Publication gives Maori voice

Ngahiwi Tomoana, chairman of Ngati Kahuugunu Iwi, Aroha Treacher, journalist and Andrew Austin, editor Hawkes Bay Today.

Hawke's Bay Today and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated (NKII) have joined forces to produce a new monthly publication called Tihei Kahungunu.

Tihei Kahungunu will be a monthly insert in Hawke's Bay Today and aims to give Ng?ti Kahungunu and M?oridom in the region a voice.

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana said that with 25 per cent of the Maori population identifying with Ngati Kahungunu, there was a great demand for such a publication.

Mr Tomoana said the publication would give a ground view of the world from people that were important in the M?ori community but probably invisible in the wider community.

"Readers can expect comments from a Maori political viewpoint and community perspectives."

Mr Tomoana said there was some "exciting stuff" happening in the Maori world.
Journalist Aroha Treacher will co-edit Tihei Kahungunu with Hawke's Bay Today editor Andrew Austin.

She said there was nothing in Hawke's Bay offering a Maori voice.

"I want our people to be entertained, I want our people to cry with us and laugh with us," she said.

"I want Tihei Kahungunu to be a fresh Maori view not a regurgitation of past news."

Hawke's Bay Today general manager Russell Broughton said he was very pleased with the venture.

"This is something we have wanted to do for a while and it has finally come together."

Mr Austin said: "We are very excited about the project and are thrilled with the speed that Ngahiwi agreed to it.

We believe it is our role as the newspaper of the region to reflect all views and this is a way to give Kahungunu a voice."

Mr Austin said that Mr Tomoana had contributed to the paper in the past and his input was highly valued.

The publication will come out monthly, starting on Monday, June 8