It is sad that this kaupapa has escalated to the point where the integrity of Te Kohanga Reo as a whole has been brought in to question but change is not always easy. Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of conflict have not learned their history. Now the raru has been brought to light, and whanau are feeling the mamae it is time to implement change to ensure this will never happen again and that our tamariki will always be the priority. It did not need to go this far, but when you refuse to listen to numerous whanau whom have continuously called for various changes kanohi ki te kanohi and expect to remain untouchable and unaccountable you bring this upon yourself. We do not enjoy seeing the names and reputations of whanau tarnished in front of the nation but we must ask what care, if any, did they show in the treatment of our whaea, Titoki Black. Did they care how their actions would affect Titoki and her whanau? No, this is not about utu, but when you trample on the mana of someone held in such high regard by so many people you must understand the principle of karma. There are some whanau whom are afraid that this saga will destroy Te Kohanga Reo but the movement is and will always be a beacon of strength and hope for our culture and will most certainly survive. We can only recover from here whanau and now it is time to push for the numerous positive changes proposed by whanau so that Te Kohanga Reo Movement can rise from the ashes of this raru and flourish to its full potential, revitalizing te reo through our tamariki and subsequently strengthening our culture. Let the government know, we are not a divided over this and we will not give up on Te Kaupapa O Te Kohanga Reo. We are, as the board explained in their dismissal of Titoki, ‘cleaning in house issues’ to create a united front, to march into the future for the sake of our tamariki. Let the ministers, who will be scrambling to save face and resolve this issue, know, whanau have lost Trust in the current Board structure and demand a review of the Trust deed to allow a Board of Trustees appointed by and accountable to Te Whanau O Te Kohanga Reo.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 06:01:44 +0000