Ka Pao Blogs

_{Grant and Merryn Straker at the Hi-Tech Awards}

Straker Translations won the Grow Wellington "innovative service product award" at the Hi-Tech awards on Friday 15 May. Founder and chief executive Grant Straker celebrated his Maori heritage during a spirited acceptance speech.

_{Straker Translations Auckland Team}

Straker Translations is one of the world’s fastest growing translation companies with more than 10,000 customers. Its cloud-based translation platform enables translations to be delivered with speed and simplicity. Straker built and owns its technology, which enables higher gross margins than the industry average. With global production centres in Barcelona and Auckland, Straker supports clients in nine countries, 24/7, ensuring even the most urgent translations are delivered without issue.

www.strakertranslations.com

A week on from the launch of the Māori Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan, what has it's impact been? The Plan looks as far forward as 2040, so foundations can be laid now without much fanfare and associated backlash. On the political news front,  National Party attention seems fixed on the asset sales issue, and the Labour Party has only an interim Economic Development spokesman (David Parker), following the demotion of David Cunliffe. The Māori Party has picked up the ball on behalf of the government, and is very supportive of the plan - while the Ministry of Education, Te Puni Kokiri and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment all have integral roles to play. A moderately in-depth search online show many news sites are simply republishing the MEDP press releases (nothing wrong with that), while Stuff.co.nz also posts on the slow start to the Māori economic renaissance, the need to grow the Māori Asset base before it devalues, and the Crown-Māori Growth Partnership.

Warren Pohatu is a graphic designer and artist with a strong passion for his culture. Originally from the east coast of the North Island, Warren now lives in West Auckland - Warren is Ngai Tamanuhiri, with links to Ngati Porou, Ngati Kahungunu, Rongowhakaata and Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki. His blog posts cover a variety of interesting subjects - NZ Gang history, Whakapapa, Ranginui... my favourite is 'The Rock', "Our favourite shark fishing rock was called Te Kaupapa and it was situated about half way along the northern face of Te Kuri about 400 meters from Papatewhai. There is an ancient pa site called Tunga-Kaka directly above it and they were probably using this fishing spot..."

Piqued your interest? check out MAORIBOY at blogspot: http://warrenpohatu.blogspot.co.nz/