Kaitlin Price/cvnznews.com
Party promises major investment in kōhanga reo and kura Māori, saying the future of te reo Māori depends on long-term funding certainty.
Te Pāti Māori has unveiled a major education policy promising more than $1.25 billion in funding for kura Māori and significant new investment in kōhanga reo if the party is part of the next government.
Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke announced the policy in Rotorua, describing Māori-medium education as central to the future of te reo Māori.
“Kōhanga reo and kura Māori are the heartbeat of te reo Māori revitalisation,” Waititi said.
The proposal includes legislation to establish a Te Kōhanga Reo Act, alongside guaranteed annual baseline funding for kōhanga reo centres.
Te Pāti Māori would also create a $20 million annual capital fund and invest a further $50 million to address a backlog of around 80 kōhanga reo facilities requiring new buildings or refurbishment.
The party says the funding would support the development of 20 new kōhanga reo over the next three years, with priorities determined in partnership with the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust.
A cornerstone of the package is a $1.25 billion five-year property investment programme for kura Māori, providing approximately $250 million annually for upgrades and expansion of Māori-medium education facilities.
The policy also includes restoring Te Ahu o Te Reo Māori, with $30 million a year earmarked to strengthen te reo Māori capability across the education workforce.
Maipi-Clarke said Māori children deserve learning environments equipped with the facilities, teachers and resources necessary to thrive academically and culturally.
The announcement comes as political parties continue unveiling targeted election policies aimed at key voter groups ahead of polling day.
Supporters argue the investment would strengthen language revitalisation efforts and provide certainty for Māori communities seeking to educate future generations in te reo Māori.
Critics are likely to question how the multi-billion-dollar package would be funded at a time when competing demands on public spending include healthcare, infrastructure, housing and cost-of-living pressures.
The proposal positions Māori-medium education as a major priority for Te Pāti Māori and highlights the party’s focus on advancing tino rangatiratanga within the education system.
