Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board Member Daniel Procter’s Submission to the Justice Committee

Defending Te Tiriti, Protecting Te Reo Māori

The future of Te Kōhanga Reo, te reo Māori, and the rights of our mokopuna depend on the protection of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In a significant moment for our movement, Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board member Daniel Procter presented a powerful submission to the Justice Committee, outlining critical concerns about the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill and the dangerous impact it could have on tangata whenua.

Daniel described the bill as a “complete and utter irreversible failure”, rejecting its attempt to grant the Crown absolute authority while disregarding the mana and tino rangatiratanga of Māori. He reinforced the strength of Te Kōhanga Reo as a whānau-led movement that has been at the forefront of Māori-led change for over 40 years, producing more than 50,000 graduates who proudly carry the reo and tikanga of their tūpuna.
 

Key Takeaways from the Submission:

• The Crown’s misinterpretation of Te Tiriti – The bill distorts the Treaty’s true intent by claiming absolute power for the Crown and failing to recognise the equal authority of Māori.

• Barriers to true equality – Despite claims of fairness, Te Kōhanga Reo continues to face systemic discrimination, including in policy, funding, and the recognition of kaupapa Māori education.

• The danger of assimilation – This bill follows a long history of attempts to suppress te reo Māori and tikanga, rather than supporting Māori-led solutions that strengthen whānau, hapū, and iwi.

Daniel reinforced that Te Kōhanga Reo has been at the forefront of Māori-led change for over 40 years, producing over 50,000 graduates who proudly call themselves the “Kōhanga Reo generation.” These mokopuna, past and present, are living proof of the success of kaupapa Māori education and the importance of protecting and strengthening it.
 

Why this matters for Te Kōhanga Reo

This is more than just a political debate – it is about the future of our tamariki, our kōhanga, and our reo. The policies being made today will shape the generations to come.

As Kōhanga Reo whānau, we must stay informed, stay engaged, and continue to stand for the protection of our kaupapa.