Translated Maori books promote racial harmony

News release

22 March 2004

Translated Maori books promote racial harmony

Concern over the lack of books written in Maori which accurately depict the world’s ethnic diversity has prompted the publication of seven pre-school and primary age books.

Penguin Group (NZ) teamed up with the Maori language education team at the Ministry of Education in contracting service provider KCSM Solutions to publish a range of titles from international publishing house Dorling Kindersley (DK).

The books will be released this month and are: Tuarangi (Space), Ka haere a Clara raua ko Buster kite Kanikanimarama (Clara and Buster Go Moondancing), Taku Peke Kura (My School Bag), Tinana Tangata (Human Body), Poraka (Watch me grow, Frog), Ngatu momo rahi (Sizes) and Moku Katoa (All about Me).

“We wanted the ‘world of the child’ in all its variety to be more widely reflected in Maori books,” says Director of KCSM Solutions Richard Jefferies.

KCSM approached Penguin Group NZ, who were very keen to give access to the wide range of resourses across their group as the basis of a tender to the Ministry of Education.

“We then won a contract with the Ministry to produce Maori language resources for schools and early childhood centres by translating titles from the DK range,” says Mr Jeffries.

DK is an imprint within the Penguin Group known for its high quality books that teach pre-school and school age children words and ideas.

“They are interesting and stimulating books, the kind that encourages a child to pick up a book and read it,” says Mr Jeffries.

“The layout, quality, vibrancy, colour and content of DK books is something we view as greatly needed in Maori language resources,” he says.

“The books are exciting and some of the features are new to Maori language books, like lift-the-flap and shaped books to encourage uptake by young readers.”

In order to understand what was needed in classrooms, what students were interested in and were looking for in non fiction books while still adhering to the requirements of the educational curriculum, KCSM interviewed teachers and staff at the Ministry of Education.

“We are really pleased with the end result, as we know schools and early childhood centres will be,” says Mr Jeffries.

Complementing the efforts of Penguin, KCSM are keen to ensure that schools, early childhood centres and especially parents know about and have access to these resources.

“We are distributing on behalf of the Ministry of Education but know that there are others not on the distribution lists that are keen to have access to them,” says Mr Jeffries.

“We are therefore making the books available widely through our own networks and to Iwi that are becoming heavily involved in language promotion in homes.”

Tuarangi (Space)
Ka haere a Clara raua ko Buster kite Kanikanimarama (Clara and Buster Go Moondancing)
Taku Peke Kura (My School Bag)
Tinana Tangata (Human Body)
Poraka (Watch me grow, Frog)
Ngatu momo rahi (Sizes)
Moku Katoa (All about Me)

About Dorling Kindersley

Since its creation in 1974 Dorling Kindersley has published an extensive range of both adult and children's reference titles. Initially established as a book packager and then a publisher in its own right, DK is now part of the internationally renowned Penguin Group, the second-largest English language trade book publisher in the world. www.dk.com

About KCSM

KCSM Consultancy Solutions Ltd provides a wide range of
consultancy services to support Maori development. Operating since
1995, KCSM Consultancy Solutions Ltd provides a wide range of
services across a wide range of sectors. The company has conducted consultant and contract work for a wide range of government departments and agencies, industry organisations, local government, commercial and business entities, and whânau, hapû and Iwi organisations.

ENDS

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