Stories by Leigh-Marama McLachlan
News
Iwi health services on major mission to test more Māori
Māori communities in isolated areas are turning up in droves to be tested for Covid-19.
South Taranaki checkpoint discovers many flouting level 3 rules
Iwi volunteers at a new checkpoint in South Taranaki say the occupants of hundreds of vehicles they stopped did not meet the criteria to be driving under level 3.
More iwi checkpoints to be set up in Taranaki under level 3
Taranaki iwi are worried going into alert level 3 could be devastating for local Māori and say they are going to set up checkpoints around the region. Audio
Māori leaders back brief extension of level 4 lockdown
Māori leaders are backing the government's decision to extend level 4 to next week.
Doctor accuses John Tamihere of telling staff to lie for test
Two Māori doctors have walked off the job at a Covid-19 testing clinic after claims John Tamihere allegedly told staff to lie to get tested.
Covid-19: Iwi fear online alcohol sales will spike family harm
Whanganui iwi are calling for a ban on the online sale of alcohol during lockdown out of fears it will cause a spike in family violence.
Māori celebrities and experts livestream kaupapa reo lessons
Māori celebrities and experts are giving online tutorials to help thousands of children keep up their reo Māori learning at home.
Case of suicide in care warrants further investigation - Children's Commissioner
The case of a teenager dying in state care from alleged suicide warrants an investigation by his office, says the Children's Commissioner.
Father relishes rare chance for family time: 'You can't beat it'
The lockdown has seen a Whanganui father and forestry worker trade his 3am wake-up call for a "sleep in" and cuddles with his three young daughters.
Pregnant mother's emotional birth without whānau
A Palmerston North mother says it was daunting and emotional having to give birth at hospital with no whānau support.
NZ Post courier staff stood down over non-compliance of social distancing
New Zealand Post has stood down four courier workers in Wellington for not observing social distancing with each other on the job.
Māori Party delay launch to fight Covid-19
The Māori Party is delaying the launch of its new-look party to fight Covid-19 in Māori communities.
Courier drivers say they're working in filthy conditions
Courier drivers for New Zealand Post in Wellington say the company is not doing enough to make them feel safe as they work through the lockdown.
Family of essential worker worried about breaching bubble
The family of an essential worker at the Wellington harbour are worried he will bring Covid-19 home, and they are calling for more information about how to keep their bubble safe.
Covid-19 funeral restrictions leave families grieving in isolation
Families of people who die during the lockdown will be forced to grieve in isolation.
Families at Ihumātao staying in one bubble during lockdown
Kaitiaki at Ihumātao have had to turn away families wanting to isolate with them.
Pressure on government to protect Māori in pandemic
Pressure is mounting on the government to make a specific pandemic plan for Māori, who are at increased risk of falling ill.
Māori welcome government support as step in right direction
Māori businesses hit hard by the coronavirus say the government's $12.1 billion relief package will save whānau livelihoods.
Mixed feelings on marae as quarantine area in Covid-19 outbreak
Marae could provide valuable support in response to the Covid-19 coronavirus in Aotearoa, an iwi leader says. But another iwi leader is not so keen on the idea.
Fears Covid-19 could cost Māori economy $500 million
The Federation of Māori Authorities is warning Covid 19 could hit the Māori economy by half a billion dollars.
Māori Council seeks precedent-setting judgment on water rights
The contentious fight for Māori water rights is ramping up a notch, as Māori groups prepare to take court action.
The state of domestic violence against Māori women
Eighty percent will experience violence from a partner. They're three times more likely to be killed by a partner. These are domestic violence figures for Māori women.
'I never got to see him before he passed away' - Grieving whānau wants answers after son's death
Ana Ransfield's son was rushed to hospital late at night and died just after 7am the next day. The first she knew was when Oranga Tamariki called two hours later.
Māori leaders urge whānau of beaten boy to speak out
Māori leaders are decrying the beating of a four-year-old boy in Hastings and say keeping quiet about what happened is not tikanga Māori.
'No clear vision' for NZ's water resources - auditor general
Auditor General John Ryan says there is no clear vision across local and central government for water management, and no clarity about what the main issues are.