Manu Korihi News for 27 January 2012

Water Safety New Zealand says it's a huge disappointment that such a high number of pre-school children, half of them Maori, drowned last year; Ngapuhi's Chief Executive is confident the tribe's annual festival which starts tomorrow at Northland High School in Kaikohe, will be a great success; A Ngai Tuhoe descendant who's helping to research native plants which could cull possums, says he's glad a wildlife management centre is looking at natural poisons to replace 1080; The New Zealand Rugby Union's says the death of Maori Board member Allan "Smiley" Haua, is a huge loss for the game.