Stories by Laura Bootham
News
New rates model 'game changer'
The Far North District Council is hailing a new rates model as a game changer and says it will slash the tens of millions of dollars owed by Māori.
Low pay for forestry contractors questioned
The owner of a Māori forestry company says some contractors are not receiving proper rates of pay and contracts.
Euro tour benefits Maori constituents - MP
The Labour MP for Te Tai Hauāuru is defending his involvement in the annual overseas Speaker's Delegation tour, saying it benefits his Māori constituents.
Iwi finds out about oil spill via media
A Tauranga iwi is unhappy to have found out about an oil spill only through the media and press releases from Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
Strong Māori response to UE change
Māori have responded well after University Entrance standards were raised last year, on average out-performing Pākehā in numeracy and literacy.
Stolen taonga returned to Te Papa
The fourteen Maori taonga stolen from a house near Hastings last week have been returned safely to Te Papa National Museum in Wellington.
New forestry model adds 'huge value'
The Fonterra milk co-operative model that's created billions of dollars for farmers is being proposed for Māori-owned forestry.
Water decisions 'catastrophic' for Māori
A lawyer representing Māori in water rights cases says much of the blame for the controversy over freshwater rights rests with local government.
One-size-fits-all approach 'no longer suitable'
Māori children will benefit from research into new ways to teach literacy skills, an education specialist says.
Māori pass rate shocks universities
Vice-chancellors say they are shocked by a big drop in the number of Māori making it into university.
Iwi concerned about 1080 drop
An iwi says it is concerned about how often 1080 will be dropped on the Hunua Ranges, southeast of Auckland, to combat a major rat infestation.
Crown twists Maori concepts say academics
The Crown has adopted Māori concepts to fit its own agenda, Māori researchers say.
Fish harvesting breakthrough hailed
The country's biggest Māori-owned fishery is describing a new fish harvesting method as revolutionary.
Maori call for totara protection in Takaka
Māori in Golden Bay are calling for more protection of ancient indigenous trees in the rohe to stop them from being felled without consultation.
Compensation and apology for Ngāti Hineuru
A small Hawke's Bay iwi has received an apology from the Crown for its losses that began in the 1800s. Video, Audio
Historic tūpuna portraits on show
The public will get a chance to view historic tūpuna portraits - some of which have never before been seen outside whānau collections - at Te Papa this Easter.
Workers at risk from forestry strains
The owner of a Māori forestry company says the industry's growing mechanisation has put forestry contracting businesses under financial stress, in turn putting workers more at risk.
New trustees for controversial kura
A new board of trustees has been elected at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Whangaroa, the Ministry of Education says.
Maori principals critical of education policy
The organisation representing Maori principals is critical of the Government's flagship education scheme, describing it as a "one-size-fits-all" policy.
Waka tour company joins port protest
A waka tour company has joined Auckland's largest hapū in demanding the plan by the Ports of Auckland to build two wharf extensions be stopped. Audio
Ministry settles legal action with kura
The Ministry of Education has backed down after it was taken to court over its intervention in a Māori immersion school.
More difficulty for Northland kura
Controversy at a Northland kura has continued with the Ministry of Education removing the commissioner put in charge to sort out the troubled school.
Forestry jobs increasingly at risk - contractor
The owner of a Māori forestry company is warning redundancies at one of the country's largest forest contractors will have a huge impact.
'Better training needed' for Māori to become judges
The Māori legal profession is calling for better training for tāngata whenua to become judges.
Messy data on Maori judges
The Māori legal profession is questioning why the Government's data on the number of judges who identify as tāngata whenua is out-of-date. Audio