Taranaki

Māori ward councillors in Taranaki are cautioning would-be candidates to do their homework and get their peoples’ support before stepping into the ring.

The regional council has approved consents for a new coastal walkway and bridge to protect the site.

The iwi claims Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith ignored advice provided by Te Arawhiti, while also saying they weren’t consulted on the policy that underlies the Bill.

Stones carrying the mauri of Te Matatini have arrived in north Taranaki to bind and uplift the host tribes ahead of next year’s national kapa haka festival.

National voters and green groups are lining up behind an iwi call for direct action against would-be seabed miners off the South Taranaki coast.

That's according to Te Matatini chair Tā Herewini (Selwyn) Parata, who was watching the live count on a laptop.

Matatini chief executive Carl Ross says this is going to be the biggest and best Matatini to date.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer told reporter Whatitiri Te Wake that Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke described Te Matatini as “internationally hot, locally not.”

Ngāti Ruanui Chairman, Haimona Maruera is excited to welcome all of the country to Ngāmotu for the launch of Te Matatini.

With Te Matatini o Te Kahui Maunga being hosted in Taranaki, New Plymouth Councillor, Dinnie Moeahu, said it would benefit the councils in the region.