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Advocacy – Major Unions, NGOs Endorse March for Humanity, Demand Sanctions on Israel

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Source: March for Humanity

Pressure on the NZ government to sanction Israel for its war crimes is mounting.

With just over a week to go before The March for Humanity, organisers have already received over 50 endorsements from major unions, NGOs, faith groups, and community organisations, including The Council of Trade Unions, PSA, Amnesty, Greenpeace, Oxfam, FIANZ, Dayenu, and Christians for Peace Aotearoa, along with major Palestine solidarity groups such as PSNA, Justice for Palestine, and SJP branches.

“The overwhelming support for the March for Humanity clearly demonstrates that the people of this country will not accept and will not allow the New Zealand government’s ongoing complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza” said March for Humanity spokesperson Nadine Mortaja.

Māori political leaders are also backing The March for Humanity, with endorsements received from the Pou Tikanga of The National Iwi Chairs Forum, and from Toitū Te Tiriti who led the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti – the largest protest in the nation’s history – in 2024.

“Māori stand with Indigenous Palestinians against the genocidal violence of the Israeli settler state, and call on the New Zealand government to impose economic sanctions on Israel,” said March for Humanity Māori spokesperson, Dr Arama Rata.

The March for Humanity is expected to be the largest Palestine protest in New Zealand history, with many groups planning to travel to the march from outside of Auckland.

March organisers are also encouraging politicians who are opposed to the genocide to join the march to demand sanctions on Israel.

“We’re more than disappointed that so few political parties have shown themselves to be anti-genocide, but we extend this opportunity to politicians to listen to the people and demonstrate their commitment to humanity” stated Mortaja.

Organisations who would like to give their endorsement to the March for Humanity are encouraged to contact Aotearoa for Palestine via Facebook, Instagram or email at marchforhumanity@proton.me

Event Details:
Who: Aotearoa for Palestine
What: March for Humanity
When: 9:30 AM, Saturday, 13 September 2025
Where: Assemble at Stafford Park, march across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, finish at Victoria Park
Why: Demanding sanctions on Israel for genocide in Gaza.

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Health Sector – New campaign shines light on gambling’s silent harm

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Source: Hapai Te Hauora

Hāpai Te Hauora, in collaboration with Te Rangihaeata Oranga Trust and Poutiri Charitable Trust, has launched a bold new campaign and digital platform to tackle gambling harm in Aotearoa.
The campaign features two ads – Their House Always Wins and The Game is Rigged, Don’t Get Played – highlighting how the gambling industry is designed to keep people hooked. Alongside the ads, the new digital platform Pātea provides a first-of-its-kind tool to help whānau pause, reflect on gambling behaviours, and connect with support.
Speakers at the launch described gambling as a silent harm – often hidden from view but deeply felt by whānau. The kaupapa is already gaining traction online, with comments calling it “super important kaupapa,” “powerful, creative, relatable,” and “hard truth.”
Jason Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Hāpai Te Hauora, said both the campaign and the app are about rebalancing power towards whānau.
“These two things are both important to help shift the balance back towards whānau. Firstly, a campaign to help whānau understand the harm from gambling – it’s not just harmless fun. And then the Pātea, our digital app to give them some tools to help them get through any harms they’re suffering from.”
Jessikha Makoare, General Manager of Hāpai Te Hauora, said the campaign comes at a critical time as gambling exposure for tamariki and whānau is set to increase.
“Our tamariki and whānau are already exposed to gambling harms, and with new regulations allowing advertising and up to 15 more online casino licences, this will only get worse. The new normal we need to see is a collective understanding that gambling is harmful – and that the industry is operating exactly as it was intended to.”
The campaign was created by Mahitahi Agency in partnership with Hāpai Te Hauora, Te Rangihaeata Oranga Trust, and Poutiri Charitable Trust.
With gambling losses in Aotearoa sitting at over $2.6 billion each year, Māori and Pasifika continue to be disproportionately affected. Hāpai Te Hauora says the campaign is about reframing the conversation away from individual blame and toward system-level accountability, while equipping communities with tools to resist and reclaim control. For more information, to view the campaign videos or to try the Pātea app, visit: https://hapai.co.nz/gamblingharm/

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Advocacy – PSNA congratulates Gemma New on withdrawing from apartheid Israeli concerts

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Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

Following the media release we issued yesterday – PSNA received confirmation early this morning that New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conductor Gemma New has pulled out of her concerts scheduled for Israel in January 2026 where she was to conduct the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra.

The concerts are still on the IPO website but in response to a letter from PSNA last week, Gemma New has replied through a New York artists agency this morning…

“We congratulate Ms New on her withdrawal from the concert series in apartheid Israel” says PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzzal. “After 23 months of mass killing and mass starvation of Palestinians in Gaza she has reconsidered her decision to go and we welcome that.”

“The result is a significant win for the BDS movement to isolate apartheid Israel.”

“New is joining artists and performers from all over the world who turn their backs on apartheid Israel.”

“The ‘official travel guidance’ reason given by the agency for the concert withdrawal doesn’t stack up. It’s simply public relations spin to cover what was a dreadful decision to go in the first place.”

“As we pointed out yesterday any performance in Israel would be seen as support for Israeli war crimes.”

“The IPO plays concerts with Israeli soldiers in full uniform and puts them on YouTube.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLjucRUyd4Y

“Music and performance in the apartheid state is tightly linked to the brutal oppression of Palestinians,’ says Nazzal. “It’s the same for every aspect of life for under an Israeli military occupation”.

Maher Nazzal
Co-Chair PSNA

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44 Fire and Emergency New Zealand personnel recognised with international award

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

The New South Wales State Emergency Service has announced that 44 Fire and Emergency New Zealand and 7 National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) personnel will be recognised with the Commissioner’s Unit Citation for their actions during the 2022 Flood Response.

In November 2022, Fire and Emergency and NEMA personnel deployed to New South Wales to support the widespread flooding response in the Central West and Rivierina regions.
Personnel assisted in a variety of support roles including operations, planning, public information, logistics, resources, and air support.
This award is in recognition of the utmost professionalism and unwavering dedication in Incident Management support that our people provided to the affected communities in New South Wales.
Congratulations to those personnel, past and present, who are receiving this award. This citation recognises your hard work, dedication and willingness to support our international colleagues in their time of need.
Details of the Fire and Emergency recipients can be found below:

  • Kaye Ahsam, National Manager, Women’s Development – Northland
  • Kim Boyce, Advisor Community Readiness and Recovery – Northland
  • Stephen Corin, Volunteer Support Officer, Senior Firefighter & Rural Crew Leader – Northland
  • Dave Woon, Group Manager – Auckland
  • Scott Marchant, Group Manager – Waitemata
  • Tarah Jones, Deputy Chief Fire Officer – Waitemata
  • Rochelle Martin, District Manager – Waitemata
  • Emma Jane Goldsworthy, Advisor Community Readiness and Recovery – Counties Manukau
  • David McKeown, Group Manager – Counties Manukau
  • Chris Lane, Station Officer – Counties Manukau
  • Jessica Chaplin (former employee), Senior Media Advisor – National Headquarters
  • Rosie Rattray (former employee), Senior Media Advisor – National Headquarters
  • Liam Hyslop, Senior Media Advisor – National Headquarters
  • Nick Bryant, Principal Advisor Board and Ministerial Services – National Headquarters
  • Cullum Peni-Wesche, National Advisor Reports and Data – National Headquarters
  • Craig Monrad (former employee), USAR Operations Manager – National Headquarters
  • Blair Kiely, Chief Advisor to Service Delivery DCEs – National Headquarters
  • Sonya Porteous, Rural Crew Leader – Otago
  • Barbara Olah, Station Officer – Otago
  • Hamish Angus, Group Manager – Southland
  • Damian Daly, Volunteer Support Officer & Senior Station Officer – Southland
  • Philip MacDonald, Operational Support – Tairāwhiti
  • Nicole Dobson (former member), Qualified Firefighter – Bay of Plenty
  • John Sutton (former employee), Community Risk Manager – Bay of Plenty
  • Brendon Grylls, Group Manager – Bay of Plenty
  • Jarron McInnes, Operational Support – Bay of Plenty
  • Mark Tinworth, Community Risk Manager – Waikato
  • Alan Doherty, Group Manager – Waikato
  • John Goddard (former employee), Advisor Risk Reduction – Waikato
  • Dean Carr, Senior Firefighter – Mid-South Canterbury
  • Phillip Mackay, Timaru District Council
  • Chris Hayles, Group Manager – Nelson Marlborough
  • Paul Manson (former employee), Group Manager – Nelson Marlborough
  • Gordon Munn, Volunteer Support Officer & Station Officer – Nelson Marlborough
  • Kerri Pring, Advisor Community Readiness and Recovery & Senior Firefighter – Canterbury
  • Atila de Oliveira, Group Manager – West Coast
  • Chris Faithfull, Station Officer – Manawatū Whanganui
  • Aaron Summerhays, Senior Station Officer – Manawatū Whanganui
  • Harry Howard, Station Officer – Wellington
  • Craig Cottrill, Group Manager – Wellington
  • Gareth Hughes, Group Manager – Wellington
  • Sue Stewart, Business Services Coordinator – Wellington
  • Jason Hill, Group Manager – Hawke’s Bay
  • Kylan McKeen (former employee), Advisor Risk Reduction – Hawke’s Bay.

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Have you seen Alyssa?

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Source: New Zealand Police

Police are asking for the public’s help finding Alyssa, who has been reported missing from the Dairy Flat area.

The 16-year-old was last seen yesterday afternoon and was wearing a maroon hoody with a white zip.

Alyssa is described as between 160cm-170cms tall with brown hair and green eyes.

She is known to frequent the Dairy Flat, Hobsonville and Flat Bush areas.

Police and Alyssa’s family have concerns for her welfare and would like to find her as soon as possible.

If you have seen Alyssa or have information that might help us find her, please call 111 and quote reference number 250905/0579.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

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Expanding support for rough sleepers

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Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has announced five immediate actions to expand the support available for people sleeping rough and help them into social homes, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say.

“Homelessness has been a problem in New Zealand for decades. It is rooted in our broken housing system, and becomes more severe during challenging economic times,” Mr Bishop says.

“It’s very difficult to get accurate numbers of people living without shelter because people in these circumstances often move around and avoid engaging with government services, but it’s clear that rough sleeping is a genuine problem. 

“The Government already spends more than half a billion dollars annually on a range of homelessness support programmes, including transitional housing, Housing First, Rapid Rehousing and emergency housing, among others. When added to social housing, the Accommodation Supplement and Temporary Additional Support, we spend more than $5 billion annually on housing support. But we can and will do more for rough sleepers.

“The Government will take five immediate actions aimed at supporting rough sleepers into stable housing.

“The first is to expand the Housing First programme. Housing First is a successful programme, started under the previous National-led government, which supports people experiencing chronic homelessness into permanent housing. It also provides tailored support to help people live in the home and build a better life.

“Housing First delivers results – but it there are still a lot of people identified within the Housing First programme in need of stable housing. So today we can announce that the Government will fund an additional 300 social homes for Housing First, effective immediately. The focus for these additional social homes will be rough sleepers.

“These additional social homes, likely to be mostly one-bedroom homes, will be leased from the private rental market in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch rather than built new. Leasing existing homes is a deliberate choice – it means Housing First providers can immediately begin contracting the homes and supporting people into them without the time lag caused by consenting and building. 

Minister Potaka says the second action is to provide $10 million additional funding for support services for people sleeping rough. The intention here is to provide additional funding for services that are already established and have proven success. These services are likely to be specific to certain locations – because what works in Christchurch may not work in Hamilton and vice versa. Officials will work with trusted frontline experts to identify the services this funding should go towards.

“The third action, which is already underway, is work to increase the efficiency of transitional housing. This means making sure that we have the right transitional housing properties in the right locations and with the right providers to ensure we can better support demand. There could be some rebalancing of places towards providers who have demonstrated an ability and willingness to work with rough sleepers.

“Ministers have directed officials to significantly increase this occupancy rate by ensuring transitional housing places are located in the areas with the greatest demand, reducing turnaround time between tenants, and speeding up the time it takes to move a new client into transitional housing. This will mean fewer units sitting vacant and more homeless people being housed.

“The fourth action is I expect that MSD assess all beneficiaries going into these social homes for good cause to redirect their benefit to contribute to accommodation costs. 

“Most people in social housing pay a contribution of 25 per cent of their income. Beneficiaries in social housing can choose to pay this through a direct deduction from their benefit – but many choose not to. Non-payment of rent over a sustained period can eventually result in tenancy termination and homelessness. Implementing a redirection where good cause exists was a recommendation from a frontline homelessness provider. 

“And the fifth action is to encourage Ministry of Social Development (MSD) staff to use greater discretion when assessing emergency housing applications. 

“We are not changing the requirements people need to meet to qualify for emergency housing. Those requirements are firm but fair, and to relax them risks going back to the emergency housing motel catastrophe under the previous government when thousands of families and children were consigned to live in dank motel rooms for months or even years on end.

“But MSD staff can and do use their discretion when assessing emergency housing applications. Together with Social Development Minister Louise Upston, we are making it clearer to those staff that they should feel empowered to use their good judgement and common sense when determining whether someone should qualify.”

“The Government is committed to delivering the right homes, in the right places, with the right supports for rough sleepers. These five actions will help to deliver on this commitment,” Mr Potaka says.

Notes to editor:

Housing First

Housing First is a programme that helps people who have been homeless for at least a year move into permanent housing. It’s designed for those sleeping rough or in places not meant for living, like cars or garages, and who have complex needs such as mental health or addiction issues. 

Once housed, people get tailored support for as long as needed. People can access Housing First through referrals from health, mental health, income support, police, education, probation, iwi and community services. It’s available in regions like Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga, Whangārei, Nelson, Blenheim, Hawke’s Bay and the Far North.

Read more about Housing First

Transitional housing programme

Transitional housing provides short-term accommodation for people and whānau who urgently need a place to stay. It’s designed to help those who’ve lost their rental, can’t stay with family, or are moving out of emergency housing. It includes new builds, repurposed homes and leased properties. 

Read more about transitional housing

Explanation of Accommodation Supplement

The Accommodation Supplement is a weekly payment to help people with their rent, board or the cost of owning a home.

Read more about the Accommodation Supplement

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Restoring democracy to Auckland’s transport

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Source: New Zealand Government

The most significant reforms to transport in Auckland since 2010 will restore democratic accountability and ensure Aucklanders can hold their elected representatives responsible for transport policies, Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown say.

“Late last year we committed to this significant change to transport governance and delivery arrangements in Auckland. It will deliver better outcomes for Aucklanders and help to restore confidence in Auckland Transport,” Mr Bishop says. 

“Auckland’s transport system needs strong, appropriate governance to ensure people and goods can move across the city efficiently and safely, while ensuring value for money from every dollar spent by central government and Auckland Council. 

“Responsibility for most transport functions will shift from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council, including all policy and planning work. The Council will become the road controlling authority and deliver transport capital projects while maintaining transport infrastructure,” Mr Bishop says.

“Auckland Transport will become a smaller transport council-controlled-organisation so it can focus on its core role of delivering high-quality public transport services for Aucklanders.

“These changes mean that Auckland Council’s elected members will be directly accountable to the public for most transport decisions that affect the daily lives of Aucklanders.

“The Local Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Bill establishes the Auckland Regional Transport Committee, which will comprise an equal share of Auckland Council elected members and Ministerial appointees anlongside an independent chair.

“The Committee will prepare a 30-year transport plan for Auckland, building on the previous Auckland Transport Alignment Project started by the last National Government, which will steer investment and shape the future of transport in Auckland.

“This aligned approach between central government and Auckland Council is critical for delivering the transport system Aucklanders deserve.”

“The Bill also gives local boards some new powers to ensure local accountability and that local communities have a say. They’ll make decisions on local and collector roads including setting speed limits, closing roads for events, managing parking and creating cycleways.

“Arterial roads, and the city centre, will be the responsibility of the Governing Body of Auckland Council, consisting of the Mayor and 20 Councillors.

“This is great news for Auckland. This Government is committed to improving transport in Auckland and putting decision-making back in the hands of Aucklanders. This will boost productivity and economic growth by providing for better accessibility, reduced congestion and increased urban density.

“I would like to thank Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown for his collaborative engagement with the Government as we worked to reset Auckland’s transport governance arrangements.”

Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says the changes are about delivering the modern, reliable transport system the city deserves.

“For too long, Auckland Transport has failed to listen to Aucklanders and take their views into account. That’s why we’re changing the law,” Mr Brown says.

“By putting decisions back in the hands of elected representatives, we’re restoring democratic legitimacy and ensuring Aucklanders can have a direct say in the transport policies that shape their city.”

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has championed reform and has welcomed the Bill.

“This is a major victory for the people of Auckland. The bill restores democratic control of transport to elected members and local communities,” Mayor Brown says. 

“Auckland Transport costs around one and a half billion dollars a year to run, while transport capital investment represents more than a third of the council’s 10-year budget. But under the existing law we don’t get to tell AT what to do. The Bill finally makes it clear that AT should do what council tells it to do and hands power back to the people’s elected representatives.”

The Bill will have its first reading in September and is expected to pass into law in March 2026. A six-month transition period will follow, with the new arrangements expected to be in place by September 2026 or earlier.  

Notes to the Editor:

The Bill provides for Auckland Council to develop an Auckland Roading Classification Framework, with the approval of the Minister of Transport, which will identify which roads in Auckland are classified as local, collector, arterial or city centre.

Legislation will now refer to Auckland Transport as the transport council-controlled-organisation (CCO) and will specify that the primary function of the transport CCO is to provide public transport services in Auckland.

Transitional provisions in the Bill guide transition to the new arrangements over a six-month period. Auckland Council will be required to appoint a transition director who will be responsible for preparing and executing a transition plan for the transport CCO and Auckland Council.

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Help us find Te Anihana Pomana

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Source: New Zealand Police

Auckland City Police are renewing appeals for information as concerns grow over the whereabouts of missing woman Te Anihana Pomana. 

Te Anihana, 25, was last seen leaving Sky City Hotel in central Auckland at 5.06am on 21 August.

“Since then, there have been no sightings despite exhaustive efforts to locate her over the past week,” Detective Senior Segeant Martin Friend, Auckland City Police, says. 

“As time passes, we are increasingly concerned for her wellbeing.”

Today, Te Anihana’s mother, Catherine Anderson, travelled from Dunedin with close friends to join Police in central Auckland.

Police are delivering flyers to businesses in central Auckland this morning in the hope of jogging the memory of anyone who may have seen or been in contact with the missing woman.

“We do not believe Te Anihana is the victim of foul play at this stage. But we do have a vulnerable person who has not made contact with her family in two weeks,” Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says.

“It’s important that we find Te Anihana so that we can resolve this for her anxious situation for whānau, friends and loved ones.”

“Any piece of information could be pivotal in progressing Police enquiries,” Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says. 

Police can confirm Te Anihana was heading onto Victoria Street West at the time she was last seen.

“Despite extensive CCTV enquiries since then, we have not had further confirmed sightings of her in central Auckland,” Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says.

“To the best of our knowledge, Te Anihana is not carrying a phone and we cannot discount that she may have access to some cash.”

Police are asking anyone with urgent information to call 111.

Anyone with information that can assist Police is asked to call 105.

Please use the reference number 250718/6582.

ENDS.

Statement issued on behalf of Catherine Anderson:

Kia ora everyone,

I’ve travelled from Dunedin with my friends to be here today and very grateful to see you here. 

Thank you.

I’m very grateful to Police who are trying so hard to find my precious daughter.

Te Anihana has been missing for more than two weeks now and we are here because we are determined to find her. 

Te Anihana is a much-loved daughter, sister, niece, friend and mokopuna and we want to find her, take her home and keep her safe.

As a mum, I’m appealing to anyone who has any information about Te Anihana to contact Police.

She maybe in Auckland, but we know she has travelled extensively since mid-July and visited Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Kaeo, Kerikeri and wider Northland.

Someone must have seen her, and our goal is to find her.

Te Anihana, if you see this, we all love you, we miss you, please let us know you are okay. 

To anyone with information, please share it with police as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Timeline of Te Anihana’s known movements:

Police are providing a known timeline of Te Anihana’s movements in recent weeks.

– Early August: Travelled from Dunedin to Christchurch with her father.

– 2 August: Arrived in Auckland and received treatment at Middlemore Hospital for existing injuries, later being discharged.

– Early August: Moves between multiple hostels, hotels and bedsits.

– 18 August 2025: Checked into SkyCity Hotel, Auckland, at 11.11pm.

– 20 August 2025: Seen on CCTV boarding WX1 bus from Hobson Street at 6.37pm. Believed to have travelled to Lincoln Road, Henderson, then return to City.

– 21 August 2025: Confirmed sighting via CCTV leaving SkyCity Hotel at 5:06am, leaving all of her belongings behind.

– 21 August 2025: Confirmed last sighting seen on Victoria Street West at 5.16am.

– 29 August 2025: Police released CCTV footage of Te Anihana’s last known movements. This footage can be obtained by emailing media@police.govt.nz

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police

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New Zealand sea lion symposium to strengthen connections

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Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  05 September 2025

The inaugural New Zealand sea lion/pakake/whakahao Symposium/Wānanga is being held to develop and strengthen connections between people and sea lions across Aotearoa. 

DOC Southern South Island Operations Director Aaron Fleming says celebrating and strengthening connections between people and sea lions is more important than ever. 

“Connection to nature is a unifying value embraced by all New Zealanders. New Zealand sea lions are among the rarest in the world and it’s a privilege to share our coastlines with them,” he says.

“We want to celebrate and inspire people to take action – whether by finding out more about them, learning how to share the beach with them safely and respectfully, or getting involved in their conservation, everyone has a part to play.”

The free event will include talks from mana whenua representatives, researchers, fisheries and conservation managers, and will cover a range of topics including mātauraka Kāi Tahu, sea lion diet, archaelogy, disease investigations, road management, and fisheries bycatch mitigation. 

Aukaha Sea Lion Action Plan Community Liaison Kate Stevens West says after years of online meetings, the group’s members and supporters are excited to meet kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) again.

“This free weekend wānanga brings together mātauraka Māori, science, and community to explore how we can connect with and protect sea lions into the future. Everyone is welcome, whether you’re already involved or just curious to learn more.”

The afternoon session will be a series of facilitated discussions to build connection and discuss what we can do for sea lions in the coming breeding season. 

In addition, Tūhura Otago Museum will be showing us some of the pakake taoka they care for. 

Background information

How you can register for this free event

When: Saturday 13 September 8.30 am to 4.30 pm

All participants are required to register with Tūhura Otago Museum first. 

To register for this free event, please visit: https://checkout.roller.app/otagomuseum/products/sealionsymposium?date=20250913#/sessions

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

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Government Cuts – Disestablishing IR’s Māori research team will disadvantage whānau – PSA

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Source: PSA

The PSA is criticising Inland Revenue’s move to shut down its dedicated kaupapa Māori research domain, Te Mana Rangahau.
“It’s regressive, short-sighted, and a gutting blow to the Māori-Crown relationship. A clear signal that Inland Revenue is turning its back on meaningful engagement with whānau Māori,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi acting Kaihautū Māori, Marcia Puru, says.
Inland Revenue plans to shut down Te Mana Rangahau and push the work to a broader Customer Interventions group from 1 September, without first building the cultural capability needed to do it effectively.
“Instead of following its own research to embed Tiriti based, values-driven change, it’s reverting to a transactional, compliance-heavy model that prioritises punitive debt collection over the holistic, intergenerational wellbeing of whānau Māori.
“This is not just a reshuffle, it’s a dismantling of kaupapa Māori leadership inside Inland Revenue,” Puru says.
“Te Mana Rangahau is part of a wider Kaupapa Māori ecosystem within Inland Revenue focused on supporting Māori aspirations and carrying Māori voices right into the heart of strategic decision-making. Scrapping the team sends a loud message that those voices don’t matter. Let’s be clear: this is a cultural rollback and the team feels disrespected and aggrieved.
“The years of hard work done gave Inland Revenue the tools to make better, fairer strategic decisions. Now they’re throwing that progress out the window clearly prioritising more Western-led approaches.”
The PSA says this move reflects a wider political agenda that ignores evidence, guts kaupapa Māori leadership, and leaves whānau Māori further behind, many of whom are already facing economic hardship.
“The PSA is very concerned that Inland Revenue is not protecting its dedicated kaupapa Māori space. We’d like to see them recommit to working with Māori and not against them.
“Above all, Inland Revenue must stay focused on work that produces Tiriti based, values-drive change, and continue uplifting the cultural capability of its entire organisation.”

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