Wednesday 25 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Education, National, Parliament
Minister for Education Vaine Mac Mokoroa. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/25062318
Browne raised this issue in Parliament during the Question and Answer session on Monday, highlighting that during the debate on the education budget, there had been a strong emphasis on the importance of the language.
“And what was raised and identified by many of us is that we need an emphasis, to encourage our language.
“When I look at the four executive positions in education, none of them can speak te Reo Maori.”
In response, Minister for Education Vaine ‘Mac’ Mokoroa expressed his confidence in the ministry’s secretary.
He acknowledged that the current executives do not speak te Reo Māori but said, “I would like to place my trust in the secretary of the Ministry for Education because, during his time of learning, he went through this learning process.”
He said the education secretary did his studies and ventured into studying the New Zealand Maori language.
He said he truly believed that they went through the plans that have been set by Cook Islands Tourism such as the Kia Orana value.
But he said there is not enough time for them to understand the Maori language.
He said if one spoke Maori to the secretary of Education, he could answer them directly. He said the secretary went to Atiu, Mangaia and Rarotonga through the education system. Mokoroa added that the ministry also has a strong person in the Vae Papatua who is strong in the Maori language and will be able to guide and teach them in terms of the language.