SHAKIN THE TREE

Maori are faced with some choices that could lead to a total transformation of their society. The first is to cocoon themselves in a ritualistic paternalistic past or unleash the warriors within to fight for the lives of their children.

Two recent announcements, one by Paula Bennett they other by Pita Sharples show the face of the past and the face of a future.

Paula has effectively told every iwi leader in the country that its time that they became proactively involved in ensuring their own whanau get the best start in life. Sort of a charity begins at the iwi approach.

The first thing that happened was the iwi leaders got all whiny about money. What crap. All it takes is for people to say no more, to say enough, to say what you are doing is not right. The " it takes a whole village to raise a child approach.

If Maori truly believe in Whanau Ora they need to show that it can be practiced at grass roots level it starts with them. So its about communities facing the problems within and dealing with them as individuals and collectively.

Paula Bennett's speech to the Iwi leaders has sent ripples through Maoridom and she has no doubt created some very powerful enemies who will try to undermine her rather than getting off there arses and into the homes of the their whanau and hapu who are killing and maiming their kids. That doesn't take money - just time and effort and some personal and tribal responsibility.

Bennetts stance is in stark contrast to that of Sharples. He is not just cuddling up to the gangs, he is playing a far more intimate game. It is extremely troubling and its a hallmark of the approach taken by Maori leaders of yesterday.

His calls for the Black Power to be treated differently than the rest of society sends the worst of all messages. It legitimises them and it sets them above the law. The only thing that Sharples should embrace are strategies to reduce the numbers of kids joining up and strategies to get the women away from men who kill and maim. Strategies that ensure that gang members and their kids find some respect for the law and understand the consequences of risky behaviour.

The Gang creed is still one of violence not peace and the only elements of Maori tikanga that they take on board are the showy ritualistic ones, the ones that dont actually do much for anyone but waste a shit load of time.

It is time for the strong women we see every day trying to do the best at the terrible cliff of evil that children are hurled off every day to take a greater role in leading

them away from the brink.

Simply said, the current crop of male Maori leaders have failed their people. It does not matter how many hotels they buy, how many tree they plant - it matters not a whit when the life of their mokos are shaken from them on a weekly basis.

The silly posturing antics we see every day down on the Marae and in the corridors of power as they strut their arrogance - is not saving our kids. Its time for them to stand aside let Maori women lead and let the true Maori renaissance begin.

Maori women like Paula Bennett - a woman who is Shakin the Tree.

PM GOES FERAL IN WAITAKERES - BENNETT SAFE

This had us rolling around on the floor. The PM finds his inner animal and blends with the Westies...

Love that tie!

BIG NEWS HAS THE BEST NEWS

Dave over at Big News has been doing some cyber sleuthing and come up with some interesting stuff. And it aint lookin flash for Little Ms Benefit at the centre of the training allowance issue.


Well done....

NO BULLSHIT BENNETT TELLS IT LIKE IT IS.

And rightly so. As Whale points out - she was covered by the Privacy Act

So well done Paula - the fortune the beneficiaries in question had dragged out of the system was outrageous.

Go Paula - sock it to em. When the money is tight, you have to work hard to make it go further.

BEST LINE OF THE WEEK

“Dr Kiro has been a strong advocate for the rights of children, and she has left a lasting impression."

Yip and it wasn't a good one.

That sort of worsdmithing is something we normally only get from Cactus.

Here is the full press release from Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett on saying see ya later to Cindy Kiro and hello to a new bloke.

Child care and protection expert John Angus has been appointed Children’s Commissioner for six months while a permanent appointment is sought, Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett said today.

“I have decided to make an interim appointment to allow time to find the right permanent appointee for this important position,” Ms Bennett said. “I am grateful that we have someone of Mr Angus’ ability and standing available while we work to fill the role long-term.”

John Angus is a former front-line social worker, and was later a senior public servant. More recently he worked on the review of the Children Young Persons and their Families Act 1989, and he led inter-departmental work on preventing child abuse and neglect for the Taskforce for Action on Violence Within Families.

“Mr Angus has high integrity and immense respect within the sector for the policy research and academic work he has done on child care and protection over many years,” Ms Bennett said. “He is regarded as thoughtful, considered and a safe pair of hands.”

Ms Bennett thanked outgoing commissioner Dr Cindy Kiro for her commitment to children and young people over more than five years in the position.

“Dr Kiro has been a strong advocate for the rights of children, and she has left a lasting impression. I congratulate her on her achievements,” she said

John Angus takes over as Children’s Commissioner on 2 May.

ENDS

We still can't stop grinning.

A GREAT DAY

Barry Matthews head of Corrections is on his way out. Yay. Can we have some probes into some of the contract arrangements for building prisons as well please. Judith "Crusher" Collins is the star of the Cabinet so far.

And the bloody scary and onerous and fuckwitted EFA is all but gone. Well done John Boscowen and there also needs to be some plaudits for KiwiBlog and Whaleoil who never let up the pressure on this issue.

And Paula Bennett stomped all over the Ministry of Social Development by condemning a letter from a case manager to a beneficiary suggesting the person sell toys and phones to get some cash.

And the Sun is shining and we are scheduled to have lunch at the delightful Bella Italia on the Terrace.

And just to keep you thinking - who's office is known as the G Unit ?

TOUGH LOVE

We think that the governments moves to institute boot camps for young offenders is a really good one. We have had personal experience of their benefit. It can change sullen teenage boys into men in quick time. Its about setting boundarys , keeping them busy and giving them goals and inspiration.

RADIO LIVE - HOOTON AND KING - A CLASS ACT

If you want no holds barred - say anything Talk back then its worth turning off the Tele and listening to Radio Live at 7pm - on 98.10 . Its bloody good . Tonight the ebony and ivory of Radio tear Broadcaster Paul holmes another arsehole - ( we think he already has a couple) over his pious and sanctimonious comments about how Minister of Social Welfare Paula Bennett conducts her life..

Good on them. He is a jumped up no account wee git.

HOT CHICK ON A HARLEY

And here is a pic of the Minister sans the the gatecrashing tosser Goff

ON YER BIKE PHIL

Our favourite Minister Paula Bennett was gobsmaked at the actions of the leader of the oppositions Phil Goff yesterday - Seems as if some good guys call the Super Maori Fullas , a group that spreads the word of non violence as they ride their Harleys around the country were meeting with Paula and the media. Goff got wind of it - and tried to rain all over the Paulas parade.
Heres what an eye witness view of events.

"Phil Goff bounded down the stairs, rushed past Paula who was about to go meet the Fullas. He practically ran up to them, before she as the official host even got a chance to meet them. Goff then proceeded to take a ride with one of them, came back, said goodbye and then left. Then suddenly he was back again. This time as Paula was organising her ride he jumped on one of the bikes and took off by himself. Such was the speed with which he departed, poor tourists had to scramble out of his way. "

Evidently he even went as far as standing in front of the cameras as Paula was being interviewed.

Sad bastard.

Shows how hard the Left are finding it to spin their negative messages ...
Silly boy Phil and we hope he has a motorbike licence.

MOCHACHINO MOMMA PAULA BENNETT SHOWS SHE HAS A HEART

We love Outrageous Fortune. Its tickles New Zealands suburban underbelly and we all get to laugh out loud. The shows leading lady Cheryl West is our heroine - she sticks up for her family no matter what and she is trying to make a better life for her colourful brood. But it appears our Mocchachino momma , Paula Bennett is well on the way to displacing Cheryl as our Westie heroine.

Now Minister Paula Bennett has been in the news a bit. So despite not letting the Boss know everything ( not so good), she has done nothing wrong in giving the partner of her daughter the support and love he needs to get his life on track. However we bet a bucket of dunkin donuts that if the bugger is dumb enough to stuff up again he wont be given a second chance.

Its her real life experiences that a raft of New Zealanders can relate to her that make her good for the job she is in.

She has lived, - she is not one of lifes passengers in the big bus that goes nowhere.

We have a couple of relatives who have been dorks and ended up doing some time and they have gone on to be good citizens. One is now a multi millionaire - through hard work and determination and having a good wife at his side. Family has always been the reason they got back on track.

So we support Paula, for being a mom, a very good mom, for being compassionate and willing to give a hard arse a second go at life.

We like it that we have a real Cheryl West in Parliament, the Westies and their suburban cousins up and down New Zealand have been seriously underrepresented in parliament in the past.

So its time to let the lady get on and get our welfare system working the way it should.

Go you good thing.

BUSTEDBLONDE DOES POLLYANNA

As much as bloody old curmudgeon Alf Grumble MP , the member for Ekatahuna ( his nickname is "wee willy" by the way) would have you believe, we are not a doom spewing dame like Cassandra

He has his cravat in a knot over our concerns about the economy.

Reckons we are too negative. But does appreciate our breasts. He is not alone in appreciating our assets. He calls BB a lass but well, as we have lost all our wisdom teeth and a back bicuspid chewing on one too many birdy heads, it is fair to say we are fortyish and fab, buxom and bodacious, wrinkly and reckless but alas a lass no more.

So "wee Willy" Grumbleguts - here is our list of things to be pleased about.

• We are fit and well endowed.

• Paula Bennett is shaping up to be an inspiration for all who come from struggle street.

• Judith Collins looks like she has full control of her police portfolio

• Georgina te HeuHeu has employed some thinking women's crumpet as her advisor - and he is smart as well.

• We have some lovely new clients.

• We like Tim Grosers approach - he has his guitar strumming fingers on the pulse.

• We have tended to reserve our judgement on McCully - but bugger us, he is rising to the occasion and considering the Mculliavelli is not that tall that's a bit of rising.

• Wellingtons Restaurants have improved their service as they have to look after their customers more.
• And best of all there is a wine glut - that means we can drink more for less!!

ROUND UP

• Which top journo who tried PR and was good at it, decided after a particularly amoral decision by his employers to return to the side of the angels?

All we will say is power to the people.

• Which Ex MP is up on fraud charges?

• Is it true that Paula Bennett has been offered a fight for life contract?

• Who else wants to say "no we f****kn wont" every time they hear Barry Obama say "Yes we can?"

• While everyone is worrying about access to beaches some Maori are having trouble agreeing amongst themselves who has rights to the land and harvests in the deep south

Watch that space - its all about who was here first, who dares and who wins.

DON'T MESS WITH US - WE'RE NATIONAL

It is now very obvious that National has the mettle to take us through the tough times - first we have the PM John Key slip and break his arm and then go on the shake the hands of a few dozen burly rugby players who are not known for their pussy grips and he doesnt grizzle or whinge.

Then the Herald reports that Paula Bennett, the proud westie, goes into " mum mode " and breaks up a big cat fight among some girls outside a shopping centre - a fight that was so bad shop keepers had to close their doors to protect their customers.

So we have a PM who shows he is a tough bloke and a Minister who shows she ain't a bad bloke for a sheila. Noice....

WINZ IN THE GUN

We saw this story today and it raised alarm bells.
A former gang leader and his missus seemed to have wangled some very interesting concessions out of WINZ. We are interested to see Harris is referred to as an ex gang leader. We doubt his connections are severed.
Kiwiblog suggests this is just the tip of the iceberg. Weird thing is we knew Darryl many many years ago. BB used to have a lot to do with gangs. He is a very interesting character - an ex carnival kid and one of the more complex characters we have met. Anyway the rumours are correct - his wife, won lotto - nearly half a mill - which was a lot in the early nineties . We are unsure if the woman mentioned today is still the same wife we met many years ago. Rumour has it that the Harris's bought a house in a nobby Christchurch area and seriously grumped up the neighbors.
He and his wife knew the welfare system inside out. So it comes as no surprise that he has managed to wheedle extra special treatment out of Winz - but I think that if the story is right then Minister Bennett is going to be very very cross indeed.

PAULA NO MORE BULLSHIT BENNETT STRIKES A BLOW FOR COMMONSENSE

Paula Bennett might be part Maori but its clear she aint one for bullshit hui. She has given the Families Commission ( What the hell have they ever achieved????) a stern talking to about a big $200k talkfest they had planned. Its now not happening.
While we are at it, we here at Roarprawn reckon that Paula should disband the Commission and get the volunatry agencies to bid for the commisson money and give it to the ones with the best ideas. They voluntary agencies have the best networks, are at the coalface and know where the greatest need is.
Common sense will always win the day, Keep it Up Paula 10/10

NATIONAL HIRES TOP GUNS

Its good to see the Nats hire some good people to bed down new Ministers as reported in Stuff. We are also particularly pleased to see Paula Oliver join the PM's team. She is one of the most solid journos we have ever worked with and has integrity in spades.