2 The Significance of the Deliberations

At the same time the implications for education and the education sector have been considerable and since February the deliberations around the specific educational recommendations arising from the February Hui Taumata have been especially noteworthy. Most striking has been the amount of time and energy committed and the large number of people who have been involved in the process. Yet while many people gave their time generously to ensure positive results, were it not for the sustained efforts of Ngäti Tuwharetoa the outcomes might have been less definitive. Without their close involvement, the recommendations could have earned cursory attention, or perfunctory responses, or have been met by a measure of impatience. Instead, time was taken to pursue each recommendation seriously, to establish working alliances with Ministers and government officials, and to consult with Mäori at hui in a number of regions. Importantly, Ministers of the Crown came to match that commitment and to inject the same enthusiasm into Ministry officials.

In addition to the high level of commitment, four other points stand out as significant outcomes. First is the approach taken to analyse the recommendations; second is the model for Mäori-Crown co-operation that has emerged during the nine month process, third is the potential for Mäori energies to be harmonised in a way that has not previously been realised, and fourth is confirmation that educational achievement depends on a range of social and economic policies beyond the education sector. In all four areas significant gains can be found and while it might be too early to describe the gains as long term solutions, they nonetheless represent important contributions to Mäori advancement and provide platforms upon which strategies for ongoing educational advancement can be constructed.