Tariana Turia: Wananga Puwai Speech

Wananga Puawai: Northland Kindergarten Association

Te Rangiwhakaahu Marae, Matapouri; Saturday 3 February 2007; 11am

Tariana Turia: Speech To Northland Kindergarten Association

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga mana whenua, Ngati Wai, Te Whanau o Rangiwhakaahu-Akitai, tena koutou katoa.

E nga whanau e huihui nei ki te whakanui i te kaupapa o te ra, tena koutou katoa.

It is a great pleasure to be here on the beautiful Tutukaka Coast in the land of Ngati Wai. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to be part of your Wananga Puawai.

When I looked at the programme I was so impressed at the effort that has gone into nurturing your wellbeing – the commitment to including workshops on mirimiri, raranga, rongoa, mahi poi, even making rewena bread and chowder as a structured part of your time here. Indeed after the week I have had, this wananga seemed like my definition of bliss.

For in this last week, we have been disappointed that the promise of the eighth electoral seat didn’t come to fruition; that the implied support of the National Party for the repeal of the foreshore and seabed act evaporated into thin air; and that that same party would seek to abolish the Maori seats, without sparing a thought for the importance of consultation with the Treaty partner.

But as I sat pondering the changing political climate, I heard of the tragedy that has occurred up here at Hukerenui. Just two days ago, Karetu Marae farewelled a mokopuna of fourteen years, while her sister remains in Auckland Hospital ICU and her mother in Whangarei Hospital.

My heart goes out to the whanau as they have spread themselves over three different areas, cherishing and holding dear to their loved ones.

It is a tragedy like this which puts everything into proportion.

How do we support our whanau in times of such crisis?

How do we foster whakawhanaungatanga to ensure the strength of collective care is wrapped around those who need it most?

What are the kaupapa and tikanga which we can draw on, to sustain us in times of disaster; in experiences which challenge us so significantly?

How can our knowledge and understanding of atua Mäori be maintained and nourished towards the achievement of well-ness?

These are life and death challenges; which apply to us all, at all stages of our life.

As kaiako and kaiawhina Maori these kaupapa and tikanga are the jewels in your crown of matauranga Maori, that you must wear with pride in your every day mahi.

I am really impressed by the commitment that the Northland Kindergarten Association has taken in giving such priority towards establishing a network of influence for kaiako Maori.

In fact of such priority that here we are – at the very start of the early childhood education year – and right on the brink of Waitangi Day – marking the significance of this project.

Included amongst the mirimiri and rewena bread-making; there is also an emphasis on strategic planning and relationship building.

I imagine these are relationships with the volunteers and professional staff of the 19 kindergartens, with the Kindergarten Association; with the managers; with the Governing Board, with the kindergarten committees.

But equally important must be the relationships that are fostered and enhanced with the whanau, hapu and iwi which support your centres.

This wananga is a good opportunity to review and reflect on the progress you have obviously made up till now.

You can celebrate the fact that between 2001 and 2006 the proportion of Maori children who attended some form of early childhood education in Northland grew from 76.4% to 85.4%.

That’s not as high as the nationwide results (90%) but it’s still a pretty significant achievement – and one we must celebrate.

The relationships you develop with the whanau of your tamariki are a critical component in retaining and sustaining the momentum.

The quality of your contact with families is a key part of providing quality early childhood education.

We must all be committed towards investing in a good start to learning, so that our tamariki nohinohi go on to do well in their education and lifeskills.

Governments may come and go, but whanau will be forever, and the strength of your investment in whanau vitality will have many long-lasting effects.

I have been thinking about this whole issue of resourcing with the circus that is the twenty hours of free early childhood education.

The survey from the Early Childhood Council released on Thursday reported that very few early childhood centres intending to offer this election-pledge programme. Indeed a mere 22% of 615 key stakeholders confirmed that they would offer the programme.

For kohanga reo, the policy is even more fraught, with the total disregard of the whanau whakapakari professional development programme.

It’s a pretty sad situation when the Government discriminates against kohanga reo; and undercuts the education resourcing allocated to our most precious babies.

The most common response in the survey was that the funding levels were less than what was currently being charged.

How’s that for justice? That our most vulnerable citizens, our tamariki, are being ripped off by a pledge-card policy which delivers less than the status quo?

The time has come for us to rid ourselves of any illusions that Government will do for us what we need to do for ourselves.

The Maori Party is committed towards supporting any initiatives which uplift and accentuate the positive aspects of the indigenous world as key strategies to advance.

Initiatives such as wananga Puawai which are about speaking with a strong, independent and united voice; and living according to kaupapa handed down by our ancestors.

Initiatives which draw together our collective strength to maintain and uphold all those cultural treasures which enhance our wellbeing.

The guidance of our kaumatua and kuia is an essential part of this journey. When I think of this marae, when I look at Ngati Wai, we could learn so much from spending time, say, with the Chief Executive, Addie Smith.

Addie is not only famous for being the very first Maori woman principal in Aotearoa; she is also actively promoting the concept of self-reliance and self-determination as the ideal – indeed I have heard it said that her ambition is that the people of Ngati Wai are so strengthened by the moves they have made, that she is able to walk away from the position, without causing a stir.

You will all have role models and mentors such as Addie that inspire hope and put into practice the ideas you might otherwise think of as moemoea.

My hope for this wananga; and indeed for the Maori caucus of the Association, is that the collective skills and talents amongst you, make it possible for all your moemoea to be actioned.

May the aspirations you have for your respective kindergartens extend way beyond the various centres in Raumanga, in Hora Hora, in Kamo.

May these aspirations take root in every home, throughout the hapu and marae of this rohe.

Finally, I want to share a vision we have talked about this week as the four Maori Party Members of Parliament prepare for the year ahead.

We have made the commitment towards advancing a strong, independent Maori voice – with influence – to achieve the growth of healthy, resilient, independent people.

Te Puawaitanga o te iwi Maori kei konei kei Aotearoa nei, a, kei te ao whanui

We believe that we must be the architects of our own destiny. Our prosperity, our growth, our influence will be best achieved by remaining true to who we are; true to the legacy left us by our tupuna.

It is a vision that may be as equally relevant for the Northland Kindergarten Association as it may be in the halls of Parliament.

But ultimately it is you – the architects, the designers, the weavers of the North – who will sketch out the blueprint that will not only ensure success for the Maori caucus – but will also advance the lives of the whanau, hapu and iwi to whom you belong.

We wish you all the very best in this journey of a lifetime.

Ends