Iwi Chairs Forum – 19 April 2022
April 20th, 2022
| Tena koutou,
The passing of so many people through the COVID crisis, together with leaders such as Wira Gardiner, June and Moana Jackson amongst the fallen has resulted in a tough couple of weeks. We send our thoughts out to all our bereaved whānau in these challenging times.
The COVID battle is now in its third year and the combined Iwi – Government response has resulted in thousands of lives being saved during this period.
This has been an outstanding result. This effort has however come at a cost with high levels of stress and fatigue for front line responders.
We hope that all is well with you and your whānau considering the challenges we continue to face. Although daily numbers are steadily declining, we must not become complacent as there is the distinct possibility that we will be confronted by a second and third wave of infection during the rest of this year.
With COVID moving to the endemic stage of its evolution, we are refocussing on our Climate Change Work and I am writing to you to advise of a series of online webinars that we are facilitating over the coming weeks.
Nga mihi
Mike Smith |
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| This hui looks at the success of the recent rāhui established over scallop beds in the Far North and Hauraki Gulf, and the subsequent agreement by the government to enforce these declarations of Mana Māori Motuhake, together with an update on the recent rāhui over kaimoana beds in Taranaki. This will be the first of a series of hui addressing critical issues facing our oceans.
Te Pou Take Āhuarangi team would like to invite you to attend a briefing on this issue at:
6:30 – 8:00pm Tuesday 26th April |
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| The government climate change policy reforms are ramping up and the government is currently considering a raft of changes that will have a significant impact on our social and economic development. This includes a new policy on managing exotic afforestation incentives by changing the forestry settings in the NZ Emission Trading Scheme.
Some of the key issues being explored are;
- Excluding exotic forests from the permanent post-1989 category in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS)
- Whether to adjust how carbon accounting applies to forests on remote and marginal to harvest land
- Opportunities for improving incentives for indigenous afforestation
The new policy settings could be crucial in providing equitable options for Māori landowners wanting to replant natives as carbon sinks and enjoy remuneration at the same level as exotic forest carbon farming. The government is seeking input on key policy and its implications on Iwi/ hapū/whānau forestry plantations and this is a good time to interrogate officials on their thinking and influence decision making.
This hui will be open to all interested and affected Māori. This session will comprise a briefing and Q&A with key government officials, after which they will leave the meeting and a general discussion with occur.
Te Pou Take Āhuarangi team would like to invite you to attend a briefing on this issue at:
6:30 – 8:00pm Wednesday 27th April |
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New Zealand has significant exposure to natural hazards such as floods, wildfires and droughts. The impacts of these are felt by those living on the coast, inland, in rural areas and in major urban centres. It is increasingly clear that climate change is making these natural hazards more frequent and severe.
The National Adaptation Plan will address the need to develop national and local risk assessments and mitigation regarding:
- Floods
- Storms
- Droughts
- Fires
- Food security
- Energy Security
- Water security
Te Pou Take Āhuarangi team would like to invite you to attend a briefing on these issues at:
6:30 – 8:00pm Monday 2 May |
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| These sessions will comprise a briefing from the officials developing the National Adaptation Plan to be followed by a discussion by participants. |
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| It is crucial that climate action is transformational and that it considers transitional pathways away from the systemic problems associated with climate change. This presents an opportunity to reframe change within a Māori worldview that includes traditional, contemporary, and visionary lenses over this period of change.
Te Pou Take Āhuarangi team would like to invite you to attend a briefing on:
6:30 – 8:00pm Friday 13th May |
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Managed retreat from the coastline
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| There are many Māori communities in coastal fringes and lowland areas who are already exposed to flooding, erosion and sedimentation, and these risks are projected to increase with sea-level rise. Other Māori-owned land is steep and susceptible to damage from high-intensity rainstorms. About 80 per cent of land and ocean-based resources owned by Māori are held in multiple or communal ownership. Some Māori are less able to ‘retreat’ to other areas which can increase the complexity of managed retreat.
Te Pou Take Āhuarangi team would like to invite you to attend a briefing on this:
6:30 – 8:00pm Wed 18th May |
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| Additionally, we will be hosting a further series of online hui/webinars over the coming months including sessions to the following; |
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| Addressing the collapse of species and habitat due to climate change – Time and Date TBC |
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| The critical issues facing our marine environment – Time and Date TBC |
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