Kōhanga Reo Stalwart Elected as Chairman of National Trust

Friday, 15 December 2017, 11:00 am
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Kōhanga Reo Stalwart Elected as Chairman of National Trust

Ngāti Kahungunu kōhanga reo advocate, Matua Hook elected Chairperson of the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc. wishes to acknowledge the election of Matua Hook, of Ngāi Te Ipu and Ngāti Hinepua as Chairman of the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust.

Matua Hook has spent decades working tirelessly within the Kōhanga Reo movement, striving to ensure the continued success of this pivotal initiative that first made its debut in Ngāti Kahungunu in 1982.

Matua takes a wealth of in-house knowledge of the movement to the table, and we are thrilled with the Board’s election of him as Chairman.

Matua follows in the footsteps of fellow Ngāti Kahungunu leader, Sir Tīmoti Kāretu who commented: “I feel confident that Matua will acquit himself well in this position to which he has been elected that is Chairman of the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust. He comes with a wealth of experience because of his working in kōhanga reo virtually since the inception of the movement. We of the former Board wish him well in this new role, which has a very heavy responsibility.”

Sir Tīmoti also went on to comment: “Despite his not being a speaker of the language he has members on his board who are confident speakers and can therefore fulfill that role should the need arise.”

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc. Direct of Te Reo, Tikanga & Mātauranga, Jeremy MacLeod commented: “It is imperative that we support Matua in his new role. Matua has been democratically elected from kōhanga reo within the region, and his appointment to the role of Chairman is a great honour not only for the movement, but for Ngāti Kahungunu. The former Chairman, Sir Tīmoti Kāretu has thrown his support behind Matua, as have I.”

Tēnā koe, Matua kua kopoua nei hai Heamana mō Te Poari Matua o Te Kōhanga Reo. Kai runga i a koe te mana o ō iwi me ō mātau tūmanako mahi. Mā mātau koe e tautoko kia pakari ai tō tuara ki te waha, ki te pīkau i ngā hiahia o ngā iwi maha.

ends

© Scoop Media