Kohanga concerns

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 663, 19 November 1996, Page 4

Kohanga concerns

• I am concerned about some of the negative attitudes of people in Ohakune. We are putting a kohanga in Karamu Place. This is community orientated and gives the opportunity for any child to learn Maori, the native language of New Zealana. I know anything new makes people uneasy, but when an early childhood centre meets resistance, especially kohangas, I feel sad, after all aren't we supposed to be one people? Education leads to a whole world waiting to be explored, but when certain people in Karamu Place can't communicate with me, but send their husband out to check out a fence, one similar to the one they have out the back,

I have to wonder. Furthermore we haven't asked for any contributions for this project. I was further surprised to learn people had tried to put an injunction on it. We tried to purchase sections elsewhere. When I talked to neighbours who thought I was buying it, things were fine but as soon as I said I wished to build a kohanga these people said we don't want Maoris around our properties. Am I under the wrong impression? We are a multicultural country and the above attitudes won't make this country better, but pull it apart instead. I just can't believe people can have attitudes against people they don't even know.

John

Anderson

Chairman ofTe Aroha Te Kohanga Reo.