Podcasts about Waitangi

On Friday last week, the consultation process for the proposed new English curriculum for intermediate and high school students ended. The proposed English curriculum will result in senior high school students learning Shakespeare and 19th-century texts, and spelling and keyboard lessons for younger students. However, concerns have been raised that the proposed curriculum is ‘Eurocentric,' does not engage with Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and lacks Māori and Pacific text. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Claudia Rozas — a lecturer in Critical Studies at the University of Auckland, about why elements of te ao Māori should be incorporated into the English curriculum and the importance of Māori and Pacific text being engaged with.

Greetings Glocal Citizens! We're picking up more momentum toward African progress sharing the stories of dynamic diasporans making impact in the reparatory justice space. On the eve of Africa Day, I attended the premier screening of Omitted, a short film exploring reparatory justice and the legacies of colonialism by Lavinya Stennett, founder of The Black Curriculum. Raised in the UK with Jamaican roots, she founded The Black Curriculum in 2019 at age 22 shortly after finishing her studies at London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) which included a study abroad program in New Zealand. Her learning and experience with indigenous communities in New Zealand joined with her activism as a student at SOAS are the framework for the craft of truthtelling that is at the core of The Black Curriculum. Believing in the power of education, social impact and youth social entrepreneurship, her work has been recognised globally from Vogue and GQ to the historic Freedom of the City of London Award in 2024. She also has written on social and cultural themes throughout the African diaspora for outlets including the Guardian, Black Ballad, Quartz Africa. Expanding her entrpreneurship journey, in 2024 Lavinya co-founded the Racial Impact Collective, an initiative supporting social entrepreneurs and seeking equity in the grant making world. The future is brighter with knowing that there is a generation fo social innovators with creative talents like Lavinya committed to justice for marginalized peoples. Where to find Lavinya? https://www.lavinyastennett.co.uk TheBlackCurriculum.com (https://theblackcurriculum.com) On LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/lavinya-stennett-frsa-022290104) On Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theblackcurriculum/) On Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/theblackcurriculum) On YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ3q6lnCyT5dMgTPbVRjPDw/featured) What's Lavinya reading? Material World (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/703268/material-world-by-ed-conway/) by Ed Conway Free: Coming of Age at the End of History (https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393867732) by Lea Ypi Other topics of interest: Portland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Parish) and Saint Thomas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Thomas_Parish,_Jamaica), Jamaica Barbados (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbados) and the Welcome Stamp Visa (https://www.visitbarbados.org/barbados-welcome-stamp) - Note: the capital is Bridgetown, not Christ Church The SOAS Walter Rodney Prize (https://www.facebook.com/SOASHistory/posts/the-walter-rodney-prizethe-walter-rodney-prize-fund-recognises-student-excellenc/2737891912931953/) Dream New Scholarship (https://www.european-funding-guide.eu/scholarship/dream-new-scholarship) Univrsity of Waikato (https://www.waikato.ac.nz/int/) About the Treaty of Waitangi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Waitangi) and the latest on the protest haka in the New Zealand's Parliament seen around the globe (linkhttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/5/new-zealand-parliament-suspends-maori-mps-who-performed-protest-haka) About Omitted production partner, Transmission (https://www.wearetransmission.com) About Peace First (https://peacefirst.org) Special Guest: Lavinya Stennett.

The recommended suspension for Te Pāti Māori MPs, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, over the MP's haka in Parliament during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill last year. Co-leaders Ngarewa-Packer and Waititi will be suspended from the House for 21-days, with Maipi-Clarke facing a seven day suspension. This is Parliament's harshest sanctions in the country's history. Prior to this, the longest suspension an MP had faced in Parliament was three days. The debate had previously been delayed so that the MPs could participate in the Budget debate — however, both co-leaders were not present at the debate. During the debate MP Tākuta Ferris said that the debate was not about the haka, but at the heart, it was the House continuing to ignore Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori sovereignty, and that the “racism” in the House is hardly being hidden. For our weekly catch-up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Kemp about the suspension, and what's next for the party. They also discussed NZ First Party Leader Winston Peters' comments regarding Waititi's moko, referring to the MPs moko kanohi as “scribbles”. He was asked to apologise by the Speaker, which he did. But first, they discussed the suspension of the MPs.

I cannot recommend a piece of reading enough in the Listener, and reproduced elsewhere, on a longitudinal study that now spans 35 years and 12 elections. It's gripping. A couple thousand people each election are given dozens of questions. Its weakness is some of the questions are vague enough to throw up responses around things like health care and public services. We like them and we want more, no surprises there. But how much more? What if the money is wasted? We don't get to know that stuff. The David Lange Government of 1984 blew it big time, went way too far and upset too many people. I remember it well. We love strong leaders. We are more socially conservative than you might think. The electoral system doesn't represent what we actually want, or like. We like the death penalty, yet we've never had it. There are two highlights for me: Labour's moves around Māori and introducing Treaty of Waitangi principles into some legislation. The majority of us, decades ago, didn't want it. We don't have the 2023 results yet, but I bet you nothing has changed. Which I would have thought would lead you to ask, why hasn't it been fixed? It's a bad idea that's been allowed to fester and cause ongoing angst and upset for decades. Secondly, there are signs of increasing dissatisfaction, concern and unhappiness. The authors say it's not like the 90's. I remember the 90's. It was Ruth Richardson and Jenny Shipley. It was welfare reform, the mother of all Budgets, the burning of effigies on Parliament grounds. You can see the edginess these days with similar discourse and protest. But it's suggested political polarisation has declined over the past decade. Really? Do you believe that? I don't. I don't think we have ever been more divided and never been more stark in our views of the country and the world. Social media, distrust, fake news, polarising views and stands – I have no idea how they've concluded this. Read it and see if you disagree. But on most stuff, we haven't changed. The times change, the circumstances change but, broadly, we don't. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last Thursday Budget 2025, the “Growth” Budget, was announced. As part of the Budget, there were significant changes to Kiwisaver. There are also new eligibility limits for 18 and 19-year-olds to access benefits, based on parental income. And the ACT Party's Regulatory Standards Bill has passed its first reading and is now before the Finance and Expenditure Committee. The bill has been criticised for its potential effect on the place of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our laws.  For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke with Shanan Halbert about both of these issues.

Dr Vincent O'Malley FRHistS FRSNZ is an award-winning and bestselling historian who has written and published extensively on the history of Māori and settler relations in New Zealand. His book Voices from the New Zealand Wars/He Reo nō ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa (BWB, 2021) won New Zealand's premier book award for non-fiction in 2022, and he received a Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement that same year. In 2023, he was awarded the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi's Humanities Aronui Medal. Dr O'Malley is a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi and a founding partner of HistoryWorks, which specialises in Treaty of Waitangi research. His publications include:"Kingitanga and Crown: New Zealand's Maori King movement and its relationship with the British monarchy." In Crowns and Colonies: European Monarchies and Overseas Empire, 163-176. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2016. The Great War for New Zealand: Waikato 1800–2000. Wellington: Bridget Williams Books, 2016. The New Zealand Wars/Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa. Wellington: Bridget Williams Books, 2019. Voices from the New Zealand Wars/He Reo nō ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa. Wellington: Bridget Williams Books, 2021.

The Waitangi Tribunal have called for govt to immediately halt the Regulatory Standards Bill from progressing forward, noting the bill in its current state would constitute a breach of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.A report by the Auditor General found that budget cuts to Oranga Tamariki left the organisation poorly equipped to do its job.Over in the US, Democratic representative Jasmine Crockett finds the perfect way to demonstrate that Trans people are not the enemy, the President is.Plus memes and more to send you off into the weekend!=================================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 Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

There's concerns and fears among some that the Regulatory Standards Bill sidelines te Tiriti o Waitangi. The ACT Party bill aims to reduce regulation, claiming it'll create standards for 'good legislation'. The Waitangi Tribunal is meeting to discuss the legislation's failure to include the Treaty in those standards. Ngati Toa CEO Helmut Modlik says ACT pushed it quickly through consultation before introducing it. "They've been a bit naughty beggars where they've truncated the time-frame - rushing it through so that it can quickly get to the phase where the Tribunal has no jurisdiction." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government plans to remove the legal requirement for the early learning sector to acknowledge Maori as tangata whenua, support children's cultural confidence, and teach about Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In-Depth te ao Maori Journalist Ella Stewart reports.

The Head of English at an Auckland college says he won't teach the proposed new English curriculum and is urging other teachers to boycott it too. The draft curriculum released earlier this month comes with a list of suggested texts including Arthur Miller's the Crucible, Edgar Allan Poe's the raven,1984 by George Orwell and Dubliners by James Joyce. The draft document makes no mention of Te Mataiaho a learning frame work grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Northcote College head of English David Taylor spoke to Lisa Owen.

In part two of my conversation with Dame Anne Salmond, we go deeper - into wānanga (the meeting of ideas), into te ao Māori (Māori worldview), and into the kind of thinking that could help us live better together. Dame Anne speaks about her decades-long relationship with her Māori mentors, Eruera and Amiria Stirling, and how those relationships rewired her understanding of the world. We talk about what it means to live in a relational way - and how te reo Māori doesn’t just name the world, it can reshape it. This kōrero makes space for where anthropology meets awe, and scholarship meets soul. We also talk about tapu and mana, and how those concepts aren’t just beautiful - they are power filled. We discuss Te Tiriti o Waitangi, not as a document of rights and rules, but as a sacred gift exchange rooted in respect. We touch on binary thinking, politics, creativity, and the purpose of universities - and why the best ideas are born in spaces where words can be blown about by the wind and shone on by the sun. This conversation is a gift. It’s a call back to care, and forward into complexity, beauty, and balance. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker.Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support

Maori have been protesting in large numbers, in a 9-day hikoi or march of defiance, walking from the top of New Zealand down to the capital Wellington, joined by non-Maori supporters too. They're demonstrating against the current right-of-centre New Zealand government's moves to abolish certain Maori-specific rights and privileges, that the previous centre-left government had set up to help combat Maori disadvantage. For example, a Maori Health Authority had tried to tackle health inequalities that mean Maori live seven years less than other New Zealanders. Maori also come bottom in statistics for employment, housing and education, but are overrepresented in prison.Now a law proposal about the principles of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, would do away with what has been a form of affirmative action, and instead treat everyone the same, regardless of heritage.Some feel this is necessary to achieve proper equality. Others feel that Maori progress will be undone and inequality entrenched.

In the end it was kind of an anticlimax. After almost 18 months of anger, obfuscation, hīkoi and haka, and hundreds of thousands of submissions, the Treaty Principles Bill was voted down in fairly emphatic style. I suspect the majority of New Zealanders are so over it. Looking back, I'd say David Seymour and ACT largely got what they wanted. Te Pāti Māori were perhaps even greater political beneficiaries. And the whole saga will endure as a bit of a stain on Christopher Luxon's tenure as Prime Minister. It was telling that once again, just as for the first reading, this week's vote was scheduled for a time when the PM wasn't in the house. I think being there and suffering through it would have shown greater leadership. I watched the speeches in Parliament and thought David Seymour was right in his observation. Almost none actually considered the substance of the government's defined Treaty principles. Like most of the debate outside of Parliament, they were all emotion. At times, I think what was supposed to be a constitutional debate was boiled down to pretty a basic and unedifying level: pro-Māori vs anti-Māori! Personally, I tried to engage with the detail of the bill in good faith. I think one of the most underrated qualities in people is a genuine capacity to think critically or even change your mind. It's a curiously strange thing these days to come across someone who doesn't instantly default to their team or side. It seemed to me though that there was a fundamental problem with proposed principles. They didn't accurately reflect what the Treaty actually says. Te Tiriti specifically guarantees Māori tino rangatiratanga. It has, if you like, a Māori-specific carve-out that did not appear in ACT's interpretation. In my view, that absence was absolutely critical. Many of the bill's opponents accused ACT of a cynical approach to the debate. I can't speak for the party's motivations, but I do think the most honest approach would have been to define the principles by what is clearly said in the Treaty, rather than what anyone thinks should be said in the Treaty. And that leads me to my final point: the Treaty is clearly an imperfect document. The English and Māori versions say different things. There is no returning New Zealand to 1840, and in the context of the modern day, it's clunky. I do think David Seymour's broader desire about more purposefully defining the Treaty's application and meaning in modern New Zealand, is a good one (or at least worthy of more consideration). For example, I wonder if 200 years from its signing, New Zealand should aspire towards developing some sort of a written constitution underpinned by the Treaty, that gives it better and clearer effect in the modern World. I think the Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi was meant to unify New Zealand. If we're honest, this debate probably had the opposite effect. But I still have faith that once the dust settles, we can collectively find a way to constructively have these conversations and move Aotearoa forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers JAMIE ARBUCKLE to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Maori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: Have Maori-Crown relations improved since the coalition Government took office? KATIE NIMON to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the fiscal policy response to economic shocks? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Education: Is she committed to the purpose of the Education and Training Act 2020 that establishes and regulates an education system that "honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and supports Maori-Crown relationships"; if so, how? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: Does he accept evidence that a person struck by a vehicle travelling at 30 km/h has a 90 percent chance of surviving, dropping to only 20 percent if hit at 50 km/h; if so, will he listen to the pleas from school principals, aged care residents, and communities who want to keep safer speeds of 30 km/h? Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN to the Minister for Disability Issues: Does she stand by her statement, "That is why we are prioritising disabled people, their families, and carers"; if so, is she confident that all Government agencies are acting in the best interests of disabled people? TAKUTA FERRIS to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: What assurances can he provide, if any, that his proposed fisheries reforms will not diminish Maori customary gathering rights or the ability of New Zealanders to gather kai moana to feed their whanau? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister of Housing: Can he guarantee that cutting a net 673 roles at Kainga Ora will not impact any front-line services, including those working with the Ministry of Social Development to place people in public housing? Dr CARLOS CHEUNG to the Minister of Housing: What reports has he seen on the housing market? SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister of Education: What evidence, if any, does she have that supports the removal of the relationship and sexuality education guidelines? MILES ANDERSON to the Associate Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made about the Ashburton Bridge? Dr PARMJEET PARMAR to the Minister for Children: What recent announcements has she made regarding a safety-first approach for Oranga Tamariki?

Is it gall, is it cheek, or is it comedic? The Waitangi Tribunal has been reviewed, and the review recommends it needs more people and more money. It is strained, says the review. They are of course technically correct. It is strained because the Waitangi Tribunal is busy. It is busy with “urgent”, and we use that word loosely, numbers of gripes and grievances around the general state and status of Māori, or more accurately, a small selection of Māori who have seen for years and decades now the Tribunal as an almost endless source of respite in their never-ending list of grievances. This is a classic make-work programme. Puff your chest out, inflate your sense of self-importance, busy yourself with a myriad of invented tasks and then in the review, guess what? You are overworked and under-resourced. The Government is going to do something about all this and, unfortunately for people like me, they are not moving nearly fast enough. As we have said a number of times, the Tribunal is well past its useful life. The idea that it addressed historic wrongs has come and gone. Deadlines should have been placed years ago on those wanting to argue their case, with expiry dates on applications and negotiations. All Governments have failed miserably to this point on the discipline required in that area. But now it's down to ongoing dabbling in matters of the day that carry no weight and have a growing amount of political agitation about them. It's simply a jacked-up, grievance mechanism funded by the taxpayer to supply ammo to the gravy-trainers for an ongoing, if not neverending, list of woe. It takes gall in a broke country with cutbacks all around you to then go and ask for yet more resource. But then that's the Tribunal isn't it? Political, wasteful, past its use-by-date and clearly arrogant. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, the Justice Select Committee has called for the Treaty Principles Bill to be thrown away. This comes as an analysis by Newsroom shows that 90% of public submissions were against the bill. The committee accepted close to 300,000 public submissions, with 90% opposing the bill, roughly 270,000, 8% in support, and 2% indifferent. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the spokesperson for Toitu te Tiriti and Professional Teaching Fellow in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland, Eru Kapa-Kingi, about these recent developments and how he believes the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti has come into play regarding the public submission protest. They also spoke to Māori Studies Professor at the University of Auckland and Chair of Te Rūnanga-ā-Iwi o Ngāti Kahu, Margaret Mutu, also about these recent developments, and how Te Tiriti o Waitangi is viewed in the country overall.

The draft secondary school English curriculum is ringing alarm bells for some teachers. The document contains no reference to Te Mataiaho - the framework that underpins every other curriculum area.Teachers say that's bizarre and they are worried it is part of a move push the Treaty of Waitangi out of schools. Education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Questions to Ministers RYAN HAMILTON to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What is his reaction, if any, to the Kaiwhakahaere for Ngati Ruanui's statement regarding proposed changes to the RMA that "This move breaches both our settlement and the Government's obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi"? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister of Justice: How is the Government progressing with its plan to restore stronger consequences for crime? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she agree that the Treasury is the Government's lead economic and financial adviser; if so, does she have confidence in advice from the Treasury? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Maori Development: Is he across everything in his portfolio; if not, why not? SAM UFFINDELL to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent announcement has she made about the Annual General Adjustment? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister for Children: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? Dr CARLOS CHEUNG to the Minister of Police: What recent reports has he seen on the effectiveness of the community beat teams? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by his statement regarding record levels of methamphetamine in waste-water testing, "Well, I don't know whether that's dealers dumping methamphetamine"; if not, why not? SCOTT WILLIS to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement that "Our Government is focused on delivering timely, quality healthcare for all New Zealanders"; if so, has he contracted the build of the inpatient building for the Dunedin Hospital yet? Question to Member Hon Dr DUNCAN WEBB to the Chairperson of the Justice Committee: Will he report the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill to the House before all submissions have been processed and considered by members?

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says compromises will need to be made in reforming the Resource Management Act. The Government's replacing the Act with a new planning framework, including rules around land development and environment protections. It's seeking cross-party support. Hipkins told Mike Hosking the country's administration can't keep putting infrastructure projects on hold. He says that if there are projects underway, even if they're not the administration's first choice, they'll keep doing them. Labour also wants clarity around the Treaty of Waitangi's role in the reform. Cabinet's decided on ruling out incorporating a Treaty clause in the legislation, despite the Expert Advisory Group recommending the current clause be carried over. Hipkins told Mike Hosking they want to make sure Treaty settlements are respected. He says saying you want to respect the Treaty but then saying you don't want to put it into law is contradictory. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Libelle, one of the three providers of the school lunch programme went into liquidation. The company provided around 125,000 lunches daily.  Compass Group, one of the other key providers of the programme stepped in on Friday to acquire and take over Libelle's operations.  Despite this save, Compass group has been no stranger to issues since the programme was launched. With repeated incidents of late or no delivery, melted plastic in food, frozen food, food so hot it burnt children and ham being given to halal students - to name a few.  For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about how the liquidation may affect the already controversial programme.  They also discussed NZ First's Members Bill looking to scrap Diversity, Equity and Inclusion targets… as well as the ACT Party's continued critiques of the University of Auckland's compulsory Te Tiriti o Waitangi course. 

Today on the show... Should all first-year students at Auckland University be forced to study the Treaty of Waitangi? The university says it’s about understanding our country better, but critics - including Act Leader David Seymour - call it indoctrination. Is this academic progress, or just another politically-driven move? Let’s dive in. Can you buy a house without a massive deposit or a bank loan? Chris Smith thinks so. His company, Bloxx, is offering a new way to get on the property ladder - starting with just 1% down and payments similar to rent. But is the system ready for such a shake-up? We break it all down. And some Letters to the Editor! Website: https://www.rova.nz/home/podcasts/duncan-garner---editor-in-chief.html Instagram: @DuncanGarnerpodcast TikTok: @DuncanGarnerpodcast

The Act Party's putting the pressure on Auckland University to say goodbye to its compulsory ‘Waipapa Taumata Rau' course. The near $6 thousand paper covers the Treaty of Waitangi and traditional Māori tikanga for first year students. Leader David Seymour told Mike Hosking students within his Epsom electorate are upset. He says constituents have told him they aren't interested in the course and view it as a perversion of academic freedom. The university says the course offers core knowledge and skills to help transition students into tertiary reduction, and set them up for success. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers HUHANA LYNDON to the Minister for Maori Development: Does he stand by his appointment of Richard Prebble to the Waitangi Tribunal in light of Prebble's comments on his resignation; if so, why? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the Government's fiscal position? TAKUTA FERRIS to the Minister for Maori Development: Does he believe the Waitangi Tribunal plays a critical role in holding the Government accountable for its actions or omissions that breach Te Tiriti o Waitangi? JENNY MARCROFT to the Minister for Rail: What recent announcements has he made on the Cook Strait ferries programme? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement that "Recent data releases are consistent with a growing New Zealand economy"; if so, what impact does inflation in international economies have on New Zealand's growth? JOSEPH MOONEY to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent announcements has she made about boosting tourism in New Zealand? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister for Rail: Does he stand by his statement regarding the new Cook Strait ferries that by the end of March 2025, "We're going to be able to announce who's in the game, what they're aiming for, and what the cost will be"; if so, is he on track to do so? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister for Mental Health: What announcements has he made this week regarding the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister of Housing: Does he believe that State housing is important for growing the supply of affordable housing; if so, why is the Government opting for zero growth in State housing beyond next year? Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR to the Minister for Trade and Investment: What impacts does he think the imposition of tariffs by the Trump presidency will have on New Zealand exporters and importers? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister for Women: What is the Government doing to support women?

Questions to Ministers TAKUTA FERRIS to the Minister for Maori Development: Does he believe this Government is upholding its obligations to Maori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi? RYAN HAMILTON to the Minister for Infrastructure: What recent announcements has he made about going for growth in infrastructure? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What recent announcements has she made about the new traffic light system? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she agree with the Salvation Army's State of the Nation 2025 report that "During 2024, access to hardship grants was reducing as Work and Income tightened eligibility for assistance, at the same time as the number of children living in families needing this assistance was increasing"; if not, what are her expectations for how applications for hardship assistance are assessed and granted? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How many people are currently unemployed compared to this time last year? SUZE REDMAYNE to the Minister of Agriculture: What is the Government doing to support the New Zealand red meat sector? LAN PHAM to the Minister for the Environment: Does she expect environmental protection to improve or get worse under her tenure as Minister? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister for Children: How many participants in the military-style academy programme have reoffended since participating, and how many are currently in youth justice facilities? JOSEPH MOONEY to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What steps has the Government recently announced to improve competition? Hon PEENI HENARE to the Minister of Health: Is he satisfied with the Government's performance in the health portfolio across the motu? TODD STEPHENSON to the Associate Minister of Justice: What updates can she provide regarding consultation on the rewrite of the Arms Act 1983?

The Cook Islands prime minister, Mark Brown, has provoked the wrath of NZ's foreign minister with his decision to head to China to sign a new strategic deal. By failing to consult on the pact, says Winston Peters, the Cook Islands was in breach of commitments made as a member of the New Zealand realm. Toby Manhire, Annabelle Lee-Mather and Ben Thomas put on their geopolitical goggles to assess the strain in relations, which comes as the tussle between China and the United States for influence in the Pacific enters a new phase, marked by Donald Trump pursuing an isolationist approach. Plus: How did Tama Potaka and co perform at Waitangi last week, and did Christopher Luxon come up with some new material for Ngāi Tahu in Akaroa? Join NZ's favourite political podcast live in Auckland on 9th April at Q Theatre. Host Toby Manhire will be joined by Annabelle Lee-Mather (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Māmoe) (executive producer of The Hui) and Ben Thomas (former press secretary in the Key government) as they boldly step out of the studio and in front of an audience to cast a curious and caustic eye on New Zealand politics. Tickets on sale now at thespinoff.co.nz/events Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political commentators Dale Husband & Brigitte Morten

In this week's Focus on Politics, Lillian Hanly goes to Waitangi and experiences the manaakitanga, the politics, and the ceremony of New Zealand's national day. Thousands of people make the trip north each year to the place where Te Tiriti was first signed - though this year, the prime minister was notably absent.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Gedit, Gedit Friday! We are back Shifters! Did you miss us... Today's show is special, as today we sit down with a lady who has a beautiful soul, a selfless heart and a mesmerizing way of speaking! Prof. Ella Henry. We thought there would be no better time to have her in studio with Waitangi day being only yesterday. We got Prof Ella Henry to talk about her stance on what is going on here in Aotearoa! Hit that link below to stay caught up with anything and everything TMS. www.facebook.com/groups/3394787437503676/ We dropped some merch! Use TMS for 10% off. Here is the link: youknow.co.nz/collections/tms-merch-v2 Thank you to the team at Chemist Warehouse for helping us keep the lights on, here at The Morning Shift... www.chemistwarehouse.co.nz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A passive protest at the pōwhiri. A prime minister avoiding the Treaty Grounds. A “very interesting” idea about a possible te Tiriti Commissioner. In case you haven't noticed, it's been a pretty full on Waitangi week, and The Spinoff's unofficial Māori unit has been there to witness it all. Recorded on the sandy shores of the mighty North, guest hosts Liam Ratana and Lyric Waiwiri-Smith (along with regular producer Te Aihe Butler) discuss the problem of David Seymour, Tama Potaka's messy kūpapa-kaupapa wordplay, the (seemingly undercooked) te Tiriti Commission proposal, and what we'd like to see at Waitangi in 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When National's Maori Development Minister stood to speak at Waitangi on Wednesday - he was met with protest. Normally, speaking on the paepae on behalf of the party would be the role of the Prime Minister - but Christopher Luxon chose to attend a different Waitangi event in the South Island. As Tama Potaka began to speak, women cloaked in red stood from their seats, turned their backs towards him with tears running down their faces. A similar respose was also given to ACT Party leader David Seymour and NZ First Shane Jones. Tama Potaka spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss.

Waitangi National Trust chairperson Pita Tipene spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss,

This year's festivities at Waitangi are over - capping off a week filled with crowds, celebration, spectacle and debate. Yesterday there were two separate dawn ceremonies and a colourful waka launch as thousands turned out to mark the signing of New Zealand's founding document. Maori news journalist Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira filed this report.

A "circus" and a "cheap stunt." That's how NZ First's Shane Jones is labelling an interuption during the powhiri for politicians at Waitangi today. He even went so far as to say funding for the Waitangi National Trust could be reconsidered in future if the Waitangi National Trust doesn't tidy up the tikanga. But Ngapuhi elders are defending the day, and the Trust chair said it ran superbly. Political reporter Lillian Hanly is at Waitangi and filed this report.

ACT Party leader David Seymour faced the wrath of Ngapuhi and Toitu Te Tiriti at Waitangi today, briefly losing his microphone and getting drowned out by song when he spoke. He was among government MPs welcomed in a tense powhiri, where some of their speeches were rejected. Maori News Journalist Tuwenuaroa Natanahira was there and filed this report.

A rousing waiata from one of the highest judges in the land hit the right note at Waitangi today, as the Waitangi Tribunal, members of the judiciary and foreign diplomats were welcomed. Their visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Tribunal, set for October and follows a busy year investigating a record number of urgent claims. At one stage Supreme Court judge, Justice Joe Williams, burst into song. Maori news journalist Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira was there and filed this report.

Protests, challenges and fiery debate are expected as government ministers front up for Wednesday morning's political pōwhiri in Waitangi. Political reporter Lillian Hanly is in Waitangi.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins will be among politicians welcomed onto the Treaty Grounds on Wednesday, although the Prime Minister will be absent, opting to commemorate Waitangi Day with Ngai Tahu in Akaroa tomorrow instead. Hipkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Government ministers have arrived in Waitangi for Wednesday morning's political pōwhiri. Coalition partners Winston Peters and David Seymour will be there, but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will not. RNZ political editor Jo Moir and Maori news editor Taiha Molyneux spoke to Corin Dann.

Te Kuini Māori, Nga wai hono i te po, the Māori Queen attended Waitangi celebrations yesterday for the first time since becoming the Māori monarch. Māori News Editor Taiha Moilyneux reports.

"We want to get on with our own business" - that's the call from iwi chairs, as they meet in Waitangi today. Their hui coincided with the Prime Minister announcing he'll be spending Waitangi in the South Island on Thursday - Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro will join him there. Waitangi commemorations in the North kicked off this week with the long-awaited restoration and re-opening of Te Tii marae at a dawn service this morning. Political reporter Lillian Hanly is in Waitangi, and filed this report.

On today's episode, the Prime Minister has confirmed he will be hosted by Ngai Tahu in Akaroa for Waitangi Day on Thursday, the Trade Minister says officials and the prime minister have been in contact with US counterparts, as Donald Trump continues to impose tariffs on US trading partners, the world's largest aid agency faces major cuts, and it could have a big impact on the Pacific, Iwi leaders have been laying out their goals for the year at Te Tii Marae as part of Waitangi commemorations, where they say Kotahitanga, or unity, has been high on the agenda, and New Zealand helicopter crews have received an international award for their work during Cyclone Gabrielle.

Kuini Nga wai hono I te po - the Māori queen - is expected to attend Waitangi celebrations on Tuesday supported by a contingent of the Kiingitanga movement. RNZ Māori news editor Taiha Molyneux spoke to Corin Dann.

Iwi leaders have been laying out their goals for the year at Te Tii Marae as part of Waitangi commemorations, where they say Kotahitanga, or unity, has been high on the agenda. Ngāti Kahungunu iwi chair Bayden Barber spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Prime Minister has confirmed he will head south to attend Waitangi Day commemorations at Ōnuku Marae, near Akaroa - having previously announced he won't spend the national day in Waitangi. Ōnuku Rūnanga Chairperson Rik Tainui spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Prime Minister has confirmed he will be hosted by Ngai Tahu in Akaroa for Waitangi Day on Thursday. Christopher Luxon announced in December he wouldn't be heading to Waitangi for this year's commemorations, saying he wanted to move around the country to celebrate the national day. Luxon spoke to Corin Dann.

The events that lead to the Treaty of Waitangi and it's legacy.

The iconic whare tūpuna at Te Tii Marae in Waitangi has reopened after completing the first stage of a restoration project. Māori news journalist Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira spoke to Corin Dann.

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson says she's looking forward to Waitangi as her first engagement.

The political year kicked off with a dramatic reshuffle that sees Shane Reti removed from health in favour of Simeon Brown, James Meager made minister for the South Island and Nicola Willis in the renamed role of minister for economic growth. Alongside a caucus retreat and a state of the nation speech from prime minister Christopher Luxon, it's all part of an effort to reset the agenda. Fresh from their own exhausting retreat, Toby Manhire, Ben Thomas and Annabelle Lee-Mather regather to assess that effort, and the background against which it plays: a poll that puts Labour ahead of National and points to pessimism within the electorate, a volatile global context as Trump returns to the White House, a record response to the Treaty Principles Bill as Luxon declines his invitation to Waitangi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This 2014 episode covers the Treaty of Waitangi, a treaty between the British and the Maori that established New Zealand as a nation. The goal was to benefit both parties, but a hurried translation of the document led to some confusion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.