October 07, 2016
Stage set for Te Matawai innovation
A member of the new Maori language body Te Matawai says the will is there for real innovation is strengthening and spreading te reo Maori.
Te Matawai held its first meeting in Otaki this week, and Scotty Morrison says the proceedings were completely in te reo over the three days.
Mr Morrison says there is unanimous agreement a new pathway is needed, and with Maori language revitalisation experts like Dr Ruakere Hond, Pania Papa and Jeremy Tatere McLeod around the table the board has the firepower to deliver.
"We’re definitely looking outside the square. We’re looking for something new. We’re looking at how we can leverage off the Ministry for Education and other government entities to make sure that we get enough backing and enough funding and enough support for whatever initiatives we put in place language revitalisation," he says.
Waihoroi Shortland and Mereana Selby were elected chair and deputy chair respectively for the initial 6 month set up phase, when the organisation will establish a secretariat and start negotiating contracts with government ministers.
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