October 04, 2016
Flavell excited Te Matawai talking
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says today’s first meeting of Te Matawai signals the dawn of a new era for te reo Maori.
The 13 members selected by iwi, Maori language stakeholder groups and the minister were welcomed on to Te Wananga o Raukawa in Otaki today for the first meeting.
Mr Flavell says a lot of work has gone into the idea first raised by his predecessor Taa Pita Sharples to change the laws around Maori language agencies and give iwi a greater role in its revitalisation.
"I picked it up when I became minister and to see it all come together now, the law in place the bodies that are now set up to run and the first meeting of Te Matawai which is going to be setting the direction for our reo particularly on the iwi side, I'm really excited and looking forward to the discussions," he says.
Te Ururoa Flavell says the first Runanga Reo joint meeting between Te Matawai members and Crown Ministers will be held later this month.
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