Hui charts course for Maori

The trademark comb-over is long gone. Former Maori Affairs Minister Koro Wetere has conceded defeat in the follicle cover-up.

What remains, however, is the sharp mind and passion of the Tainui leader who drove the first Hui Taumata (summit meeting) in 1984.

Around 400 of Maoridom's commercial and political leaders are expected at the three-day summit starting today in Wellington.

Key Maori authorities will speak on the three core themes - developing people, enterprise and assets.

These speeches will be followed by workshops on subjects including the creative sector, entrepreneurship, globalisation, cultural capital, learning for life, exporting and governance.

Speakers and workshop panellists include former Waitangi Fisheries Commission chairman Shane Jones, entertainer Moana Maniapoto, former Fonterra chief executive Craig Norgate, academic Whatarangi Winiata, Professor Mason Durie, and Ngai Tahu chief executive Tahu Potiki.

For Dr Wetere the hui will be a time to reflect on the cultural and economic renaissance spawned from the first gathering of Maori leaders 21 years ago.

The former Labour Party Cabinet minister said the first Hui Taumata was driven by a need to stop the decline in Maori economic and educational performance and to influence changes in how Maori were treated by government.

"There was a need for greater Maori involvement in decision making. Education had to change ... Kura kaupapa came, kohanga reo came. There are still a few gaps but that will change."

He said the gathering offered a platform for Maori to seek empowerment, to "stand on their own feet". And to demand an involvement in assisting their own.

Dr Wetere - who is first cousin of the embattled Te Wananga o Aotearoa chief executive, Dr Rongo Wetere - believes the focus should be on expanding Maori economic performance and involving "the sector that has not been touched by the country's growing economy".

"This time it's a question of expansion on that development and to seek greater involvement in globalisation.

"Some say that should happen out of our treaty settlements. That's not right. That is the Government's role," Dr Wetere said. "These small gifts we get by way of treaty settlements are to be utilised effectively for those distribution policies our people have established.

"The time has come for a number of Maori organisations to wake up, and if they are going to expand they have to have sound management, sound processes. Get the right people and processes in place."

"I think there will be an expression of our people wanting to come together and work together. A hope that the problems of the past [will be] put aside."

Mr Jones, a Hui Taumata steering group member, said issues hampering Maori development would also be a focus of the meeting.

One such topic was a suggestion that the Maori Land Court should be abolished so Maori could have greater freedom over the more than 1.3 million hectares they own.

Mr Jones said the court was based on a concept of retaining Maori land ownership - which itself was a concept based on emotion - and not always on best commercial practice.

The Herald understands the suggestion has outraged Chief Maori Land Court Judge Joe Williams.

Judge Williams said he did not want to discuss the matter through the media.

"I don't want to go to the press and engage in debate with anybody on the survival of the Maori Land Court.

"Such comments as I am going to make I will make at the Hui Taumata."

Judge Williams said he was surprised that he had not been invited to attend and had requested an opportunity to speak.

Another disappointed at not being invited is Far North leader and Maori Party Tai Tokerau candidate Hone Harawira.

Mr Harawira said that as chairman of the Maori Radio Council and of the Maori Television electoral college, he was surprised not to be involved in the hui.

He said the "petty"snub was politically driven.

The Government has put more than $1 million into the event, which was criticised by the National Party last year as a political stunt to win disillusioned Maori voters back to the Labour Party in election year.

Dr Wetere said it was impossible to invite everyone to the Hui Taumata personally, and an open invitation had been extended to all Maori leaders last year.

Hui Taumata

Where: Te Papa, Wellington.
When: Today until Thursday.
Who: More than 400 of Maoridom's commercial, cultural and political leaders.
Significance: 21 years on from the first such gathering, which was credited with spawning a cultural and economic renaissance.
Purpose: Three core themes - developing people, enterprise and assets.

Maori gains since 1984

Beginnings and rapid growth of kohanga reo, kura kaupapa and Maori tertiary institutes.

34,000 enrolled in early childhood education and 62,574 in tertiary education in 2003.

Maori comprise 17 per cent of industry trainees.

23 Maori radio stations and the launch of Maori Television.

240 Maori health providers contracted to 21 district health boards.

$680m in treaty claims since'92.

Maori commercial asset base around $9 billion in 2003.

17,000 Maori self-employed or employers in 2001 (latest figure available).

Maori generate 2.3 per cent of country's exports.