Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Christchurch Maori language school celebrating autonomy

Updated at 10:17 pm on 18 February 2013

A Christchurch Maori language immersion school is celebrating after the Education Minister Hekia Parata announced that its proposed amalgamation with another kura kaupapa will not go ahead.

In November 2012, Te Whanau Tahi put a case to Ms Parata vehemently opposing plans to merge it with Te Kura Whakapumau i Te Reo Tuturu o Waitaha.

Ms Parata announced on Monday that the amalgamation will not be happening, although she said it had been decided that one of the kura needs to be relocated so that Maori medium schooling is available in the north of Christchurch.

Chair of Te Whanau Tahi Board of Trustees, Huata Martindale, says although the kura is happy with Ms Parata's decision, they don't know what will happen next.

He says the minister's announcement is still sinking in, but the school is celebrating the fact that Te Whanau Tahi can still maintain its autonomy as a stand-alone school.

Mr Martindale believes the strength of Te Whanau Tahi's submission has a lot to do with the outcome announced by the Education Minister.

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