19 December 2001 Media Statement

Government agencies forge new relationship with iwi to promote capacity building

Nearly thirty government agencies plus the district and regional councils have entered into a memorandum of understanding with Te Rarawa, a far north iwi that will enable the iwi to better deliver services to its own people, Te Tai Tokerau MP Dover Samuels said today.

“The Whole of Government initiative is based on a strategic framework drawn up by Te Rarawa which identifies the partnerships it requires with the agencies to deliver results in the areas of iwi economic development (including land use, fisheries, tourism and employment), housing, health, education, social service and justice.

“The notable features of the initiative are that:
- it is iwi led
- it is comprehensive in its involvement of Government agencies and territorial authorities
- it is creating stronger partnerships between the iwi and the Crown.

“Another feature of the initiative which has yet to be completed, is an umbrella contract currently being created, which would cover, with one document, all the service contract arrangements the iwi might have with Government Departments. This umbrella contract would be managed by a lead funder, acting on behalf of all funders.

“This Whole of Government initiative offers an exciting model for iwi which want to build their capacity to deliver services to whanau and provides an excellent illustration of the Governments’ determination to make a difference for Maori,” Dover Samuels said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>