The International Maori Cultural Centre

www.internationalmaoriculturalcentre.org

News for October 2017

Poor Attendance at Waitangi Grounds for the Declaration of Independence Celebrations.

Posted on Saturday 28th October 2017

In Waitangi the Declaration of Independence celebrations 28th October 2017 this year was attended by about 100 people, but in previous years you could not see ground for the feet, this is because recognition that corporate bodies in hapus are not dealing with Maori problems or achieving results.

In the meeting on the 28th October 2017 for the Wakameninga, Congress (collaboration of chiefs from different Hapu) within Waitangi, where debating and decision making for the nation of Maoridom takes place annually, this was hijacked from the corporate body of the marae to settle issues within the committee, the majority of attendees in the meeting were Matua Karanga followers, as they walked out of the house there was a silence in the air. I looked back the hall was near empty. Discussion within the taumata, senior elders, had expressed to the corporate body it was a shame that Matua Karanga contingent left the house, they had more information to share with us about their successes in the government system. The next day as result of the meeting one of the elders rang Chief Charles Hohepa and pledged her alliance to Matua Karanga. ---- for comments email us at info@internationalmaoriculturalcentre.com

Foreclosure stopped in Taranaki

Posted on Wednesday 25th October 2017

Unpaid property taxes keep depriving Maori of their homes. Although they live on their own land, which often has been taken by ruse or force, even their homes are not safe, as the dominant culture continues to impoverish and marginalize them.

Matua Karanga, a confederation of Maori chiefs headed by H.E. Chief Charles Hohepa is leading a legal and civil campaign of changing Maori life, including stopping illegal foreclosures backed by the force of the New Zealand government and in violation of Maori sovereignty.

On Oct 25 in Taranaki, two Maori homes were put on the auction block pursuant to foreclosure action for failure to pay property taxes. As a crowd gathered, and auctioneer started auction, two chiefs, Herbert Rerekura and Ariki Toheroa members of Matua Karanga, dressed in suits, mingled into the crowd stood forward and interrupted proceedings. The chiefs explained to the crowd Maori sovereignty and illegality of the proceedings the police arrived in force to stop disruption of auction. The chiefs addressed police who pushed a Maori officer forward to confront them.

The chief Herbert Rerekura explained Maori sovereignty and basis of their undeniable authority to police, who were then seated and listened to the rest of the chiefs' speech upon completion, Ariki Toheroa, then took a gold $1 coin out of his pocket. He described in detail the meaning of the inscriptions on each side of the coin the queen on one side she is our partner and you're her servant, on the other side a kiwi, which is ours tangata whenua (people of the land), then placed the bid on the auctioneer's table for $1.00. Ariki Toheroa addressed the crowd quoted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, article 10, 11,12, Ariki Toheroa had captured the auction audience attention and finished off with stay away from the 2 properties otherwise you will be served with an injunction.

The auction was thus terminated, and Maori retained their homes pursuant to the foreclosure action by government and sale at auction.

This is another victory against oppression and violation of Maori sovereign rights by an illegal New Zealand government. ---- for comments email us at info@internationalmaoriculturalcentre.com

M.P. Andrew Little, cabinet member of the NZ ruling party, is meeting with us in Paihia.

Posted on Monday 16th October 2017

Important Announcement to all Matua Karanga (MKF) Members near and far, come and join us at the Copthorne Hotel Paihia, Saturday 18th November 2017 at 9am. We will address a representative from the settler servant governing party of Aotearoa (NZ) Andrew Little; for comments email us at: info@internationalmaoriculturalcentre.org