Controversial bill reached its second reading
The Mixed Ownership Model Bill has now passed its second
reading by two votes. This means it will most likely be finalised
next week, allowing the Government to sell off five state-owned
assets.
Rena clearing out from the Astrolabe
It has taken eight months, but the wreckage of the
container ship, Rena, has nearly been cleared. The ship was
grounded on the Astrolabe Reef in the Bay of Plenty last year,
causing NZ's worst maritime environmental disaster to date.
Maori New Year kicks off in Auckland
Matariki is dawning upon New Zealand this month and the
Auckland City Council hopes to spread the season's meaning far and
wide. Last night it kicked off their month long Matariki Festival
with a showcase featuring Annie Crummer, Betty-Anne Monga, Ria Hall
and Maisey Rika.
Manu Korero senior competitors' pleas to Education
Minister
Education Minister, hear our pleas. That was one of the
topics in the Tamaki Makaurau Manu Korero Regional competitions.
Yesterday the juniors had their say so today the stage belonged to
the seniors.
- Ta Turi Kara Junior English: Tia Reweti-Saunders (Waiheke High
School)
- Rawhiti Ihaka Junior Maori: Kalani Pewhairangi-Charlie (Massey
High School)
- Korimako Senior English: Viniece McIntyre (Western Springs High
School)
- Pei Te Hurinui Jones Senior Maori: Wiremu Taitin (Massey High
School)
New Maori language book for intermediate-level
speakers
A new book dedicated to the advancement of reo Maori
speakers has been launched. The book is called Mai i Te Kakano by
Heni Jacobs and it focuses on proverbs and idiomatic sayings as
well as commonly heard mistakes and examples of everyday language
use.
Family Court charges set to be introduced in July
It will now cost to go to the Family Court as fees are
being introduced next month. They include parenting orders at $220,
property rights application at $700, and $906 for a hearing of a
property rights application in court.