Articles tagged with Potaka
Government’s Flexible Fund Delivers 823 New Social and Affordable Homes in NZ
8 hours ago | 24 viewsThe Government’s Housing Flexible Fund has exceeded its initial target by enabling the delivery of 823 new social and affordable homes across nine high-need locations, primarily funded through Budget 2025 with $41 million in operating and around $60 million in capital funding. This data-driven, needs-based approach prioritizes one- and two-bedroom homes and actively involves over 30 Community Housing Providers, including many Māori providers with strong local ties, to ensure effective delivery tailored to community needs. Building on previous budgets, the Flexible Fund establishes a long-term pipeline for social housing, reduces borrowing costs for providers, and aims to deliver thousands more homes in coming years to address ongoing housing demand.
Tags: Chris Bishop Mr Potaka Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust Housing Minister Community Housing Providers Māori housing providers Ministry for Cities Environment Regions and Transport Housing Investment Plan$9.2M Boost for 20 NZ Community Groups Driving Vital Conservation Projects
8 hours ago | 40 viewsConservation Minister Tama Potaka announced $9.2 million from the Department of Conservation Community Fund will support 20 community-led conservation projects across New Zealand. These projects focus on protecting threatened ecosystems and species, leveraging local knowledge, community effort, and partnerships with Iwi. The fund attracted 121 applications totaling over $69 million, with additional contributions expected from community groups to enhance conservation outcomes.
Tags: Tama Potaka Department of Conservation DOCCF New Zealand conservation projects community groups Iwi Northland horopito Whitaker’s skink wetlandsHistoric Land Restoration: Te Here-ā-Nuku Bill Returns 3000 Hectares to Original Owners
1 day ago | 76 viewsThe Te Here-ā-Nuku (Nelson Tenths) Bill has passed its third reading, restoring approximately 3000 hectares of land in the top of the South Island to its rightful Māori owners after being held by the Crown as trustee for over 180 years. Arrangements have been made to allow the Crown to lease back some land for conservation and public use, ensuring continued access to key sites like the Abel Tasman Great Walk and public reserves. Following Royal Assent, legal title will transfer from the Crown to the Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust, marking the resolution of a long-standing historical grievance.
Tags: Nelson Tenths Chris Bishop Tama Potaka Stafford Crown Abel Tasman Great Walk Tōtaranui Kaiteretere$1.7M Funded for Predator Control to Protect Chatham Islands Wildlife
1 day ago | 69 viewsConservation Minister Tama Potaka announced $1.7 million from the 2026 Department of Conservation Community Fund for two projects on the Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Islands aimed at protecting endangered wildlife and ecosystems. The Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust will receive $1,169,900 to remove feral cats from Rangihaute Pitt Island, safeguarding threatened bird species, while the Chatham Islands Farmers Association will get $543,240 for pig control efforts starting on the same island. These initiatives, supported by Iwi and community involvement, are expected to attract $2.8 million in co-investment and contribute to a predator-free environment for native species.
Tags: Tama Potaka Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Islands Department of Conservation Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust tūturuatu shore plover Chatham Islands Farmers Association Rangihaute Pitt Island ImiNew Zealand Launches Revised National Plan to Protect and Sustain Sharks
5 days ago | 117 viewsThe New Zealand Government has approved a revised National Plan of Action to enhance shark conservation and sustainable management, addressing threats such as fishing, pollution, and climate change while integrating tangata whenua perspectives. The plan emphasizes protecting vulnerable shark species, minimizing bycatch through best-practice handling, and maintaining the health of marine ecosystems where at least 113 shark species reside. Developed collaboratively by multiple agencies and stakeholders, this updated plan builds on previous efforts, including the 2014 shark finning ban, and sets clear goals and measurable objectives for 2026.
Tags: Tama Potaka New Zealand National Plan of Action sharks conservation Department of Conservation Fisheries New Zealand shark finning ban tangata whenua marine ecosystems$1M+ Government Funding Boosts Coastal Habitat and Kōkako Protection in Taranaki
1 week ago | 128 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing over $1 million to support conservation projects in Taranaki, focusing on restoring rare coastal habitats and protecting kōkako in the region’s northeast. Te Kāhui o Taranaki will receive funding to restore endangered coastal turf ecosystems, while the East Taranaki Environment Trust will expand predator control to safeguard native species across a large landscape. These initiatives, supported by Iwi, community groups, and volunteers, exemplify collaborative efforts funded through the DOC Community Fund to achieve lasting environmental gains.
Tags: Tama Potaka Te Kāhui o Taranaki East Taranaki Environment Trust kōkako Taranaki Conservation Minister Iwi DOC Community Fund coastal habitat predator controlSaving New Zealand’s Rare Hamilton’s Frog and White-Bellied Skink from Extinction
2 weeks ago | 161 viewsConservation efforts are underway to save two critically endangered native New Zealand species, Hamilton’s frog and the white-bellied skink, by creating safe backup populations through captive breeding programs at Auckland Zoo and Orana Wildlife Park. Hamilton’s frog populations have declined by about 80%, with remaining wild frogs only on a few islands, while fewer than 100 white-bellied skinks survive in the wild in Canterbury’s high country. These initiatives aim to boost breeding success and eventually reintroduce these species into protected natural habitats to ensure their survival for future generations.
Tags: Tama Potaka Hamilton’s frog Auckland Zoo Orana Wildlife Park Takapourewa Motuara Island Zealandia sanctuary NukuwaiataGovernment Invests $3.9M to Expand Predator Free Dunedin and Protect Otago Wildlife
3 weeks ago | 181 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $3.9 million to expand Predator Free 2050 efforts in Otago, building on previous funding for Wellington and Auckland to support successful predator elimination projects. The funding will target the removal of stoats, feral cats, and possums across key areas while enhancing biosecurity and monitoring to protect native wildlife and biodiversity. Additionally, the project will trial advanced technologies such as AI-enabled traps and rapid-response systems to improve predator detection and control.
Tags: Otago Predator Free 2050 Dunedin Tama Potaka Wellington Auckland Port Chalmers Orokonui Ecosanctuary Aramoana Peninsula Blueskin BayNew Waitangi Tribunal Members Nick Wells and Rick Witana Appointed
3 weeks ago | 225 viewsMāori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the appointments of Nick Wells and Rick Witana to the Waitangi Tribunal, replacing Dr Paul Hamer and Basil Morrison, who are stepping down after long service. Wells and Witana bring extensive expertise in governance, law, Iwi leadership, and Crown–Māori relationships, enhancing the Tribunal's work. Both new members will serve three-year terms, with Wells succeeding Hamer and Witana succeeding Morrison.
Tags: Tama Potaka Nick Wells Rick Witana Paul Hamer Basil Morrison Waitangi Tribunal Ngāpuhi UNICEF Aotearoa Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri Māori DevelopmentMāori Development Minister Tama Potaka Announces Key Governance Reappointments
3 weeks ago | 185 viewsMāori Development Minister Tama Potaka has confirmed the reappointments of Dr Charlotte Severne as Māori Trustee, Hinerangi Edwards to the Poutama Trust Board, and Brian Morris to the Te Māngai Pāho Board, ensuring continuity in governance across Māori land, economic development, and broadcasting. Each appointee brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to advancing Māori land management, enterprise growth, and the promotion of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori. Their leadership is expected to sustain the organisations' efforts in supporting Māori landowners, economic initiatives, and cultural broadcasting.
Tags: Tama Potaka Charlotte Severne Hinerangi Edwards Brian Morris Māori Trustee Poutama Trust Board Te Māngai Pāho Māori Development Māori broadcasting Māori economic developmentTe Taura Whiri Reappoints Dr Jeremy MacLeod and Jennifer Ward-Lealand for Leadership
3 weeks ago | 281 viewsMāori Development Minister Tama Potaka has reappointed Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod as Deputy Chair and Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand as Board members of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori for a three-year term starting September 2026, ensuring experienced leadership in the organisation's efforts to revitalise te reo Māori. Dr MacLeod brings over 15 years of governance and language revitalisation expertise, while Ward-Lealand is a respected actor and advocate with extensive governance experience and a strong commitment to promoting te reo Māori. Their continued roles will support Te Taura Whiri’s mission to grow, normalise, and promote the Māori language across Aotearoa.
Tags: Tama Potaka Jeremy Tātere MacLeod Te Taura Whiri Te Wharehuia Milroy Tā Timoti Kāretu Ngāti Kahungunu Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Watershed Theatre The Actors' ProgrammeŌmāhu Marae Homes Transferred to Māori Trusts Supporting Whānau Housing
3 weeks ago | 271 viewsOwnership of 11 temporary homes at Ōmāhu Marae in Hawke’s Bay has been transferred from the Government to local Māori authorities to support Māori-led housing and community resilience following Cyclone Gabrielle. This transfer honors Treaty obligations by enabling local stewardship, preserving cultural continuity, and ensuring the homes remain affordable and serve social good. The initiative reflects partnership and empowerment of Māori communities, with the village named Utaina Ōmāhu symbolizing unity and strength.
Tags: Tama Potaka Ōmāhu Marae Ngāti Hinemanu Ngāi Te Upokoiri Te Piringa Hapū Ngāti Kahungunu Cyclone Gabrielle Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Heretaunga Te Tiriti o WaitangiSecond Native Bird in New Zealand Confirmed with H5 Bird Flu, Response Steps Up
1 month ago | 245 viewsNew Zealand has confirmed its second case of H5 bird flu in a native Kāhu hawk, prompting increased surveillance and support for the poultry industry, alongside ongoing vaccination efforts for endangered native birds. The Department of Conservation is actively vaccinating vulnerable species, enhancing biosecurity, and collaborating with partners to mitigate the virus's impact on wildlife. The public is urged to report sightings of sick or dead birds promptly while avoiding contact, as authorities continue monitoring and managing the spread of bird flu.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Tama Potaka Kāhu H5 bird flu brown skua kākāpō takahē tūturuatu kakī kākāriki karakaNew Ngāmotu Marae in New Plymouth to Boost Culture, Community, and Resilience
1 month ago | 353 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing up to $8.6 million to establish Ngāmotu Marae in central New Plymouth, providing Ngāti Te Whiti with a long overdue home and serving as a cultural, social, and economic hub for the wider community. The marae will feature facilities like a wharenui and wharekai, doubling as an emergency lifeline offering food, shelter, and essential services during crises. With a total cost of $17.8 million and multiple co-funders, the project aims to support jobs during construction and foster long-term cultural tourism, local enterprise, and community development.
Tags: Ngāti Te Whiti Shane Jones Tama Potaka Ngāmotu Marae New Plymouth Moturoa Regional Infrastructure Fund Toi Foundation Ngāti Te Whiti Whenua Tōpu Trust Māori DevelopmentNew Zealand Removes Land Disposal Provisions to Protect Conservation Areas
1 month ago | 470 viewsThe New Zealand Government will remove provisions related to the disposal or exchange of conservation land from the Conservation Amendment Bill in response to public concerns. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka emphasized the importance of protecting iconic landscapes and committed to working with environmental groups, stakeholders, and iwi to balance economic development with strong conservation outcomes. The bill, currently under parliamentary review, aims to modernize conservation land management and improve environmental outcomes while ensuring clarity and public support.
Tags: Tama Potaka Conservation Amendment Bill New Zealand Conservation Minister Environmental Defence Society Forest and Bird conservation land conservation legislation economic development parliamentary select committee