New Prime Minister for New Zealand - Jacinda Arden

I still can't understand why Winston Peters swayed to side with Labor. Is it because he was being offered the Deputy Prime minister Position? I think that Winston Peters didn't give his answer as to whether he would take the position offered to him yet, so we wouldn't make the connection that he swayed towards Labor because of it. Abortion, falls under the criminal Act and whats with Water Taxing for Farmers? They didn't want to tax the urban consumers because they didn't want to upset them, So Labour thinks its better to tax the Farmers, well what happens when the Farmers get taxed, then the taxes they absorb will be passed on to the consumer for the beef, Lamb, crops, dairy, wheat, fruit etc..thus pushing up the costs for the consumers food and beverage which is already uncommonly high! Therefore tipping the economy into the unbalanced state it is already in, where the poor get poorer, & the rich get richer I don't understand why taxing the higher income bracket is a no go, but taxing farmers who are working just as hard, if not more than that of the higher income bracket is all good and fair.

Then there is the issue of Immigration, where Ardern has expressed that the immigration intake will be sufficiently lowered stating that there is an "infrastructure issue" due to the poor population growth planning, BUT she wants to INCREASE the intake of Refugees. I don't think that to solve one problem, to create a new problem or make an existing problem worse, is hardly commendable. There are other issues I would rather not get into,
The Content below is from the Wikipedia Website.

Born in Hamilton, New Zealand,^[12] Ardern grew up in Morrinsville and Murupara, where her father, Ross Ardern, worked as a police officer.^[13] She attended the University of Waikato, graduating in 2001 with a Bachelor of Communication Studies (BCS) in politics and public relations.^[14] Ardern was brought into politics by her aunt, a longstanding member of the Labour Party, who recruited a teenaged Ardern to help her with campaigning for New Plymouth MP Harry Duynhoven during his re-election campaign during the 1999 general election.^[15]

Ardern joined the Labour Party at a young age, and became a senior figure in the Young Labour branch of the party. After graduating from university, she spent time working in the offices of Phil Goff and of Helen Clark as a researcher. She later spent time in London, working as a senior policy advisor to Tony Blair,^[8] a position she would later distance herself from.^[16] She was also seconded to the Home Office to help with a review of policing in England and Wales.^[14] In early 2008 she won election as the President of the International Union of Socialist Youth,^[17] a role which saw her spend time in countries such as Jordan, Israel, Algeria and China.^[14]

PUKANA!

This is a blast from the Past but I thought I should share.  Pukana is performed for many reasons, Pukana can be to show ones Mana and Ihi, sometimes how fierce a warrior can be and also how beautiful or a little flirtatious a woman can be when doing the poi, or in a waiata a ringa. It is the way we Maori express ourselves. For men it is the protruding of the tongue and widening of the eyes and for women we widen our eyes not do the protrusion of the tongue. But why do our eyes, well my Nanny said to me, our eyes the windows to our soul and our and actions speak louder than words, eyes can show many feelings and what your wairua what your Spirit says is truth though your words might betray.

This Photo has some pretty awesome fellas in it, My son for one who has a mean as Pukana, but behind him is his Uncle the Late David Atkinson who is one of the most generous kindest and ngawari men I have ever met! He and his wife and their family, also Richard Polsen and a friend of theirs started the Maori Culture Group called Ngati Hiona, and have been the heart of the Maori Community in Utah for a long time now. My Uncle Rakaipaka has been the Kaumatua for not only Ngati Hiona but for many Maori and Pacific Islanders in the State, and they are known across the country amongst the Polynesian and Performing Arts communities for their efforts and Contributions.  From the right to left we have The Late Uncle Wiremu Pene from Ngati Pourou, who had a mighty voice, boy could he sing. Then our nephew Shaun Clarke who went on to perform and work at one of Hawaii's leading attractions The Polynesian Culture Centre.Uncle Dave and Hayden Bailey,  the Grandson of Uncle Wiremu, Jason Wihongi, who is well versed in Haka and Mau Rakau and from one of the first Maori Family's who migrated to Utah, and is married to a Beautiful Kahungunu maiden, Candy Wihongi nee Nuku, and to the side and front of him are his good looking sons.:)

It is Important for us to teach our Tamariki because they are the future of our Maori communities were ever they may be around the world, We must build them up with what it means to be a strong community, so that when we are gone they will take our places and look after one another, so Parents and Grandparents, it must first be important for us, otherwise it will never be important to them!

What a wonderful Maori Community we had in Utah. It was so unique and the aroha and wairua was definitely one of a kind. Naku te rourou, Nau te rourou, ka ora ai te Iwi! Tihei Mauri Ora!

Te Matatini 2017

Gosh it seems like forever since the last post. So here goes, Im back in the driving seat and Im ready to blog like crazy. First, changes for our little family....................... We are now a big family, a family of 8 6-kids 2-parents and a partridge in a pear tree! We have moved from the USA to Sydney, Australia and now we live Hawkes Bay, New Zealand! Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! I know right?! So Im starting with todays exciting news Ngati Kahungunu, which is my Maori tribe is playing host to the Nations, International Maori Culture Competitions, Its an all weekend Shindig and was kicking off the half week long festivities today with an amazing Powhiri( Traditional welcoming Ceremony).

 The beautiful colour scheme they chose reminded me of the Paua shell colours (known as the Abalone). I was so gutted that I couldn't attend this wonderful event and take part in the rare opportunity to be a part of the Rope.  It has taken them a couple of years, many countless hours to put together this Powhiri. I loved that they allowed so many to take part in each of the different aspects of Powhiri, whilst upholding Tikanga, I could feel the Mana (Spiritual Power) and Ihi (Power/Force, like in Stars war "May the force be with you") while watching it from the comforts of home, and I tell you I was beaming with pride, to be MAORI, and Im sure that all the whanau (family) that were participating felt it 1000 times over.

https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/kahungunu-pohiri-wows-motu

The Competitions showcase the best of the best Kapahaka Roopu in the whole country plus Australia as they Haka it out on the Stage to see who is Best! We will hear some unique Maori waiata (songs) and perhaps some revamped oldies. The Groups Practise for the competitions years in advance, and have their own Kaitito (Composers) or Kaituhi(writer) writing them new Haka, Whakawaatea, Waiata, Poi, Whakaeke, Oriori and so on, they make costumes and give up a lot of time to practise and you can see it in the quality of their performances.  The judges have a tough job on their hands.  My Uncle Ashley Puriri is the MC or Presenter for the event, and it is presented Bilingually though mostly in Maori.

 I just couldn't end the day without blogging and journaling it! Lastly an amazing event always has Volunteers, Glad my Son and Husband are going along to lend a hand. Lastly hope everyone enjoys themselves, learn something new,meet up with old peeps or meet new ones, eat some awesome kai and dont forget your sunglasses, Potae (hat) and (Kiremi) sunscreen.  Go hard nga Roopu Kapahaka o te whakataetae 2017.  Ka mau te Wehi! #matatini #maori #kapahaka #Ngati Kahungunu #matatini2017