Maori women take the helm

Tu Tangata, Issue 18, 1 June 1984, Page 33

Maori women take the helm

na Harata Solomon

Maori women are taking the lead in the health and education of their people. At this years 32rd Maori Womens Welfare League Conference in Whangarei the theme was “He aha te mea nui, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata,”

The women gathered at Forum North, Whangarei where the Taitokerau Representative, Mrs Hilda Wilson and league branches were the co-ordinating hosts. No reira, nga mihi aroha tino nui ki nga mana, nga hapu katoa o te Taitokerau mo nga manaakitanga, nga taonga i tuku iho nga Matua, Tupuna, ki te ao nei. Dame Whina Cooper, founding president of the MWWL addressed the conference saying women have the wisdom, spirituality, perseverance, courage and an understanding of right and wrong. In extracts from a report on the health of maori women, Mrs Elizabeth Murchie, Research Director centred concern at the effects of smoking and its related high incidence of cancer, chronic bronchitis and heart problems amongst maori women. Also highlighted in this report were the women’s concern about their children, unemployment, inadequate housing and drugs. “We have turned the full circle, it is now time for the maori women to take the lead and turn the health canoe in the right direction” Mrs Murchie said. When the report is completed a proposed Hui Whakaorangi will be held at Takapuahia marae, Porirua. From the “he tamaiti he taonga” (a child a treasure] workshops looking into areas such as culture, education and health bought to National Council to action. Among them were: League branches make Health Department aware of maori child rearing practices;

that more health services be made available on marae; to consider whether UE remain at sixth form level; MWWL organise district seminars with representatives from various government departments to talk about maori issues. Of the nearly 300 voluntary Kohanga Reo, many are having trouble staying open because of not enough money, says Mr John Bennett, chairman of Te Kohanga Reo Trust. However one way could be through the Social Welfare department’s childcare regulations which provide subsidies for pre-school education he suggested. Another recommendation says “that MWWL approach local school principals and school committee’s requesting time for a suitable person from the community to help Te Kohanga Reo graduates as they pass into the primary school system. Junior workshops Though junior members covered many topics when looking at education one junior member said “in our education... everything is going too fast... sometimes we’re at a loss and feel inadequate”. With these thoughts the juniors appealed for support to hold their own junior conference. “We would like you to listen to us more and try to understand” another junior member said. Conference did agree a junior conference could be held but recommended a start should be made at regional level. Mrs Mira Szaszy congratulated the

juniors for their presentation and also Mrs Areta Koopu who guided the junior sessions. As well there was a panel of successful maori women in business enterprise who presented “Maori women in Business”. Some of the panelists were Mrs Hine Potaka, a kiwi fruit grower based in Te Kaha. Mrs Hana Cotter, a shearing contractor of Napier and Mrs Mira Norries in automotive engineering from Whangarei. (There will be a further report on this workshop in the next issue.)

Election results 1984

Patroness Dame Te Atairangikaahu DBE Dominion President Mrs Georgina Kirby, Tamaki Makaurau First Vice President Mrs Janet Brown, Waiariki Second Vice President Mrs Aroha Rereti Crofts, Te Waipounamu Executive: Mrs Hilda Wilson, Taitokerau; Mrs Hine Puru, Tamaki Makaurau; Mrs Mona Wikaira, Tainui; Mrs Tuti Wetere, Aotea; Ms Erena Te Pau Konui, Ikaroa; Mrs Mary Ann Meha, Te Waipounamu; Mrs Emarina Manuel, Tairawhiti; Mrs J Elworth, Department of Social Welfare; Mrs Iritana Tawhiwhirangi Maori Affairs; Miss T Bradley, Dept of Health; Mrs M Antonievich, Secretary; Professor W Winiata. NZMG; Miss Anne Delamere and Mr Ralph Love, advisors. Ma Te Atua koutou e manaaki e tiaki i nga wa katoa.

Mrs Georgina Kirby of Auckland is the newly elected Dominion President of the MWWL. Congratulations Georgina. MWWL members pledge our wholehearted support to you and your executive. Hastings, of the Ikaroa Region will be the venue for National Conierence 1985.

Noreira tatou tatou.