PRESS RELEASE
17 May 2001
Greater access to language resources
A new partnership is being formed today which aims to improve teacher access to Māori language resources.
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, and The Learning Centre Trust which manages the Ministry of Education's website Te Kete Ipurangi (TKI), began a relationship today which aims to improve electronic access for teachers to Māori Language information and resources.
Learning Centre Trust Chairperson David Copeland says he is excited about the Taura Whiri involvement in the TKI site as it adds value in terms of endorsement and the provision of resources for teachers visiting the site.
"Māori language teachers are crying out for resources, so we have reached out to Te Taura Whiri and through our website we can now offer a wider range of information. We are serious about ensuring that teachers working in Māori education and Māori medium schools find Te Kete Ipurangi of immense value".
Te Taura Whiri Chief Executive Haami Piripi says it makes complete sense for Te Taura Whiri to work with other organisations to ensure Māori language resources are available to as wide an audience as possible.
"One of our key goals is to promote and raise awareness of te reo Māori and Māori language issues. The education sector and more specifically teachers play a pivotal role in this. We realise that for some teachers te reo Māori may not be an easy thing, so, if access to some of our resources, like our booklet promoting positive attitudes to the classroom, or our immersion language courses helps teachers then this relationship directly contributes to the revitalisation of te reo Māori," says Haami.
Some information about Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori
The Māori Language Act 1987 established the Māori Language Commission, now known as Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. The Act largely derives from the 1986 Te Reo Māori claim to the Waitangi Tribunal.
Two of the Commission's main functions are:
- to initiate, develop and assist in the implementation of policies, procedures, measures to give effect to the declaration in section 3 of the 1987 Act of the Māori language as an official language of New Zealand.
- generally to promote the Māori language, and its use as a living language and as an ordinary means of communication.
The Commission is currently developing some language planning tools for schools and have a number of useful publications which can be sourced through their website at www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz
Click here to link to On TKI: Partners and Friends
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