April 14, 2014
Momentum for change in Kohanga Reo
Kingitanga representative Tukoroirangi Morgan will step down from Te Kohanga Reo National Trust now that kohanga whanau have appointed a working group to overhaul the movement.
Mr Morgan joined the trust last year to represent King Tuheitia, who is the movement’s patron.
He says the weekend hui at Turangawaewae Marae called by the king had achieved its objective to create momentum for change.
The king will ask the government to step back and allow Maori to set their own direction.
Mr Morgan says the current governance structure of trustees appointed for life will go, and the working group will travel to all kohanga in the country about new governance models which allow whanau to elect trustees.
King Tuheitia appointed professional director Dr Tania Simpson to the group, and the trust appointed Dr Kathie Irwin, who has been studying kohanga reo and early childhood education for many years.
Other members are Sir Toby Curtis, Dr Cathy Dewes, Ruka Broughton, Dr Rawinia Higgins, and Ropata Hepi.
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