April 05, 2016
Poll on Maori
Poll on Maori
WILLIE JACKSON
The Māori Identity poll – or Maori-meter as it has been dubbed – will give organisations who work in this space a clearer view and evidence of the new urban migration of Māori – and more importantly how they see themselves in 2016.
The poll, being run through the Radio Waatea 603amwebsite and Facebook page, has experienced quite a phenomenal uptake already in the few days it’s been running. Early indications confirm to me that you can be Māori, live in the urban area and yet be both Iwi and urban. You don’t have to be one or the other.
That’s a revealing statistic because knowing who you are and where you come from is a big part of being Māori.
Commercially, this type of evidence is vital and constructive in funding rounds.
I am Chairman of the National Urban Māori Authority (NUMA), which seeks fair funding for the thousands of whānau it supports.
Our other Urban Māori affiliates in the NUMA collective deal with high needs whānau and while many might be Māori, not all will be. We expect that the poll will zero in and identify urban Māori so the group has a united front and voice.
NUMA consists of the ANT Trust in Kaitaia, He Puna Marama, Whangarei, Whanau Waipareira, west Auckland, the Manukau Urban Maori Authority, south Auckland, Te Kohao Health, Waikato and Te Roopu Awhina ki Porirua in Wellington.
The drive to take the pulse of the nation is intended to be about all of us and NUMA’s role to be advocates for our Māori whānau who live in urban settings.
I expect the poll will show whānau who are fourth generation urban, that may still identify back to their ancestral homelands, but have had no dealings or support from back home.
And chances are when they have tried to find support for whānau that has come via one of the Urban Māori Authorities who make up NUMA or one of the many collectives delivering Whanau Ora services.
NUMA is also prepared to challenge the large government departments who live off the failings of Maori. That type of funding, without real outcomes for whanau, has to stop.
I myself have strong Iwi affiliations via my Ngati Maniapoto and Ngati Porou links. I am also the chairman for the 21 Iwi Māori Radio Stations (Te Whakaruruhau ō Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori); and chair for the Māori Television Electoral College (Te Pūtahi Paoho).
So while I, like many of my peers, know my Iwi, it is in the urban areas that we find the greatest need for our people. There is no right or wrong in answers this survey. Go to www.waateanews.com and see for yourself.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NUMAPOLL1
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com