The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga
Mahi is deeply concerned by guidance recently issued by the
Public Service Commission that discourages public servants
from attending the annual Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
parade.
The union is warning that the guidance could
have a chilling effect on public servants’ work to protect
and promote te reo Māori.
“We are calling on Public
Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche to withdraw this flawed
guidance and send a clear public message that public
servants are encouraged to attend the parade,” said PSA Te
Kaihautū Māori Jack McDonald.
“For a number of years
many public service departments have appropriately supported
their employees to participate in these parades. Departments
have a duty to promote te reo Māori and support its
revitalisation.
“Attending an event organised by Te
Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori is entirely consistent with a
public servant’s obligations and the policies their
employers are required to operate under the Public Service
Act.
“The Crown has a commitment under Te Ture mō Te
Reo Māori 2016 to work in partnership with Māori to
actively protect and promote te reo Māori for future
generations. Attendance at the parade by public servants
during work hours should therefore be expected and
encouraged.
“The Commission’s guidance is also in
flagrant disregard of recent findings from the Waitangi
Tribunal’s report on the Te Reo in the Public Sector
Urgent Inquiry, including that the Crown is required to take
active steps to redress the vulnerable state of te reo
Māori, and that the Crown must do more to upskill the
public service in te reo Māori.
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“It is very clear
that the Public Service Commission should be supporting
participation in events that promote and celebrate te reo
Māori, not discouraging it. The Commissioner needs to
urgently with the guidance to ensure that it does not have a
chilling effect on the promotion of te reo Māori in the
public service,” said McDonald.
Note:
The Public Service
Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa
New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and
supporting more than 95,000 workers across central
government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health
boards and community
groups.
