Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

The National Government last year halted the provision of Pacific language publications that
were designed to aid the learning of Pasifika students. The Tupu and Folauga series of
reading books and journals were popular with parents, teachers and students. It has been
argued that withdrawing these publications breaches Pasifika children‟s rights to learn in in
their own language. This decision undermines the value of bilingual education and further
imperils the future of Pasifika languages.
Labour will resume the publication of the Tupu and Folauga series of reading books
and journals.
The National Government has removed Pacific bilingual education from the Pacific
Education Plan.
Labour will reinstate the goals for Pacific literacy, research, and bilingualism in the
Pacific Education Plan (PEP) which were removed by the National Government in
2009.
Given the large and growing population of Pasifika people in New Zealand, governments
have a special responsibility for the future of the languages of the Pacific Islands. Ensuring
that the next generation of Pasifika people have a strong command of their languages is
essential. To achieve this, we need to make sure our teachers are well-equipped to pass on
their languages to Pasifika children.
Labour will investigate teacher exchanges with Pacific countries.
Through these exchanges, teachers based in New Zealand could travel to countries in the
Pacific to enhance their language skills. At the same time, New Zealand would play host to
teachers from the Pacific Islands, who could improve their English, while enhancing their
teaching skills.
Pasifika Culture in Our Schools
The number of Pasifika children in our schools has increased by 33% over the last decade
according to Ministry of Education statistics. The government must meet the needs of this
population within our school system. In order to lift the performance of Pasifika students, it is
important that schools meet their cultural needs, creating an environment supportive of and
conducive to learning.
Labour will require the Education Review Office to ensure that schools and teachers
are taking into consideration the cultural needs of Pasifika students.
For further information, see Labour‟s Education policy.
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