Hekia Parata, Pita Sharples

1 May, 2012

Reference group to boost M�ori-medium teaching workforce

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Minister Pita Sharples have announced the establishment of an expert reference group on the M�ori-medium teaching workforce.

The reference group will advise the Government on how to increase the number of high-quality, te reo-fluent teachers in M�ori-medium education.

The ten strong group, who will meet for the first time today, is made of up principals, academics and business leaders.

�M�ori-medium education is of enormous value to New Zealand, both for protecting and revitalising te reo M�ori and for achieving good education outcomes for learners, and for preparing for engagement with other cultures,� says Ms Parata.

�Our Government is determined to raise educational achievement for our young people, especially for our priority groups of M�ori, Pasifika, learners with special education needs, and learners from low socio-economic backgrounds.�

Associate Minister Dr Sharples says it is crucial for New Zealand to increase the supply of high-quality, highly trained, te reo-fluent teachers to meet current and future demand for M�ori-medium education.

�We must ensure that every learner who wants to learn through te reo M�ori, whether in full immersion or a bilingual class, can do so,�� says Dr Sharples.

�This means finding new ways to attract and keep talented people in the profession.��

The reference group will focus on teachers in Immersion Level 1 (te reo M�ori used 81-100% of the time) and Level 2 (te reo M�ori used 51�80% of the time).

The group will develop a vision for strengthening the workforce and recommendations on how to achieve this vision.

They will report to the Ministers� in July 2012.

Members of the M�ori-medium Teaching Profession Reference Group

Uenuku Fairhall, Principal of Rotorua�s Te Kura o Te Koutu.

John Maihi, Chair of Te Puna M�tauranga o Whanganui.

Dr Catherine Love, Board Member, Port Nicholson Settlement Trust.

Cath Rau, specialist in M�ori-medium language and literacy development.

Paora Royal, Principal of Ngaruawahia�s Te Kura Kaupapa M�ori o Bernard Fergusson.

Arihia Stirling, Principal of Auckland�s Te Kura M�ori o Ng� Tapuwae.

Lynne-Harata Te Aika, Head of School for Aotahi, School of M�ori and Indigenous Studies, University of Canterbury.

Tony Trinick,Principal Lecturer and Associate Dean (M�ori), Te Kura o te Puna Wananga, School of M�ori Education, University of Auckland.

Hurae White, Deputy Principal at Hamilton�s Nawton Primary School.

Chris Selwyn, Tumuaki Rumaki at Auckland�s Western Springs College.