The Māori Language Commission has called on New Zealanders to stand behind a Māori language immersion school targeted by racists this week.
Te Wharekura o Arowhenua in Invercargill had its welcome sign vandalised with abusive, racist grafitti on Tuesday.
“This is what hatred looks like. It’s not overseas, it’s right here in our communities and it’s targeting our children, our language and our identity,” said Māori Language Commissioner, Professor Rawinia Higgins.
“We know that more than one million people stood with us to celebrate Māori language in September and we ask people to show their support for the children and families from this kura.”
The commission was created in 1987 after a landmark Waitangi Tribunal claim called for the Māori language to be protected and made an official language. Throughout much of the 20th century te reo was not allowed in public places including schools.
If this relates to the picture in the public domain, it sounds more like someone is having a go at Alex Crackett, or whoever else is supporting alternative views or the school concept in the local council, and not people specifically targetting children or maori. Doesn’t make it ok or not racist, but context is important.
“Throughout much of the 20th century te reo was not allowed in public places…”
That may have been true of some schools (not the one I attended) but so far as I am aware there was no ban on the use of te reo Maori in public places generally.
Fake history?
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