Budget 2015; Ngati Whakaue; Rotorua

“Budget planning for any of us is a process of compromise and reality checks. And for the country, Budget 2015 is no different” said Ms Roana Bennett, General Manager of Ngati Whakaue’s Te Taumata Trust.

“There is no lollie scramble in this budget – and nor did we expect one. But there is increased funding for education, particularly for whanau in need, and this is positive for our community.” Ms Bennett said.

“Education is the key to success and the pathway out of poverty. It is a well known that participation in high quality, family focussed, culturally responsive early childhood education (ECE) leads to better life outcomes. This is why Ngati Whakaue has invested heavily in the early years for our tamariki and their whanau” Ms Bennett said.

“Although the overall rates for ECE have not increased, the rate for the childcare subsidy will increase by 20% making it easier for our low income whanau to engage,” Ms Bennett said.

“We also actively engage in other parts of the education pipeline – such as supporting young people (rangatahi) to achieve NCEA Level 2 or to gain a trade qualification. The budget supports initiatives such as “Count Me In” and Maori and Pacifika Trade Training – targeting youth who have disengaged or are at risk of disengaging from education” Ms Bennett said.

“No one has a magic wand to address issues related to poverty and inequity, but education achievement is a high level priority that all of us can collaborate on. I am certain that we as a community have the skills, the resources and the willingness to make a positive difference” Ms Bennett said.

BACKGROUND

Te Taumata o Ngati Whakaue Iho Ake Trust was established in 2005 by Ngati Whakaue to implement the Ngati Whakaue education strategy. The Taumata has a licensed Early Childhood Education Centre, a supported playgroup and runs a number of participation programmes aimed at supporting whanau to engage in early childhood education. The Trust also provides professional learning and development to teachers to increase their ability to reflect the identity, language and culture of the children in their classes. The Trust runs the week long Matakokiri Science Wananga four times a year for children aged 7 to 14 and their whanau. The trust is one of three iwi partners delivering the Maori and Pacifika Trade Training programme “SKillMe” with Waiariki Institute of Technology. The Paepae Wananga initiative is in its tenth year and the trust has also held Kura Reo and Wananga on aspects of language, tikanga and kawa.

ENDS

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