Tārake — pānui o te Rāmere, 4 o Hepetema

Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai ki te pānui o Tārake mō te Rāmere, te whā o Hepetema, rua mano rua tekau mā ono. Here are today's positive stories from across Aotearoa. Story 1. In environment. Kaitiakitanga at Center Stage as Strong El Niño Forecast for Spring 2026. Māori communities and farmers are preparing for a powerful El Niño event expected to peak in late 2026, bringing significant weather contrasts across Aotearoa.. A rapidly strengthening El Niño event, described by scientists as potentially one of the strongest in recent history, is set to influence weather patterns across Aotearoa this spring. According to reporting by Matthew Tukaki for Waatea News on 2 September 2026, the climate phenomenon is already comparable to the 1997 event, with a warming trend in the Pacific noted as the strongest on record. The onset of these conditions is expected to reach a 'very strong' category as early as September, peaking during the late spring and early summer period. For Māori communities, the shift in weather patterns places a renewed focus on kaitiakitanga and resource management. This story comes to us from Waatea News. Story 2. In community. Auckland Heritage Festival to Showcase Māra Kai and Mana Whenua Food Histories. The 22nd Auckland Heritage Festival will celebrate the rich culinary and agricultural history of Tāmaki Makaurau, highlighting the sophisticated māra kai and food systems of mana whenua.. The Auckland Heritage Festival is set to return for its 22nd year on Saturday 26 September 2026, featuring over 150 events that explore the deep connections between kai, whenua, and community. This year's theme, "Tastes of Tāmaki: A Heritage Feast," places a significant focus on the original food systems of mana whenua, acknowledging that the region's food history began long before European arrival. A key highlight of the festival includes guided explorations of ancestral gardening sites. In Devonport, the archaeological history of Māori gardening will be examined through "The Māra Kai of Te Haukapua. This story comes to us from Waatea News. Story 3. In leadership. Former All Blacks Captain Taine Randell to Stand for New Zealand First in 2026 Election. Taine Randell, the former All Blacks captain and Hawke’s Bay businessman, has announced his candidacy for the Tukituki electorate in the upcoming 2026 general election.. Former All Blacks captain and businessman Taine Randell is entering the political arena, announcing on Thursday, 3 September 2026, that he will stand for New Zealand First in the Tukituki electorate. Randell, 51, is shifting his focus from the boardroom to the Beehive, citing a desire to restore economic opportunities for New Zealand families and address the rising cost of living. Randell’s transition into politics is driven by personal observations of the challenges facing the next generation. According to reporting from Waatea News, the former rugby star expressed concern over housing affordability and the economic security of young New Zealanders. This story comes to us from Waatea News. Story 4. In international. First Nations Cultural Burning Practices Recognised as Vital Land Management Tool. Traditional First Nations fire management techniques developed over tens of thousands of years are being highlighted as essential tools for Australia’s environmental health.. On Tuesday, 1 September 2026, a report by ABC’s Behind The News highlighted the enduring importance of cultural burning, an Indigenous land management practice developed by First Nations people over tens of thousands of years. The technique, which predates colonisation, is being recognised as a critical tool for maintaining the Australian ecosystem and managing the environment in the modern era. According to reporter Tatenda Chibika, these traditional techniques were meticulously developed by First Nations communities to suit specific local conditions. The practice involves using fire as a controlled and intentional tool to care for the landscape. This story comes to us from the ABC. Story 5. In international. Marri Ngarr artist Ryan Presley wins prestigious $100,000 Telstra Art Award. Artist Ryan Presley has been awarded the top prize at the 2026 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards for his evocative oil painting, 'Our lifestyle of tranquillity undisturbed'.. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) has announced the winners of the 2026 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA), celebrating the depth and diversity of Indigenous creative expression. According to the Koori Mail, Marri Ngarr artist Ryan Presley has claimed the prestigious $100,000 Telstra Art Award for his oil painting, 'Our lifestyle of tranquillity undisturbed'. Presley, who was born in Mparntwe/Alice Springs and is currently based on Yugambeh Country in Queensland, created a work that judges noted for its technical precision and conceptual rigour. The painting depicts a subject resting on a precarious edge between rippling waters and a distant bushfire. Story 6. In business. Māori Tourism Leaders Named Among Finalists for Record-Breaking 2026 New Zealand Tourism Awards. Māori tourism operators have featured strongly in the 2026 New Zealand Tourism Awards finalists, following a record-breaking 177 entries across the industry.. A record number of tourism operators and industry leaders have been named as finalists for the 2026 New Zealand Tourism Awards, with Māori tourism and environmental leadership taking a prominent place in the field. According to Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA), 177 entries were received across 12 categories, surpassing the previous record of 150 entries set last year. TIA Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram noted that the high level of participation reflects an industry that is increasingly proud of its achievements and the quality of visitor experiences provided in Aotearoa. 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.