Te Ururoa Flavell MP for Waiariki www.waiariki.maori.nz

Tena ano tatou.

E hoa ma, one of the great things about a Parliamentary recess is having the opportunity to get out and about the electorate and really get a feel for the initiatives that are happening. MPs are usually tied up in Wellington for around 36 weeks of the year and the weeks back in the electorate, spread throughout the year, are vital to ensure we are grounded in the issues and priorities for our people throughout the rohe.

Let me mention a few of the events I visited. I had the opportunity of joining the prizegiving for Computers in Homes graduates which is run by Computers in Homes Bay of Plenty. This project basically teaches supports parents in learning how to use a computer alongside of their tamariki. It is fantastic to see the intergenerational learning going on as each family member starts to appreciate the sheer scale of the world wide web. The hook up, the computer itself and tuition are all organised and it is an effort to allow parents to assist their tamariki with school work, while obviously opening up a whole new world to parents. So congratulations to all of the parents and students of Te Kura a Iwi o Te Matai in Te Puke.

I had the opportunity to meet with those involved with the industrial dispute with Talleys AFFCO at Te Puke as well. People being out of work for ten weeks has been hard on families, but the community has provided assistance to those really struggling. As I write this note, news has come through that the issues have been resolved, so that is a positive outcome.

Treaty settlements are set to feature in and around Tauranga from here on in. I had the pleasure of being with Ngati Ranginui at Huria Marae recently, with Kingi Tuheitia who celebrated with them another milestone in moving the people to settlement.

I would also like to congratulate Ngai Te Rangi who organised Te Hiapo, an all-day workshop for key iwi people to listen to perspectives that might come from the settlement process. Listening to experiences from others, asking the hard questions and learning from all of the discussions are all important in setting the scene for how to deal in the treaty settlements. That Ngai Te Rangi chose to do this, I think is fantastic. What was very noticeable was the involvement of the people and the result seemed to be a positive wairua for all participants.

For my part, I encouraged Ngai Te Rangi to use the political process as much as possible. What that requires for our people is to have an understanding of the political process itself, and how it works, and then to go about using it. It is my view that our people do not use us as well as they could, and by 'us” I mean all political parties. We MPs are there for three years for the people. You should use our positions, not just for the day to day issues, but in big picture arguments.

Finally, congratulations also to the group who went to Japan recently with the delegation from Zespri. I am told that once again, it is that Maori element that really sets the scene for our interactions with other people of the world. The sooner businesses recognise the importance of the Maori indigenous element, the better for them.

I welcome your feedback. Email: [email protected] Post: PO Box 12028 Rotorua 3045 Phone: 0508 924 274.