Nanaia MAHUTA
Maori Education Spokesperson

16 October 2013                                                    MEDIA STATEMENT

Kohanga investigation must be transparent

Hekia Parata had no other option than to call for a “please explain” from the Te Kohanga Reo National Trust, Labour’s Maori Education spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says.

“Given the serious nature of the allegations around the use of Kohanga funds Ms Parata could hardly have done anything less. 

“She has already admitted in the House that the reporting obligations of the Trust were inadequate. That seems to be a recurring theme for this government.

“While an internal investigation is underway, the allegations have done significant damage to the trust and confidence of the many people who work to uphold tikanga, teach te reo and support tamariki to grow and thrive.

“Some pretty serious questions need answering here – specifically in relation to what appears to be a pattern of excessive and inappropriate spending.

“In light of the independent audit, Ms Parata now needs to go a step further and ensure that the wider public interest is served by making the findings of the audit open to public scrutiny.

“Taxpayers need an assurance that every dollar directed towards Maori language learning is used for that purpose and the aspirations of whanau who seek to retain autonomy of a very successful learning model.

“They also need an assurance that appropriate reporting obligations will be met, that any inappropriate spending culture is reigned in and that the governing body is more accountable to the whānau and its relationship with the Crown.

“Accountability is on expectation, not a luxury. Public funding set aside for education must go towards better learning experiences for tamariki.

“It’s disappointing that the Minister failed to take control of this situation. Our children deserve better.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

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