Tārake — pānui o te Rāapa, 9 o Hepetema

Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai ki te pānui o Tārake mō te Rāapa, te iwa o Hepetema, rua mano rua tekau mā ono. Here are today's positive stories from across Aotearoa. Story 1. In leadership. Ngāti Kahungunu Riders to Lead Five-Day Horseback Trek to Parliament for Te Tiriti. Riders from across the lower North Island will embark on a five-day journey from Waimārama to Wellington to present a petition to Parliament calling for the protection of Te Tiriti o Waitangi clauses in law.. A horseback trek carrying a petition to protect Te Tiriti o Waitangi will depart from Waimārama Marae this Friday, traveling hundreds of kilometres to the steps of Parliament. As reported by Te Ao Māori News, the five-day journey serves as a direct response to the coalition Government’s review of Treaty provisions and the proposed removal or amendment of Te Tiriti principles in legislation. Organised to send a clear message ahead of the November 7 election, the hikoi on horseback will traverse the Ngāti Kahungunu takiwā. Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated chair Bayden Barber stated that the trek is a statement to the current Government and future leaders that Māori are serious about protecting the nation’s founding agreement. This story comes to us from Te Ao Māori News. Story 2. In business. Māori authorities control $32.6 billion asset base as economic growth accelerates. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka is highlighting a surge in Māori commercial activity following new data showing Māori authorities now manage $32.6 billion in assets.. Aotearoa’s Māori economy is entering a significant new phase of growth, with latest figures revealing that Māori authorities now control $32. New data from Stats NZ, released on 8 September 2026, shows a substantial $830 million increase in the asset base within a single year, highlighting the resilience of Māori commercial activity despite broader economic challenges. Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says the focus is now on translating this expanding asset base into tangible outcomes for whānau, including more jobs, higher incomes, and lasting intergenerational wealth. The statistics show that Māori authorities and other significant Māori enterprises combined to employ approximately 55,700 people. This story comes to us from Waatea News. Story 3. In environment. First Toroa Fledglings Depart Pukekura/Tairaoa Head for Pacific Journey. The first Royal Albatross chicks of the season have begun their 9,000-kilometre journey from the Otago Peninsula to South America, marking a successful conservation milestone for local iwi and the Department of Conservation.. The skies above Pukekura/Tairaoa Head are filled with activity as the first royal albatross chicks of the season begin to fledge. On Tuesday, 8 September 2026, the Department of Conservation (DOC) confirmed that several toroa, including the well-known chick Āwheo, have successfully departed their nests to begin their life on the open ocean. The colony, situated near Ōtepoti/Dunedin, holds the distinction of being the only mainland breeding site for these massive seabirds, which boast wingspans of up to three metres. According to DOC biodiversity ranger Sharyn Broni, the fledging period follows months of preparation. This story comes to us from RNZ. Story 4. In leadership. Te Pāti Māori gains ground in latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll. Te Pāti Māori has seen a rise in support in the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll, gaining 0.5 points as the party pursues a strategic goal to sweep all seven Māori electorates.. Te Pāti Māori has recorded a lift in support in the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll, as major political parties face a significant decline in their polling numbers. According to RNZ, the poll released on Monday, 7 September 2026, shows Te Pāti Māori gained 0. 5 percentage points, bringing their total party vote to 2 percent. The results come at a time when the two largest parties, Labour and National, have both seen their support tumble below the 30 percent mark. While the major parties struggle, Te Pāti Māori remains focused on a targeted electoral strategy. The party is working to win all seven Māori seats rather than focusing purely on boosting their party vote. This story comes to us from RNZ. Story 5. In business. Māori authorities hold $32.6 billion in assets as economic strength grows. Latest Stats NZ data reveals Māori authorities now control $32.6 billion in assets and support 55,700 jobs, providing a resilient economic foundation despite national unemployment challenges and a softening market.. New data from Stats NZ reveals robust growth within the Māori economy, with Māori authorities now holding $32. 6 billion in assets as of 2025. This figure represents an increase of $830 million within a single year, underscoring the expanding economic influence of iwi, hapū, and Māori-owned businesses as the country moves toward the 2026 election. As reported by Waatea News, the latest dataset identifies 5,850 Māori-identified businesses, including 1,362 Māori authorities and 4,488 other economically significant enterprises. Together, these entities employ approximately 55,700 people and have generated $5. 7 billion in total income. This story comes to us from Waatea News. Story 6. In international. Public health researchers call for strengthened New Zealand support for Fiji’s HIV response. Health experts are urging New Zealand to bolster its support for Fiji as the Pacific nation addresses a significant rise in HIV infections through expanded community-led health initiatives.. Public health researchers are calling for New Zealand to significantly strengthen its cooperation with Fiji as the Pacific nation navigates a rapidly escalating HIV epidemic. Dr Sharon McLennan, a public health researcher at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, recently highlighted that the growth in infections has become a critical regional health security issue, requiring deeper partnerships between Pacific neighbors. Fiji has seen a notable increase in HIV diagnoses, with 2,016 cases recorded in 2025—a 27 percent rise from the previous year. In response to the crisis, Fiji declared a national HIV outbreak in January 2025 and has since moved to expand testing, treatment, and harm-reduction measures. This story comes to us from Waatea News. That's the pānui for today. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa — thank you for listening to Tārake. Haere rā.