Speech Notes For Hon Parekura Horomia
Release Of Maori Language Version Of TEAC Summary
Tuesday 27 March 2001

E nga mana e nga reo e nga karangatanga huri noa, tena ra koutou katoa.

I welcome this Maori language version of the Tertiary Education Advisory Commission summary.

The fact that this report is being launched today in te reo Mäori is an indication in itself of the growing recognition of the importance of our language in our society today.

It is clear that the demand from Mäori and others to learn the Mäori language is increasing. This is the case right throughout the education sector, from pre-school, to primary school, to secondary school, to tertiary education.

It is clear, too, that the number of available teachers of Mäori is insufficient to meet this demand.

In addition, the Mäori language teaching and learning resources available are insufficient to meet the demand and often of variable quality.

A resource as basic as a totally Mäori-language dictionary has not been available, although I am pleased to say that Government is currently funding the development of one.

We need a tertiary education system that is able to respond to the ever-growing demand for Mäori language education.

This year the country’s first-ever doctoral thesis was presented in the Mäori language (Tai Black). We need a tertiary system that will attract, retain and graduate more Mäori students at the highest in the language of their choice, Mäori.

As well as a growing demand for Mäori language education, we are seeing a growing demand for education through the medium of the Mäori language – kaupapa Maori - and again our tertiary education system must be able to respond to this trend.

My vision of a tertiary sector, fully responsive to Mäori, is one that is capable of providing a quality Mäori language education to all those that desire it.
Maori participation in the tertiary education sector has increased gradually over the last few years.

MOE Statistics to July 2000 show that enrolments at Wananga increased by more than 1000.

However our people tend to be concentrated at the lower end of the qualifications scale and in a small range of subject areas.

If we are to participate fully in a developing knowledge society, we have to be in tertiary education.

Last month Tuwharetoa hosted the Hui Taumata Matauranga.

A key theme was Maori involvement in decision making and a greater collaboration of effort.

The TEAC report outlines a range of steering mechanisms that encourage coordination rather than competition for example functional classifications, charters and profiles.

There are a number of recommendations that refer specifically to akoranga Maori, whare wananga and Maori representation in the decision making process. There will be interesting and challenging debate I know.

Te Puni Kokiri will host a number of regional hui to enable greater Maori input. On Monday next week there will be a hui in Tauranga, Tuesday in Taranaki and Wednesday in Hawkes Bay.

I know the consultation time is short but I encourage you to participate so that Maori ARE part of "Shaping the System".

Finally I would like to express my thanks to John and Linda from TEAC for their work thus far. Also to acknowledge the contribution of Simon and Godfrey from the Secretariat.

Godfrey nau tenei purongo i whakamaori. Ka nui ra te mihi. Tena koutou katoa.

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