Māori students are apprehensive with the Minister of Tertiary Education Minister, Anne Tolley, who has made ambiguous pre-budget statements concerning the funding of the Tertiary Education Sector in 2009/2010 and has hinted that funding to the sector may not increase.

“This is a time for the government to invest in up skilling the nation. Education plays a key role in this. If funding to the tertiary education sector is not increased, this could have detrimental effects on Māori Students” said Jacqualene Poutu, Tumuaki of Te Mana Akonga (TMA) National Māori Tertiary Students Association

“If funding is not increased, institutions may have to cap enrolments due to increased demand for tertiary education, or  may be given greater flexibility around student fees be allowed the option of increasing student fees higher than the current fee maxima policy.” said Poutu. “Māori students are underrepresented in terms of participating in tertiary education and any such moves will serve as an additional barrier to them accessing education” Poutu added. 

Given that The National government have expressed that they would like better outcomes for Māori in education, a policy that does not increase the overall funding to the sector may lead to perverse outcomes and will hinder their goals for Māori participating in education.  

ENDS

Lack Of Maori Student Representation Causes Outrage

Māori students are outraged at the lack of specific Māori representation on the proposed ‘super city council’ for Auckland and they support the position of Dr. Pita Sharples, Minister of Māori Affairs who has called for greater consultation with Māori over these Auckland proposals.

‘The blatant disregard of Mana Whenua and Māori seats on the new Auckland council reinforces that Mäori have had minimal consultation in the direction of Auckland city” says Te Mana Akonga /National Māori Tertiary Students Association Tumuaki Jacqualene Poutu

“There are more Mäori living in Auckland than any other city in New Zealand, and it is insulting that the Māori community has not been consulted properly over these changes. Consultation between Mäori and non- Mäori is a right not a privilege.”

“The Mana Whenua and Mataawaka of Auckland city have supported the city, its visitors and residents, since the times of early settlers. They should only be shown the same courtesy from the government by ensuring Mäori are able to define their own council representation. Mäori need time to engage internally within processes they are comfortable with” says Poutu.  

“Consultation works .We strongly recommend that the government sets out specific representation for Mäori.” Poutu concludes.

ENDS