May 27, 2016
Education to back up NZ Wars commemoration
Maori Development Minister te Ururoa Flavell says he will talk to iwi leaders about how they want to mark the Maori Land Wars.
The Budget included $1 million a year for the next four years for commemorations.
He says it’s a response to the calls coming from iwi from Taranaki, Taitokerau, Waikato Tainui, Tauranga Moana, Mataatua and the East Coast who have been organising their own grass roots events on significant anniversaries.
He wants iwi leaders to give him a suitable day for a commemoration.
"Once we’ve confirmed the day, is it a holiday? I don't hear too much of a push for a holiday but what must come is an element of support for the kaupapa, by way of having the resource to support education in schools and the community about those wars because not too many people know about them, and in that regard we think we have responded to the call from iwi and we hope to make a firm announcement prior to Koroneihana this year," Mr Flavell says..
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