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A retired academic says Kaikohe needs its own tertiary institution to create jobs and economic growth and promote Ngapuhitanga.
Peter Harwood, an emeritus professor at AUT University who has also taught in Australia, says several polytechs, wananga and universities run programmes in the town, but it doesn’t have the same impact as a facility owned by the community.
He says the government seems prepared to spend money on a prison in the town, but not on positive solutions.
Free Maori language lessons, such as those offered at AUT, is a place to start.
"Those sorts of programmes must be offered albeit with a Ngapuhi emphasis and encouraging and identifying Ngapuhitanga tikanga. That is a way in which to improve confidence, help improve identity and help improve young people to flow through and contribute back to their own community." he says.
Professor Harwood will share his ideas at a hui in the town next month.
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