Te Wananga o Aotearoa Welcomes Tribunal Report

23/12/05

Te Wananga o Aotearoa Welcomes Tribunal Report

Te Wananga o Aotearoa welcomes the recommendations of the Waitangi Tribunal in its report on the Aotearoa Institute Claim.

The recommendation that the Crown and the three Wananga conclude a partnership agreement to allow discussion and resolution of issues is a very positive one. Some of the issues TWOA has faced in the last two years could have been avoided had opportunities for open and frank discussion been available.

We also welcome the Tribunal endorsement of our longstanding policy of providing a valued education within a framework of Maori values that is open to all. Te Wananga o Aotearoa never wavered in its determination to affirm this approach in spite of Crown attempts to restrict the Wananga to mostly Maori students.

Our dialogue with the Crown on this issue was vigorous and, in the end, successful. It is good to also have the endorsement of the Tribunal for that approach.

The Tribunal also notes the membership of the Wananga’s Council, Te Mana Whakahaere, at the time of the hearing into this claim. This temporary arrangement has now been superseded, with three former members returning and three new members being co-opted. In addition, the electoral processes for placing staff and student representatives on the Council have been initiated.

Craig Coxhead
Chair
Te Mana Whakahaere
Te Wananga o Aotearoa

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