Tuesday, December 10, 2024

$14.9m for Māori boarding school upgrades

Minister for Māori Development, Willie Jackson, today announced the allocation of the remaining $14.9 million of a $20 million Budget 2021 investment into the Māori Boarding Schools initiative.

The Minister said New Zealand’s four Māori boarding schools play a significant role in the development of future Māori leaders.

“They have been long-standing, staunch advocates of te reo me ngā tikanga Māori, kapa haka, and other aspects of te ao Māori,” said Mr Jackson.

He said the funding allocation for each school was determined based on resolving critical infrastructure issues.

The schools will receive the following investment:

  • St Joseph Māori Girls’ College – $6.2 million
  • Hato Pāora College – $2.7 million
  • Te Aute College – $5.0 million
  • Hukarere Girls’ College – $981,300

“These kura are iconic Māori institutions that have produced eminent Māori leaders such as Tā Apirana Ngāta, Tā Peter Te Rangi Hīroa Buck and Dame Whina Cooper, and countless other leaders in our communities and iwi,” Mr Jackson said.

The initiative contributes to government policies and work programmes such as Tau Mai Te Reo, the Māori language education strategy; and Te Pae Tawhiti (WAI 262).

“Upgrading the critical facilities for these kura is crucial to ensuring they can continue to nurture rangatahi Māori leaders and provide quality education,” the Minister said.

Previous payments of $2,337,000 were made in 2021/22 to Hato Pāora and St Joseph’s as part of the initiative to address urgent works.

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