The Governor General made a surprise appearance at the 160th anniversary of the raising of the flagstaff at Maiki Hill. Dame Patsy Reddy was welcomed to Kororāreka and hopes to spread the story of the raising of the flagpole by Northern Māori. She is the first Governor General to come to Maiki since 1858, which Iwi leaders hope is a sign of the Crown wishing to take a more collaborative approach to relations in the future. Iwi leaders will gather here for Te Pūtake o te Riri on March 11th. Raniera Harrison reports: Kahurangi Patsy Reddy (Te Kāwana Tianara o Aotearoa), Pita Tipene (Ngāti Hine), Moka Puru (Ngāti Kuta, Te Puta Keha).
Māori educationalist Kukupa Tirikatene has died in Auckland overnight. Tirikatene, of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Pahuuwera and Ngāti Kahungunu, worked at the Manukau Institute of Technology and Te Papa Tongarewa. He was involved in Ngāi Tahu’s reo strategy, “Kotahi Mano Kaika”. He will be lying in state at his home in Tāmaki Makaurau.
The race to be the female co-leader of the Green Party begins on Friday. Marama Davidson is thought to be the only eligible Māori candidate. Campaigning and debates will end in late in March as the party seek to replace Metiria Turei. A political expert thinks Davidson will have the freedom to criticize the Government which other candidates may lack. Talisa Kupenga reports: Tākuta Maria Bargh (Te Whare Wānaga o Te Ūpoko o Te Ika a Māui), James Shaw (Kaiarahi Takirua, Rōpū Kākariki, Mai I Ōtepoti),
After more than 40 years in prison, a high profile criminal wants to shake up the justice system. Dean Wickliffe has just released an autobiography detailing his life from age 7 and decades in jail. He was received a life sentence for the manslaughter of Paul Miet during an armed robbery in 1972. After being released on parole in 2017, Wickliffe says that convicts need to be given more incentives to change, including the opportunity to reconnect with whanau. Kereama Wright reports: Dean Wickliffe (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue).
The Saint Stephens Old Boys Association hope their old school will reopen by 2020 after meeting at Kokohīnau marae at Te Teko. The school has a history going back over 150 years until its closure in 2000 due to concerns over its finances, academic performance and a culture of bullying. The Old Boys Association says this statement is theirs alone and does not represent any decision by the Saint Stephens School Trust Board or the Anglican Church in New Zealand. Te Kuru o Te Marama Dewes reports live from Auckland: Joe Harawira (Tauira ō Mua).
Master Navigator Jack Thatcher hopes to retain traditional navigating knowledge as he considers retirement. He believes the future is in safe hands as youth begin to steer waka hourua into the future. Students in his waka school “Te Kura o Ngā Kuri a Tarawhata” sail for 2 months circumnavigating the North Island. Leah Te Whata reports: Jack Thatcher (Tohunga Whakatere Waka), Mahina Busby (Tauira), Nga Roma Gardiner (Tauira), Toiora Hawira (Kaiurungi).
Liam Messam will return to play for the Chiefs in the Brisbane 10’s title defence match. The date of the match also marks the anniversary of the death of his friend Sione Lauaki. Messam says that the competitive nature of the players means all the teams will be chasing the title. Rahia Timutimu reports: Liam Messam (Ngāi Tūhoe).
The New Zealand 7’s team will face Argentina, France and Scotland in their pool games in round four of the event in Hamilton. Australia are in the same pool as Fiji, Wales and Spain. The New Zealand team have recovered from their quarterfinal exit by defeating Fiji 31 – 7 and claiming 5th place at the Sydney tournament.
After missing out on selection for the Commonwealth Games, the New Zealand Volleyball Champions are trying for a spot at the Worlds in Australia. After claiming three titles at the National Volleyball tour they have their sights set on international success. Moana Makapelu Lee reports: Morgan Seymour (Ngāti Hikairo), Rene Kapa (Ngāpuhi).
NITV examine Australia Day and how people have conflicted feelings about what it represents for indigenous people and what it represents for others. Is it a day of mourning or a day of celebration or something else altogether? The history of Aboriginal demonstration against Australia day is as poorly understood as Aboriginal culture itself. Survival Day, Invasion Day, a Day of Mourning and Protest, January 26th means different things to different people.