Letters to the Editor: Vegas perpetuates negative stereotypes about Māori
6 May, 2021 10:00 PM
2 minutes to read
Vegas premiered on TVNZ 2 on April 19. Photo / Andrew Warner
Rotorua Daily Post
The television show Vegas perpetuates the Māori stereotype of drugs, alcohol, violence and dysfunctional whānau created by Once Were Warriors. It s a one-dimensional approach to storytelling that promotes everything that is wrong with our Māori communities.
A drama series based on Te Arawa development and subsequent success of tourism to Rotorua would have been something to celebrate but equally, it probably doesn t make for compelling viewing.
Patrick Clarke
Editorial bang on
Letters to the editor: Commission got it right for Bay Venues
4 May, 2021 10:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Justine Brennan, chief executive of Bay Venues Ltd (left) and Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services Trust director Tommy Wilson. Photo / File
Justine Brennan, chief executive of Bay Venues Ltd (left) and Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services Trust director Tommy Wilson. Photo / File
Bay of Plenty Times
Congratulations to the new city commissioners for getting it right when it comes to Bay Venues. Without the tautoko of Bay Venues and in particular Justine Brennan, its wonder woman chief executive, we would not have been able to feed our homeless families.
Letters to the editor: Council workshops are valuable
19 Apr, 2021 09:00 PM
2 minutes to read
Tauranga Council buildings. Photo / File
Bay of Plenty Times
Council workshops are valuable, because local government deals with complex issues. No decisions can be made in a workshop, and that is a legal requirement, but workshops are an opportunity for staff and councillors to understand the quite serious issues facing their ratepayers. After the workshops it gives staff the chance to then prepare their reports for committee deliberation, where debate in public takes place.
Workshops should not include the public, until all councillors are fully understanding of policy changing options, which they debate in public, and then open for consultation with their communities so everyone can be involved.
SmartGrowth Leadership Group set to get new independent chairperson
7 Apr, 2021 10:00 PM
4 minutes to read
Tauranga City Council Commissioner Bill Wasley. Photo / File
Government ministers are expected to attend an upcoming meeting to appoint a new SmartGrowth chairman following the exit of new Tauranga City Council commissioner Bill Wasley. The SmartGrowth Leadership Group Committee later this month, the Three Waters issue, and a $2 million budget blow-out to fix a Waihi Beach creek were among items discussed at a Western Bay of Plenty District Council meeting yesterday.
Western Bay mayor Garry Webber told the meeting he will chair the April 22 SmartGrowth meeting for about five minutes until the new independent chairperson is appointed.
Buddy Mikaere and Margaret Murray-Benge debate Māori representation in governance
1 Apr, 2021 09:00 PM
4 minutes to read
Margaret Murray-Benge (left) and Buddy Mikaere went head to head on the topic of Māori representation at a governance level. Photo montage / File
Margaret Murray-Benge (left) and Buddy Mikaere went head to head on the topic of Māori representation at a governance level. Photo montage / File The saddest 20 minutes of my life.
That was Māori historian and former Waitangi Tribunal director Buddy Mikaere s opinion of his opponent s comments on the history of Aotearoa during a debate in Tauranga this week.
Mikaere debated Western Bay of Plenty District councillor Margaret Murray-Benge on Tuesday night on the subject of Māori representation in governance.