Maori concern over bill

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 236, 22 March 1988, Page 4

Maori concern over bill

The following is a letter sent to government ministers Mr David Lange, Mr Koro Wetere, Mrs Tirikatene Sullivan and Mr Peter Tapsell from the Ruapehu Maori Committee. Tena koe e Te Minita, me nga ahuatanga o te wa, oti no tena tatou katoa. The members of the Waimarino community including the following maraes - Pipiriki, Raetihi, Maungarongo (Ohakune), Waiouru and Raketepauma wish to

express our concern at the implications of the Proposed State Sector Bill namely: •That already disadvantaged groups may be even further disadvantaged because the quality of the education available to our children in our area will be considerably reduced. Experienced teachers in small rural areas may feel the need to go elsewhere in order to gain better conditions of service which may leave young inexperienced teachers with the responsibility of educating our children. • The failure to consult the Tangata Whenua which is contrary to the State's obligation to recognise the partnership between Maori and Tauiwi under the Treaty of Waitangi. • It seems that the Bill gives no guarantee that Tikanga Maori.initiatives (for instance, tangi-hanga) will be continued or developed to achieve equity. • It appears that the State Services Commission will have no Maori Representatives on their Negotiating Committee regarding the conditions of ser-

vice in the education sector. • It is apparent that Maori women teachers in particular will continue to be doubly disadvantaged because: (i) as women, there conditions are likely to be seriously undermined. (ii) as Maoris, they teach in so-called unmarketable areas of education. •The Committee also expresses its concern on the way the Bill was introduced - because of the haste it was presented, our children are suffering the after effects i.e., "The Present Stoppages". We sincerely hope that you (the Government) appreciate our committee's concern about the points mentioned above and are

able to furnish us with answers that will help alleviate our deep anxiety for the conditions of service for our teachers which will undoubtedly affect the students of Ruapehu College and the Waimarino Community as a whole. Kia noho te Ariki Kia Koutou.

Ruapehu

: Maori

Committee