Ideas exchange with Maori Affairs Select Committee

This week HAR author Marg James met with members of the Maori Affairs Select Committee from New Zealand to discuss the HAR project, and share information about the reading programs for Maori students. The committee, Parekura Horomia, Louise Upston, Katrina Shanks, Louisa Wall, Rino Tirikatene, Metiria Turei, Te Ururoa Flavell, and Hone, travelled to Sydney, Canberra and Alice Springs as part of the annual Joint Select Committee Exchange with the Australia Commonwealth Parliament. We were excited to share ideas and experiences about 2 way learning and giving Indigenous languages and culture a voice and were uplifted by their support for what we are doing.

The head of the committee Parekura Horomia said in a recent ABC news article (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-05/claims-indigenous-education-20-years-behind-nz/4353756) that Australia is lagging behind in its education of Indigenous children. Horomia says he is shocked by the lack of bilingual education in central Australia and suggested that what he has seen is 20 years behind New Zealand.