Official+Statement+of+the+Issues

Coalition for Pacific languages in Aotearoa/NZ
http://bilingualaotearoa.wikispaces.com

Ki te Kāwanatanga ratou ko Ngā Rangatira Māori, Nga Iwi, me Nga Rōpu Māori o Aotearoa:

Ko Te Tiriti o Waitangi te tāhuhu mo te kāwanatanga o tēnei whenua, ā, e mārama ana a Bilingual Leo Pasifika ki ōna hononga ki te Tangata Whenua, e kaha tautoko ana hoki ia i ēnei hononga, me te tautoko anō hoki i ngā mahi hei whakapūmau i ngā tika taketake a te Māori, tae atu ki tōna reo me āna tikanga. E whakaae ana mātou, nā ngā mahi a te Māori tonu, kua whakaaetia noatia tēnei mea te reo taketakenga me te reo-ruatanga. Nā runga i te kōkiri a te Māori tonu i ēnei kaupapa mo Aotearoa New Zealand, kua eke ki te wā e pai noa ai te whakatairanga me te āta-tiaki i tēnei mea te reo-kāinga me te tikanga-ā-iwi. Tono atu mātou ki te Kawantanga me te Tribunal kia hoatu ki a Te Kohanga Reo, te mana ki te kaupapa me nga tikanga, te awhina me te putea hoki, ake ake.

E whakaae ana a Leo Pasifika ki ngā tika me ngā whakahaere o te mahi tahitanga ā-teina, ā tuākana hoki, ki te taha o te Tangata Whenua, ā, ka mahi ia kia pūmau ai te reo Māori ki waenganui i ngā iwi katoa o Aotearoa.

To Government and Māori Chiefs, Tribes and Organisations of Aotearoa:

The Treaty of Waitangi provides a governance framework for the nation, and Bilingual Leo Pasifika recognise and promote strong relationships with Tangata Whenua, and wish to firstly support the revitalisation of indigenous rights for Maori, and their te reo and culture. We acknowledge that it is only through the work of Maori that acceptance of mother tongue and bilingualism is now possible. Maori leadership in these matters for Aotearoa New Zealand has provided an environment where promotion and protection of home languages and cultures is possible. Special provisions must be made for Te Kohanga Reo Movement to ensure its te reo Māori language and cultural basis and operations continue to be supported and effective. Te Kohanga Reo Movement is the inspiration and exemplar for the development of Pacific Language nests and its survival is essential to the future well being of us all in Aotearoa/ NZ.

Leo Pasifika acknowledges the rights and responsibilities that comes as part of the teina -tuakana partnership with Tangata Whenua and will continue to work to sustain the use of te reo Maori, among all New Zealanders.

**Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Taloha ni, Ia Orana, Aloha, Bula, Malo e lelei, Mauri Ora, Halo Olgeta…**
We seek from your Organisation your fanau your church and all Political Parties support for the- Recognition of the five main Pacific languages in New Zealand as official minority / community languages so Pacific children have the right and the opportunity to grow up speaking reading and writing in their own heritage language/s and English from a young age. This proposal for official recognition is also contained in the Human Rights Commission National Languages Policy Strategy Draft (attached) that already has by-in from many sectors of Government. Such provisions are also consistent with our International Treaty and Human Rights Declarations and obligations: In the light of research showing Niue, CIM & Tokelau are seriously endangered languages and on UN list, urgent affirmative action by Govt will enhance its support for UN DRIP and enhance NZ’s international standing. Samoan and Tongan also require support (HRC, NLP, 2008; Ministry of Justice, 2000).

@http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/publications-archived/2000/pacific-peoples-constitution-report-september-2000/publication The NZ Curriculum also recognises this status and says: Languages and cultures play a key role in developing our personal, group, national, and human identities… because of New Zealand’s close relationship with peoples of the Pacific, Pasifika languages… have a special place(NZ Curriculum, 2007, p.2). How is this shown in NZ’s action?

A petition to Parliament has gathered 6,500 signatures to date and widespread community support. We need your continued support and signature to enable our fanau to have this choice and right. Our languages are crucial to our academic success in school, our identities, our cultures, dances, music, and contribution to NZ society. Keep the Petition running

This also needs policies which would include these strategies to maintain, develop and revive our languages and cultures as below-

The setting of specific language, educational, cultural and economic goals for Pasifika (Tongan, Niue, Samoan, Tokelaun, Cook Is…) where our languages and cultures are seen as a resource, rather than a problem and rejecting a narrow focus on underachievement (refer for example the narrow MoE Pacific Plan, 2009- 2012).

These goals include:

1.1 To enjoy success in education as Pasifika (Tongan, Niue , Samoan, Tokelaun, Cook Is…) peoples.

1.2 To be able to grow up in NZ in the context of our own languages, cultures, values and beliefs.

1.3 To be able to live life as Pasifika (Tongan, Niue, Samoan, Tokelauan, Cook Is…) peoples in NZ.

1.4 To gain the skills, knowledge and understandings to be productive citizens of the wider world and participate in all areas of NZ society sharing in its material well being.

The problem – Without some form of official recognition, Pacific languages are often treated as foreign and international languages without any status and are currently subject to financial cuts and cutbacks. Case 1) The Minister of Education directed the Ministry of Education (MoE) to review the Pacific Education Plan 2008-2012 and sharpen the focus on English literacy (OIA material) - which resulted in the removal of the goals 15-17 of bilingualism and literacies in both English and in our Pasifika languages from the 2009-2012 Pasifika Education Plan (PEP). Pasifika language maintenance and revival goals are no longer part of Governments strategic plans SOI (attached).

Case 2) Secondly the MoE’s Learning Languages programme encourages only the learning of a second language: i.e. someone else’s foreign language by Pasifika children e.g. Chinese, French…and not the urgent language maintenance and revival of our own languages - as Pacific languages apparently have no status in NZ and Pasifika language maintenance and revival is NOT a goal of LL learning area of the New Zealand Curiculum, 2007. This needs to change.

Case 3)This lack of official status and policy (PEP) has resulted in the stopping by the MoE of all Pasifika first language and literacy resources published by the Ministry for over 20 years for students who already understand or speak a Pasifika language or who want to become bilingual. These Tupu and Folauga first language literacy resources have been replaced with simple literacy materials for Learning Languages designed only for second language beginner learners from year 7 upwards. Bilingualism is not possible or a goal with these new materials. There are no replacement materials for yr 1-6 primary schools. Pacific language programmes under Learning languages will Not be available in Primary Schools yrs 1-6. First language literacy materials need to be reinstated.

Case 4) The Ministry says it is is unable to consider Pasifika medium bilingual education for our children as a better way of promoting academic success, maintaining and reviving our languages and cultures, strengthening identity and learning our languages, because Pacific languages have no status in the PEP, MoE SOI, or in NZ law. However research the MoE have commissioned shows it is Best Evidence Best Practice. Policy must be evidence led. The MoE says the issue is political not educational . Minister of Pacific Affairs, Georgina te Heuheu says it is educational and should be implemented ( letter available).

CURRENT ACTIONS UNDER WAY- • A Coalition seeking to achieve this parliamentary Bill recognising our languages by representing all the main Pasifika communities, organisations, churches, and all supportive NZers. The Coalition is managing this campaign and is advised by Mai Chen of Chen Palmer, NZ’s foremost Human Rights & Constitutional Lawyers. To assist us the community Coalition in doing this work a trust fund has been established. Membership is growing rapidly daily. including many mainstream organisations. The Coalition is a way Government can consult that gets beyond separate ethnic Pacific community agendas to a genuinely representative body on language issues to which all contribute equally.

• The Coalition has entered a research partnership with Te Whare Kura Pacific Research Programme team headed by Maori academic Professor Margaret Mutu at the University of Auckland to seek research funding and provide research into Endangered Pacific Languages and the most effective ways of maintaining and reviving endangered Pacific languages, with priority on Vagahau Niue and Cook Is reo Maori.

•The Taura Whiri Maori language Commission remains a sponsor of this years Samoan language Week along with Human Rights Commission and will expand support to other languages as requested.

•A National Languages Policy recognising Pasifika languages status has been developed by the Human Rights Commission (Joris De Bres) and has buy-in from many Govt Depts

• The MPIAffairs is investigating setting up an independent Pilot Bilingual Samoan School in Auckland. As Education Ministry will not do so.

•A Pasifika Languages Strategy has been developed by the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs- (and has buy-in from many except Education who refuse to support the Bilingual Education proposals and Government who do not want to fund the Pacific Languages Commission or any part of the Languages Strategy..

•A Human Rights Case on these discriminatory actions of Education and Government is currently underway led by 10 Pacific families.

• A Petition to Parliament has gathered 6,500 signatures to date and widespread community support.

• The World Bank (Dutcher & Tucker, 1993, 2001) and UNCROC have strongly recommended that NZ investigate Bilingual Education to avoid the economic costs of widespread educational failure and the creation of a permanent underclass.

We fear further cuts and retreat from the commitments NZ has already made to Pacific peoples about our place as part of the fabric of NZ society. We look forward to you, your Governments support in honouring NZ stated commitments to Pacific peoples in NZ and promoting a Parliamentary Bill that will establish:

Recognition for the five main Pacific languages in New Zealand as official community languages so Pacific children wil have the right and the oportunity to grow up speaking, reading, and writing in their own heritage language/s and English from a young age.

• We look forward to you and your organisation’s support in requiring any Government to honour NZs long standing commitments to Pacific peoples in NZ.

Your organisation is invited to sign the petition, list your support for the coalition on this document and or your individual/ fanau support if you wish.
 * ** Bilingual Leo Pacific Coalition **

// Includes the following individuals (not all listed) // || // Organisations (not all listed) // || Taonefoo Falesima –Niue Galumalemana Hunkin- Samoa Patele Vilo : Fr Bill Hansell- Tokelau / Samoa Tupou Manapori –Cook Is Rev Kilifi Heimuli- Tonga Terangi Nikora- Cook Is Sione Tuitahi- Tonga Vui Randall- Samoa Pita Taouma-Samoa Granby Siakimotu-Niue Tala Cleverley-Wellington Shirley Maihi- Finlayson Park **Joint Chairs- Naomi Patterson & Efu Koka** Galumalemana Hunkin
 * ** Kaumatua/ Elders **
 * Executive **

Judy Taligau Mcfall –McCaffery Rosa Kalauni Birtha Lisimoni-Togahai Melenaite Taumoefolau Jerome Mika Fa’atili Iosua Esera. Leautuli Sauvao

Patisepa Tuafuti

Feeonaa Wall

Anita Savelio Terangi Nikora

Lesileli.Macintyre Rachel Panara (nee Skudder)

Joanne and Desmond Okesene

Natalie Faitala - PPT Taonefoou Falesima Joanne Okesene Sonya van Schaijik Shirley Maihi QSM


 * Researchers- John McCaffery & Judy Taligalu McFall-McCaffery **

Feofanaki Pocock Wayne MacGillivray Catherine Delahunty Fanau Avai Rae Si’ilata
 * Some Individual named members and fanau **

Prof Sitaleki Finau

Meleane Taukolo

Prof Peggy Fairbairn DunlopS Simon Apete

Diane Mara Manu Faaea-Semeatu Andrew Barron

Jan Taouma/ Pita Taouma

Prof Bernard Spolsky

Prof Nancy Hornberger Prof Tove Skutnabb –Kangas Prof Sitaleki Finau Sione Tuitahi Gatoloai Tili Peseta Afamasaga NUS

Will Ilohia

Levi Tavita & Saili Aukuso

Elaine Lameta Vui Randall Pat Newman Anne Hatherly Beverley Turner Judy Taligalu McFall-McCaffery: __ j.mcfall@auckland.ac.nz __ / 0276464572
 * Coalition Contacts **

Jerome Mika: __ Jerome.mika@epmu.org.nz __ / 09 3076532

Galumalemana Alfred Hunkin: __ Galumalemana.Hunkin@vuw.ac.nz __ / 04 463 5831

Patisepa Tuafuti: __ p.tuafuti@auckland.ac.nz __ / 09 6238899 ext 48754 Rosa Kalauni :rokalauni@papatoetoehigh.school.nz ; Faatili Iosua Esera:iosua@petone-central.school.nz Taonefoou Falesima: tuakipine@xtra.co.nz Moana Samuel : moanaks@xtra.co.nz Natalie Faitala: NatalieF@wesley.school.nz Patele Vilo : Fr Bill Hansell : billhansell@xtra.co.nz Efu Koka: efu.koka@nzei.org.nz Melenaite Taumoefolau: m.taumoefolau@auckland.ac.nz Anita Savelio: Anita.Savelio@companies.govt.nz Apitanga Mafi: apitanga.mafi@xtra.co.nz

Feeonaa Wall: wharewaka@hotmail.com Joanne Okesene: d.okesene@clear.net.nz Pip Laufiso : pip.laufiso@kokiricentre.co.nz Rachel Panara( Skudder) rachel.panara@gmail.com Birtha Lisimoni Togahai : richizac@niue.nu Shirley Maihi : smaihi@finlaysonpark.school.nz John McCaffery : j.mccaffery@auckland.ac.nz Sonya Van Schaijik (wiki creator): @vanschaijik || ** Some Organisations ** Matua Atina’e Inc RRS

A’oga Faa Samoa Richmond Road Te Puni Tari Ora: Childcare Association of NZ- NZ Childcare Association NZEI Komiti Pasifika NZEI

Komiti Pasifika PPTA NZPPTA Post Primary Teacher’s Association Te Wehengarua

COMET Education

NZ Pasifika Principals Association RRS Richmond Road School

TESSOLANZ NZ Pacific Principals Association Niue Secondary Teachers Association Papatoetoe High School Maori and Pasifika Teachers PPTA Papatoetoe High School BEST Pacific Institute of Education Kia Aroha College Clover Park Middle School Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association Rotorua Tokelau Association

Mayfield Primary School, Otara

LIANZA- Library Association of NZ Pacific Library & Information Network Tonga Federated Society NZ

Northshore Pasifika Forum PEC- Pasifika Education Centre Otahuhu Green Party NZ FAGASA NZ

AK Samoan Bilingual Education Schools Cluster AUT Institute of Public Policy

Samoan Northland Community Incorporated. FAGASA WGTON //ACE Aotearoa// // AMPTEE (Association of Māori and Pacific Private Training // // Establishments) // // CLASS (Community Learning Association through Schools) // // English Language Partners New Zealand // // Federation of WEAs (Workers Education Associations) // // Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITP) Metro Group // // Literacy Aotearoa // // New Zealand Vice Chancellors Committee // // Pasifika Education Centre // // REAPANZ (Rural Education Activity Programmes Aotearoa New // // Zealand) // // Te Runanga o Te Ataarangi //
 * The Adult and Community Education (ACE) Sector Strategic Alliance ** - // ACE Sector Strategic Alliance Members are // -

Pacific Graduates Womens Network Womens International League for Peace and Freedom Aotearoa Akoteu To’olelei ECE

Aitutaki Principals Group

Araura College

Vaitau Primary School

Tekaaroa School (Naomi Henry)

Araura College (Enoa Raea)

Vaitau School (Michelle Paerau)

Ararau School (Tepaeru Claire Nelio)

Aitutaki Rotorua Association

Pukapuka Community Group, Auckland

Finlayson Park School

Congregational Christian Church of Samoa C.C.C.S, (Danny Ioka)

C.C.C.S Grey Lynn (Rev Elder Pastor Ioritana Tanielu)

C.C.C.S Te Atatu (Rev Elder Pastor Lucky Slade)

C.C.C.S. Palmerston North (Malamalama Moni)

Kia Orana Puna Reo ECE Mangere Pukapuka Community Group, Auckland SAASIA, Samoan ECE (National organisation) Komiti Pasifika, Faculty of Education University of Auckland Printers and Engineers UnionIslands Board Auckland Council – Auckland Trades Council Toku Reo Te Puna Trust (Naomi Tamangaro) PIBAC (Nick Bakulich) Le Malelega ECE Centre Fountain of Knowledge Trust

Puna ole Atamai Aoga Amata

MiniMarc ECE, Mt Albert (Meg Moss) Family Start Manukau

Marton School, Marton

Fraser High School PPTA, Hamilton

Clayton Park School, Manurewa

Waiheke High School PPTA Akoteu To’olelei Roscommon School, Manurewa Taipa Area School, Taipa, Mangonui

Hillcrest High School, Hamilton

Flat Bush School, Otara PPTA Members Te Kura a-Tuhi, The Correspondence School

PPTA Mt Roskill Grammar

PPTA Papatoetoe High School, Papatoetoe

Bairds Road Family & Christian Health Centre, Otara, Manukau

PPTA Tawa College Branch Porirua Community Development & Partnerships Central Ak Council

Unitec, Te Whare Wananga o Wairaka, Auckland

Kowhai Intermediate Samoan Bilingual Programme PPTA Wesley College PPTA Taokotaianga Punanaga Reo o Akarana Assoc ||