Hon Parekura Horomia
Associate Minister for Education

15 May 2008 Media Statement
Strategy launch reflects community focus of Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success

Minister of Māori Affairs and Associate Education Minister Parekura Horomia has unveiled the final Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success strategy to the community at a Rotorua Hui today.

The strategy sets out priorities, goals, actions, targets and outcomes for Māori students for the next five years, draws together evidence of successful approaches to Māori education, and shows how to turn these into future success.

“The community, and Māori in particular, were integral in developing Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success. It is appropriate therefore to bring the strategy into the community through this launch,” says Minister Horomia.

“We have a sound evidence base showing what makes the most difference for Māori students” says Minister Horomia.

“The key actions in Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success include supporting the professional learning and capability of educators, responsible and accountable professional leadership, high-quality Māori language education, family, whānau and iwi engagement in education and government agencies working together - those things that the evidence shows have the potential for the greatest impact for Māori students.”

The importance of Ka Hikitia to the government is shown by the presence of the Ministry of Education’s entire senior leadership team at the community launch.

The community hui is hosted by Ngāti Whakaue, which has a significant interest and stake in education. The iwi currently invests significantly in schools in the Rotorua area, mostly in literacy and numeracy programmes. A major strategic priority for the Iwi is to involve whānau more in the education of their children. Ngāti Whakaue and the Ministry of Education have worked together to establish an early childhood service that is distinctively Ngāti Whakaue, described as “Moko Puna”, which opened on 5 May 2008.

The success of the Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success requires strong action where the evidence shows the most impact can be made.

“The Ministry and the education sector is using much of this evidence right now, and Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success will ensure such knowledge is more widely known, understood and used. We will improve access to the programmes we know are making a difference for Māori students.”

School Plus is an integral part of Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success. Both share a strong emphasis on ensuring young people have the opportunities they need to gain the skills, knowledge and experience to succeed.

For background information on the development of Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success and the consultation process leading up to the launch of the strategy, visit http://kahikitia.minedu.govt.nz.

ENDS

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