Māori News Stories for the week ending 27 February 2015
- On Wednesday the Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, issued a media statement confirming that she is pleased that the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board is going to consult with kōhanga whānau about a new governance structure. This next phase of consultation is scheduled to commence in March. (Subscribers, however, may recall that in March 2014 the National Trust indicated they would “fast track” work to address their governance and financial issues arising, and this included changing the composition of its Board.) Minister Parata notes that while this is a private matter, until it is resolved the Government is unable to progress solutions to the Trust’s Treaty of Waitangi claim. (Pānui 9/2014 provides background of the Trust’s governance issues and Pānui 36/2012 provides information on the Treaty of Waitangi claim.)
- Following the death of Apirana Mahuika, Selwyn Parata has been appointed Chair of Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou and Rei Kohere has been appointed as Deputy Chair. Mr Parata and Mr Kohere will hold these positions until November, when regular elections are scheduled for the iwi.
- Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori / the Māori Language Commission is seeking to establish a Te Reo only zone at the Te Matatini festival being held in Ōtautahi. The festival commences from next Monday.