Open letter to King Charles III on Treaty breaches
Press Release: National Iwi Chairs Forum The National Iwi Chairs Forum of Aotearoa/New Zealand is seeking the support and intervention of King Charles in an open letter sent last week. Professor Margaret Mutu (Chair of Ngati Kahu and Pou Tikanga) is concerned by the growing evidence across the political agenda that, “The coalition government are pandering […]
TREATY PRINCIPLES BILL IS DELIBERATIVELY DIVISIVE
MEDIA RELEASE TREATY PRINCIPLES BILL IS DELIBERATIVELY DIVISIVE “Despite all of the expert advice that the proposed Treaty Principles Bill will breach international human rights standards and the Treaty agreements, this government continues with its attacks on Māori rights through its introduction to parliament,” said National Iwi Chairs spokesperson Professor Margaret Mutu. “This attack is […]
NICF concerned with HRC appointments
The National Iwi Chairs are deeply concerned about the recent appointments of Stephen Rainbow as Chief Commissioner and the Race Relations Commissioner to the Human Rights Commission, by Minister Goldsmith. In the wake of Stephen Rainbow’s appointment as Chief Commissioner, Minister Goldsmith expressed confidence in Mr. Rainbow, stating, “As Human Rights Commissioner, he’ll be very […]
“Most racist government in years” – report to UN
This is the most racist government New Zealand has seen in years stated the Aotearoa Independent Monitoring Mechanism in their report to the United Nations. The Monitoring Mechanism was established in 2015 to monitor governments’ implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. “They are even worse than the Helen Clark […]
Māori set to gather in Hastings for next National Hui
Thousands attended a nationwide hui at Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia, on 20 January, 2024. Photo: RNZ/ Ella Stewart Māori from across Aotearoa will gather in Hastings this Friday for the next Hui Taumata. The hui is the next in a series which began at the start of the year when Kiingi Tuheitia called for a National Hui for Unity. […]
NICF supports Toitū te Reo (Māori Language Festival)
The National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF) expressed their unanimous endorsement for ‘Toitū te Reo, the National Māori Language Festival’ presented by Mātauranga Iwi Leaders Group (MILG) at the recent forum gathering in Tauranga. Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod on behalf of Kauwaka and Ngati Kahungunu, invited the nation to the first ever Maori language festival in […]
Tauranga Moana to host the next NICF
Tauranga Moana to Host the next National Iwi Chairs Forum. Ngāti Ranginui is proud to announce that it will be hosting the National Iwi Chairs Forum from the 1st to the 3rd of May 2024, in Tauranga Moana. This significant gathering will bring together iwi leaders from across Aotearoa to deliberate on pivotal issues affecting […]
NICF meeting with UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights
Indigenous and Māori Rights eroded by the coalition government to be shared by Iwi chairs with Indigenous Rights Special Rapporteur. On Tuesday, 2 April, several National Iwi Chairs will meet with the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Indigenous Rights, Mr Francisco Calí Tzay, to discuss Indigenous Rights in Aotearoa. Professor Margaret Mutu, Chair for Pou […]
Call For Urgent Reassessment Of Disability Funding Cuts
Pou Tangata of the National Iwi Chairs Forum and Iwi Māori Partnership Boards Call for Urgent Reassessment of Disability Funding Cuts to Safeguard Tāngata Whaikaha and Whānau Hauā. Pou Tangata of the NICF and Chairs of Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) express their concern regarding disability funding restrictions announced by Whaikaha, the Ministry of Disabled […]
Pou Tangata condemns Smokefree repeal
Pou Tangata of the National Iwi Chairs Forum strongly condemns the recent actions by the Government to introduce legislation in favour of repealing the Smokefree Environments Act and urges the Government to focus instead on strengthening the policies that protect iwi Māori and all New Zealanders from the harm caused by tobacco. “This Act has […]