Author Topic: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)  (Read 17158 times)

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Offline BenOfTheIwi

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Re: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)
« Reply #30 on: May 02, 2021, 09:57:18 AM »




KING APPOINTS FIRST FAʻAFAFINE MINISTER

Today at the Royal Palace in Hunter's Bay King Piripi appointed the nations new Minister of Justice. Marion Kahira is a former investigator of the Otikoro Muhali Foundation and has acted as a witness in several of the trials of those accused of crimes against humanity during the War of Independence. Kahira is also the first Fa'afafine to be given a position in the government. The Fa'afafine is a recognised gender identity in the Commonwealth where a person is born male and will adopt certain feminine characteristics while also retaining an element of masculinity. In historical terms of the gender has been recognised througout all of Maori history and has traditionally been seen as a necessity when a Iwi lacked female's to complete traditional female jobs, as such certain boys within an Iwi were raised in a more feminine way so as to fulfill these duties. While the term Fa'afafine is less commonly used today it is one that Kahira is proud to use. "I am honoured to take this position as it gives me a chance to drive our agenda to bring those who saw our race as sub-human to justice. The Otikoro Muhali Foundation has done a great deal but it lacks the diplomatic and international reach. With me as a Minister it means we can extend that and hopefully bring more people to justice. The fact that the King has seen fit to name someone from a less traditional gender to such a key position shows that King Piripi recognises that the qualifications a person holds is what matters and not their tribal links, position or tradition. He has put the Commonwealth first and I pray I can fulfill his hopes."

The appointment has been supported by most Iwi chiefs however one unnamed Chief has stated, "The Ministries are an extension of tribal councils and rules. These form the basis of society and as such the Councils are a man's domain. Kahira may have been born a male but they are far from one now. The appointment should not have been made."

Kahira has already begun work on bringing more war criminals to justice by seeking to establish a transfer of her former employers files to government control and is seeking permission to task the Military Police with investigations.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2022, 07:56:33 PM by BenOfTheIwi »

Offline BenOfTheIwi

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Re: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)
« Reply #31 on: May 02, 2022, 08:14:56 PM »




WAIRUNGI TAMUR SACKED FOR MISMANAGEMENT

Government minister Wairungi Tamur has been sacked by King Piripi for "gross failings that have embarrassed the nation." The 43 year old junior Minister was given the responsibility for managing the processes related to the Unified Iwi's membership of the CNN. As a result of his mismanagement it was reported that several significant steps to maintaining membership were not taken and as such the nation found itself suspended by the organisation. Following a lengthy investigation by the King's special Envoy, Taika Sevasi, it was determined that many pieces of paperwork were not filled in and payments for administration not made. Sevasi explained, "When we joined the CNN it was on condition that each of the Iwi's make an annual contribution to the central government which in turn would ensure all our commitments for administration and the like was covered. Mr.Tamur has failed to undertake that task instead spending much too much time on matters not directly under his remit." The Special Envoy refused to explain what these matters were only that, "His attention was not where it should be and the nation of the Unified Iwi has suffered as a result."

King Piripi has now taken direct control of ensuring the matter was dealt with and explained, "It is now the case that we have fulfilled everything we are expected to, we now hope that our friends in the CNN accept our apology and that we can restore the organisation to its former glory and then even look beyond that." Word has not yet come from Lodja, East Moreland or Ui Cenneslaig as to whether the matter is resolved but it is hopeful that the King will be meeting with the new Lodjain Queen in the coming days. "We are heart broken about the death of Queen Klara. I am proud to say that Queen Natalya is someone we here in the Unified Iwi are very familiar with and we wish her long and prosperous reign."

Offline BenOfTheIwi

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Re: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)
« Reply #32 on: May 05, 2022, 10:26:51 PM »




PRINCE INJURED AT RUKU PUKE

The Ruku Puke is an annual event between the different Iwi's that takes place every year. In this years junior event 12 year old Prince Kimo has broken his arm and is expected to undergo surgery tomorrow. The Prince is said to be "otherwise well" and has his parents at the hospital at Maunga Ahi. The annual Ruku Puke see's each Iwi pick a series of riders who collect banana trunks and tie two together to form a sledge. Riders then take it in turns to slide down the 300 meter or so long hillside which is at a roughly 45 degree angle. Speeds are often recorded at around 70 - 80 kmh. Even once the slope has flattened out the riders momentum carries them some distance and the one travelling the furthest wins. Each year there is a junior, senior and duos competition and this year Prince Kimo was one of those selected to represent the Ngāpuhi Iwi of which he is heir to.

During this years event Prince Kimo's sled appeared to hit a stump on the slope and was catapulted off his home-made sled and thrown a considerable distance. He was airlifted to hospital while his parents were taken by road. The event is used to injuries with cuts and bruises being par for the course. While none have happened in the last 23 years deaths are possible at the event which takes place in a remote venue. Large crowds had gathered and despite the royal injury the event continued. Each year a different Iwi is responsible for hosting the event and 2022 was hosted by the Rongomaiwahine. Their chief Mikaere Huhana spoke about the incident saying, "Of course we wish Prince Kimo well. He's a brave boy, anyone willing to take part in this event has to be. The combination of speed, the risk of friction ripping the sled apart or the unseen obsticles such as that which injured the Prince make it a risky business. Events such as this though are a central part of our cultures rich heritage and I'm proud our future King had the courage to try."

The event can trace its history back to the 1500's however was banned by the Seleucid between 1900-1971. Despite the event being banned several determined Maori still carried on the event in secret. One heroic tale tells of Sio Vahaakolo in 1964 riding a sled while Seleucid soldiers were shooting at him. King Piripi himself took part in the event as a 13 year old in 1977 after the Maunga Ahi region had been liberated from the Seleucid.

Offline BenOfTheIwi

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Re: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)
« Reply #33 on: May 10, 2022, 07:56:21 PM »




"NEED FOR CLEAR MESSAGES" SAYS ROYAL ENVOY

Taika Sevasi has spoken about recent media reports emerging from Rokkenjima over the last month or so. The cousin of King Piripi is a respected veteran of the War for Independence and spent several years in a Seleucid labour camp, he now serves as Royal Envoy which is a position that involves him representing the crown both overseas and with the various Iwi's. Taika began by addressing the recent apology given by Crown Princess Asuna for previous behaviour by Rokkenjima being "insulting and disrespectful" The Royal Envoy stated, "We acknowledge the words of the Crown Princess and look forward to seeing where they go. I though will be advising my cousin to wait before talking. Apologise should be given face to face between those who lead their family, their Iwi or in this case their nation. At present we have words from a Crown Princess not an Empress. It may to the world seem a small matter but to us hierarchies are important. To have such matters see a King treating a Princess as equal in this matter is something we would struggle with. To then have a member of a prestigious royal family need to seek permission for actions such as even visiting our lands would again indicate an imbalance of power. Naturally we would extend our hospitality to the Crown Princess should she be given permission to come but the nature of the visit would be different. Should she wish to extend the apology upon assuming the position of Empress she will, I hope, find us just as ready to accept it as equals."

Just a few days after this apology however there was a huge show of naval power by the Rokkenjimans. "We have on one hand the encouragement of the Crown Princess towards co-operation and friendship. The next moment we see a huge showcase of naval vessels, that until recently were sent close to our nation as a kind of thinny veiled threat towards our efforts in bringing the Seleucid war criminals to justice. Rather than address this we see phase two of Operation Typhoon which sees our nation being watched by Rokkenjima. Meanwhile the Imperial address talks of the Rokkenjimans being open to removing sanctions against the Seleucid for their practice of a form of slavery while still not confronting their historic acts against humanity. Fragments of a Seleucid bullet remain in my body from being used as a practice toy for their medics while a prisoner of theirs. Many people suffered worse than myself and we demand justice. The world should be with us in ensuring this happens. It took several years to even get Yanni Tawfeek to a trial after he sought asylum and even then it was in East Moreland. While I understand the Rokkenjiman naval tradition when they talk of phases of operations then parade so many vessels its in our minds a clear message."

Finally Taika explained that King Piripi and King David of East Moreland have been in talks over a potential future plan to prevent a repeat of the Yanni Tawfeek situation. "My cousin and our friend King David have meet several times both virtually and face to face to form what we hope could be a useful future arrangement that would ensure not just those involved in our slaughter but also various other incidents such as the Cultist Genocide, Mavrosian persecutions and Uppsala incidents do not escape justice."

Offline BenOfTheIwi

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Re: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)
« Reply #34 on: May 24, 2022, 09:10:29 PM »




NATION DEMAND POSITIVE RESULTS

With the rugby world cup just days away the nation has begun to prepare for the tournament. Across the nation schools have made arrangements to screen games and pubs have ordered extra barrels of beer. It is expected, as always, that during games featuring the national team that the country will come to a practical standby. With the men's team being in action against a pair of Celtic nations a tough group stage is expected while the womens team must face hosts Vaguzia, Dal Rathia and Mkvartvelo. The national team are always faced with high expectations as national team coach Sepi Valakana explains, "To wear the black jersey is the highest honour for a professional rugby player. Everyone who comes into camp must work not for their own personal fame or glory but must bust their guts to ensure that when they leave camp they have done something to put the status of the jersey into a better place. Thats a lot of pressure but if we can consistently do this then we can achieve a great deal."

King Piripi has already announced his intention to spend some time in East Moreland during the tournament and is likely to cross the border several times to attend games. With Prince Kimo still recovering from a broken arm caused by an accident at the Ruku Puke Festival it is unlikely the youngster will travel. A spokesman from the royal palace said. "The Prince currently has several metal pins in his arm and is having to take a great care about not banging his arm and so being in a large crowd is not advisable. The Prince though is on the mend and should make a full recovery in time with rest and then physio."





FLT LT VAUTU TO COMMAND FIRST ALL MAORI MISSION

On the 24th June 2022 the Maori community will celebrate Matariki. This is a day when the Maori community remember the dead of the previous year and begin preparations for the year ahead. It marks the new year for the Maori and thanks is given to the Gods Ranginui and Papatūānuku. This year however a unique celebration will be undertaken. Flt Lt Vautu will command a three man team on a mission to the CNN Space Station and despite Roca Thumberaka being the first Maori in space nearly two years ago this will the the first time a crew made entirely of Maori will go into space. Flt Lt Vautu, a member of the Rongomaiwahine   Iwi said, "This is a very special occasion for us, first to show that the Maori are capable of great things and the second that we are as close to Rangi as it is possible to get while alive, the Sky Father has watched over us and on Matariki must be given great respect. We can think of no better way than undertaking this journey." The crew should, if all goes to plan, enter the space station that day and are expected to conduct some Matariki traditions on the space station including an offering of food, usually sweet potato, to the God.

The crew will spend four weeks on the station conduct several experiments and Lt. Vautu has two concerns, "Our first worry is that we may miss the rugby world cup final, we're hoping that with the CNN being an alliance built on rugby things can be worked out. Our second concern is that we will be expected to welcome our replacements and in our culture this will require a haka which is usually determined by the territory on which it is conducted, this obviously is going to be tricky in space but we welcome this oppurtunity." Renowned poet Rua Matutaera has been asked by King Piripi to prepare for the occasion.

Offline BenOfTheIwi

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Re: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)
« Reply #35 on: June 04, 2022, 10:27:36 AM »




NAVY HEADS WEST

Following announcements by the Rokkenjiman media that a Rokkenjiman fleet is being sent to the Krimeon to take part in monitoring operations against Heyran shipping the Commonwealth's flagship Arawa has left Hunters Bay heading into the Krimeon. The ship had only recently returned from work in the Kyne following a downgrading in Rokkenjiman actions against the Commonwealth. The Arawa was joined by an escort of destroyers, subs and frigates and is expected to undertake patrols, both naval and aerial. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence explained, "While we still maintain an active patrol in the East as Rokkenjima are said to still maintain an uspecififed number of pods in the region designed to observe us we are not confident that such monitoring will not also be happening to our West as a result of this new fleet. Our nation has never presented a threat to loss of shipping and we are concerned that once again our vessels and our merchant shipping faces unneeded scrutiny. In the past few weeks we've seen words try and calm the situation and now we have yet more Rokkenjiman ships passing close to and in some cases through water we operate in on a daily basis as part of our EEZ as this is heavily used by Heyran traffic." The Foreign Office have though stated that they believe the Heyran court announcements against Rokkenjiman officers to be "vexatious"

The MoD also issued another statement saying that all pilots being assigned to squadrons equipped for ground attack roles would now spending at least two weeks of training time in East Moreland at the Keepton Circuit, a low flying training area. The spokesman said, "Our nation is in terms of area much smaller than East Moreland and we can not have access here to such a useful tool for training. As a result we are pleased to be able to send pilots who will need these skills to a place to hone them. We look forward to the results in due course and the first 12 Moana fighter bombers will depart for Keepton by the end of next week.
« Last Edit: June 04, 2022, 09:37:03 PM by BenOfTheIwi »

Offline BenOfTheIwi

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Re: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)
« Reply #36 on: July 16, 2022, 08:46:49 PM »




IWI-NAUTS RETURN HOME

Following a successful four week mission to the CNN backed space station Lt. Vautu has today returned to Mundus along with his two colleagues. The trio have become the first astronauts from the Iwi to form an entire crew and while they may have been recovered back to Ui Cenneslaig the team were greeted via video link by King Piripi. "In a relatively short period of time we have been able to become a space faring nation. A group of people who once voyaged Mundus in canoes is now venturing into the stars that once guided our ancestors. Its a proud moment to think that our nation have been involved in every step now of the process as members of our Commonwealth helped build the rocket, helped conduct the launch and the recovery. We are grateful to the Morelanders, Cenneg and Lodjians who supported this mission and we now begin preparations for future joint operations."

While on the station the team conducted several experiments and helped install a new communications backup. Mera Vaerapolai became the first Maori to walk in space when he installed part of the communciations system on the exterior of the station. The team even spent Matariki in space an experience that Vaerapolai described as a mixed day, "On the one hand we were living out our dreams but to miss our Iwi's day of celebration is hard. We conducted a small ceremony onboard the station where each of us had brought with us a list of those who had passed away from our villages in the previous twelve months. We were as close Ranginui as any Maori has ever been and so we pray he will have heard our words. I now dream of going back someday."

The crew were relieved by a mixture of Cenneg and Morelander astronauts however this also saw another first. Maori tradition dictates people visiting your home are welcomed with a Haka and as such it was left to Teka Suleriama, the youngest of the astronauts to compose one. In tradition the haka is tailored to the location it is performed and to the Iwi performing it but with three different Iwi's represented and it taking place in a rather unique location a new one was required. Such special Haka's have been written in the past for our nations sports teams and the armed forces however what is now being called the "Space Haka" is likely to be a seldom performed one.

"Nga waka pango
kawea koe ki Rangi
nona tenei ao
haere marama i konei
I konei ka haere tahi
koe me nga Atua

ka tohu nga
whetu i nga tupuna
tiakina tenei wahi
ka hoki matou ki
to ratou whenua
tu ki to mahi

Spoiler: Translation • show


Canoes in the black
bring you to Rangi
This realm is his.
Walk lightly here
for here you
walk with the God

The stars here
mark our ancestors
Guard this place
One day we shall
return to this land.
Stand ready for your duty.






Offline BenOfTheIwi

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Re: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)
« Reply #37 on: August 24, 2022, 09:59:47 PM »




NEW "MAJOR" IWI RECOGNISED

Following this years submissions of the registrations of the various Iwi's the Royal Office for Statistics recommended that the Te Ātiawa Iwi be recognised as a "Major" one. The nation is made up of Major and Minor Iwi's. To be a Major Iwi the Chief must be able to provide evidence of having at least five million members. For the past fifteen years the Te Ātiawa have been hovering at 4.9million, last year being just 12,000 of securing the status as a Major Iwi. Just an hour after receiving the recommendation King Piripi issued a Royal warrant which is required for the Iwi to be able to hold elections for 10 representatives on the The Kaitiaki. The change will also mean that three of the current Kaitiaki will vacate their seats as they represent the Te Ātiawa. They will be replaced by elected representatives from the various Minor Iwi's that elect 10 seats usually every five years.

The Chief of the Te Ātiawa is Wiremu Tamati who will now take up a seat in the Chief's Council. He is a 37 year old fishing fleet owner from Waikala. His business currently employs around 10,000 people and runs a fleet of 20 fishing vessels ranging from small four man vessels using traditional pole techniques to catch tuna up to the large drag net trawler. Chief Wiremu still aims to spend at least one day a week at sea on his ships however has admitted that may now need to change. "Previously I encouraged members of our Iwi to engage in politics and they have. We've a great track record at getting seats on the Kaitiaki previously but now we have a guarantee so I hope we'll have even more people step forward willing to serve. I look forward to being able to make a contribution myself. As the Chief is permitted to serve directly or via a representative on the Chief's Council I will start by attending myself. I am considering though a move where I will send whoever is best suited for each debate." The main reason for the Iwi getting over the 5 million mark has been a large increase in births among the Iwi over the past twelve months. "We've been spinning money away from our fishing business and various other financial resources to encourage programmes for infants and children under the age of 11. We think we need a much sharper focus on supporting the youth to consider options away from traditional land based industries. This is something I will bring up in Council. The measures we've put in place made people confident about having support for having children."

The Iwi will be hosting a day of celebration on Saturday when King Piripi visits the tribes home territories. 

Offline BenOfTheIwi

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Re: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)
« Reply #38 on: September 01, 2022, 10:08:04 PM »




KING PROUD OF GAMES SQUAD

Today has been a mixed day for the Unified Iwi at the Mundus Games. The second day of the Boxing Competition saw another day of the Commonwealth taking every Gold medal meaning that Maori boxers took every gold on offer, moving the team up to top of the medal table. Head of Commonwealth Boxing, Jaero Meluemia said "Sports like Boxing are  psychological part of our culture. We see ourselves, whether Men, Women or  Fa'afafine as warriors. The desire to test ourselves drives us towards certain sports and Boxing is a very popular one. I'm proud of every single one of our athletes and know they've been superb ambassadors not just for the Commonwealth but for their Iwi's. We can look forward to getting home and celebrating now. It would be amazing if we could continue our push and stay top of the medal table."

An oppurtunity that would normally be considered a red hot certainity came later in the day in the Rugby 7's when the Men's team were drawn to face Royal Seleucid in the final. However as the teams headed out onto the pitch their was no arrival from the Iwi's team for three minutes until only four players emerged lead by captain Keula Rolokan. Joined by Matis Ruegua, Willie Saparani and Hosa Gerea the four men made their way to the centre of the pitch and laid down a shirt in the teams colours, Rolokan knelt with his team-mates behind him and then the players walked off to much confusion around the stadium. Moments later the entire squad, staff and officials of the Commonwealth left the changing rooms and returned to their accomodation. Speaking with the media after Rolokan said, "The Mundus Games are a games were we are expected to play in a spirit of friendship and brotherhood. This can not be done in a sport like rugby with a nation that have murdered your family. Me and my three team mates all had relatives murdered in Seleucid Death Camps, my grand-father experimented on with Anthrax. I can't go and play against a team that have still failed to acknowledge this past or do anything to bring peace. Our respect of our ancestors means more than a Gold Medal." The shirt laid on the pitch bore the symbol of a fern rather than a number, Rolokan explained, "The unfurling fern leaf respresents life beginning after the winter, this is our show of the fact that despite the Seleucid trying to wipe us out we are as a nation growing." The game was awarded to the Royal Seleucid team meaning the Commonwealth were awarded a Silver medal however the team refused to collect the medal in the official ceremony and Rolokan interfered with the raising of the Commonwealth Flag. "I will not allow it to fly lower than the murderers one." he said as he pulled it away from the official raising it.

Back in the Commonwealth King Piripi supported his team saying, "Before the games we discussed what should happen. In events like the athletics where there is a mass start and a large field the athletes felt it was right to compete as after all we have a great many friendly nations out there. We had athletes suggest that in a one versus one matchup however we withdraw. I left it to the conscience of each of our athletes and teams and from what I understand everyone has said they will not compete against the Seleucid, especially as sports like rugby traditionally see handshakes and tunnels of respect off the pitch following games. This does not fit right. I know we may face sanctions but a protest must be made. We shall continue this policy until we see Royal Seleucid make real attempts at bringing their criminals to justice and co-operating with the Historic Crimes Treaty we recently created."


Offline BenOfTheIwi

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Re: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)
« Reply #39 on: February 28, 2023, 09:21:16 PM »




ARCHDUCHESS BECOMES FIRST NON-MAORI OFFICER

Today the niece of the East Moreland monarch has become the first non-Maori to serve as an officer in the Commonwealth military. The Unified Iwi Defence Force was formed in 1983 following all the present day Commonwealth unifying after defeating the Seleucid. While since that date there has been no rule saying the military must be made up of Maori it has been a rare sight to find a non-Maori serving in its ranks. Archduchess Sophie Harrison-Ironside has requested to serve on a secondment for several months and has taken up a position with 17 Squadron (Force Protection) in the Commonwealth Air Force. The East Moreland royal has served for several years in the Royal East Moreland Air Force as a dog handler, she will be joined in the Commonwealth by her K9 known as Bandit. She will hold the rank of Flight Liutenant during her stay. The Ironside family were made honourary members of the Ngāti Rongomaiwahine Iwi shortly after the Commonwealth became a founding member of the CNN.  The Ngāti Rongomaiwahine Iwi chief is Tipene Tama who has said he hopes the Archduchess, "Makes the time to visit her Maori family and embrace the full experience of being a resident here not just a visitor."

The Morelander was greeted by King Piripi as she arrived to begin her duties next week following a quick induction. Members of 17 Squadron also attended and debuted an East Moreland haka for the occasion.

"Kia whakatupato
ka haere te kuini honi
kararehe nanakia
niho rite hoari
kiri rite toka
teina whakakake
wairua hoa toa
kotahi o matou toto
tangohia to honi
me te moe pai"
Spoiler: Translation • show

Be Warned
Here walks the Honeybadger
A fierce beast
teeth like daggers
Flesh like rock
Proud Brothers
Fellow Warrior souls
Our blood is as one
Take your honey
and sleep deep.


The Archduchess responded to Flt.Sgt Watene placed a Tewhatewha (Maori Axe) before her by kneeling and picking it up. She then withdrew her own sword and presented it handle first to the Flt.Sergeant who declared this was an auspicious response. "In our culture every movement and action in a haka is analysed for its meaning. To me the Archduchess has today demonstrated a trust in us. I am well aware the Morelanders place a huge spiritual and cultural significance of their sword. She is showing us she is accepting our ways and trusting us with hers. A true demonstration of friendship." 17 Squadron will in the coming weeks be undertaking operations designed to stop smuggling in the northern Ardia region alongside the nations Navy. During the welcome King Piripi also said he hopes that the Archduchess will find time to train with some of the Maori Summer Games team. "While the Summer Games are some way off it is clear Sophie is a great in terms of the sporting world. It will be nice for some of our young athletes to see what it has taken to achieve these great things."

The King also confirmed that his 12 year old son Kimo has now fully recovered from his sledging accident late last year and will be journeying to Lodja for three months of schooling in the near future. "It has always been important that we build personal connections to our friends. I am lucky mine, Finley, David and our sadly lost Viktoriya's mutual love of rugby allowed us to form the CNN. We must make sure the next generation, including Kimo, have this love for each other as the four of us, and later Queen Klara and Natalya have. Each year of his schooling Kimo will spend some time away from home. It will make him a wiser King and Chief when his time comes to lead the Commonwealth." The Prince is said to be excited to experience life in a different country.

Offline BenOfTheIwi

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Re: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)
« Reply #40 on: April 06, 2023, 12:18:11 AM »




KING PRESENTED NEW GENDER BILL

Representatives from the Ngāti Wai Iwi have today presented to King with a bill that if accepted would officially recognise a fourth gender within the Commonwealth. Currently the nation officially recognises three genders but for the last decade or so there has been calls to add a fourth. Currently the nation recognises people as male, female or Faʻafafine, however people also have the oppurtunity on official paperwork to have an X to signify they do not conform to those three. While the labels male and female are long established, many outside the Commonwealth are less familiar with the label Faʻafafine. The word literally translates as "in the manner of woman" and has a long, all be it hard to follow, history. The label has often been given to younger children in families which have had primarily sons and needed individuals in the family unit to undertake what was considered female roles. This involved the person being raised by the females of the family and taught duties such as child-care, household management and female artistic roles. The majority of Faʻafafine maintain the role even into adulthood even when studies suggest "they believed as a child they were actually female". Faʻafafine are by some Iwi considered special as they are putting the needs of the Iwi above their own. In recent years however there has begun to be recognised by some a forth gender calling itself fa'afatama, "in the manner of man" and is seen by many as being the opposite of the traditional Faʻafafine role. Some sociologists suggest that this may be caused by families becoming smaller and with a desire to keep the male roles in the family strong some families put pressure on newborn females to adopt a male role. As such five years ago the Hunters Bay Faʻafafine Association changed its name to the Hunters Bay Faʻafafine and Fa'afatama Association and has since then been campaigning for this change.

Under Commonwealth Law an Iwi must propose the new law in a meeting of the elected members of The Kaitiaki, each Iwi elects a number of members known as Guardians. This morning Taulapapa Fitiao of the Ngāti Wai Iwi proposed what he described as "recognition for what has been happening unofficially for years. We as a Commonwealth value people for who they are and will always strive to make all Maori feel part of our larger Iwi. At the moment some feel outside that and we as legislators must work to change that. It is vital that this law passes the next hurdle." That hurdle will come in the next few weeks where both a majority of the Kaitiaki and a majority of the Iwi chiefs must accept the bill. The Bill will be read by all nine of the other Iwi before amendments are made. The Bill will then be voted on and as in 2013 the constitution gave recognition to the Faʻafafine this will also require a constitutional change and as such a simple majority of Guardians is not sufficent. Not only must the Bill gain a majority of Guardians but it must also have six of the ten Iwi support the measure. The Bill would then be passed to the King for his signature or veto.

Offline BenOfTheIwi

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Re: Mangai Nui (the Great Mouth)
« Reply #41 on: April 08, 2023, 04:21:53 PM »




CENNEG CARRIER REPLACES ARAWA

It was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence that today that the nations aging aircraft carrier, The Arawa, will leave service at the end of this month and be replaced with the Cenneg carrier CNV Art. The nation is also expecting the delivery of a newly constructed Cyborg class ship from East Moreland. The procurement o the two new vessels indicates the first steps in the Commonwealths new military procurement strategy. Stated two years ago King Piripi explained that the Iwi's military lacked modern equipment. Following the situation in the Alucard with Lodja several of the Commonwealths special forces were involved however in reviews of the conflict it was explained that the military were concerned if they'd had to take on a role similar to that of the Morelanders and Cenneg. Following the CNV Art arriving in Hunters Bay it was confirmed that the ship will be renamed the Hapa. One concern for the armed forces would be which aircraft could operate off the new carrier however it was later observed that during operations in the Matildas several Moana fighters operated off the CNV Cetchathach which is the same class of carrier. The aircraft however is aging and the Ministry of Defence have confirmed that a replacement will be sought in the near future.

The Arawa will be anchored in Hunter's Bay and turned into a museum ship. The vessel was originally part of the Seleucid Navy but was abandoned while in dry dock and Commonwealth forces captured Hillslet where it was being refitted. The vessel has been involved in several actions in the Kyne including taking part in a raid on Tamora that freed 62 Maori slaves. T