KIWI NEWS
New Zealand's first indigenous governor-general takes office
For the first time, New Zealand will have a Maori woman as its governor-general. She pledged to strengthen communities to meet modern-day challenges.
Dame Cindy Kiro previously served as New Zealand's children's commissioner and has held leadership roles at several universities
Dame Cindy Kiro was sworn in as New Zealand's governor-general in parliament in Wellington on Thursday, becoming the first indigenous Maori woman to serve in the largely ceremonial role.
The governor-general carries out a number of constitutional duties in the former British colony, including officially signing bills into law and presiding over many public ceremonies.
They act as a representative of the British monarch — who remains New Zealand's official head of state.
After taking her oath of office in English and Te Reo Maori, Kiro spoke of her mixed Maori and British heritage and vowed to reach out to migrants and marginalized citizens.
"Communities develop resilience when people feel connected, have a sense of belonging, and have a place to stand," she said in a speech at the swearing-in ceremony.
"I will connect to new migrants and former refugees, and celebrate the many diverse cultures and religions gifted to our nation by those who have chosen to make New Zealand their home," Kiro said.
A champion of the indigenous language
In her speech, she also vowed to be a champion of the Te Reo Maori language.
"In my lifetime, I've also seen a remarkable shift in attitudes towards Te Reo Maori," she said.
"It's a joy to see so many New Zealanders eager to learn the language, as it is by far the best portal to an understanding of Te Ao Maori — and I will continue to try and champion it," Kiro said.
Te Reo Maori became an official language of New Zealand in 1987, alongside English.
The Maoris are the country's largest ethnic minority, representing 16.5% of the population. They remain both economically and socially disadvantaged.
What did the PM say?
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern welcomed the new governor-general in her speech.
"I know as the first Maori woman to hold this role you are mindful that your opportunity here also provides inspiration that reaches far and wide for many from all walks of life," she said.
"Hopefully when others follow your footsteps they won't be quite as surprised as you were when I offered you the role," Ardern said, news website Stuff reported.
What more do we know about Cindy Kiro?
Kiro previously served as chief executive of the Royal Society, a nonprofit group that advocates for research.
She has also been the New Zealand's Children's Commissioner and has held leadership roles at several universities.
She holds a Ph.D. in social policy and an MBA from the University of Auckland and Massey University and was the first in her family to achieve a university qualification.
Kiro succeeds Patsy Reddy, who had also been given the honorific "Dame" for her services to the community.
adi/sri (Reuters, AP)
For the first time, New Zealand will have a Maori woman as its governor-general. She pledged to strengthen communities to meet modern-day challenges.
Dame Cindy Kiro previously served as New Zealand's children's commissioner and has held leadership roles at several universities
Dame Cindy Kiro was sworn in as New Zealand's governor-general in parliament in Wellington on Thursday, becoming the first indigenous Maori woman to serve in the largely ceremonial role.
The governor-general carries out a number of constitutional duties in the former British colony, including officially signing bills into law and presiding over many public ceremonies.
They act as a representative of the British monarch — who remains New Zealand's official head of state.
After taking her oath of office in English and Te Reo Maori, Kiro spoke of her mixed Maori and British heritage and vowed to reach out to migrants and marginalized citizens.
"Communities develop resilience when people feel connected, have a sense of belonging, and have a place to stand," she said in a speech at the swearing-in ceremony.
"I will connect to new migrants and former refugees, and celebrate the many diverse cultures and religions gifted to our nation by those who have chosen to make New Zealand their home," Kiro said.
A champion of the indigenous language
In her speech, she also vowed to be a champion of the Te Reo Maori language.
"In my lifetime, I've also seen a remarkable shift in attitudes towards Te Reo Maori," she said.
"It's a joy to see so many New Zealanders eager to learn the language, as it is by far the best portal to an understanding of Te Ao Maori — and I will continue to try and champion it," Kiro said.
Te Reo Maori became an official language of New Zealand in 1987, alongside English.
The Maoris are the country's largest ethnic minority, representing 16.5% of the population. They remain both economically and socially disadvantaged.
What did the PM say?
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern welcomed the new governor-general in her speech.
"I know as the first Maori woman to hold this role you are mindful that your opportunity here also provides inspiration that reaches far and wide for many from all walks of life," she said.
"Hopefully when others follow your footsteps they won't be quite as surprised as you were when I offered you the role," Ardern said, news website Stuff reported.
What more do we know about Cindy Kiro?
Kiro previously served as chief executive of the Royal Society, a nonprofit group that advocates for research.
She has also been the New Zealand's Children's Commissioner and has held leadership roles at several universities.
She holds a Ph.D. in social policy and an MBA from the University of Auckland and Massey University and was the first in her family to achieve a university qualification.
Kiro succeeds Patsy Reddy, who had also been given the honorific "Dame" for her services to the community.
adi/sri (Reuters, AP)
Britain, New Zealand agree trade deal, including haka clause
The haka is best known as the spectacular pre-match challenge issued by the All Blacks, but it's also a revered cultural tradition among New Zealand's Maori
CHARLY TRIBALLEAU AFP/File
London (AFP)
The in-principle deal was sealed in a video call between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern, following 16 months of talks.
Johnson said it was a "big moment" that strengthened Britain's friendship with New Zealand and cemented London's ties in the Indo-Pacific.
He likened negotiations for Britain's latest post-Brexit trade deal to a rugby match.
"I'm absolutely thrilled that we seem to have driven for the line, we've scrummed down, we've packed tight and together we've got the ball over the line," he said.
Ardern continued the sporting analogy, saying Thursday that "unlike a rugby match, I think we can literally both come off the field feeling like winners".
London (AFP)
The in-principle deal was sealed in a video call between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern, following 16 months of talks.
Johnson said it was a "big moment" that strengthened Britain's friendship with New Zealand and cemented London's ties in the Indo-Pacific.
He likened negotiations for Britain's latest post-Brexit trade deal to a rugby match.
"I'm absolutely thrilled that we seem to have driven for the line, we've scrummed down, we've packed tight and together we've got the ball over the line," he said.
Ardern continued the sporting analogy, saying Thursday that "unlike a rugby match, I think we can literally both come off the field feeling like winners".
Tariffs on New Zealand goods such as wine, kiwifruit and meat, will be axed under the dea
l NEIL SANDS AFP/File
London said the deal ends tariffs on British exports such as clothing, footwear, ships and bulldozers. It estimated that trade between the two countries last year was worth £2.3 billion ($3.2 billion, 2.7 billion euros).
Tariffs on goods coming the other way, such as wine, kiwifruit and meat, will also be axed.
"It's one of our best deals ever and secured at a crucial time in our Covid recovery," Ardern said.
The New Zealand leader praised provisions in the agreement aimed at promoting Maori participation in trade and addressing indigenous concerns.
They include a commitment by both countries to "identify appropriate ways to advance recognition and protection of the haka Ka Mate".
The haka is best known as the spectacular pre-match challenge issued by the All Blacks, but it is also a revered cultural tradition among New Zealand's Maori.
Indigenous communities -- particularly the Ngati Toa iwi (tribe) where Ka mate originated -- have long resented the foot-stomping, eye-rolling challenge being mocked or exploited for profit.
Over the years, haka parodies have been used in Britain to sell everything from menswear to alcopops -- all without permission and without a cent being paid to the ritual's traditional owners.
The deal will encourage more cultural sensitivity, with London agreeing to formally recognise Ngati Toa's guardianship of the Ka Mate haka.
New Zealand Rugby and Ngati Toa have been approached for comment.
© 2021 AFP
London said the deal ends tariffs on British exports such as clothing, footwear, ships and bulldozers. It estimated that trade between the two countries last year was worth £2.3 billion ($3.2 billion, 2.7 billion euros).
Tariffs on goods coming the other way, such as wine, kiwifruit and meat, will also be axed.
"It's one of our best deals ever and secured at a crucial time in our Covid recovery," Ardern said.
The New Zealand leader praised provisions in the agreement aimed at promoting Maori participation in trade and addressing indigenous concerns.
They include a commitment by both countries to "identify appropriate ways to advance recognition and protection of the haka Ka Mate".
The haka is best known as the spectacular pre-match challenge issued by the All Blacks, but it is also a revered cultural tradition among New Zealand's Maori.
Indigenous communities -- particularly the Ngati Toa iwi (tribe) where Ka mate originated -- have long resented the foot-stomping, eye-rolling challenge being mocked or exploited for profit.
Over the years, haka parodies have been used in Britain to sell everything from menswear to alcopops -- all without permission and without a cent being paid to the ritual's traditional owners.
The deal will encourage more cultural sensitivity, with London agreeing to formally recognise Ngati Toa's guardianship of the Ka Mate haka.
New Zealand Rugby and Ngati Toa have been approached for comment.
© 2021 AFP
New Zealand to make banks report climate impact
Wellington (AFP)
Climate Change Minister James Shaw said the law meant banks, insurance companies and investment firms would make mandatory disclosures about their portfolios' global warming record from next year.
Shaw, who will head to Glasgow later this month for crunch climate talks hosted by the United Nations, said the disclosures would outline the real-world consequences of investment choices.
"It will encourage entities to become more sustainable by factoring the short, medium, and long-term effects of climate change into their business decisions," he said in a statement.
"New Zealand is a world leader in this area and the first country in the world to introduce mandatory climate-related reporting for the financial sector," he added.
© 2021 AFP
New Zealand's farm-reliant economy means agricultural emissions account for around half of its greenhouse gases
NEIL SANDS AFP/File
Issued on: 21/10/2021
Issued on: 21/10/2021
Wellington (AFP)
Climate Change Minister James Shaw said the law meant banks, insurance companies and investment firms would make mandatory disclosures about their portfolios' global warming record from next year.
Shaw, who will head to Glasgow later this month for crunch climate talks hosted by the United Nations, said the disclosures would outline the real-world consequences of investment choices.
"It will encourage entities to become more sustainable by factoring the short, medium, and long-term effects of climate change into their business decisions," he said in a statement.
"New Zealand is a world leader in this area and the first country in the world to introduce mandatory climate-related reporting for the financial sector," he added.
© 2021 AFP
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