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Politics | Kōhanga Reo

Opposition MP's slam Kōhanga National Trust Audit

Te Kōhanga Trust Board should be wiped clean so Kōhanga throughout the country can progress onwards and upwards. Hone Harawira and other Māori MP's including, Winston Peters, are wading in on the debate, saying enough is enough.

Opposition MP’s threw criticism from all four corners of Parliament today at Minister of Māori Affairs, Pita Sharples and Education Minister, Hekia Parata.

Nanaia Mahuta posed the question, “Is the Minister satisfied that all aspects of Te Pātaka Ōhanga governance and financial obligations meet acceptable standards of transparency?”

Minister Sharples responded, “Absolutely not. It was different to the review because it was about what money the Government spends to run Kōhanga.”

Meanwhile the Mana Party Leader, Hone Harawira claimed the report was a waste of time and resources.

Te Taitokerau  MP, Hone Harawira says despite the reports failings, the Kohanga Reo Board needs to clean out its own closet.

The search for the truth stemmed from a hikoi last year, and this year Minister Sharples says they must keep knocking on the Trust's door.

This issue won't be fixed overnight, but with mounting pressure on the Kohanga Reo Trust Board from MP's, to shed light on issues the report didn't touch on, time could be of the essence.