Maori lessons ‘compulsory’

New Zealand’s Minister of Maori Affairs says the time has come for it to be compulsory for every New Zealand school to be able to offer students Maori language lessons.

Pita Sharples says every student who wants to learn Te Reo Maori should be able to do so at school.

“I think we come a long way now in terms of Maori language in different areas and Maori things being introduced into schools and into society,” he told TV One’s Breakfast.

“I think having Maori in the Cabinet has brought some major issues to the public’s notice, so I think it’s time now to introduce it into schools.”

Sharples said he wants it to be compulsory for Te Reo Maori to be available as a subject to students in all schools, but not compulsory for all students to learn the language.

“People will always say this is racist and stuff like this, which is ridiculous, but there will always be that opposition, so I think we just plough ahead now we’ve had a lot of time,” he said.

Sharples’ comments came after he announced legislation to go before Parliament which would see control of the agencies that safeguard Te Reo Maori given to iwi.

The proposed legislation would see a Maori language governance entity called Te Matawai created, and it would be tasked with running the Crown’s strategy for Te Reo Maori.

Sharples says it updates governance arrangements for the existing Maori Language Commission, Te Mangai Paho, and Maori Television Service, putting “iwi into the driver’s seat.”

He says he hopes his the Bill will be passed and that it will go to the select committee.

Labour is calling on Sharples to immediately withdraw the bill.

“The proposed Te Matawai agency will effectively replace the Maori Language Commission for no good reason and without any evidence it will protect Te Reo Maori,” Labour’s Maori Affairs spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says.