Letter to the Editor Tuesday June 24, 2014

Leave them alone

We are parents of children at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whangaroa in Matauri Bay. Our children are settled, happy and engaged in learning in the Maori language at their kura. We now have a great principal who like us, is absolutely committed to the educational, spiritual, cultural and emotional well-being of our children. Like most parents, we strive to provide the best education we can for our children.

In response to recent articles about the appointment of a commissioner to our kura, we support wholeheartedly the parents who made up the board of our kura. We believe that the Ministry of Education has acted in a heavy-handed and patronising manner towards us, our kaumatua and the kaitiaki of our kaupapa, Te Runanga Nui o Nga Kaupapa Maori.

The ministry did not use the intervention as a 'last resort', but in their paternalistic arrogance of telling us they know what is best for us. We do not accept this, just as our kaumatua that started the kura over 17 years ago did not accept the mainstream education system that continues to fail Maori children.

Our kura is a state school set up under section 155 of the Education Act 1989. We are required to deliver a quality education in te reo Maori, following the guidelines in Te Aho Matua (our statement of philosophy).

Kura Kaupapa Maori is a national network that produces successful outcomes for Maori children. It is not about numbers or bums on seats. It's about providing educational excellence through a Maori world view that enhances the potential inherent in every child.

We are producing children who are bilingual, respectful, intelligent, loving and positive. There are 56 children and 33 families in our kura. We are all there because we want our children taught in te reo Maori through the philosophy of Te Aho Matua. Other parents who want this type of education for their children are welcome. The people who have left the kura have chosen something else for their children. We wish them well.

If the ministry continues to interfere, they leave us no choice but to take legal action in the courts. We will not flinch from protecting our children and our kaupapa from the uninformed and the bigoted.

ARAPINE WALKER, MOANA KIFF, TANIA NGATAI, RAWIRI HEMI, JOHN BEVERLAND, HAKI EPIHA, TERRY SMITH, HERA EPIHA, MOANA TUWHARE