Katene Rahui: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Katene Rahui: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:656;Page:5974] 
4.  
RAHUI KATENE (Maori Party—Te Tai Tonga) 
 to the  
Minister for Tertiary Education 
: What support is being offered to Maori training providers to remain viable following cuts to the Training Opportunities Programmes? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Attorney-General) 
on behalf of the  
Minister for Tertiary Education 
: Funding for the Training Opportunities Programme was reduced by the previous Labour Government in Budget 2008 from around $86 million to around $78 million. This has reduced the overall number of places available in 2010. All providers including Maori training providers have only recently been given their indicative funding allocation for 2010 so questions of viability support are premature. Their indicative allocations are based on an assessment of provider performance in 2008 against labour market outcomes and student attendance. If providers do not agree with their indicative funding allocation they are able to seek a review of their allocation. 
Rahui Katene 
: What support can be provided to Dunedin’s Arai Te Uru Kokiri Training Centre the only registered Maori training provider left between Christchurch and Invercargill which has run a very successful chef training level 3 programme for the last 11 years with Skill Enhancement funding which is not eligible for Youth Guarantee funding and which is likely to lose up to 20 percent of its funded places? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: In respect of training opportunities I am advised that overall allocations are made in a way that ensures good coverage across the country. With regard to an individual provider the Minister for Tertiary Education is barred by section 159J of the Education Act 1989 from interfering with funding allocations for individual providers. The Tertiary Education Commission makes these decisions on the basis of past performance. 
Hon Maryan Street 
: How does the Minister expect not only the kokiri centre referred to by my colleague in the previous supplementary question but also the Pathfinders programme in the Eastern Bay of Plenty which is also known for the successful provision of training to young Maori to continue when not only the Skill Enhancement programme—which upholds the kokiri centre—but also the Pathfinders scholarships funding has been axed? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: As I said in answer to the previous supplementary question section 159J of the Education Act bars the Minister from getting involved in funding decisions regarding individual providers. If providers are not happy with their indicative funding allocation there are established procedures to seek a review. That is as far as the Minister can go. 
Rahui Katene 
: When they have taken these steps what support can be provided to for example Te Atatu Tu Tangata Academy which was founded by June Mariu in 1982 and which has had to close its Training Opportunities Programme course after its 33 places were cut to six leaving only one remaining Maori provider in central Auckland? 
Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON 
: With regard to training opportunities in Auckland I am advised there are still 677 places available in central Auckland next year. With regard to the individual provider I am advised that the Minister for Tertiary Education is barred by section 159J of the Education Act from interfering with funding allocations for individual providers. The Tertiary Education Commission makes these decisions on the basis of past performance. 
Hon Maryan Street 
: I seek leave to table a compendium of statements from Wairoa College Opotiki College Kawerau College and others lamenting the loss of the Pathfinders scholarships and the risk that that poses to young Maori. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.