Flaxroots News

Mana (Auckland), Volume 2, Issue 1, 6 April 1978, Page 4

Flaxroots News

A clash between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power recently, was described as ‘‘something like two Maori war parties meeting up before the advent of the Europeans . . .” by Wellington magistrate, Mr F. W. Bremner. The clash occurred at the New Central Hotel, Peton on February 2. Gang membbers have been charged with inciting disorder and carrying of offensive weapons.

Maori Affairs chief, Kara Puketapu, says he is heartened to learn that some authorities have a fixed percentage figure for Maori and Pacific Island staff intake but he adds that the field should be open and based on the individual credentials of the applicants concerned.

Thirty rural Maori girls sponsored to attend a preemployment course at Wellington Polytechnic have had little success in finding employment. Course tutor, Mr Martin Winiata, blames the present employment situation. The girls were sponsored by the Maori Affairs Department.

An increasing number of unemployed in the Porirua area has led to the opening of a new Labour Department employment branch in the area. Porirua contains one third of all those unemployed in the Wellington region.

The Te Whanganui a Tara committee has raised its first $2,000 towards its quarter million dollar marae complex in Miramar, Wellington.

There is an increasing number of Maoris involved on the drug scene according to police. They say at one drug clinic in Wellington. 10 of the 32 addicts were Maori. New Maori Council boss. Mr Graeme Latimer, has called for an immediate action plan to pinpoint the increasing trouble spots for young Maori drug addicts.

Don Solomon’s ‘‘cultural oasis” in Newton’s old police station was officially opened on March 31 st. The Auckland City Council own the building and it is to be used as a centre for cultural tuition and the living arts. Don Solomon is co-ordinating the centre.

The leader of the Taranaki confiscated land claims, Ngatata Love, has become the first Maori to receive a doctorate of philosophy from Wellington’s Victoria University. Dr Love, 40, who studied part-time, is the director of Massey University’s management education and development centre.

A survey of the hearing ability of inmates at Mt Eden Prison has revealed a staggering 80 per cent with severe hearing loss. All 100 inmates tested were Maori. A group of 100 European inmates will be tested later. The researchers feel the results were ‘‘horrifying” and suggest that treatment of hearing problems should be part of a prisioners total rehabilitation. Ngati Poneke will receive help from the Wellington City Council to landscape and maintain the surroundings of its planned $500.00 marae in Thorndon Quay, Wellington. * * * The Mongrel Mob along with an off duty policeman are running a disco and meeting place for Porirua’s youth at Cannons Creek. ‘‘Our Place” is where the kids go and there they can playpool, table tennis or enjoy a soft drink. Some Maori committees lack leadership and are falling down on their duties claims the New Zealand Maori Council president, Mr Graeme Latimer. Mr S. Melbourne of Wellington and Ms. Kiri Hulme of Greymouth both received a $ 1,000 award for creative writing last month. Mr Melbourne received the 1977 Maori Purposes Fund Board’s award for creative writing in Maori and Ms Hulme received hers for creative writing in English.

The Island Bay marae scheme in Wellington has been given a $6,000 grant from the three funding organisations. The marae is being planned by the Taputeranga Trust Board.

The people of Maungatapu Marae near Tauranga made a return visit to Auckland as guests of the City Council who had staff welcomed onto the Maungatapu Marae last year. The group were welcomed on the Orakei Marae by Bastion Point elders on Saturday April I.

Kara Puketapu, Secretary of the Maori Affairs Department, was recently welcomed on to the John Waititi Marae, Auckland. He was accompanied by other officers in the Department who explained the new role of the community officers. Mr Puketapu said a review of the Maori Land Court was being carried out this year. Departmental Officers have been on the road for several weeks explaining the aims of the Department.

Selwyn Muru, current affairs officer with Radio N.Z. and well known broadcaster, artist, poet, writer and musician has accepted a post with the Maori Affairs Department in Wellington. It is not clear at the time of going to print whether the highly rated ‘Te Puna Waikorero’ will continue. This has been one of the best and most informative current affairs programmes on the air. It is difficult to see the punch staying in the programme under someone else. Radio N.Z. should retain Selwyn under contract to keep Te Puna going.

Kim Freakley, a young athlete from Wellington continues to impress as one of the most promising athletes in the country . Although she is primarily a 400 metre runner she has also run record times over 100 and 200 metres. She is of both Ngati Porou and Te Atiawa descent.