PRESS RELEASE

Another Act of Betrayal By the Maori Party

IKAROA-RAWHITI CANDIDATE TE HAMUA NIKORA

WEDNESDAY 5TH JUNE 2013

“The Maori Party have betrayed our people yet again by casting the deciding votes that gave the thumbs up to establish charter schools” says MANA Candidate for Ikaroa-Rawhiti Te Hamua Nikora. 

Last night in Parliament the Education Amendment Bill, which allows for charter schools to be established in New Zealand, was passed 62 to 57.

“It was a disgraceful act by the Maori Party, who have turned their backs on Maori education, to place their vote in favour of the legislation.  The Maori Party argue that Maori should have the option to place their kids in charter schools.  Overseas charter schools have a proven track record of failing kids who do not achieve; 40% of African-American kids are “pushed-out” by charter schools.  Our kids need qualified teachers, not people who are appointed by charter schools with no training in education.  And charter schools need to be held to account for failing the kids they are supposed to educate, not be let off the hook by being exempt from the Official Information Act or the Ombudsman Act”. 

“What is worse is that this move is a smack in the face to our kura kaupapa.  Leading Maori educationalists such as Professors Russell Bishop, Linda Smith and Ranginui Walker, have expressed their concerns about the future of kura kaupapa, a model of education that works for our kids, in a rare open letter to the Government.  In it they said that they are seriously worried that this model of education will take away much needed resources that could be directed at our kura kaupapa.  Many Maori now warn that kura kaupapa may not survive in the age of charter schools”.

“At the moment there is a by-election on in the Maori seat of Ikaroa-Rawhiti.  Many people see it as a referendum on what political party is doing the best for Maori.  If the voters of Ikaroa-Rawhiti care about Maori education, then those who are left supporting the Maori Party need to walk away.  Schools such as Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Waiu o Ngati Porou in Ruatoria, Te Kura Kaupapa o Mana Watu in Hastings, or Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Ara Whanui in Lower Hutt, are located in the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat and now face an uncertain future with overseas companies establishing charter schools so they can have a slice of the tax dollar and our education system”.

“Our people have heard from the Maori Party Candidate Na Raihania about how wonderful it is that the Maori Party is sitting around the cabinet table.  Despite the fact that the Maori Party are actually seated outside the door because the ministerials they do hold are outside of cabinet, this is one dead rat they will regret swallowing.  It could very well mark the demise of our kura kaupapa, a model that so many of our people fought so hard for, including the current Associate Minister of Education and Minister of Maori Development, Dr Pita Sharples”. 

ENDS

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