Turakina Māori Girls’ College Consultation: Panui Three

Turakina Māori Girls’ College Consultation: Panui Three

Kia ora koutou katoa.

We have completed the consultation required by the Minister and handed our report to the Ministry of Education on 11 September.

We met with staff and students on Friday to let them know what we plan to do to ensure Turakina has a sustainable future. They are keen to support our leadership.

Everyone is working hard to help Turakina remain open. All of your mahi is valued by the Board.

We met with the Board of Proprietors on 9 September in an attempt to have a unified approach to change. We have agreed to work together to ensure a future for Turakina but key actions such as sharing governance and leadership and uniting around a common Mission is work in progress. An urgent outcome we are seeking is for the hostel and school to work together for the benefit of Our Taonga, Our Wahine.

We want to acknowledge what staff (hostel and school) and students have done since the Minister dropped her bombshell on 11 August. Staff have kept the school running and continue to do extra things to enhance the life of our wahine. What you are doing is appreciated by the Board and whanau. Our wahine continue to work hard and present themselves with dignity and respect in communities. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.

We want to also mihi to the Old Girl’s Association who are working tirelessly to recruit more students and raising the profile of our cause. They are leading the strategy to enrol students for 2016 and onwards. They also organised the rally at Parliament on 10 September. Thousands attended from all around the country. Their talents, energy, commitment and leadership they attribute to their days at Turakina. Thank you for your leadership in the important focus on recruitment and retention.

Our report explains the work being done to increase enrolments and ensure Turakina is safe and comfortable for our wahine. It also outlines a strategy for financial viability but that is the prime responsibility of the BoP. The school side is performing well financially. This work is urgent.

The report outlines work being done to achieve medium and longer term goals to provide for the growth and development of Turakina. They are:

• Improve governance

• Strengthen leadership and improve achievements

• Unite all parts of Turakina

• Increase the number of students

• Strengthen relationships

Our report proposes actions needed to achieve those goals.

The BoT has sought a whakaaro from te ao Māori that can unite our whanau whanui. We believe that “Miria te pounamu piata ana;” - Polish the gem for the brilliance to shine through reflects what we do at Turakina. Our report discusses this Mission. It also proposes options

for governance and leadership that are required to help us all live that Mission and measures to ensure we are accountable to each other.

The focus of our plan for sustainability is to strengthen existing relationships and build new ones with individuals and groups wanting to invest in Turakina. Our consultation found many opportunities to strengthen relationships and people who want to invest in Turakina. We know that they will get value for their investment.

Finally, thank you to everyone who contributed to the consultation. We hope that your ideas are included in our report and that you will continue to support our plan for sustainable growth and development.

Our recommendation to the Minister is that she:

• notes what has been achieved to change Turakina to achieve a sustainable future; and

• work with the BoT and BoP to initiate another round of consultation before a final decision is made about the future of the school.

If you want a copy of our report please contact Kate at office@tmgc.school.nz

We believe that if we continue to work together we will build the school to replicate the best of what we have achieved in the past.

The purpose of these panui is to keep whanau informed of what the BoT is doing to lead the consultation. We are pleased that you share them with your whanau and networks. We want an open and inclusive process and we value their support and suggestions.

As your representatives in this role, we hope that we have advocated well for you.

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa

Trish Biddle-Amoroa

Chairperson

Board of Trustees

ENDS

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