Education Minister Chris Hipkins has announced the members of a new advisory group, which will work with the government on tertiary education policy from a Māori perspective.
Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
Te Taumata Aronui will provide recommendations and advice to ministers on how tertiary education can better respond to the needs of Māori learners, communities and employers.
The appointees include Māori Language Commission chair Dr Wayne Ngata, the head of the National Māori Students' Association Mamaeroa Merito and the chief executive of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi Professor Wiremu Doherty.
Maru Nihoniho, Professor Wiremu Doherty, Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, Dr Eruera Prendergast-Tarena, Brendon Green, and Mereraina Piripi are also on the advisory group.
Chris Hipkins said Te Taumata Aronui was an opportunity for Māori and the Crown to work more closely on changes to the tertiary education system.
"Te Taumata Aronui will help develop our tertiary education system, including through the Reform of Vocational Education, so that it better supports the aspirations, and reflects the needs, of Māori learners, communities and employers," he said.
"Māori are significant employers with social and economic goals, with an estimated national Māori asset base valued at over $50 billion. This is particularly important for regional New Zealand, and for primary and export sectors.
"The group will provide independent recommendations and advice to ministers and work with officials on how tertiary education can better respond to the needs of Māori learners, communities and employers and help improve learner and community outcomes.
The Terms of Reference for Te Taumata Aronui will be finalised early next year.