MIL OSI – Source: Labour Party –
Headline: Te Kohanga Reo must reform
It’s important that the Kohanga Reo Trust push ahead with changes to its governance structure to regain confidence within the movement, Labour’s Māori Affairs Spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says.
“While the Serious Fraud Office has found no evidence of illegality, the fact remains that change is necessary to ensure the growth of the Māori language amongst our youngest learners.
“There will be expectations at grassroots level that the standard of reporting and accountability of the Trust’s operations appear more open and transparent. This will to satisfy growing expectations amongst whanau that the quality, proficiency and delivery of kohanga Reo services are of a high standard.
“Now that the spotlight has been shone on internal operations of the Trust and its subsidiary commercial arm, Te Pataka Ohanga, whanau may well seek greater scrutiny and restructuring of TPO’s activities.
“If that is the case, then it is a matter which the Trust must lead and which should be supported by the priorities of whanau who have carried the aspirations of the Māori language movement over two decades.
“This has been a difficult time for the national Te Kohanga Reo movement and for many people who retain faith in the basic premise that it has been and can continue to be a powerful contributor to language and educational success.
“Labour encourages leadership by the Trust to tackle the next wave of governance and organisational change so that it can lift the quality and success of Māori language learning in the future .”
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