Maaori education strategy

Labour Maaori education spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says the release of the Maaori education strategy is thin on the ground and lacks substance.

The Maaori education strategy began in 1997 has finally been announced, in very general terms by Tau Henare, the Minister of Maaori Affairs and Associate Minister of Education.

"I agree that Maaori children must receive a better education than they currently get through medium and long term strategies, rather than just short term policies.

"However, the blatant lack of Government leadership and commitment to improving the education of Maaori children obvious in this lack lustre announcement and scarce detail from the Minister cannot be ignored.

"It is difficult to see what the actual requirement on schools and their teachers because of the general nature of the information provided so far.

"The Minster said that this strategy 'would become a priority for government', indicating that this Government has not treated the educational needs of Maaori children as a priority until now.

"Government policies of market rents, shrunken core public services, lack of employment opportunities will continue to limit the success of this policy as they further erode the ability of whanau to participate.

"Labour recognises that the future of Maaori development relies heavily on Maaori children receiving a quality education enabling them to fully participate in society. While Tau Henare may have good intentions he has shown that National is not willing to listen," Nanaia Mahuta said.

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