Submission

of

NGA TAUIRA MĀORI (Incorporated) Auckland University Māori Students' Association

to the

Education and Science Select Committee

on the

Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill

31st March 2010

Submission on the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill

Preamble

The perspective contained within this submission is that of Nga Tauira Māori (Incorporated) and is unique to the Māori student population of The University of Auckland. This submission will aim to present a unique perspective unlike those presented in the main stream submissions.
Nga Tauira Māori opposes the intent of this Bill for (but limited to) the following reasons;
1.    That the Bill adversely affects the ability of Nga Tauira Māori (NTM) to exercise Tino Rangatiratanga, Kaitiakitanga and Manakitanga of which are guaranteed in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

2.    This submission will also contend that such a Bill is contradictory to the ideology to which it purports to promote, that being increased student freedom of choice and that the current legislative framework relating to students’ associations already provides the necessary flexibility for students to make this decision themselves.


3.    The change to the Bill will do nothing to enhance students’ experience whilst at tertiary institutions and will result in costing the institution and therefore students more at a time when there are already significant funding cuts and government pressure to rationalise spending.

The effect of Voluntary Student Membership (VSM) at the University of Auckland has lead to a number of student service agreements to replace the services that would have previously been served and administered by Auckland University Students Association (AUSA) and Nga Tauira Māori (NTM) as representative organisations of the student body.

These service agreements are a direct product of the inception of VSM. The effect being that the actions and recourses of NTM are dictated by key performance indicators (KPI) set by The University of Auckland. Our objections to this bill are a reflection of our subordinated position within The Auckland University VSM model.  

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Ka torona atu tooku ringaringa ki ngaa pito e whaa o te ao, a, e kore tetahi ringa e kaha ki te peehi. [1]

The Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill is in contravention of Article two of Te Tiriti o Waitangi which guarantees the exercise of Māori Tino Rangatiratanga. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a document of partnership signed in goodwill for the betterment of both Māori and non-Māori.

Nga Tauira Māori

Nga Tauira Māori is an autonomous Tiriti o Waitangi partner to their campus mainstream Student Association AUSA. This is an important distinction because there is a unique Tiriti o Waitangi-based parallel relationship growing and living between both associations.

Ko toku reo toku ohooho ko toku reo toku mapihi mauria. [2]

Having a voice is essential. This voice ensures the needs of Māori students are supported and reinforced at a local and national decision making level. Representation keeps both sides informed, functional and relevant. Māori students' associations have a range of interactions throughout tertiary institutions. Representation is at local, regional and national levels to ensure there is a voice for Māori students within tertiary institutions.

They have close contact with regional Hapū and Iwi and ensure the mutual relationship evolves together. They are a rare asset because they are pan-tribal: they provide a base to receive descendants from all Hapū and Iwi, as well as advocating that students return home with their skills to support whanau, Hapū and Iwi development
Serious consideration must be made to the impact of this bill on Māori students and their ability to continue to have an advocacy voice and have support services provided through their collective associations. Māori students rely on these groups for the strong and visible representation of their interests and issues at the university.  The likely result of the proposed legislative change will be fragmentation and loss of the voices of Māori, a conclusion that conflicts with the terms of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.  

[1] “I shall stretch forth my hand to the four corners of the world, and no hand will be able to suppress me,” prophecy by Te Kooti 1892.
  [2]“Nurtured with the fruit of the rengarenga, strengthened with the fruits of the kawariki.”

Kaitiakitanga/ Manakitanga

Me whakatupu ki te hua o te rengarenga, me whakapakari ki te hua o te kawariki. [3]

Only Māori students can properly support and meet the needs of Māori students. The autonomy means we have the ability to stay within the realms of Te Ao Māori and Tikanga and remain protective of those values.

There is a need to enforce the notion that those people who are affected by decisions should be part of the decision-making process. The arrangement reached in 1998 by the then National-led Government was a very sensible arrangement that gave students a choice as to whether to have a system of universal membership or a system of voluntary membership. Students could elect a voluntary system by way of referendum (CH). It also enables individuals to choose to be exempt from membership on the grounds of financial hardship or conscientious objection. The suggested amendments to this Bill have not arisen as a result of campaigning on the part of those affected by the proposed changes that being the students.  Students should be the one to push for change not politicians. Thus, NTM is of the view that unless the majority of students elect for legislative change relating to their democratic organisations, the status quo should remain.

Students associations depend on hours and hours of voluntary time being provided. The proposed amendments will result in a loss of income for students’ associations.  The universities will be forced to take responsibility for the services that students’ associations can no longer afford.  For students it will mean a substantial increase in costs because the universities will want to maintain the services that the students’ associations offer such as student orientation. The universities will not be able to offer the same service at the same price; they will have to pay professionals and this cost will be diverted to students.

Recommendations:

•    That the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill be opposed.
That if the Bill is to be accepted that the following amendments be adopted:
•    Full protection of Māori student organisations
•    That a referendum be held every five years on the question of whether to adopt VSM or compulsory membership.



NGA TAUIRA MĀORI
MSO Office – Mike Moka, Darrin Tahitahi

[3]   "Nurtured with the fruit of the rengarenga, strengthened with the fruits of the kawariki."