Manu Korihi News for 14 December 2011

A lead Treaty of Waitangi negotiator says the appointment of Chris Finlayson as the associate Maori Affairs Minister, shows National is taking the portfolio more seriously; The Principal of an Otaki based underperforming Maori tertiary institute, has had her pay cut; A Maori expert in the use of Geographic Information Systems, says they're a powerful computer tool, which many iwi are using to meet their cultural, environmental and economic goals; The Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio says the council's intention to create a Maori ward for the city, is on tomorrow's agenda, with councillors considering an independent legal opinion on the issue.