<p style="text-align:center"><em><span style="font-size:12px">Technical Advisers from the Te Ranga Tupua collective at the Waitangi ICF (from left to right): Tracey Hiroa, GM Mokai Patea Services (MPS); Dr Amohia Boulton, WRS; Ngahina Transom, Iwi Education Manager, MPS; and Frana Chase, CEO, Te Oranganui Iwi Health Services</span></em></p>

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<p>In early February Dr Amohia Boulton accompanied R&#363;nanga Chair, Neville Lomax to the recent Iwi Chairs Forum (ICF) at Waitangi where the topics of &ldquo;vulnerable children&rdquo;, Te Ture Whenua, and M&#257;ori interests in freshwater were high on the agenda.&nbsp; At this year&rsquo;s Waitangi forum, participants were addressed by the new Prime Minister Hon Bill English, and Deputy Prime Minister Hon Paula Bennett. They were accompanied by 11 other Ministers of the Crown whose portfolios covered areas as diverse as Treaty Settlements, Transport, Education and Conservation.</p>

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<p>A highlight from this ICF included the announcement by the Hon Te Ururoa Flavell of the creation of a M&#257;ori Economic Taumata which will meet twice a year for high level discussions between economic ministers and iwi chairs on issues of economic significance to both parties. <a href="http://www.waateanews.com/waateanews/x_story_id/MTU1NzM" target="_blank">Further information on this announcement can be found here</a>.</p>

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<p>The Minister for Education announced the release of infographics on education data at a regional and in some instances, iwi level. The technical advisers from the Mokai Patea rohe who were in attendance at this ICF noted the release of data for Ng&#257;ti Rangi, Ng&#257;ti Apa and the Mokai Patea rohe. <a href="https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/topics/national-education/iwi-education-profiles" target="_blank">The infographics are available here</a>.</p>

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<p>The next ICF meeting is scheduled for the 4-5th of May in Whakatane.</p>

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