Education initiative announced  

PRESS RELEASE: March 2008

Major funding for Maori and Pasifika education projects

Community funder ASB Community Trust has set up a significant fund for education projects that will promote Maori and Pasifika educational excellence.

It is now calling for expressions of interest from groups who share its vision for the Auckland and Northland region.

“Our ultimate objective is to ensure that Maori and Pasifika children can fully engage in New Zealand society and are able to build, manage and grow their economic base,” says Trust CEO Jennifer Gill.

“We have identified our destination, but we are mapping the route as we travel. ASB Community Trust doesn’t have all the answers, but we’re confident that the community does. What we can promise is that we will back innovative interventions that challenge the status quo and produce measurable results,” she says.

Groups have until April 14 to submit an expression of interest, outlining how their project will benefit Maori and Pasifika communities. Proposals will then be considered and funding allocated.

 “The Trust began work on this initiative early in 2007, calling together educational experts from the Maori and Pasifika communities who identified the priorities and created a vision for the project: ‘We speak for ourselves’,” Ms Gill says.

“This is a unique way of working for a philanthropic trust: seeking community input into initial challenge definition and then working through the issue in partnership with members of that community; seeking solutions to social problems and then committing to long-term, strategic resourcing and support for its alleviation.”

The projects chosen must advance Maori/Pasifika engagement in citizenship through education, must be sustainable, outcomes must be measurable and they will be based on partnership and self-help. The project must also have evidence of community ownership.

More information about the education project, and how to get involved, is online at  www.initiative.org.nz

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

In March ASBCT is holding a series of hui and fono in Auckland and Northland  to further explain the initiative. Please come along and talk with us.

Wednesday 5^th March: 1^st Pasifika Fono

Venue:             Otara PIC Church, Ferguson Road, Otara

Time:               6:30 – 9:00pm

Monday 10^th March:  2^nd Pasifika Fono

Venue:             Waitakere City Council Building, Henderson

Time:               6:30pm – 9:00pm           

Tuesday 11^th March: Maori Hui in Auckland

Venue:            Orakei Marae, Kitemoana Street, Orakei

9:30am            Powhiri

Thursday 13^th March: Maori Hui in Kaitaia

Venue:            Maimaru Marae, State Highway 10,  Awanui

1:30                 Powhiri

Friday 14^th March: Maori Hui in Whangarei

Venue:             Ngararatunua Marae, Pipiwai Road,  Whangarei

9:30                  Powhiri

Monday 17^th March: Maori Hui in South Auckland

Venue:             Papakura Marae, 29a Hunua Road, Papakura

9:30                 Powhiri

(ENDS)