In the English section, Anipatene Biddle of Te Kura o Te Koutu won the junior category, a chip off the old block one might say, following in the footsteps of her internationally recognised speech-winning father, Kingi Biddle, and Te Mahara Swanson-Hall from John Paul College taking out the senior English category.
Congratulations to you all, and I wish you the best of luck in Porirua later this year.
Last week I attended the pohiri for the Trenz conference, which was hosted here in Rotorua for the third time. It is the biggest annual international tourism event in Aotearoa, and is an opportunity for tourism providers of visitor accommodation, transport, activities and attractions to showcase their products to more than 270 international delegates from around the world.
The four-day conference sees these delegates negotiating agreements with our providers for the upcoming seasons which, of course, is good news for the $9.3billion export tourism industry.
And what better place to showcase the tourism we have to offer in Aotearoa, than right here in Rotorua?
One thing I know for certain is that iwi in this region are full of innovation and have a clear desire to create economic wealth for their people.
Iwi and Maori groups throughout this region and indeed around the country are doing amazing things. For example, in education, here in Rotorua you have Ngati Whakaue who are engaging vulnerable whanau so they understand things like NCEA and the importance of science and maths, which many of our whanau have shied away from.
On the geothermal front in Taupo, Maori land owners are signing agreements with major energy giants and are exploring joint ventures with neighbouring iwi/hapu.
In eastern Bay of Plenty Maori are utilising technology developed by Te Tumu Paeroa to determine the best use of their undeveloped land. There's a lot going on and I hope Maori tourism operators in the area take the opportunity afforded by events such as Trenz to secure ongoing business.
Finally, I want to take the opportunity to bring awareness to fundraising by the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation during May. The foundation is promoting "Pink Ribbon Breakfasts" to raise money for research.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women affecting one in nine New Zealand women. Around 3000 New Zealand women and 20 men are diagnosed every year.
For Maori women the news is worse - as they have, on average, a 33 per cent higher incidence of breast cancer than non-Maori women and both Maori and Pacific women are at greater risk of dying of breast cancer than other NZ women.
To support this kaupapa, I am hosting a Pink Morning Tea, and also seeking donations on my Pink Ribbon Breakfast page http://pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz/page/teururoaflavellpinkmorningtea any donations given go directly to the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation.
Remember, too, that there are local agencies to support if you are or someone you know is affected by cancer. They are Aroha Mai Cancer Support Services, 07 3493118, and Rotorua Breast Cancer Trust, 0800 222 676.
-I welcome your feedback. Email mpwaiariki@parliament.govt.nz Phone 0508 924274
-Te Ururoa Flavell is the MP for Waiariki and the co-leader of the Maori Party.
