March 03, 2015
Flavell offers to consider Labour input to reo bill
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell has promised to give the Maori affairs select committee a look at what his expert advisory panel is saying about the Te Reo Maori Bill.
The bill, introduced last year by his predecessor Pita Sharples, will create a new body, Te Matawai, to oversee the Maori Language Commission, Maori broadcast funding agency and Maori Television.
Mr Flavell says he appointed the panel because he didn’t feel the bill covered all the bases.
"The Labour Party thought that it was overstepping the mark in getting this extra advisory panel. And I've put them at ease by saying to them well this expert panel that reports to me they're going to give me some ideas. I'm going to throw those ideas back to you if you think they are good let me know, if you don't let me also know. But in the end I am going to make the decision but I would appreciate feedback both ways, same with the Maori Affairs Select Committee report " he says.
Te Ururoa Flavell says he expects an exchange of information between the panel and the committee next month, with the bill coming back into parliament mid-year.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH TE URUROA FLAVELL CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjY3NDQ=
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