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Download AudioGreen MP Tuiono Teono says the decision by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to cut back on its use of te reo Māori in anticipation of the change of Government is a major step backwards.
A leaked memo to staff from chief executive Chris Seed says he had decided to remove te reo headings from the submission templates during the caretaker period.
Mr. Tuiono says the ministry has in the past been happy to use Māori culture and kapa haka groups to make New Zealand stand out diplomatically.
“So this move, it’s a big step backwards. We’ve got to embrace tikanga Māori, te ao Māori, and indigeneity because that’s what makes us different on the world stage so disappointing to see that from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he says.
Mr Tuiono says it’s concerning that the ministry took it upon itself to make the decision.
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