and housing, much of it fuelled by persistent inequality and racism, and leaving the door open for an independent Māori voice.The party had a refresh, appointing new leaders in former Labour MP and Cabinet member Tamihere, and Ngarewa-Packer, a Ngāti Ruanui iwi leader.The pair brought their own unique flair to their roles, with Manurewa Marae chairman and party member Rangi McLean once referring to Ngarewa-Packer as providing "balance" to Tamihere, whom he called a "taniwha", who is infamously not shy of political controversy and/or outright offence.Its wider membership were also proactive over the past few years in raising issues at Oranga Tamariki and the disproportionate uplifting of Māori babies from their young mothers.For his own part Waititi w...

The Māori Party are almost through the doors and back in Parliament thanks to Rawiri Waititi's nail-biting lead in Wairaiki. Waititi is only 415 votes ahead and incumbent Labour MP Tamati Coffey won't stand down before the special votes are counted. Waititi and fellow Māori Party member John Tamihere have both declined to appear on the programme. Hone Harawira is the leader of the Mana Movement and a former Māori Party MP. He speaks to Corin Dann.  

We're in the home stretch to polling day. And this week we're catching up with the leaders as they wrap up their campaigns to see how things have gone. The Maori Party was swept out of parliament in 2017 -- leaving the legislature without a party focused on Maori issues. But is a comeback on the cards? Some polls have found that the party is in with a chance in some Maori electorate races - although none have put it out in front. Maori Party co-leader John Tamihere joins us now.

Today on the Wire it is our final week of election coverage and we're looking at human issues.  Karanama looks into the inequity faced by Māori in the healthcare, justice and economic systems in Aotearoa. He speaks with the Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson and the National Party’s healthcare spokesperson Dr Shane Reti about these issues.  Hanna talks to spokesperson for the Child Poverty Action Group, Janet McAllister, about whether the government’s targeted focus on child poverty has really made a difference this parliamentary term.  Jemima talks to Māori Party co-leader John Tamihere about Oranga Tamariki and the Māori Seats in Parliament.  To wrap up the show Jemima chats to University to Auckland politics lecturer Dr Lara Greaves about the Māori Electoral Roll and the Maori Seats and what impact they have on participation in elections. 

The race for Tāmaki Makaurau is tightening up A new Māori Television-Curia Market Research poll has the current MP, Labour's Peeni Henare, at 35 percent with the Māori Party's John Tamihere just six points behind at 29 percent.  Twelve percent of those polled were undecided and seven percent declined to say who they'd be voting for.  Further south in Waiariki and Te Tai Hauāuru Māori Party candidates also appear to be running down their Labour counterparts in the home straight. Press gallery journalist turned pundit on RNZ's Caucus Scott Campbell and Mihingarangi Forbes from The Hui and RNZ's Party People speak to Susie Ferguson.

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The minor parties have been battling it out to woo the undecided voters ahead of Election Day. New Zealand First's Winston Peters, the Green's James Shaw, David Seymour from Act along with the Maori Party's John Tamihere, and Jami-Lee Ross from Advance New Zealand fronted up for last night's TVNZ Multi-Party Debate. With current polling showing most of them struggling to claw their way into parliament, there was little to lose and everything to gain. Here's political reporter Charlie Dreaver.

It's looking like South versus West Auckland in the battle for the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate.  Labour's Peeni Henare has held the seat for the previous two terms - winning it by an almost 20 percent margin last time out But his two high-profile rivals, the Māori Party's John Tamihere and the Green Party's Marama Davidson have picked up the wero - and they' are backed by solid voter bases in West and South Auckland respectively.  Meriana Johnsen travelled across the electorate and filed this report.   

For 95bFM's election coverage this year, Jemima Huston speaks to Māori Party co-leader John Tamihere about foreign policy. They discuss relationships with the Pacific, sovereignty in Aotearoa and  non-alignment.   

The Māori Party wants to ban schools from expelling any students under age 16.The party's radical education policy, released today, also asks for 25 per cent of the $17 billion education budget to be spent on "Maori models of delivery", and for all primary schools to teach half their content in te reo Māori by the end of this decade.Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, the chief executive of South Taranaki iwi Ngāti Ruanui, says iwi are ready to work with schools on new models that suit Māori children, but need funding to do it."We want to create a pathway to training and employment that is about connecting with the various communities around you."The party notes that 51 per cent of students excluded from schools before age 16 are Māori, 51 per cent of prisoners were excluded from schools as children, and 52 per cent of prisoners are Māori."We would remove the ability for schools to expel students who are below the school leaving age of 16," it says."Students with behavioural issues need wraparound support, and those who are using drugs need health interventions. Excluding children from school does irreparable harm."Children under 16 cannot legally be "expelled" from education because schooling under 16 is compulsory. Instead, a school can "exclude" a student, but the Ministry of Education must then find another school to take the student in.But Ngarewa-Packer said the process often doesn't work, and excluded students "get tucked away in programmes and units that don't last and they end up being out on the street"."That rangatahi typically becomes part of a whakamā system - they fail," she said."That can be anger, it can be drugs, it can be violence. They move into gangs, and then into prisons."So we want to put wraparound support at the beginning and not ignore the problems. If someone has been excluded because they use alcohol or drugs, or there is violence in the home, we want counselling for that. What we see on the ground is there isn't any."Exclusion from school under age 16 is very rare - only 1.6 out of every 1000 students in NZ schools last year.But the rate for Māori is 3.2 for every 1000 students. It's 4.0 for Māori boys and 2.4 for Māori girls, compared with 1.8 for European boys and 0.4 for European girls.Only a quarter (24 per cent) of NZ school students are Māori, but Māori make up 42.5 per cent of all students who are stood down, 49 per cent of suspensions and 51 per cent of exclusions.The Māori Party's proposal to spend 25 per cent of the education budget on "Māori models of delivery and pastoral care" is part of a broader policy which also calls for spending 25 per cent of the Covid-19 recovery budget on projects to support Māori.Ngarewa-Packer said students needed to learn Māori martial arts and connections with nature."A Māori model of learning in a wānanga is completely different from sitting at a desk, being told what to do, looking at a board and reading," she said.Māori Party co-leaders John Tamihere and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer called in June for 25 per cent of Covid-19 recovery spending top go into projects for Māori. Photo / Erica Sinclair"A lot of Māori learning is experiential learning. I am an iwi CEO down here, we have some huge deficit statistics, and the way we turn it around is to work with the schools that allow us to bring about a Māori model of learning."She said Ngāti Ruanui worked with about 10 Taranaki high schools, but they were under-resourced."The goodwill is there but they are barely surviving," she said. "We want communities and iwi to be able to work with the schools and help strengthen cultural identity and help with a richer education that recognises who we are and tangata whenua learning requirements."The party also proposes to:Make te reo Māori and Māori history core subjects in primary schools and up to Year 10.Increase funding for programmes that educate teachers about Māori students and their culture.Require schools to wor...

Shane Reti thinks he’d make a better Health Minister than Chris Hipkins. With only five weeks to polling day Hipkins and Reti battle it out in Newshub Nation’s health portfolio debate. Māori Party Co-leader John Tamihere unveils a cornerstone policy live on the programme. And Backstory: how well do we really know our politicians? We join Labour MP Kiri Allan for a road trip around the East Coast. Plus, TOP Deputy Leader Shai Navot gives her five-minute pitch for a seat in Parliament And analysis from our political panel: former Minister of Health Jonathan Coleman, and former Green MP Sue Bradford. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZME broadcaster Mike Hosking apologised on air this week for "reckless" claims about John Tamihere and Whānau Ora funding. It was part of a confidential settlement which the Māori Party's co-leader says he will use to fund his party's upcoming election campaign.

NZME broadcaster Mike Hosking apologised on air this week for "reckless" claims about John Tamihere and Whānau Ora funding. It was part of a confidential settlement which the Māori Party's co-leader says he will use to fund his party's upcoming election campaign.

Scared and stressed - that is how many people are feeling while lining up and having to wait hours to get tested for Covid-19, according to those on the ground.People are turning up in droves to testing stations around the country after more cases of the deadly virus were confirmed in the last few days.In Auckland, there are reports of people waiting anything between an hour or two to get the swab that will determine whether or not they are safe from Covid-19.In one case, an Auckland resident reported waiting in their vehicle for four hours to get to the clinic set up at St Lukes.That incident was reported by Act Leader David Seymour, who said a resident had contacted him about it."The four-hour delay gives rise to serious questions... People already face poor incentives to be tested."Some people can't afford to be taken out of action for two weeks by a positive test.""Making them wait four hours makes it worse. How many people in the queue that day simply turned around after a few hours and went home, potentially spreading the virus?"The queues in and around St Lukes have caused so much congestion in the last few days that buses in the area are now being diverted to avoid heavy traffic in and around St Lukes Road.In West Auckland, the testing clinic at Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust, in Henderson, has seen record numbers in the last three days - not helped by the fact that other testing stations in the area have not opened back up since lockdown.'A lot of stressed people'The trust's chief executive, John Tamihere, said they had seen more than 400 people come through yesterday and about 377 people on Monday."A lot of people have a strong feeling of angst over this. A lot of people sacrificed a lot during the lockdown and they've started to panic again," he said."What we're noticing is a lot of stressed people and we try to temper them."The congestion in the last three days had been so bad that a new route had been panned out today - with the line going down Catherine St and Dora St, towards the main road on Railside Ave.Eight Māori wardens were directing traffic while six social workers and four practice nurses worked. One general practitioner is overseeing the site.Tamihere said they had seen a marked increase in the number of people coming in each day as more cases had been confirmed.It is thought that that, coupled with it being flu season, any given symptom was being checked to ensure it was not Covid-19."No doubt it has [ramped up] because of the confirmed cases. That's what's caused it."Epidemiologist Dr Joanna McKenzie would not be drawn on why she thought there were huge numbers of people lining up to get tested.However, she said the fact that Covid-19 active cases had popped up again was "totally expected.""It's totally expected that we will get cases at the border," she said."That's why it's important to keep things under control [at the border]."Asked if she thought the Government had made the right decision to move back to alert level 1 when it did, she said that was the right decision.Members of the public queue for the Covid-19 testing station on St Lukes Road on Monday. Photo / Greg BowkerThe symptomsAs the number of confirmed active cases reached 10 yesterday, people were once again reminded to remember the Covid-19 symptoms and to get tested.The symptoms are very much like those connected to the common cold or flu: A cough, a high temperature (38C), shortness of breath, a sore throat and a temporary loss of smell are all listed as signs for Covid-19.Anyone with a runny nose or is sneezing regularly should also know that those are also symptoms for the virus.Health authorities have continued to tell the public that symptoms can take up two 14 days to show after someone has already become infected."The virus can be passed onto others before they know they have it - from up to two days before symptoms develop," the Ministry of Health website says.What to do if you have even o...

It’s the weekend of the Maori Party campaign launch - new leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and John Tamihere join us with an exclusive first look at their election 2020 policy. Plus we cross live to Hoani Waititi Marae, where political reporter Anna Bracewell-Worrall is covering their campaign launch. Then, an exclusive investigation from Conor Whitten on why some pregnant women are missing out on ultrasound scans. Maternity care is supposed to be free and available to every woman - but that isn't the case. And Health Minister David Clark has known about it for at least two years. And, the long-awaited Health and Disability Sector Review released this week could lead to a complete overhaul of our health system. We hear from review chair Heather Simpson. Plus will the real David Seymour please stand up? We are at home with the Act Party Leader, and take a ride in the car he built by hand as a teenager. And we’ll be joined by our political panel: RNZ presenter Mani Dunlop and former Act MP Heather Roy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hon John Tamihere

John Tamihere is Co-leader of the Māori Party and a former Labour MP in New Zealand. John discusses politics in New Zealand, his family ties to the Labour movement and Māori politics in a wider context. John is a 'Big Personality' in New Zealand, a former Cabinet Minister and someone who was once touted as a potential future Prime Minister. In 2019 he departed the Labour Party, ran for Mayor of Auckland and is now hoping to make his way back to Parliament. He also slips in a story about Sean Connery!

Matthew and Neale join Kathryn to talk about how the government is handling the Covid-19 outbreak and what options Cabinet has to ease the burden of the disease. They'll also look at delays to gun reform legislation, John Tamihere's decision to stand for the Maori Party and Jeanette Fitzsimon's legacy. Matthew Hooton is an Auckland based consultant and lobbyist. Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of Capital Government Relations.

Former Labour MP and Auckland mayoralty hopeful John Tamihere has confirmed he will stand for the Māori Party at this year's election.Following a tilt at the Auckland mayoralty Tamihere said the last thing he wanted to do was re-enter national politics.However he says he was approached by people asking him to represent them.Tamihere says his policies will unashamedly promote Māori matters, and he is aware that people will throw in his face that he was once a Labour MP.Māori Party co-founder Dame Tariana Turia told The Weekend Collective that Tamihere has the experience and knowledge that would make him a strong MP. She agreed with Tamihere's accusation that Labour's Māori MPs have been missing in action, as there are a number of issues that aren't being addressed."I could almost go through all the state agencies where there are significant issues taking place right now, and it's almost as if someone else is calling the shots, and those Māori MPs are definitely not speaking up."She does not believe that Tamihere's right-wing stance during the Auckland mayoralty will have much of an impact on any future coalition agreements, as they do not view it as a right or left issue. "It doesn't matter who the Government is, the fact of the matter is that none of them have the Maori knowledge to do the right thing for our people at the right time, and our job is to sit alongside of whoever the Government is. "It didn't matter if they were right or left or whatever, our job was to do the very best for our people."She says that she hopes that Māori people have "woken up" over Labour's broken promises.  

John Tamihere's announced a political comeback - and he's come out the gates swinging.The former Labour MP has confirmed he will stand for the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate in SAuckland for the Maori Party at this year's election.The seat is held by Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare - someone who Tamihere says has been missing in action on a number of occasions.He says he has worked and lived in the community, something the present incumbent has not done.Political commentator Ben Thomas and NZ Gardening editor Jo McCarroll joined Francesca Rudkin to discuss his electoral hopes and the other big stories of the week.LISTEN ABOVE 

John Tamihere, Sir Bob Jones, and Australia expands deportations by Q+A

Former Labour MP and Auckland mayoralty hopeful John Tamihere has confirmed he will stand for the Māori Party at this year’s election.Following a tilt at the Auckland mayoralty Tamihere said the last thing he wanted to do was re-enter national politics.However he says he was approached by people asking him to represent them.Tamihere says his policies will unashamedly promote Māori matters, and he is aware that people will throw in his face that he was once a Labour MP.Māori Party co-founder Dame Tariana Turia told The Weekend Collective that Tamihere has the experience and knowledge that would make him a strong MP. She agreed with Tamihere's accusation that Labour's Māori MPs have been missing in action, as there are a number of issues that aren't being addressed."I could almost go through all the state agencies where there are significant issues taking place right now, and it's almost as if someone else is calling the shots, and those Māori MPs are definitely not speaking up."She does not believe that Tamihere's right-wing stance during the Auckland mayoralty will have much of an impact on any future coalition agreements, as they do not view it as a right or left issue. "It doesn't matter who the Government is, the fact of the matter is that none of them have the Maori knowledge to do the right thing for our people at the right time, and our job is to sit alongside of whoever the Government is. "It didn't matter if they were right or left or whatever, our job was to do the very best for our people."She says that she hopes that Māori people have "woken up" over Labour's broken promises.  

Former Cabinet Minister and Auckland mayoralty hopeful John Tamihere is running for Parliament – and has started his campaign with a hit at the Government and Labour's 13 Māori MPs.Tamihere has been confirmed as the Māori Party's candidate for the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate in September's general election. The seat is held by Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare.Tamihere was last in Parliament 15 years ago, when he lost the seat to then Māori Party co-leader Sir Pita Sharples.In an exclusive interview with the Herald on Sunday, the 61-year-old said he decided to launch his political comeback because he believed the Labour Party's 13 Māori MPs had been silenced over major issues facing Māoridom; including Ihumātao and Whānau Ora funding.John Tamihere speaking at Mataatua Marae yesterday when he was confirmed as a candidate for the upcoming election. New Zealand Herald photograph / Brett Phibbs"I did not anticipate them being assimilated so early and contained so much," Tamihere said. "We no longer have a voice. It has been assimilated, subsumed and subjugated."The day that your advocates have been subjugated, their voice has been muffled into silence, then you no longer have any Māori advocacy."When told his former broadcasting colleague and Labour Party MP Willie Jackson would have a different take on Tamihere's views, he responded: "Well we have ex-mates and ex-cousins, and he [Jackson] is both."Tamihere was in Parliament between 1999-2005, including as Cabinet minister in Helen Clark's Government; holding the portfolios of Small Business, Youth Affairs, Statistics and Land Information.He resigned those posts in late 2004 after facing allegations surrounding financial dealings. Investigations, including one by the Serious Fraud Office, cleared him of any wrongdoing.Last year he unsuccessfully stood for the Auckland mayoralty, losing to incumbent Phil Goff by almost 100,000 votes.When asked why he wanted to have another crack at becoming an MP, Tamihere said: "Because you are a long time dead".Running for Parliament had not entered his mind during or immediately after his bid for the mayoralty, Tamihere said.He vowed he would offer an "unfettered, authentic Māori voice".Not only is Tamihere trying to resurrect his own political career, but so too is the party he is standing for.The Māori Party exited Parliament at the 2017 general election when it received just 1.2 per cent of the MMP party vote and failed to win an electorate seat.Tamihere believed there would be enough support within Māori for the party to return to Parliament on September 19, saying there was increased frustration in the way the Government was addressing critical issues such as Whānau Ora.The Government gave it an $80 million funding boost over four years in the 2019 Budget.But late last year several respected Māori leaders went public with their frustrations that some of that money was being used by non-Whānau Ora bodies.John Tamihere, centre, pictured with Sir Pita Sharples, Dame Tariana Turia, Rangi McLean, Dame Naida Glavish and Kaapua Smith yesterday. New Zealand Herald photograph / Brett PhibbsThat opposition included Whānau Ora's North Island commission agency chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, Dame Naida Glavish, Dame Tariana Turia, Lady Tureiti Moxon and Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, who wrote to PM Jacinda Ardern about it."Our negative social indicators need addressing and the only policy that works for that is Whānau Ora," Tamihere said."If this Government continues to destroy a programme that could lead to generational changes that mean we deliver positive and progressive Māori citizens, well, then you have to fight," he added."What Māori want, like all people, is decent health, welfare, education and housing. We are not getting a fair shake on social housing and kids require a base."The wrangle over Whānau Ora funding and the fact Labour secured all seven Māori electorates in 2017 would lead to "tension" on the campaign tr...

- Kelvin Davis on the ChCh shooter and the Māori prison population - Phil Goff vs John Tamihere on Auckland's future - Damien O'Connor on Fonterra's woes and new compliance costs for farmers - Sir Roger Douglas on the neo-liberal legacy and politics today

John Tamihere says as Auckland's mayor he would create an 0800 JACINDA hotline to call if residents see rough sleepers or beggars.Anyone who called the number would find a "person all loving and caring that knows everything about your wellbeing" on the other end, he said. A social worker would then be sent to work with the beggar.Homeless people causing a "nuisance" by sleeping rough would be asked to go with the social worker - or find themself in breach of the law, Tamihere said in a statement this afternoon as he released his begging and homelessness policy.Tamihere claimed he would also force social workers to change their work hours, working three shifts so they would be available around the clock."Under no circumstances should any Auckland citizen have a fit of conscience and believe they are doing any fellow Aucklander a favour by handing over donations to a beggar," he said."We have enough social workers in New Zealand, particularly in Auckland to deal with working one-on-one," Tamihere said."With each person found on the streets, social workers, like a lot of other workers in the supply side of our economy, must wake up to the fact that social work is a 24/7 job, and there will be a requirement that they work three shifts."Tamihere told the Weekend Collective homelessness is not a local government issue."The ratepayer in Auckland shouldn't be double taxed by having to fix homelesness which is a central government issue. It's as simple as that."That 0800 number is not up and running, and Tamihere says he wouldn't be worried if someone bought it out from under him."Doesn't matter. I've made the point."The council would also build more social housing under his leadership, in partnership with central Government.Tamihere said he was in the mayoral race because Phil Goff had decided there would be a cap on social housing on publicly owned ratepayer land.He said he had filed an urgent claim to the Human Rights Tribunal requesting that that policy be deemed a breach of Human Rights, particularly affecting superannuitants, beneficiaries and those earning under $80,000 per year."Council owns some of the most strategic and important land parcels that could bring an end to homelessness in the city, but more importantly they are brownfield sites close to transport and existing infrastructure."Last year's homeless count on September 17 found there were an estimated 800 people living without shelter in Auckland, and at least 2,874 people in temporary accommodation.But Tamihere called the count a "$500,000 political stunt" and said he didn't need that to know the number of homeless and rough sleepers or where they sleep."The millions of dollars that Auckland Council splurges on subsidising central Government failure must stop," he said.Homelessness was an issue for central Government, not local government or police, he said.

Possibly one of the reasons no-one bothers to vote in local body elections, is because they’re so damn petty. And because many of the issues raised are far fetched and ridiculous.Yesterday’s announcement from Auckland mayoral hopeful John Tamihere being case and point. John Tamihere says as Mayor (which I’m prepared to wager he won’t be) he’d create an 0800 JACINDA hotline for people to call if they see rough sleepers or beggars.There’s so much wrong with this idea already, but wait, there’s more.  Tamihere actually wants not only someone at the end of the phone line 24/7, but also one to one social workers available to attend to every homeless person - whether the homeless person wants it or not.The net result being getting the homeless person into social housing – which the Council will build in conjunction with central government.So here we have, what? Phil Twyford 2.0?It’s hard to know where to start with this but let’s start with the number.0800 Jacinda is stupid. It’s a cheap dig at the PM in what I assume is an attempt to make his point that homelessness is a central government issue.To also, I assume, mark his territory as a different political force to Phil Goff. In a bid to distance himself from his old party.The next crazy part is social workers available round the clock taking calls and rushing out to assist homeless people. How’s he achieving that? By making social workers work all hours.He said he would force social workers to change their work hours to work three shifts, because “they need to wake up to the fact social work’s a 24/7 job”.Wow, take that social workers. Ouch. Way to get social workers on board, insult them.He also claims there’s enough social workers to deal with the numbers of homeless, but also points out no one knows the exact numbers on homeless, so I’m not sure how you make that equation work, but it sounds Twyford-esque to me. So far, so nutty.He goes on to state he doesn’t know, or need to know, where the rough sleepers are.So here, roughly eight weeks out from the local body elections, we have another policy announcement, which can really only be viewed one way - as an attention seeking stunt.It’s an attempt to get more headlines. I guess it worked, because here I am talking about it.But what it’s also done is solidify in the mind of this Auckland local body voter that anyone petty enough to come up with an 0800 JACINDA number, doesn’t get my vote.

John Tamihere says as Auckland's mayor he would create an 0800 JACINDA hotline to call if residents see rough sleepers or beggars.Anyone who called the number would find a "person all loving and caring that knows everything about your wellbeing" on the other end, he said. A social worker would then be sent to work with the beggar.Homeless people causing a "nuisance" by sleeping rough would be asked to go with the social worker - or find themself in breach of the law, Tamihere said in a statement this afternoon as he released his begging and homelessness policy.Tamihere claimed he would also force social workers to change their work hours, working three shifts so they would be available around the clock."Under no circumstances should any Auckland citizen have a fit of conscience and believe they are doing any fellow Aucklander a favour by handing over donations to a beggar," he said."We have enough social workers in New Zealand, particularly in Auckland to deal with working one-on-one," Tamihere said."With each person found on the streets, social workers, like a lot of other workers in the supply side of our economy, must wake up to the fact that social work is a 24/7 job, and there will be a requirement that they work three shifts."The council would also build more social housing under his leadership, in partnership with central Government.Tamihere said he was in the mayoral race because Phil Goff had decided there would be a cap on social housing on publicly owned ratepayer land.He said he had filed an urgent claim to the Human Rights Tribunal requesting that that policy be deemed a breach of Human Rights, particularly affecting superannuitants, beneficiaries and those earning under $80,000 per year."Council owns some of the most strategic and important land parcels that could bring an end to homelessness in the city, but more importantly they are brownfield sites close to transport and existing infrastructure."Last year's homeless count on September 17 found there were an estimated 800 people living without shelter in Auckland, and at least 2,874 people in temporary accommodation.But Tamihere called the count a "$500,000 political stunt" and said he didn't need that to know the number of homeless and rough sleepers or where they sleep."The millions of dollars that Auckland Council splurges on subsidising central Government failure must stop," he said.Homelessness was an issue for central Government, not local government or police, he said.

John Tamihere says as Auckland's mayor he would create an 0800 JACINDA hotline to call if residents see rough sleepers or beggars.Anyone who called the number would find a "person all loving and caring that knows everything about your wellbeing" on the other end, he said. A social worker would then be sent to work with the beggar.Homeless people causing a "nuisance" by sleeping rough would be asked to go with the social worker - or find themself in breach of the law, Tamihere said in a statement this afternoon as he released his begging and homelessness policy.Tamihere claimed he would also force social workers to change their work hours, working three shifts so they would be available around the clock."Under no circumstances should any Auckland citizen have a fit of conscience and believe they are doing any fellow Aucklander a favour by handing over donations to a beggar," he said."We have enough social workers in New Zealand, particularly in Auckland to deal with working one-on-one," Tamihere said."With each person found on the streets, social workers, like a lot of other workers in the supply side of our economy, must wake up to the fact that social work is a 24/7 job, and there will be a requirement that they work three shifts."Tamihere told the Weekend Collective homelessness is not a local government issue."The ratepayer in Auckland shouldn't be double taxed by having to fix homelesness which is a central government issue. It's as simple as that."That 0800 number is not up and running, and Tamihere says he wouldn't be worried if someone bought it out from under him."Doesn't matter. I've made the point."The council would also build more social housing under his leadership, in partnership with central Government.Tamihere said he was in the mayoral race because Phil Goff had decided there would be a cap on social housing on publicly owned ratepayer land.He said he had filed an urgent claim to the Human Rights Tribunal requesting that that policy be deemed a breach of Human Rights, particularly affecting superannuitants, beneficiaries and those earning under $80,000 per year."Council owns some of the most strategic and important land parcels that could bring an end to homelessness in the city, but more importantly they are brownfield sites close to transport and existing infrastructure."Last year's homeless count on September 17 found there were an estimated 800 people living without shelter in Auckland, and at least 2,874 people in temporary accommodation.But Tamihere called the count a "$500,000 political stunt" and said he didn't need that to know the number of homeless and rough sleepers or where they sleep."The millions of dollars that Auckland Council splurges on subsidising central Government failure must stop," he said.Homelessness was an issue for central Government, not local government or police, he said.

Prospective politicians with hired hands from PR are flying kites in the media before committing to a campaign. Candidates running for office should be covered as news but can the media avoid being used for political publicity and market research?

Prospective politicians with hired hands from PR are flying kites in the media before committing to a campaign. Candidates running for office should be covered as news but can the media avoid being used for political publicity and market research?

COMMENT:The race to lead our biggest city is heating up.Auckland may or may not have a deja vu moment when John Banks tips his hat into the ring, again.But currently the city has a choice basically between Phil Goff, or John Tamihere.I'm not keen on either.I voted for Phil Goff last time round – but I don't think he's done a great job.The council is a still the disgruntled mess it always was, there are things still hopelessly out of control like Auckland's roads, infrastructure, transport and town planning.But I wouldn't vote for Tamihere either.His offensive comments a few years ago referring to some of his colleagues as "front bums", "queers" and "tossers" soured it for me.Do we need another Trump-esque name-caller in a position of power? I think not.There's also the roast busters scandal where he suffered public backlash after seemingly trivialising rape allegations on his radio show.He's keen on grabbing headlines and I'm not sure that makes you a safe bet.Sometimes it just makes you a person who makes a lot of noise.He'll sack the AT board, sell the ports, shake up the council-controlled organisations, he says.But to be a leader you have to actually show leadership and that goes further than finger-pointing and name-calling, it involves actually coming up with solutions.It also involves being able to work collaboratively alongside people, and not being overly sensitive to criticism.I don't think Tamihere has the traits needed, but Goff's been a bit of a damp squib too.So where to from here?Well at the risk of sounding like a gender equality preacher – where are the women? Not that a woman would necessarily be any better, but it'd be nice to have some variety in the race.This is 2019, come on.I grew up with Dame Cath Tizard as Mayor, the first woman to hold the title, she went on to be our first female Governor-General too.She was inspirational. I remember as a 15-year-old journalism student going to interview her for the school paper.She was full of passion, drive and enthusiasm, extremely accessible and very encouraging.Did I love her just because she was a woman and it was novel seeing one in that position? I don't know. I just know that I felt inspired by her.I don't believe in women having jobs for women's sake. I am a strong believer in the best person for the job.But if it's a choice between John Tamihere and Phil Goff, then no thanks.

On Newshub Nation this weekend: The gloves came off in the Auckland mayoral campaign when John Tamihere revealed he would partially privatise Watercare, a move Phil Goff labeled ‘dumb’. The two former Labour MPs meet in a live debate.Then, he’s National’s new finance spokesman, but who is Paul Goldsmith and will he ever be a finance heavyweight? Plus, the biggest development New Zealand cybersecurity has seen in years flew under the radar this week. We investigate what it means, and whether we’re still lagging behind.And how well do we really know our politicians? In the first of our new series Backstory, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson takes us home to Manurewa to meet her newborn granddaughter.And as always we will be joined by the panel to dissect the news of the week: AUT Senior Lecturer Dr Ella Henry, Political Commentator Matthew Hooton, and Radio New Zealand’s Susie Ferguson.

Watercare is refusing to be drawn into discussions about its possible privatisation, after Auckland Mayoral hopeful John Tamihere announced bold plans to sell off 49 per cent of the council owned organisation.In what appeared to be a shock to current Mayor Phil Goff, Tamihere told the crowd at a public meeting this morning that proceeds of the partial sale of the water company could instead be diverted to infrastructure.Tamihere's plan was revealed in the first head-to-head debate with Goff at a business breakfast at the North Harbour Club on the North Shore.It's the second part-privatisation plan so far throughout his campaign, after announcing in May that, if elected in October, he'd sell off Ports of Auckland but retain its land for future re-development.Watercare's chief operations officer Shane Morgan told Kate Hawkesby it's a political process he's not part of, and that he would not comment further. "I chose to come back to New Zealand after working for a number of public and private water utilities because I think this is the best city in the world to live in and I think this is the best water utility to work for."Goff has slammed the proposal, stating it would cause water rates to rise "substantially and burden lower-income families with high costs"."Privatising Watercare, whose assets are valued at around $10 billion, would force up the cost of water rates with any investor seeking a 7–10 per cent return on their investment," Goff said.But Tamihere told the Herald that Goff was "driving up rates anyway".However, he said his plan would lift the burden being inflicted on "the majority of Aucklanders earning less than $80,000"."To do that you have to open your eyes to where you've got possibilities to release a significant capital that is presently tied up and not providing any proper return on investment. And Watercare's assets are so large that it's not."

A sudden spate of advocacy ads this past week shows media should check the claims of people placing political propaganda before cashing their cheques.

A sudden spate of advocacy ads this past week shows media should check the claims of people placing political propaganda before cashing their cheques.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff today launched his bid for a second term, pledging to continue "building Auckland's Future" but providing no new policies and little in the way of detail behind the slogan."There are hard decisions that must be made over the next three years. None of it is easy. The challenges are immense," Goff told Labour MPs, councillors and other supporters at the Mt Albert Memorial Hall.In an exclusive interview with the "Herald" before the launch, Goff said general rates would increase by 3.5 per cent a year in his second term - an increase on the 2.5 per annual cent rate rises in his first term.The Mayor said he aimed to keep rates low in his first term against all the challenges and pressures on the cash-strapped council, but his long-term budget set rates increases of 3.5 per cent in his second term, which he would stick to.Goff told The Weekend Collective that over the last three years, Auckland has had the lowest rate increases across any city in New Zealand.He said the council consulted with the public about the next 10 years and the amount of investment needed. "The feedback that we got was in support, and almost all councillors voted for it in favour of, a 3.5 per cent general rate increase going forward."He says it would still make our rate increases amongst the lowest in the country. Goff says that you could have no rates increases, but then the city's infrastructure would remain stagnant and traffic would not improve. He says that the rest of the country can't pay for Auckland's problems. "We've got to put our share in, and we equally expect from the Government to have their matching share to tackle those problems."Phil Goff hopes to win a second term as mayor. (Photo / NZ Herald)Goff is placing trust at the centre of his campaign as he squares off against former Labour MP John Tamihere with former National MP Chris Fletcher as his running mate."This year's mayoral election is about who Aucklanders trust with the job of building the future of their city, and whose values and vision best matches up with their own," Goff said.He said he would be standing on his merits, integrity, skill, experience and trustworthiness.Tamihere has "welcomed" Phil Goff's announcement that he is seeking a second term but labelled him "a puppet for central government". Goff is standing as an independent with the endorsement of the Labour Party. On Goff's announcement, Tamihere said Goff had "stumbled" on a decision to seek re-election and claimed the incumbent was a "reluctant" candidate."It's game on. I've been waiting for Phil to make up his mind and I'm glad he has finally come to a decision," he said."Auckland desperately needs strong leadership and that's why I've committed to being Mayor for three terms if I am elected."Tamihere said there were huge problems in Auckland that Goff had "totally neglected"."In fact, they've got worse under his lack of leadership – and it's time we got these issues out in the open and got them sorted," he said.He told the Weekend Collective that he is a viable candidate there is deep dissatisfaction about leadership in the city.Tamihere said council spending and debt levels were also "out of control" and there had been huge cost blowouts in infrastructure projects."And Phil's the only mayor in New Zealand that has imposed new petrol taxes on his own people.However, Tamihere says that he cannot say that he will scrap the regional fuel tax."I've got to get the mandate and the votes of Aucklanders in order to have that conversation with the previous Government. I've got to go back down to Wellington re-negotiate." He says there is no other region with a such a prejudiced tax against it.  John Tamihere and running mate Chris Fletcher will challenge Phil Goff for the Auckland mayoralty. Photo / Michael Craig     

John Cowan interviews media personality and political commentator, John Tamihere.

A new year and new aspirations.It seems as though this week has been the week that players announce they’re in the game for local and national electoral responsibilities.Local body elections are in October of this year and the national elections are in November of next year and now people are putting their hands up.John Tamihere, the past Labour Minister, talkback host and rabble-rouser has put his name forward for Auckland Mayor, along with an unlikely running mate, Christine Fletcher.I spent some time wondering why Christine, from the genteel East, would go for a backyard brawler from the West and it appears it’s because a backyard brawler is exactly the person she thinks Auckland needs.Certainly, a number of commentators have said that Phil Goff is too much of a politician to be a great mayor. He’s the sort of guy that wants everyone to like him. JT doesn’t give a jot if you like him or not. He just wants to get stuff done.There’s at least one thing that he’s got right and that’s reigning in the bureaucrats. Rodney Hide’s creation of what is known as Council Controlled Organisations was one of the strangest mind melts ever. Simply because it’s so hard for the Council to control or direct the organisations. Leaving unelected and unaccountable invisible men and women to determine the direction of our biggest city.Meanwhile, on a National level, there are movements afoot.One is a blue-green party possibly headed by Vernon Tava, a political commentator who has been with the Greens and flirted with National. The idea behind a blue-green party is to appeal to the people who aren’t socialists but are concerned about the environment. The thought is that it would provide a coalition partner for National.I’m not sure it would work though. The party would struggle to get to the 5 per cent threshold and the voters it might attract are more likely to come from National. After all, there are already two green parties in New Zealand, the Greens and Labour, and green voters haven’t been crying out for a drier economic policy.The other is a new conservative party and the former rugby and league chief, Davis Moffett is involved. David is one of those old fashioned conservatives. The ones who think that socialism, identity politics and feminism is dragging us into an abyss.A party like that could weaken New Zealand First and so I think it has more of a chance than the blue greens.I’ve always thought a conservative party is a goer but too many have hitched themselves to a religious horse. And one thing that conservatives have always struggled with is, knowing what they stand for. By that I mean they vociferously know what they don’t like and who they don’t like.They’re a little too defined by their enemies which means they get a little lost when asked for leadership.But we will seeWhat I do like is that Vernon, and JT and David are standing up and getting involved and that’s a good thing.

I have watched John Tamihere from a distance, but became especially interested in his research on Auckland Council, when I read an article of his in the Herald on November 9th. In the article John mentions Penny Bright’s ‘relentless requests’ for council to open its books. As Alan Preston and I have a petition now in parliament asking, in Penny’s words, “that the House of Representatives undertake an urgent inquiry into whether Auckland Council has failed to comply with the statutory requirements of section 17(1) of the Public Records Act 2005”, I contacted John to see if he would meet me. Since meeting John, I have discovered a petition by Susan Wann that requests “that the House of Representatives conduct an independent inquiry into Auckland Council's performance, including financial accountability, and then pass legislation reforming Auckland's local government.” So people are beginning to wake up to Auckland Council’s lack of financial performance and transparency, particularly around CCOs (Council Controlled Organisations) or Costly Creations as John has referred to them as. Private procurement, or “contracting out” of public services, (formerly provided in-house under the public service model), is now often done under contract management. If there is no cost-benefit analysis which proves that privatisation is more cost-effective for ratepayers, then questions must be asked. Both Susan Wann’s and my petition have been sent to the Governance and Administration Committee in parliament. NZ law is very clear on the requirement for transparency in public spending: Section 17(1) of the Public Records Act 2005 says: “Requirement to create and maintain records (1) Every public office and local authority must create and maintain full and accurate records of its affairs, in accordance with normal, prudent business practice, including the records of any matter that is contracted out to an independent contractor.” John has discovered that $1.049 billion needs disclosure on via just 6 CCOs in the last annual reports. See his Herald article below where he also exposes the massive salaries of the CEOs of those 6 organisations. John says there is a need for whistleblowers. John is very clear that people are waking to the fact that the Emperor has no clothes! However he feels that we need to reset our culture. He says, “Kiwis are not stupid, they are waking up”. He talks about the government’s next budget that is being called the Wellbeings Budget, where success will be measured by wellbeing. He is hopeful it will bring change. He says supply-side economics has failed us and we need to acknowledge that. Supply-side economics is a macroeconomic theory arguing that economic growth can be most effectively created by lowering taxes and decreasing regulation and is often referred to as Rogernomics in New Zealand. After 30 years of it we have our profits going offshore and the gap between rich and poor has increased exponentially. I asked John to imagine he was mayor, and what was the first thing he would do to rectify some of the issues we had raised. He replied, Clean the house”! He would like to keep democracy safe and one way to do that would be to appoint an integrity unit which in effect would be an ombudsman. Corruption must be addressed. He spoke about recycling and homelessness, cycleways and a variety of issues. He talked warmly of compassion and integrity and how we must not lose our humanity. Also democracy must not be retired to Netflix! Only 36% voted in the last local body elections and while some people don’t bother, others move house and so may not receive their voting papers. John Tamihere Bio: JT as is he is affectionately known - is one of Māoridom’s greatest enigmas. Whether it has been battling in the political arena, where JT served two terms as a Government Minister or going toe-to-toe with iwi leadership over the rights of urban Māori, JT has never wavered from advocating for the rights and mana of his people. Brought up by a rugby league loving Māori father and staunchly Catholic Pākehā mother, JT’s parents were a huge influence and encouraging force in his life. Born 10th of 12 children, JT was the first to attend university, graduating with a double degree in arts and law. In 1988, he was the youngest Regional Manager, Department of Māori Affairs and the youngest District Solicitor for Waikato Maniapoto Land District. JT was appointed as CEO of West Auckland’s Waipareira Trust as Waitangi Treaty settlements with the Crown were being settled. But urban Māori were given no concessions or rights and JT, despite his own iwi affiliations, took the Wai414 Claim to the Waitangi Tribunal and later the Privy Council in London to address this injustice. The legal ruling of the Wai414 Claim recognised urban Māori under the Treaty. That win catapulted JT into politics and he easily won the Hauraki Electorate for Labour, also appointed Chair of the Māori Affairs Select Committee. There was consensus that JT would become our first Māori Prime Minister, after winning the Tāmaki Makaurau seat in 2002 and promoted to Cabinet, that view seemed on track. In 2005, JT left parliament, returning to Whānau Waipareira, where he has grown the organisation’s balance sheet by 90%, while establishing Waipareira as a local, national and internationally recognised whānau, who deploy services across an integrated framework. He has also led the establishment of North Island Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency Te Pou Matakana. JT remains lead negotiator Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki and Chair of Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki and a Māori appointment on the Māori TV Board. JT’s vision, leadership and genuine crossover appeal with Pākehā, has become a loss to politics but a major victory for urban Māori. -------------------------------------------------------------   Here is John Tamihere’s Herald article, “Shine a Light on these Costly Creations,” https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=12156805&fbclid=IwAR2MvKVzEL6FR7qKJKmrRyUf7v1HjcAx8X71gOLS7Zz8ucX2qSfi4q-Z8Kk Lisa Er and Alan William Preston’s petition press release http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1809/S00290/is-auckland-council-complying-with-the-public-records-act.htm