Manu Korihi News for 2 March 2012

The Wairoa District Council has been forced to backtrack on a decision not to hold a poll until next year's local government elections, on whether to introduce Maori wards; The head of the Midland Iwi Relationship Board says the creation of Whanau Ora will greatly help the central North Island meet its goal of making the region smokefree by 2025; The body overseeing the fishing quota owned by Maori is poised to advise iwi on the implications of the ministerial inquiry into the use of foreign charter vessels; The winning Maori cultural group at last year's Polyfest will be opening the biggest celebration of Pacific culture in Auckland in a week's time at Western Springs Park.