December 03, 2012
Turia wish list for operational TPK
Māori Party co-leader and Whānau Ora Minister Tariana Turia would like to see the new chief executive of Te Puni Kokiri beef up the ministry's operational role.
Former Te Papa Māori leader Michelle Hippolite takes over the top job at the Ministry of Māori Development this week, replacing Leith Comer.
In recent years the ministry has wound back some of its regional offices as it tries to concentrate on policy coming out of its Wellington head office.
But Mrs Turia, who along with minister Pita Sharples was a community officer with the former Department of Māori Affairs, says the work needs to happen out in the regions.
"We should be looking more at employing people as brokers. They should be brokering the employers for work. They should be looking at the education system and how they can get into the schools to see how schools can be supported and assisted with our kids. We should not be seeing alternative education programmes. We should be seeing our kids in school doing well," she says.
Te Puni Kokiri staff could also have a more hands on role in getting Māori into housing.
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