The New Zealand Maori Council has called on the Government to go much further when it comes to today’s announcement
around Te Reo Maori in the education system. Raewyn Harrison, Chair of the Councils National Taskforce on Education also
reminded the Government that the New Zealand Maori Council has been a fierce advocate of Te Reo Maori for more than a
half century:
“To be honest we could go a lot further in fulfilling our aspiration of a million Reo speakers and that has to include a
more focussed approach in our education system – and not just with pupils but also teachers, administrators and
principals. I’d remind everyone that in 1964 the New Zealand Maori Council and the Maori Education Foundation joined
together to advocate that Te Reo Maori be taught in teacher training colleges as a compulsory subject so when teachers
stand in front of our Tamariki they have a language and cultural connection with them.” Harrison said
“We have overseas teachers coming in because of the shortage here at home and yet its not compulsory for them to
understand Te Reo Maori nor undergo cultural learning – we lose the chance to ensure people understand our culture and
that of our tamariki in the school.” Harrison said
“The statement says tertiary institutions should meaningfully include Māori language and tikanga in their everyday life
– but actually that’s not binding – its only guidance which means its not always resourced or enforced.” Harrison Said
Harrison has said that the compulsory teaching of Te Reo Maori in schools is on the agenda of the National Hui of the
New Zealand Maori Council on the 21st and 22nd of November in Rotorua.
“And by the way lets go right back to the point we were making in 1964 with the then Maori Education Foundation – at the
least it should be compulsory within Teacher Training Colleges.” Harrison said