A festival of aroha – Let's make Matariki a public holiday in 2021
Hi neighbours,
Today, Stuff is launching a campaign to make Matariki a public holiday from 2021.
Plucked from obscurity and given the breath of life, since the turn of the century, Matariki has blossomed into an inclusive, popular event.
Tied to the rising of Matariki, the Pleiades star cluster, in the night sky, the festival marks the start of te Mātahi o te tau, the new year.
Once a casualty of colonisation, Matariki’s comeback has fostered greater use of te reo Māori, and recognition for Māori customary practices.
We believe it is past time to officially acknowledge all Matariki stands for in our national calendar. To learn more about Stuff's campaign, click here
Poll: What do you think should happen with Chateau Tongariro?
The Government has refused to commit to saving the Chateau Tongariro Hotel, leaving demolition, decommissioning or private restoration all on the table despite strong community pressure to preserve the iconic building.
In a formal response to a petition led by Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton, ministers acknowledged the Chateau’s cultural and economic significance but said no changes to current policy or legislation were warranted Chateau Petition response.
What do you think should happen with Chateau Tongariro? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
-
5.3% Demolish it
-
0% Decommission it
-
94.7% A private operator should restore it
-
0% Other - explain in the comments
Tamahere home in dentist case was once centre of accountant’s fraud
It’s been a feature in a recent Hamilton District Court trial , but a Tamahere mansion already has an complicated history.
The property in Woodcock Rd - notable for having a hydroslide in the back yard - the scene of now-disproved alleged sexual offending by Hamilton dentist Rahul Gautam - made headlines more than 15 years ago, when it was a focus in the case of accountant Gary Soffe.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
-
60.8% Yes, supporting people is important!
-
23.8% No, individuals should take responsibility
-
15.4% ... It is complicated
Loading…
