Te reo Maori resources launched in Murupara

Dignatories at today's launch in Murupara. PHOTO/DANA KINITA

Education Minister Hekia Parata has launched a series of new reading resources today at Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau.

The new resources are part of the reader series and are about Ngati Manawa icons including marae, the kura, pakeke and whanau businesses.

Each has been written in the Ngati Manawa dialect by academic head of Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau, Lianne Bird.

"Alongside the teachers at the kura, the involvement of kaumatua, whanau, hapu and marae was invaluable, particularly in retaining the aspects of identity, language and culture that are important to Ngati Manawa," Ms Parata said.

"These resources demonstrate the power of professionals working collaboratively with the iwi and the community to develop resources that best meet the needs and contexts of their children.

"They also show what can be achieved when agencies back local initiatives in te reo Maori that are designed to raise achievement."

"The Government has made good progress in the first year of implementing Tau Mai Te Reo - the Maori Language in Education Strategy 2013-2017. Tau Mai Te Reo, and the resources we are launching today, are just some of the initiatives the Government is supporting to encourage a bi-lingual New Zealand."

There are a total of 39 titles in the reader series with a 40th to be added shortly. Future developments include an English translation with plans for Japanese and Mandarin translations also. Both of these languages are also taught at the kura.