Fono

[] Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs have meetings planned to consult the community about the ongoing nurturing of our languages.

Fono: to update what has been happening.
Co-chair Chairperson: Naomi Patterson . Venue: Best Pacific, 5 Ryan Place Date: 9th June 2011 Time: 5.00 pm

= = =Endangered Polynesian Pacific languages: An update= ==Department of Applied Language Studies and Linguistics seminar by John McCaffery and Judy Taligalu McFall McCaffery, The University of Auckland.== = =

12noon **Venue:** Room 210, Level 2, Fisher Building, Waterloo Quadrant
Parking in Own Glen Building Grafton Road Go up in lift, turn left and walk down past Fale Pasifika and Marae-Turn left up the hill to Fisher Building half way up Waterloo Quadrant.

The Languages of Manukau Marsden research project in 2000-2002 coincided with first NZ census on languages known and used in NZ. Both identified significant language shift/ loss among the five main Polynesian Pacific languages spoken in NZ. Over the next five years researchers from the Languages of Manukau sought to further explore understand the reasons, processes and trends among the sub groups in the research. At the same time educators were arguing that without a greater commitment from the education system and the NZ state generally, loss would continue and accelerate to the point where some languages faced total loss from the NZ communities. Predictions of accelerating shift to English made in 2001 were confirmed in the 2006 census with some languages likely to disappear altogether from the school age populations within the next few years. Partially in response, the Human Rights Commission has sought to coordinate a national languages policy and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, a Pasifika Languages Strategy. The research also shows that the Ministry of Education in NZ is not supporting Pacific bilingualism and has recently stopped the production of all Pacific languages reading resources for students who already speak a Pacific languages and in bilingual education programmes. In an attempt by the Pacific communities themselves to understand research, publicise and address the issues, a significant Endangered Pacific Languages conference was held in 2009 which resulted in a special edition of AlterNative Journal 6(2). John McCaffery and Judy Taligalu McFall McCaffery as researchers, parents and grandparents of Pacific children and grandchildren of Cook Is, Tongan and Samoan ancestry present some findings to date of this emerging insider research agenda. This includes the responses of the Pacific communities in NZ and in the Islands, some further implications for research and the maintenance and revival agendas being explored. The researchers say unless greater commitment is made soon the future looks very grim indeed for all Pacific languages.
 * All welcome.**

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =REPORT ON HISTORIC FONO /Semina Date 17 of February 2011 Nga Tapuwae Community Hall, 253 Buckland Road, Mangere, 6pm.=

Meitaki maata, Malo aupito, Fakaaue lahi atu, Vinaka vakalevu, Fa'afetai tele - your help and continued support is crucial.

**Power Point Presentation at the Fono/ Semina/ Foru**m 16 Feb 2011


**//Bilingual Leo/Reo Pacific : Coalition for Pacific Languages in Education.//** **Community Fono/Semina.** **Nga Tapuwae Community Centre**
 * Summary Report on:**

**Wednesday 16 February, 6-9pm**

** Contacts for this fono ** Jerome Mika: Jerome.mika@epmu.org.nz / 09 3076532 Galumalemana Alfred Hunkin: Galumalemana.Hunkin@vuw.ac.nz  Patisepa Tuafuti: p.tuafuti@auckland.ac.nz / 09 6238899 ext 48754 Judy Taligalu McFall-McCaffery: j.mcfall@auckland.ac.nz / 0276464572 Researchers UoA - John McCaffery: j.mccaffery@auckland.ac.nz / 0272083766 ** Website: http://bilingualaotearoa.wikispaces.com **

**Tagata Pasifika TV interviews** (pre-fono) Patisepa Tuafuti Su’a William Sio, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, Galumalemana Hunkin, Faatili Iosua Esera, Sitaleki Finau, Melenaite Taumoefolau, Nola Harvey, COMET MIT Staff, A’oga Fa’aSamoa Committee, Sonya van Schaijik, Vaiolesi Passells, Leautuli Sauvao, ……
 * Agenda**
 * Lotu-** Taonefoou Falesima
 * Welcomes-** Su’a William Sio MP Mangere video message
 * • Vision for Pacific Languages as official minority languages in Aotearoa New Zealand-**Achieving official minority language status for Pasifika languages -Judy McFall & John McCaffery
 * • Formal Coalition establishment, funding and research-** what is needed to achieve this
 * • The Pacific Languages Strategy MPIA update–(**Must have Bilingual Education in it)
 * • The Pacific Languages and Literacy Petition Update-** support for presentation to Parliament -arrangements Judy McFall & John McCaffery
 * • The Human Rights Pasifika Languages & Education Complaint overview-** Jerome Mika
 * • Educational Groups Reports on actions– Early Childhood, NZEI, PPTA, Tertiary sectors**
 * • Reps: Niue/Cook Island/ Tokelau/Tonga/Samoa.** Communities and organisations
 * • Legal Issues –** overview advice and strategies
 * • Analysis and advice-** Pacific MPs – Labour and National
 * Talanoa & Action Plan Resolutions**
 * Lotu and thanks**
 * Many apologies and best wishes received including-**

Deep disappointment was expressed initially at the insult to Pasifika peoples that these cuts convey. Speaker after speaker emphasized how it was time for Pasifika peoples to control their own destinies and for Palagi politicians and educators to stop believing they know best what is good for Pasifika families and students and instead, listen, and act on Pasifika aspirations. A remarkable commitment to unity of purpose was expressed by all groups present to pursue the goal of obtaining official minority language status for Pasifika languages in NZ. While acknowledging differences among Pasifika groups organizations and communities, tentative approval subject to confirmation by the host organizations was given to a new formal coalition and executive to speak with one voice on behalf of all groups present and those who have already joined the coalition. Acknowledgement that because this will require support and consensus from all political parties the Coalition cannot be partisan for one party or another, but must pursue the education, lobbying and pressure to achieve our primary goal which is cross party, cross Pacific communities, cross religions and needs support from all of NZ and islands nations of the NZ Realm.
 * Attending:** Over 200 representatives from a wide range of Pasifika community groups, ECE, schools, educators, churches, media, families …
 * Key meeting features-**

**The Fono was presented with research indicating the following pathway to the cuts to Pacific Language and Literacy Materials.** 1) The Minister of Education in 2009 directed the Ministry of Education to focus a new Pasifika Education Plan (PEP) on academic achievement in English literacy only and produce a new PEP plan and policy for 2009-2012 that is more narrowly focused. The MoE interpreted this as an instruction to remove the goals 14, 15 16, & 17 (research, bilingualism, ECE primary bilingual links and the significance of Pasifika languages) and other languages and cultural goals from the 2008-2012 PEP. 2) This new MoE PEP and Statement of Intent (SOI) and policy resulted in the stopping of all Tupu and Folauga Pasifika language and literacy resources **for students who already understand or speak a Pasifika language or who want to.** These existing materials foster language maintenance revival and cultural literacy. These purposes no longer align with MoE policy or strategic goals in the PEP. These cuts are in spite of the MoE Advisory committee recommendation that Folauga Journal continue. However the Official Information Act (OIA) shows that some key personnel within the MoE at the Advisory Committee meeting argued that a continuation of first language Pasifika language and literacy materials is now unnecessary. They made unchallenged claims that most Pasifika children now speak English only, so such materials are no-longer needed, and materials in English would better serve all Pasifika learners. 3) The MoE then let a review contract to the UoA to see how Pasifika resources could be now focused instead, on supporting the English language literacy of Pasifika students. In public relations material the MOE have continued to claim the contract will examine the importance of L1 materials, the suitability of existing Tupu and Folauga publications, and give guidance to teachers on how to support students L1- But such provisions do NOT EXIST in the contract as advertised, signed or interpreted by the contractors. 4) The existing L1 Tupu and Folauga resources have already been replaced with simple second language learning materials designed for the Learning Languages strand of the NZ Curriculum **which is only for beginning language learners**. Bilingualism and literacy in our languages is not possible with these new materials. 5) The MoE through the Official Information Act (OIA) has so far refused to supply information on the changes to the PEP to explain or discuss the policy reasons behind the cuts in IOA information to the ten families and organisations representing all major Pasifika language groups who have lodged Human Rights complaints under the Bill of Rights and HR Act. The families have started a major petition to Parliament which in three months has over 4000 signatures and is still continuing. 6) Because the Ministry of Education (MoE) have changed the policy of the PEP away from valuing bilingualism in first languages, they are still refusing to adopt 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. 7) As the main reasons for the resources cuts is that Pacific languages have no official status in NZ, a strategy was agreed to have all political parties supporting the goal of giving official status to the 5 main Pacific languages in New Zealand so all Pacific children have the right grow up speaking reading and writing their own heritage language/s from an early age. 8) The families have sought legal advice from one of the country’s top legal Bill of Rights, Human Rights and constitutional law firms who believe there is a very strong legal and Human Rights discrimination and constitutional case against the Ministry of Education and the NZ Government. A legal partnership is being put together and a Trust Fund established. 9) Comment: //However the responsibility still rests with the grass roots Pasifika communities and organisations to advance the fight for official recognition for our languages and cultures in NZ. Support from All New Zealanders especially Tangata Whenua, is crucial to our success.//
 * Resolutions and decisions agreed to by the Fono:**


 * 1) A decision to move from the informal organization and establish a formal //Bilingual Leo Pasifika Coalition// was unanimously agreed to. This is not a new individual membership organization but a coalition of existing groups and organizations.**
 * A decision to appoint a representative executive for coalition was unanimously agreed to. Representatives agreed to go back to their organizations and seek formal endorsement for membership of the coalition.**


 * 2) Fundraising to establish a fighting Trust Fund drawn up and administered by the proposed Coalition’s lawyers //Chen- Palmer: NZ Public Law Specialists// was agreed to - ( pending their approval). An initial minimum establishment target of $5,000 plus was set and donations were pledged at the Fono from a number of organizations .**
 * //Actioned & Confirmed with Lawyers on 18th Feb, 2011, BANK Account Number.//**
 * //Bank: ANZ Lambton Quay//**
 * //Account: 01-0505-0522883-02//**
 * //Name: Curtis McLean Ltd Trust A/C//**
 * //Reference: Chen Palmer – MCC200/01//**
 * //Your Reference: The word “Coalition” and your/organization name//**
 * //NOTE: All donations will be officially receipted to you/organization by the Chen Palmer accountants.//**
 * //Auto-payments can also be made into this account e.g. a few dollars weekly?//**

**4.1 Legal Human Rights complaint based both on human rights, discrimination and constitutional grounds** **4.2 The Pasifika Languages and Literacy Petition calling for  Pasifika children from a very young age to have the right  to become speakers, readers and writers in their heritage languages and English through quality bilingual education. Explore options for presentation marches and action in all main Pasifika communities areas not just in Wellington. **  ** 4.3 Working with Tangata Whenua and the Human Rights Commission on lobbying and actions to establish a National Languages Policy and legislation establishing Pasifika languages legal status in NZ as official minority languages **
 * 3) The fono called on the University of Auckland to support its Te Whare Kura Indigenous Research Unit’s proposal on //Endangered Pacific Languages// and offered to act as the indigenous cross Pasifika owning group and community liaison and advisory fanau for the project.**
 * 4) Agreed to support the aspects of achieving the prime goal of recognition as official minority languages through-**

**4.4 An executive decision to approach, engage, inform and protest NZ’s Human Rights Pacific languages issue when the Pacific Leaders Forum is hosted by NZ in September this year. Continuing publicity in the Pacific Islands nations through families churches and organisations from now on.**
 * UPDATE since 16th meeting:**
 * Minister of Education meeting with Coalition co-chairs; TV NZ prepares interview with Coalition co-chairs
 * Circulate the meeting report to your networks and ask them to contact and join the Coalition.
 * Contact your families, politicians, church leaders, listservs and networks you belong to in the islands and inform them of the cuts to their reading materials and how they can get their governments to influence the NZ Govt decision. **See for example NOPE listserv Pacific nations support report on this site**

Aotearoa Tongan Teachers Association (ATTA) - Confirmed NZPPTA Post Primary Teacher’s Association Te Wehengarua –Confirmed PPTA Komiti Pasifika–Confirmed AUT Institute of Public Policy (Tagaloatele Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop) –Confirmed NZEI Komiti Pasifika NZEI Auckland Combined Branches F.A.G.A.S.A. National Office –Confirmed F.A.G.A.S.A. Auckland Branch –Confirmed F.A.G.A.S.A. Wellington Branch –Confirmed SAASIA, Samoan ECE Organizations <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/New Zealand Childcare Association –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Niue Community NZ (Rosa Kalauni & Taonefoou Falesima) –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Niue Community in Niue (Birtha Lisimoni Togahai) –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pukapuka Community Group, Auckland –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kia Orana Puna Reo ECE Mangere –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pasifika Education Centre, Otahuhu- (PEC)- Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">New Zealand Pacific Principals Association - –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Aitutaki Rotorua Association (Terangi Nikora) –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Congregational Christian Church of Samoa C.C.C.S, (Danny Ioka) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">C.C.C.S Grey Lynn (Rev Elder Pastor Ioritana Tanielu) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">C.C.C.S Te Atatu (Rev Elder Pastor Lucky Slade) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">C.C.C.S. Palmerston North (Malamalama Moni) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Samoan Community Whangarei (Robert Aull-O’Sullivan) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Matua Atina’e Richmond Road Primary School, Grey Lynn –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A’oga Fa’aSamoa Richmond Road Grey Lynn –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tonga Federated Society NZ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Northshore Pasifika Forum <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pacific Islands – PIBAC? <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Otara Boards Forum <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mayfield Primary School, Otara –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Printers and Engineers Union <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Auckland Trades Council <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kia Aroha College Clover Park – Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Komiti Pasifika, Faculty of Education University of Auckland <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Toku Reo Te Puna Trust (Naomi Tamangaro) –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Le Malelega ECE Centre- Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Puna ole Atamai Aoga Amata- Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MiniMarc ECE, Mt Albert (Meg Moss) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Akoteu To’olelei <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">New Zealand Educational Institute, Southern Region Te Wai Pounamu <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Family Start Manukau <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PPTA Marton School, Marton <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PPTA Fraser High School PPTA, Hamilton <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">NZEI staff Clayton Park School, Manurewa <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Waiheke High School PPTA <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">COMET Manukau- Comfirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PPTA Palmerston North Girl’s High School, Palmerston North <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">NZEI staff Roscommon School, Manurewa <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">NZEI staff Greerton Village School, Tauranga <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Porirua City Council, Porirua <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PPTA Taipa Area School, Taipa, Mangonui <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PPTA Hillcrest High School, Hamilton <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">NZEI Flat Bush School, Otara <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TESSOLANZ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PPTA Members Te Kura a-Tuhi, The Correspondence School <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PPTA Mt Roskill Grammar- Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PPTA Papatoetoe High School, Papatoetoe <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bairds Road Family & Christian Health Centre, Otara, Manukau <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PPTA Tawa College Branch Porirua <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unitec, Te Whare Wananga o Wairaka, Auckland <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kowhai Intermediate Samoan Bilingual Programme –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PPTA Wesley College - –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finlayson Park School, Manurewa –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Auckland Samoan Bilingual Education Cluster <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Aitutaki Principals Group –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Araura College –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vaitau Primary School –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tekaaroa School (Naomi Henry) –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Araura College (Enoa Raea) –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vaitau School (Michelle Paerau) –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ararau School (Tepaeru Claire Nelio) –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rotorua Cook Islands Association (Terangi Nikora) –Confirmed <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Auckland Pacific Advisory Board, Auckland City Council
 * Some Coalition Partners/Supporters Organisations -16 Feb, 2011- ** Pending formal organizational approval to belong. Please advise any alterations or omissions

As yet the coalition itself has no formal legal status- Until we confirm such status is needed, you are donating directly to Chen-Palmer Constitutional Human Rights and Public Law specialists to represent your aim in achieving a single goal - **Goal-** **To achieve** **official minority language status for the five main Pacific Polynesian languages in New Zealand so all Pacific children have the right to grow up speaking reading and writing their own heritage language/s and English from an early age.**
 * FUNDRAISING GUIDELINES -Bilingual Pacific Leo/Reo Coalition **

Just to confirm that the agreement with Chen-Palmer Constitutional Human Rights and Public Law specialists signed on Friday by co- chairs of the Coalition has the following provisions to protect you and your organisation from liability.

1) Liability is limited at all times to the amount of money actually available in the Lawyers Trust Account.

In other words, expenditure, bills and debts CANNOT be run up by the Coalition for which we and or any group or individual would be liable.

2) All monies are paid directly to the company's Trust Account and will be receipted direct to you -

Curtis McLean Ltd Chartered Accountants 7th Floor, 234 Wakefield St P O Box 2293 Wellington, New Zealand P (0064) 04 384 5609 F (0064) 04 385 1067 E __ mailbox@curtismclean.co.nz __

Bank: BNZ Lambton Quay Account: 01-0505-0522883-02 Name: Cutis McLean Ltd Trust A/C Reference: Chen Palmer- MCC 200/10 And Your name/ org Follow up with a receipt request posted to Curtis McLean with your full address for receipt. Include date lodged and amount.

Please advise if your organisation requires a e-copy of this agreement.

Please note individuals and families as well as organisations can contribute in lump sums or by auto payments- a small amount weekly

Please retain this email and print a hard copy so you can forward it to others and seek their support.

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