Katene Rahui: Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Katene Rahui: Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:673;Page:19412] 
RAHUI KATENE (Maori Party—Te Tai Tonga) 
: 
 I am really pleased to take this call on the Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill following the call of the member who has just resumed her seat Maryan Street because it was— 
Hon Maryan Street 
: Very erudite. 
RAHUI KATENE 
: It really was; it was great. To be able to follow her comments about the Supplementary Order Paper put up by Te Ururoa Flavell is very important because it is so important that we have these issues considered by the Royal Society and in the Royal Society Amendment Bill. There is a really big problem with the teaching of history in our New Zealand schools. In the curriculum it states that schools are supposed to be teaching New Zealand history and as part of that New Zealand history we would expect those schools to be talking about Maori history but in fact we find that so many schools do not. We hope that by having the amendment that is moved on this Supplementary Order Paper included in this bill the Royal Society of New Zealand will take that provision very seriously and put pressure on the schools to take the teaching of New Zealand history very seriously. 
It is also entirely appropriate to discuss at this time a new development that has occurred in the month since the time this bill was last discussed and that is the discussion that has occurred about cultural competencies. The Minister of Maori Affairs has made mention of Tataiako a school-based cultural competency programme that is expected to be formally launched this year. It is a professional development programme to help teachers relate to Maori students. I refer to a release put out by Nga Kura-a-Iwi o Aotearoa in the name of its chairman Pem Bird. In that release he states: “Research and experience clearly demonstrates the connection between culturally aware and attuned teachers and Maori learner achievement … The pivotal issue is about the authenticity and relevance of our cultural landscape which ought to permeate our thinking and practice. We have now been presented with a golden opportunity to make the difference that counts.” 
The Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill and specifically the amendment from my colleague Te Ururoa Flavell incorporates the humanities into the objects and functions of the society. In essence the substance of humanities is also about the expression of cultural competency. As Mr Flavell’s explanatory note to the Supplementary Order Paper states: “The Supplementary Order Paper amends the Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill to include in the definition of humanities Maori studies te reo and the recognition application and advancement of te Tiriti o Waitangi.” 
This is a simple but effective strategy to remember that for Maori this is our natural home. Maori are here for ever. This is about marking our cultural landscape. But it is also about adding balance to the bill to identify and distinguish it as home-grown a truly New Zealand bill. The definition of humanities would include: “languages and in particular te reo history religion philosophy law classics linguistics cultural studies Maori studies media studies art history film drama and the recognition application and advancement of te Tiriti o Waitangi.” That is a comprehensive robust and one would think thoroughly practical suggestion and I hope that all of the Committee will be able to support the Supplementary Order Paper. 
Over the last fortnight the education sector has been responding enthusiastically and responsibly to the proposed new direction of cultural competency. New Zealand Educational Institute president Ian Leckie promoted the need for solid resourcing and ongoing professional development. His view was that it is important that any training in te reo and tikanga Maori is backed up by regular opportunities for teachers to enhance their knowledge and skills in the classroom. In this bill the Royal Society of New Zealand Amendment Bill we now have explicit proposals that encompass the cultural landscape of Aotearoa through respect for and acknowledgment of the significance of the Treaty of te reo Maori of tangata whenua. 
I acknowledge the Minister of Science and Innovation Dr Mapp for his willingness to work with Mr Flavell to consider this amendment to this bill and I welcome the acknowledgment from the Labour Party. I hope that in the spirit of a maturing nationhood we will enjoy unanimous and enthusiastic support for this amendment right across the Committee. Kia ora.