Maori policy initiatives

In recent years, New Zealand has seen a considerable increase in the level of understanding and awareness of Maori issues. Some have gained more prominence than others. It is important for people to understand what the Government is seeking to develop through its Maori policy initiatives.

The Government has sought to emphasise the importance of Maori participation in New Zealand society. The Government's policy statement outlines the objective:

"We have to commit ourselves to full Maori participation before we can decide how we will achieve it. Our vision for the 21st century must be of a society in which Maori participate and achieve to a level where they feel a part of, and contribute to, the enrichment of society."

GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES To accomplish this, the Government has prime responsibilities to Maori in three key areas:

To endeavour to work through past Treaty of Waitangi grievances by negotiation and to try and deal with them through settlements. By doing this, both Maori and the Crown can stop looking back to the past and firmly focus on Maori issues in the present, and on Maori development for the future;
Government has a responsibility to retain and promote our unique indigenous Maori language and culture; and
It is important to involve, to empower and to raise average Maori achievement levels well above what they are, so that they equal the rest of our society.

Since 1990, the Government has made considerable progress in developing Maori policy in a way that better reflects and meets these three responsibilities to Maori.

TREATY OF WAITANGI SETTLEMENTS
Extensive policy work has been undertaken to resolve Treaty grievances and we are now seeing the settlement of long standing grievances, most of which are over 100 years old and not directly the responsibility of this generation.

The Treaty Settlement proposals aim to establish and speed up a negotiation process which will give recognition to the wrongs of the last century, give movement to seeking a settlement and if possible, a full and final settlement.

There is now acknowledgement by many Maori that at last the Crown has said that there are valid grievances which need looking at, and also an acceptance by the Crown that some of the actions of the past were wrong and need rectifying. The process of moving forward involves consultation with Maori and the wider community.

We are seeing a change occurring in New Zealand society with greater recognition of Maori issues and more involvement and consultation with Maori. As a nation, we are growing up and finding ways to meet the social challenges of today.

REVITALISATION OF MAORI LANGUAGE
The Government is committed to the revitalisation of te reo Maori and in recognition of the United Nations Decade of the World's Indigenous People, the theme for the first year of the Decade in New Zealand became "He Taonga Te Reo - 1995, A Celebration of the Maori Language.

Not only will the Decade help promote a wider appreciation and awareness of the special place of Maori within our society, but Maori Language Year is placing a greater emphasis on the important relationship between language and culture. Maori is truly a taonga or treasure which belongs to all New Zealanders.

The Government provides support through initiatives which are encouraging the revitalisation of the Maori language. These are being drawn together into a strategic plan. We are also seeing more people and organisations recognising the new status of the Maori language both among Maori and in the wider New Zealand society.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES
The Government's responsibilities are focused on ensuring that Maori are assisted in establishing a sound economic base from which to develop and further the aims of their people. Many of the policy development changes have opened up new opportunities for Maori.

MAORI LAND ACT 1993
In 1993, the Government passed the Te Ture Whenua Maori Act which is a significant piece of legislation and gives Maori a greater say in Maori land matters. It is framed according to what Maori said was needed.

This Maori Land Act promotes Maori rights to land. The Act actively encourages the retention of land within Maori ownership and provides mechanisms which facilitate land development.

An important feature of the Act is its statutory reference to Maori cultural concepts. This is a major change from previous Maori land legislation and was the result of widespread consultation with Maori regarding their requirements for effective land legislation.

The aim of the legislation is to promote the retention of Maori land in the hands of its owners. The Act was developed after extensive consultation with Maori and reflects the Maori philosophy that land is a treasure to be preserved and passed on to future generations. Retention however, has been reconciled, where necessary, with the need to operate in a modern context. The Act empowers Maori land owners with the means to decide upon and facilitate the retention, development, use and occupation of their lands.

The Act classifies all land in New Zealand into a number of categories. 'Maori customary land' is land that is held in accordance with Maori custom and cannot be sold. Maori freehold land can only be alienated in a number of prescribed ways.

This legislation represents the Government's acknowledgement that land ownership is crucial to Maori economic progress and development, and the subsequent retention and promotion of their traditional culture.

OTHER AREAS
In education, we have seen enormous growth in Maori student participation, in non-compulsory pre-school through to tertiary education. New initiatives introduced by the Government in the 1995 Budget invests $30 million in Maori education which will continue to encourage this growth.

In health, Maori providers are now delivering services to Maori. Particularly with the establishment of primary health care centres. One very successful model based in the Waikato region - the Raukura Hauora o Tainui - accesses Government funding and now employs its own doctors, nurses and has established visiting specialist services.

In the employment sector, the Government is implementing new initiatives as part of a "Focus on Employment" package. The Maori Labour Market Strategy is aimed at helping unemployed Maori gain skills and in turn, gain a job.

GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT

The Government is committed to Maori Affairs policy and the continuing emphasis on Maori Development.

A great deal of hard work, particularly supported and promoted by Te Puni Kokiri (the Ministry of Maori Development), has been undertaken in recent years. We are now beginning to see very positive results as New Zealand moves confidently towards the 21st century.

New Zealand is being pro-active in dealing with Maori issues which have been difficult for a number of years, and it is time to find ways to move on to better relationships with all New Zealanders.

Ki iiiai ki ahau,
He aha te mea nui o te ao
Maku e ki atu,
'He tangata! He tangata!'

Ask me
What the most important thing in the world is
And I will say,
'Mankind! Mankind!'

The Government has focused on the challenges of meeting the needs of Maori education. It is committed to the aim of raising the level of educational achievement of Maori to ensure they can gain employment in the workforce.

Government objectives

The Government's objectives for Maori education are set out in the Ministry of Education strategic document, "Education for the 21st Century". The aim is to have full participation and achievement by Maori in all areas of education, and to meet this the Government has two objectives:

An education system in which Maori have similar opportunities and outcomes to the rest of the community in terms of participation and success; and
A Maori medium education system that ensures the revitalisation of the Maori language as a living language.

The emphasis on education is important because it is essential to change the under achievement of Maori. Raising achievement levels opens up options and employment opportunities.

Maori student participation

The Government is already achieving success especially with the growth of Maori participation in education. Since 1990, the retention rates for Maori students in seventh form have increased from 15% to over 27%. Over the last decade, the number of Maori children enrolled in early childhood education has more than doubled from 12,000 to over 28,000 children.

Early Childhood Education:

Te Kohanga Reo

The most successful initiative in Maori education has been Te Kohanga Reo. Kohanga reo first started in 1982, offering an all day Maori language immersion programme to children under five.

Kohanga reo have enjoyed very strong growth especially since 1990, in the enrolment of Maori children and the number of centres opened throughout New Zealand. By 1994, there were over 13,000 children attending kohanga reo and there are now over 800 centres. Around 50% of all Maori children enrolled in early childhood education are attending kohanga reo.

Primary and Secondary:

Kura Kaupapa Maori

The development of kohanga reo led to the establishment of kura kaupapa Maori at primary level. Kura kaupapa are state schools designed by Maori for Maori and teach students all subjects in Maori. The aim of these schools is to produce bilingual students who have a high level of competency in both Maori and English.

The Maori community is very supportive of kura kaupapa.

The Government is committed to helping these schools continue to develop. In 1990, there were only 6 schools and by 1995, this has increased to 43 schools.

Maori Medium Education

In 1993, there were 335 schools offering some form of Maori medium education. These schools catered for nearly 18,000 Maori students. Maori medium education is an important part of New Zealand's educational development.

There is going to be an increasing demand for a continuing change in the way Maori education is delivered by teachers. Particularly as fluent Maori speaking students will be moving from kura kaupapa into secondary schooling.

A pilot scheme is being trialed whereby a Kura Kaupapa Maori has been established within a mainstream school in Ngaruawahia. This is ensuring that school resources can be used efficiently and effectively whilst meeting the needs of the students and local community.

Tertiary

Two wananga (tertiary institutions offering degree courses with an emphasis on Maori language and culture) were established in 1993 and are Government funded. They provide Maori students with tertiary education and training designed to meet the needs of the students.

Between 1989 and 1994, Maori student participation in this sector increased by over 200% from 5,000 to over 21,000 students. This meant that the number of Maori enrolments increased from 3.7% of total enrolments in 1989 to 10.4% in 1994. Graduates doubled in numbers from 1990 to 1993 representing 6.4% of all New Zealand university graduates.

Education Initiatives

In the 1995 Budget, the Government committed to investing an additional $30 million over three years for new education initiatives. These will build on current successful Maori education programmes. The initiatives include:

15 new Kura Kaupapa Maori to be established at a capital cost of $14 million bringing the total of kura kaupapa schools to 53 by 1998, up from 6 in 1990;
$5 million has been allocated to give up to 300 teachers an opportunity to improve their skills in te reo Maori; and
In early childhood education, $2.5 million is being spent on the kohanga reo Whakapakari three-year tutor training programme to meet the demand for skilled tutors needed for the growth in kohanga reo services.

Ministry of Education initiatives

The Government in recent years has undertaken a programme of education reforms which are allowing greater flexibility in how education is provided and a greater choice for parents and children. In Maori education, the positive changes have provided Maori with the ability to define and design the kind of education they want for themselves and their children. It has also ensured greater opportunity for the Maori language to flourish.

As part of these reforms, the Ministry of Education's document "Education for the 21st Century" was developed. In addition to the targets set out in the document, the Ministry also developed a Ten Point Plan for Maori education. The focus for this plan includes:

Maori language initiatives; early childhood education; home-school relationships; research into Maori education; Maori language resources; Maori language teachers; tertiary participation; the New Zealand Curriculum framework; alternative Maori education structures and bicultural development within the Ministry.

The education system now offers two viable choices for Maori students, either immersion or mainstream. It is important to ensure that such choice continues and the needs of Maori students are met in both areas. The increase in participation levels of Maori students in each area of education is showing that the Government's policies are having a positive effect in dealing with Maori disadvantage.

Current developments

Draft Maori curriculum have been released in mathematics (pungaru), science (putaiao) and Maori language (te reo Maori).

Te Puni Kokiri's Role

The Ministry of Maori Development has been focusing on the improvement of both the design and delivery of educational services to Maori.

The Ministry has facilitated the establishment of several national organisations including:

a national organisation of Kura Kaupapa Maori, Te Runanganui o Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori o Aotearoa;
the National Association of Maori Mathematicians, Scientists and Technologists. A very successful wananga putaiao (science camp) was held by this association. It involved kura kaupapa students and their teachers participating in a science programme run on a marae. Te reo Maori was the language of the course and aspects of Maori scientific knowledge were included in the programme;

Some of the successful initiatives which Te Puni Kokiri has been involved with include:

undertaking a major consultation exercise seeking Maori views on the Ministry of Education's strategy document "Education for the 21st Century" to ensure that Maori needs were taken into consideration and met through the strategy;
establishing a group of Maori experts to plan strategies to increase the participation of Maori in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and
trialed a project at Ngata College to investigate how the needs of rural schools with large Maori rolls can be met through telecommunications systems and information technology.

Health Sector Reforms

The implementation of health reforms by the Government has provided new opportunities for Maori providers to contract to deliver health services to Maori. This is achieved through activities and strategies aimed at improving the health of Maori and also providing equitable and effective funding.

The health sector reforms have enabled Maori health initiatives providing services to Maori to be developed and to grow successfully. There is particular emphasis on programmes dealing with smoking, asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, family violence, alcohol and drug abuse and well-child programmes.

Maori health policy guidelines are released by the Ministry of Health each year to focus on the priorities given Maori health. The guidelines aim to improve access to services for Maori and examines the activities and strategies which will achieve this aim.

The Ministry of Maori Development (Te Puni Kokiri) has also played an important role in assisting with the establishment of many programmes. One of it's roles is promoting health initiatives involving Maori participants.

In 1993, Te Puni Kokiri developed a discussion document "Te Ara Ahu Whakamua: Strategic Direction for Maori Health" which enabled the Ministry to focus on areas which were a priority for making a difference to Maori health. A key theme to emerge from this document was the need to let Maori determine their own futures. There was also the need to strengthen whanau (family) structures, for the acknowledgement of the diversity of Maori and the acceptance of greater personal responsibility for health.

Health Policy Developments:

Three major hui held during 1994 have ensured that Maori have a greater say in the way health services are delivered to Maori.

Te Ara Ahu Whakamua - The Maori Health Decade Hui
Held in Rotorua, this hui developed a shared vision of the future of Maori Health. It brought together Maori aspirations and aims and looked at what defined a healthy Maori. The hui also looked at the future to the year 2000, as well as the role of government agencies and ways of measuring Maori health performance.

Ma Te Miori E Puri Te Maimoatanga Maori
- Managed Care by Maori

Held in Whanganui in December 1994, the hui helped Maori look at managed care and discuss how current structures may develop over the next few years. As a result more Maori are now providers of Maori health services with greater control over how such services are delivered to Maori.

Hui Whai Maramatanga Whai Oranga
- Lifting the Veil, Securing a Future

Held in Papakura in March 1995, the hui worked to develop a strategy for Maori sexual reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. This was a valuable discussion because it enabled Maori to be part of the policy process and for policies to be initiated which are specific to Maori and also look at issues for the future.

Successful Examples of Maori Health Initiatives:
Whana Well-being Projecty

These projects were initiated by the Development in 1993 to see how the concept o well-being in health projects could be used as a delivering health services to Maori.

The aim is to use an integrated holistic approach to addressing five key health concerns for Maori - cot death, asthma, immunisation, drug and alcohol abuse and family violence.

The Ora Toa Health Unit

This unit, established in the Ngati Toa community in Porirua has a primary health care orientation in which iwi participation and development are central to its operation. The unit undertakes whanau visiting supported by ongoing programmes, raising awareness and increasing knowledge of the health issues involved. In addition, an information system has been designed to collect and monitor data on the health issues

Some very successful results have been achieved,. for example in the immunisation programme the levels have increased from 23.8% of 18 month old children to a rate of around 66%.

The Tipu Ora Model

The Tipu Ora Trust was established in 1990 after a survey conducted by Te Arawa showed a need for an alternative Maori primary health care programme in the Rotorua area.

Tipu Ora is a holistic well-child care programme which focuses on delivering health care programmes for Maori caregivers and their children. The programme is delivered by iwi-approved kaitiaki (caregivers) who provide education and instruction in parenting skills. They also ensure that professional care is sought when needed. Tipu Ora developed services in ante-natal and post-natal care, well-child checks, safe home visits and immunisation programmes.

Some positive health results from the programme include:

providing care to over 3,000 mothers and babies;
drastically reducing the cot death rate among Rotorua Maori, which was twice the national average and one of the highest rates in the country. Since the programme was established, not one Tipu Ora baby has been lost to cot death; and
improved immunisation rates by more than double. Tipu Ora babies now have an immunisation rate of around 90%.

This innovative health programme is being developed in Christchurch. It is hoped that it can be used as a model for other areas.

Other Developments

Te Puni Kokiri believes that sport and recreation is an effective medium for reaching Maori, promoting health messages to Maori and to facilitate the adoption of healthy lifestyles by Maori.

Te Puni Kokiri has been working with sports and health organisations to improve the co-ordination of programmes aimed at promoting health messages and improving lifestyle behaviours of Maori.

This policy supports the Public Health Commission's recommendation in the document "He Matariki" to promote and protect whanau public health by increasing the number of Maori participating in frequent physical exercise. The goal is to increase the level by 10% by the end of 1997.

Te Puni Kokiri - The Ministry Of Maori Development

Establishment and new direction

Te Puni Kokiri (the Ministry of Maori Development) was established in January 1992. It replaced the former Ministry of Maori Affairs (Manatu Maori) and the Iwi Transition Agency (Te Tira Ahu Iwi).

The Government changed the fundamental policy that Maori needs could only be catered for by a central Government Maori Affairs Department. It did not support the concept of a compulsory tribal delivery system for Government programmes and services given that a majority of Maori no longer reside in tribal areas.

Instead, the Government's aim is to encourage the ability for Maori to participate positively and equitably in the social and economic life of New Zealand.

This aim is to be achieved through targeting policy and funding in education, health, training and economic resource development. This change in direction was made with the establishment of the Ministry of Maori Development.

Role

Te Puni Kokiri does not deliver Maori programmes direct to Maori because the services are delivered by other agencies. The focus of the Ministry is on assessing how various issues affect Maori and to ensure that a Maori perspective is incorporated into any new policies being developed.

The Ministry also acts in a liaison or facilitation role between iwi, Maori and other agencies, organisations and the Crown.

This is achieved through Te Puni Kokiri's policy development role and through its regional offices.

Advice is provided to the Government on social, economic, cultural and political issues as they affect Maori and key focus areas covering, health, education, asset management and development, labour resource, the relationship between the Crown and Maori, and Maori potential.

The Ministry also commissions projects and reports which assist with policy development. It pilots new concepts and programmes to assist in both the design and delivery of services in the different sectors.

Structure

Te Puni Kokiri, in its Wellington based head office, has five policy branches reporting to the Chief Executive. These branches are:

Asset management, which creates options to maximise the benefit for iwi and hapu from assets and resources resulting from their Treaty settlements;
Compliance, which provides advice relating to the effective management of the Crown's Treaty partnership with iwi and hapu, and the Crown's relationship with individual and collective groups of Maori people;
Corporate Services, which designs and implements policies that support the corporate environment and functions;
Social Policy, which develops policy focused on the quality of citizenship including equality of opportunity and equality of results, as well as providing advice on opportunities and impediments to achieving parity for Maori. The branch also assesses the means for moving Maori beyond parity; and
Treaty Relations, which supports the Crown's partnership with iwi and hapu and the general Crown relationship with Maori, manages the collective interests of the Crown with its Treaty partners at a local level and to provide early warning of local issues likely to impact on the relationship between the Crown and Maori.

In addition, there are thirteen regional offices throughout New Zealand.

Policy Development

The role of the Ministry is to ensure that mainstream policy, legislation and agencies recognise specific Maori needs where Maori are at a disadvantage, when compared with the remainder of New Zealand society. Te Puni Kokiri no longer delivers services but rather acts as a policy and monitoring unit for the Government.

One example of how this new approach works is in the health sector. Under legislation, Maori health must be specifically addressed and we now see Maori policy having considerable impact on Maori health initiatives. There are now new and innovative approaches to old problems, with Maori health initiatives involving Maori in designing and delivering health programmes to Maori.

One result of mainstreaming is the considerably improved responsiveness to the needs of Maori from the mainstream agencies.

Addressing the parity gap between Maori and non-Maori in all facets of New Zealand society is crucial to the future development of Maori. The Government, with support from Te Puni Kokiri and the wider New Zealand community, is finding new ways to deal with this area. The issues of self-responsibility and self-determination are becoming a key focus for helping disadvantaged Maori.

By devolving responsibility, particularly with funding to local Maori service providers, programmes can be more effectively targeted towards their client group. This approach is compatible with the same approach taken in all Government service areas where service delivery is being devolved back to the community inboth the public and private sector.

In the past, there were two agencies providing similar or duplicated services to two distinct groups, (Maori and other New Zealanders). Now mainstreaming ensures that instead of duplicating services, the Ministry of Maori Development can provide both a co-ordinating and a leadership role.

Monitoring

One of Te Puni Kokiri's prime functions is its statutory responsibility under the Ministry of Maori Development Act 1991, to monitor the effectiveness of the services developed by other agencies and departments to, or for, Maori.

Initially, when Te Puni Kokiri was first established, the Ministry did not have a large monitoring role as mainstream policies were only just beginning to be implemented. This role is gaining in importance as more mainstreaming projects are being established.

The Ministry has also established itself as an informed and proactive policy unit on Maori issues and works closely with other agencies in areas affecting Maori development. It is the Government's principal adviser on the Crown's relationship with iwi, hapu and Maori on key Government policies as they affect Maori.

Major Achievements

The Ministry of Maori Development is now a major contributor to providing Government sector policy advice. It is acknowledged as the principal adviser to the Crown on its relationship between iwi, hapu and Maori and the Crown, and on key Government policies affecting Maori.

Te Puni Kokiri successfully managed the recent programme of consultation with iwi and hapu on the Crown's proposals for settling Treaty of Waitangi claims. This involved Ministers of the Crown travelling around New Zealand to meet with claimant groups. This was the first time the Crown has gone to Maori to discuss its Treaty proposals and to listen to Maori on their grievances.
It has successfully assisted in the development and implementation of many new initiatives in the sectors aimed at helping Maori. The positive results now being achieved support the Government's directional change in Maori policy.

Publications and Communications

Te Puni Kokiri has played a major role in producing publications which have been significant in promoting the Government's policies and the work of the Ministry to key groups - departments, agencies, iwi, hapu and Maori. The publications provide quality, detailed information.

Te Puni Kokiri - The Ministry Of Maori Development

Establishment and new direction

Te Puni Kokiri (the Ministry of Maori Development) was established in January 1992. It replaced the former Ministry of Maori Affairs (Manatu Maori) and the Iwi Transition Agency (Te Tira Ahu Iwi).

Instead, the Government's aim is to encourage the ability for Maori to participate positively and equitably in the social and economic life of New Zealand.

Role

The Ministry also acts in a liaison or facilitation role between iwi, Maori and other agencies, organisations and the Crown.

This is achieved through Te Puni Kokiri's policy development role and through its regional offices.

Structure

Te Puni Kokiri, in its Wellington based head office, has five policy branches reporting to the Chief Executive. These branches are:

Asset management, which creates options to maximise the benefit for iwi and hapu from assets and resources resulting from their Treaty settlements;
Compliance, which provides advice relating to the effective management of the Crown's Treaty partnership with iwi and hapu, and the Crown's relationship with individual and collective groups of Maori people;
Corporate Services, which designs and implements policies that support the corporate environment and functions;
Social Policy, which develops policy focused on the quality of citizenship including equality of opportunity and equality of results, as well as providing advice on opportunities and impediments to achieving parity for Maori. The branch also assesses the means for moving Maori beyond parity; and
Treaty Relations, which supports the Crown's partnership with iwi and hapu and the general Crown relationship with Maori, manages the collective interests of the Crown with its Treaty partners at a local level and to provide early warning of local issues likely to impact on the relationship between the Crown and Maori.

In addition, there are thirteen regional offices throughout New Zealand.

Policy Development

One result of mainstreaming is the considerably improved responsiveness to the needs of Maori from the mainstream agencies.

Monitoring

Major Achievements

Te Puni Kokiri successfully managed the recent programme of consultation with iwi and hapu on the Crown's proposals for settling Treaty of Waitangi claims. This involved Ministers of the Crown travelling around New Zealand to meet with claimant groups. This was the first time the Crown has gone to Maori to discuss its Treaty proposals and to listen to Maori on their grievances.
It has successfully assisted in the development and implementation of many new initiatives in the sectors aimed at helping Maori. The positive results now being achieved support the Government's directional change in Maori policy.

Publications and Communications

Employment Initiatives

Over the last three years, New Zealand has had significant job growth with around 150,000 new jobs being created. As a result, unemployment has been decreasing substantially from 11 % to 6.3%.

While employment growth is expected to continue as the economy expands, the next step is in helping particular groups gain work. To achieve this, the Government developed initiatives which could help New Zealanders who still face difficulties in gaining employment.

The focus of the Government's employment policy is now on those New Zealanders who are in the most disadvantaged groups facing high levels of unemployment. The Government has a goal of delivering increases in income, living standards and quality of life to all New Zealanders.

These initiatives were released in a document called "Focus on Employment" in October 1995, and outlines the $496 million investment the Government is making over the next three years. The aim is to improve work and education opportunities for people on benefits and to help disadvantaged job seekers find employment.

Maori unemployment levels

Maori unemployment rates are still too high although the unemployment levels for Maori have reduced since 1993 when it was 23% to 16% in June 1995, which results from the growth experienced in the job market in recent years. The unemployment rate for other New Zealanders has reduced to just over 4% and is a very low unemployment rate by any current international standard.

Unemployed Maori tend to have lower level qualifications than their non-Maori counterparts. This area is being addressed through the Government's Maori education initiatives.

Difficulties faced by unemployed

Extended periods of unemployment make it difficult for those affected to return to work through a combination of reduced confidence, motivation and skill. Long-term unemployment has in recent times been falling faster than short term unemployment, but the Government is still concerned at the particularly high levels of Maori unemployment.

The initiatives included in the "Focus on Employment" document have been designed as part of a wider Maori Labour Market Strategy. The strategy's goal is to encourage a continuing decrease in Maori unemployment.

Maori Labour Market Strategy

The strategy aims to ensure that Maori will benefit from all of the new proposals and that the Government's employment policy responds to the needs of Maori. It combines programmes specially designed for Maori with the general employment proposals.

We now have a comprehensive strategy which will specifically address Maori labour market disadvantage. It is also a positive step forward in addressing these social issues as part of the Crown's partnership with Maori under the Treaty of Waitangi.

Strategy overview

The strategy invests $19 million over three years to help Maori unemployed, particularly the long-term unemployed. It combines initiatives in the employment and education sectors all of which are aimed at improving employment opportunities for Maori.

There are three key focus areas covering:

the relationship between low educational achievements and the ease of getting a job;
the need for specific programmes to effectively address Maori labour market disparities; and
the opportunities to increase Maori employment from the improved use and further development of Maori economic assets.

The strategy is a long-term approach which identifies short, medium and long-term activities to address the issues of Maori unemployment. It reflects the Government's continuing commitment to further reducing the disparities between Maori and non-Maori. A key feature of the strategy is helping Maori to develop their own solutions.

Strategy Initiatives

The initiatives will have an enormous and positive impact for Maori in attaining new skills and gaining employment. Some of the Maori Labour Market Strategy initiatives include:

contracting "Job Action" workshops to Maori providers to tailor the content and delivery of individualised employment assistance to Maori;
a pilot programme aimed at helping young Maori job seekers by enhancing self-esteem and self-management skills;
re-establishing the "Wahine Pakari" programme which is a business training and self-employment programme run by Maori women for Maori women;
piloting the use of the Job Plus wage subsidy to allow Maori communities to access the subsidies for temporary work related to the development of Maori-owned assets;
school, community and iwi liaison projects will be introduced in Northland, the East Coast and South Auckland to
focus resources, community and whanau support on schools to improve Maori student achievement levels;
high priority to be given by the Community Employment Group of the Department of Labour to assisting Maori communities with strategic planning. This initiative will help Maori communities identify their own resources, strengths and opportunities to develop a community-owned strategy for moving towards self-reliance; and
the re-focusing of Business Development Board activities to ensure they are more responsive to the needs of Maori.

Other Developments:

Education initiatives aimed at raising Maori educational achievement and increase the use of the Maori language.
The Ministry of Maori Development has commissioned a report based on census and household labour force data.
Research has been completed on Maori youth and the career decisions they make concerning education, training and employment.
Seminars have been undertaken on tourism opportunities for existing and prospective Maori tourism operators aimed at encouraging employment through self-employment.
Two research projects have been undertaken to look at industry and occupation projections to see where growth may occur and how Maori could position themselves to take advantage of such growth.

The Government's initiatives will offer hope to those without paid employment, particularly the long-term unemployed. By combining action in both the education sector and the employment area, the Government is working to improve opportunities for Maori.

New Zealand's Uniqueness

"We have a richness in our own indigenous culture, Maori.
This is the only place in the world where Maori is spoken and
written. It is truly a taonga, a treasure which belongs to all
of us. It is unique."

[Hon John Luxton, Minister of Maori Affairs]

Government Commitment

The Government recognises the importance of Maori language and culture and is committed to the revitalisation of te reo Maori. It was decided by the Government to initiate He Taonga Te Reo 1995, A Celebration of the Maori Language. This theme was chosen because it reflected the important relationship between language and culture and was also a response by New Zealand, to the first year of the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. This decade recognises the value and diversity of the cultures of the world's indigenous people and the opportunity to promote an increased awareness of the interests of indigenous people.

Aims for Maori Language Revitalisation

Maori was the foundation language of modern New Zealand at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. There was nearly universal bilingualism between 1840 and 1860 and then unfortunately, there was a long period of Maori language decline.

Over the last 20 years, real efforts have been made to halt the decline in the Maori language. Major impetus has been provided with the development of grass or flax roots movements such as Te Kohanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa Maori at early childhood and primary school level respectively. These movements along with other initiatives, have been responsible for a major transformation in New Zealand's language landscape.

The Government has three aims in retaining and promoting Maori language and culture. These include:

Focusing attention on the status of Maori language in New Zealand;
Encouraging New Zealanders to learn and promote our indigenous language; and
Raising awareness and greater understanding of te reo Maori.

These aims are being, achieved through the Maori Language Act 1987, the Maori Language Commission and also the work undertaken by the Ministry of Maori Development (Te Puni Kokiri) in promoting these aims, and the Ministry of Education through the development and implementation of the Government's Maori education initiatives.

Maori language is promoted through Maori immersion education (Kura Kaupapa Maori) and within mainstream schools. All of these programmes and organisations are helping the revitalisation of our unique language.

The revitalisation of te reo Maori is seen as a prime objective which leads to the preservation of Tikanga Maori and also a stronger sense of identity for Maori. Te reo Maori as a living language contributes to linguistic diversity and better learning abilities which are developed through bilingualism.

Maori Language Act 1987

The Government's aims are supported by the Maori Language Act 1987 which recognises Maori as an official language of New Zealand and provides the right to speak Maori in courts of law and before a number of tribunals.

Maori Language Commission

The Maori Language Act 1987 also established Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori (the Maori Language Commission), which is the national agency with responsibility for promoting the use of Maori language.

The Commission contributes to the growth and maintenance of the Maori language as a living and widely used means of communication, and one which also has legal status equal to the English language. The Commission focuses on three groups - Maori, the state sector and the general population.

It also provides a forum where Maori language policy can be discussed, developed and promoted. The Commission offers a technical service by undertaking language research, including the creation and collection of new terms in the Maori language.

The state sector is encouraged to respond to the needs of Maori speakers particularly in providing information and publications in Maori and English and also in advertising using both languages.

National Maori Language Survey

As part of Maori Language Year, Te Puni Kokiri has contracted the Maori Language Commission to undertake a national survey on the status of the Maori language in New Zealand.

The survey will provide information on what has happened to the language since the last comprehensive survey on the usage of Maori was undertaken in the mid-1970's. It will identify where our Maori speakers are, who the speakers are, and where and how often the language is spoken. It will also help in planning for the future of the Maori language by giving an indication of what issues may need to be addressed further. The survey is expected to be completed by the end of 1995.

Maori Language Strategic Plan

Towards the end of 1994, Maori raised concerns with the Minister of Maori Affairs, Hon John Luxton over education initiatives for the retention of te reo Maori. The Minister decided that a plan of action needed to be developed which linked all the different groups promoting Maori language.

The Maori Language Commission, Te Puni Kokiri, the Ministry of Education and representatives from Te Hikoi I Te Reo Maori are working together to develop a proposed strategic plan to protect te reo Maori. The aim of the plan is to provide a collective vision for Maori language development across all key sectors. The Government has now approved the proposal and work is proceeding on developing it as a formal strategic plan.

The strategic plan will encompass a 15 year period with five yearly reviews to ensure that the plan remains relevant to contemporary circumstances. The period up to 2010 is considered crucial to the survival of the Maori language as a living language, and Is a medium of everyday communication. It is anticipated that the strategic plan will be formalised during 1996.

Media

There are now more than 20 iwi radio stations and the Maori Broadcasting Funding Agency (Te Mangai Paho) was established in 1993. There has been an increasing use of Maori language by existing television channels and there is also the possibility of a Maori television channel in the future. Increasing numbers of Maori print media are also emerging.

Activities for He Taonga Te :

Televised language programme:

For the first time, a 13 episode Maori language programme "Te Kai a te Rangatira" sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Te Mangai Paho and Waikato University was televised. It is aimed at intermediate level Maori speakers.

Other activities include:

Maori Language year lectures; Maori language scholarships; and community, private and public sector activities.

Speaking Maori

1995 is the year which is celebrating te reo Maori, New Zealand's unique language as a language of the 21st century.

New Zealanders need to work together to preserve the vitality of the Maori language now, and in the future. More New Zealanders now recognise the unique status of the Maori language and there is greater usage and acceptance of Maori in everyday life.

He Taonga Te Reo also means keeping alive Maori traditions and protocol and explaining to New Zealanders the importance of these treasures.

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Maori policy initiatives