MEETING SUBJECT
Pacific Education Steerage Group (PESG)
DATE OF MEETING:
Wednesday 13 October 2021
TIME OF MEETING:
2:00pm – 3:30pm
VENUE:
Zoom
ATTENDEES:
Dagmar Dyck (Chair), David Fa’avae, Joseph Houghton, Alisi Tatafu, Caroline
Mareko, Siaosi Vaili, Tamahau Rowe (Tātai Heke Māori), Rae Si’ilata Jo Scott
(Lead Analyst – Policy & Implementation) Mose Pio (Registration Manager),
AprilMae Marshall (minutes)
APOLOGIES:
Zechariah Faaumu David Soakai‘
Pauline Barnes (DCE-Professional Services)
1
Welcome / Whakawhanaungatanga
The Chair, Dagmar Dyck, welcomed the members and acknowledged Zech Soakai’s apology.
Lotu was given by Siaosi Vaili.
Tātai Heke Māori, Tamahau Rowe, welcomed the members and discussed the agenda.
2
ITE – Language Competency Requirements
Jo Scott, Lead Analyst, gave an overview of the Teaching Council’s work regarding Supporting teaching and
learning for Pacific peoples. Noting the Action Plan items of Unteach Racism, Tapasā, and programmes with
a specific Pacific focus approved under the new ITE programme approval requirements.
The overview also noted the policy changes since 2017 to support Pasifika teachers including Ngā Tikanga
Matatika and Standards, Registration and certification policy, Review of language competency policy in
2019, and Ruahuia.
It was noted that Rauhuia is still in a draft state as the Teaching Council work across the profession to
ensure the Leadership Centre wil be adaptable to specific groups throughout the sector.
A discussion on next steps included:
• The Group noted that the language competency should specify English and/or te reo Māori
competency. Other wording fails to recognise the language competencies across all other linguistic
groups including the three Realm language groups of gagana Tokelau, vagahau Niue and te reo
Māori Kuki Airani.
• Ongoing work in the Language Competency Policy to improve the framework for bi-lingual Pasifika
teachers. Noting that the current standards are quite challenging especially for teachers in a ful y
Pasifika medium. It was also noted past models should be referenced and acknowledged.
• The Teaching Council to consider:
• all the policies that the profession adhere to in this space and link them if possible .
• gathering a database of Pasifika leaders within the profession and further afield who could
assist in disseminating information.
3
Pasifika Fees & Levies Consultation Plan
Tātai Heke Māori noted the current Teaching Council stakeholder hui being held in regard to consultation on
fees and levies; noting that there are several upcoming hui in the month of October with invites sent to key
leaders and peak bodies within the profession.
This consultation will include the Strategic Plan for the Council and allow the profession to feedback on the
draft presented to them.
The Steerage Group members noted consultation needs to consider all teachers not just leaders within the
profession and how best to engage with teachers on all levels.
4
Mose Pio engagement with PESG
Tātai Heke Māori welcomed Mose Pio, Registration Manager, noting the Mose has elected to be part of the
PESG and Pacific initiatives as part of his development and goals while the Teaching Council consider how
to increase the Pasifika staff capacity within the Council.
Mose greeted the group giving a welcome.
Mose will support the work of PESG and be at the table when decisions are made. PESG Chair and Tātai
Heke Māori will represent the Group at Governing Council hui. An interim process will be implemented
where Mose will attend executive hui on Pasifika issues and be a part of the decision making process. Mose
wil not be doing any of the ‘heavy lifting’ regarding Kaupapa Pasifika, Tātai Heke and Tikanga Principal
Advisor will co-ordinate to make sure this happens.
5
Pasifika Strategic Plan
Tātai Heke Māori discussed the Teaching Council’s current Strategic Plan noting it does not contain specific
focus for Pacific teachers. They discussed a plan for Pasifika could be considered by the Group. It was noted
that there is a Te Tiriti Strategy that the Group might consider as a reference point should they decide to
take on this work.
A discussion with the group noted that the plan
• would need to consider what leadership looks like with a Pasifika lens.
• wil need to consider the voices of all Pasifika people as it is a diverse group some of which are not
always represented.
• timeframe for drafting would be April 2022 if it were to align with the Teaching Council overall
Strategic Plan.
• once drafted should be shared with key members of the profession representing frontline staff to
ensure their voice is heard and the plan is adopted by them.
• wil need to include what leadership, consultation and meetings with our key stakeholders look like.
• should entwine the Kaupapa from the Māori Strategic Plan and be connected with Te Tiriti o
Waitangi.
The Steerage Group should provide the information, messaging, and direction for this mahi including the
signposts needed will the Teaching Council will consider the drivers and priorities. The writing of the plan
would be done by others.
The Group recommended the drafting of a Pacific Strategic Plan to be drafted by members with support
from Teaching Council resources.
ACTION: The Māori Strategic Plan be sent to the Group.
6
Other Business
The Group discussed having regular quarterly catch-up with several face to face meetings in 2022.
The Group discussed the Wall of Identity title for Pacific peoples noting that the current wording does not
accurately represent Pacific people. Discussion on the best representation noted that the term Pasifika
adopted by MoE should be used and this should be followed by the term Tangata Moana.
The Group felt that over time Pasifika could be omitted and the use of Tangata Moana be used as it reflects al
Pacific Nations.
The Group recommended the Wall of Identity wording for Pacific peoples be amended to Pasifika Tangata
Moana.
7
Meeting Review & Close with Karakia
The meeting closed at 3:45pm with lotu by Saiosi Vaili.
