Flavell proud of Maori Party achievement

Te Ururoa Flavell, Education Spokesperson, is proud that a long-held aspiration of the Maori Party has today been achieved with the launching of Tataiako - cultural competency framework.

"Cultural competency has been a long established standard in the health profession - in its essence; it encompasses the need for health workers to be conscious of their own cultural locatedness as a pre-requisite to relating to other cultures".

"It is great to see the education sector embracing such a significant advance, and in particular to value and affirm the culture of a Maori learner" said Mr Flavell.

"The wonderful thing about today, is that we know that the basic framework of cultural competency will be of benefit for learners and teachers from all cultures - it has a universal application".

"I'm really proud of the co-operation that Dr Sharples has been able to inspire from the sector, and the Ministry of Education, the New Zealand Teachers Council and the Education Review Office, to underscore the importance of the teaching workforce being culturally competent".

"When we entered into the Relationship and Confidence and Supply Agreement with Government, there was a commitment to progress policy priorities where agreement could be made".

"Cultural competency, to "ensure the quality of services, access and outcomes invest in well-being" was one of those of priorities and today's launch represents the culmination of 18 months' work.

"Of course the greatest challenge now, is for teachers to take the framework up, and to prove its relevance to improving educational outcomes for Maori learners. It cannot come too soon".

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