48
S e cti o n One – General
Whiri i te Reo Mäori, the Mäori Language Commission, to
a school. The majority of Mäori students are educated
protect and foster the use of te reo Mäori. The act was a
in English-medium schools. Within this system there is
response to the comprehensive te reo Mäori Treaty claim
provision for bilingual classes (reo rua), total immersion
to the Waitangi Tribunal in the 1980s, concerning the
classes (rumaki reo) and whänau units. Under the act, the
Crown’s failure to protect the language, as required by
Minister of Education can also designate a state school
Article 2 of the Treaty.
as a kura kaupapa Mäori by notice in the New Zealand
Te Mängai Päho is a Crown entity established to make
Gazette. All kura kaupapa Mäori are required to adhere
funding available to the national network of Mäori
to the principles of Te Aho Matua (a statement that sets
radio stations and for the production of Mäori language
out the approach to teaching and learning applicable to
television programmes, radio programmes, music CDs
kura kaupapa Mäori). One of the key National Education
and news services.
Goals is for ”increased participation and success by Mäori
The Iwi Radio Network was established in the early 1990s
in response to the Waitangi Tribunal’s recommendations
on the radio spectrum Treaty claim. The government
through the advancement of Mäori education initiatives,
including education in te reo Mäori, consistent with the
principles of the Treaty of Waitangi”. 16 The Treaty is
reserved the frequencies for the promotion of Mäori
both one of the foundational principles of the new New
language and culture. Iwi radio frequency licences are
Zealand curriculum, and the central guiding principle of
issued to the 21 iwi stations under section 48(b) of the
Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, its companion document.
Radiocommunications Act 1989. The licence stipulates
This document is used by Mäori-medium schools to guide
that frequencies must be used for the purpose of
teaching and learning, and to support learners, schools
promoting Mäori language and culture and broadcasting
and whanäu. The Ministry of Education provides funding
to a primarily Mäori audience.
for both English and Mäori-medium education. The
The Mäori Television Service Act 2003 (Te Aratuku
Whakaata Irirangi Mäori) established Mäori Television as
a statutory corporation to protect and promote te reo
Ministry also provides funding and support for kohanga
reo (language nests – early childhood education) and
whare wananga (tertiary education institutions).
in broadcasting. Mäori Television has two stakeholder
At the centre of 20 pieces of legislation that govern
interest groups: the Crown and Te Pütahi Paoho (the Mäori
the health sector, the New Zealand Public Health and
Electoral College). 15 In 2008, Mäori Television launched a
Disability Act 2000 provides for the recognition of the
Mäori-language-only channel, Te Reo.
principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in health and disability
Te Waka Toi, the Mäori arts board of Creative New
support. With the aim of improving health outcomes for
Zealand, is responsible for developing Mäori arts
Mäori, the Act also provides mechanisms to enable Mäori
and artists. It invests contestable funding, develops
to contribute to decision-making and the delivery of
initiatives and delivers tailored programmes for Mäori.
health and disability services.
The Government also funds the Aotearoa Traditional
Mäori Performing Arts Society through Vote Culture and
Heritage.
Measures provided for in the act include minimum
Mäori membership on district health boards (DHBs); a
requirement for DHBs to establish and maintain processes
The Education Act 1989 requires all New Zealand
to enable Mäori to participate in and contribute to
children aged between seven and 16 to be enrolled at
strategies for Mäori health improvement; a requirement
15 The Crown is represented by the Minister of Mäori Affairs and the Minister of Finance. Te Pütahi Paoho (Mäori Electoral College) comprises
Te Köhanga Reo National Trust, Te Ataarangi Inc, Te Rünanga o Ngä Kura Kaupapa Mäori, Te Tauihu o Ngä Wänanga, Ngä Kaiwhakapümau
i te Reo Mäori, National Mäori Council, Mäori Women’s Welfare League, Mäori Congress, Te Whakaruruhau o Ngä Reo Irirangi Mäori,
Kawea Te Rongo and Ngä Aho Whakaari. See the Mäori Television website. Accessible online at: http://www.maoritelevision.com/Default.
aspx?tabid=227
16 National Education Goals. The relevant goal is NEG 9. Accessible online at http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/
Schools/PolicyAndStrategy/PlanningReportingRelevantLegislationNEGSAndNAGS/TheNationalEducationGoalsNEGs.aspx