July 14, 2014
Reo reforms misdirected
A leading Maori language advocate says the proposed new structure for oversight of te reo Maori will undermine progress and is a waste of resources.
Parliament will next week hold the first reading of a bill setting up Te Matawai, a body of iwi and crown representatives that will oversee the Maori language commission, Maori broadcast funding agency and Maori Television.
Professor Timoti Karetu says Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples has failed to explain why the bill represents an improvement.
He says iwi let the language decline by neglect, and it’s bodies like kohanga reo, kura kaupapa Maori, wananga and community language groups like Te Atarangi that have revived it.
"You’re better to concentrate on the ones who have already shown some profit from it and what they have done and that's not the iwi. It's really kura kaupapa, kohanga whatever whatever whatever who have a proven track record,"
Professor Karetu says.
He'd also like to see more money going to teachers of te reo, who are long overdue for a pay rise.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSOR TIMOTI KARETU CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjAwNDk=
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