Flaxroots News

Mana (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 11, 24 November 1977, Page 3

Flaxroots News

Bill Tawhai, International teacher of Maori language and well known actor has been appointed Headmaster of Whanau-Apanui District High School in Te Kaha. Bill has been teaching at Hillary College. Otara. for the last few years and will be sadly missed. The school has had two farewells for him at the time of going to print. MANA has learnt that the "Puketapu Review” of the role of Maori Community officers in the Department of Maori Affairs has now been completed. It recommends major restructuring of the Department and the role that Officers shall play in the community. ACORD organised a demonstration outside Mt Eden Prison to coincide with the showing of a British film on Television One showing the plight of the Prison Children. Latest Justice Department figures released show that at least six children per week in New Zealand are kept in adult prisons. Most of them are in fact our children. In fact. 6636% of these children are Maori. Needless to say there is no film on them! The Government is passing a National Parks Amendment Bill which is to reconstitute the Egmont National Park Board. It is typical that no attempt has been made to settle the claims made by the local people on this land which was confiscated last century. It is not coincidence that the Minister was a member of the committee which decided in 1975 that the Maori name should stand and that title to the land should be vested in the Taranaki Maoris. Our congratulations to all our readers who were accredited University Entrance. If you weren't, never mind, try again! MANA is now interested to know Maori reactions to the T.V. One series “The Governor”. Please let us know your opinion so that we can have clear Maori viewpoint. Pauline Kingi of Ngati-Whawhakia has been awarded the Zonta award for woman of achievement 1978.

Pauline has already completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in Education and Anthropology. She also has a Diploma of Criminology and is presently studying law at Auckland University. Pauline will use the award to help her in her University work. She has a four year old daughter named Aroha.

The Minister of Lands puppet committee consisting of representatives of the A.R.A. Auckland City Council and’'elders has delivered its Report on Bastion Point. It has recommended that a smaller sub-division go ahead: that some area be reserve land and 25 acres be transferred to Ngati-Whatua. Joe Hawke spokesman for those who has repossessed Bastion Point has described the Report as "a pathetic piece of nonsense” and has said they will stay.

Peter Boag, Assistant Director of Education has expressed a concern that the School curriculum is not geared towards the pupils.

Those who were selected to travel with the N.Z. National Band. July next year w'ere Nancy Lewis, Trevor Maxwell, Polly Hepi, Lyn Tapsell, (Rotorua) Ruby Kepa, Vicky Wehi (Gisborne) Atamoana Kerekere (South Is) Weteni Mitai, Len Ruhe (Rotorua) Kani Horsfall (Wellington). The Mopuia Committee is erecting a marae in Wellington.