6 Dec 2012

Govt needs to act on kohanga report - Maori Party

7:24 pm on 6 December 2012

The Maori Party is urging the Government to act with integrity on the Waitangi Tribunal report into kohanga reo.

An inquiry found kohanga suffered severe prejudice under early childhood policies of successive governments and needs to be funded equitably with the Western model of pre-schools.

The report suggests that an independent advisor oversee and implement the Tribunal's recommendations - and who would be appointed by, and report directly to, the Prime Minister.

But the Kohanga Reo National Trust Board fears the report won't be acted on, pointing out the results of the Flora and Fauna Wai262 claim has not been dealt with by the Crown either.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says her party will continue to press the Government to fully support Maori pre-schools.

She says she's 100% behind the Kohanga Trust.