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The Maori Language Commission came under fire this morning
from a concerned Maori Affairs Select Committee member.
Labour's Shane Jones questioned why the former CE
Glenis Philip-Barbara was heading the new $2 million research unit
Puna Whakarauora from the premises of Wellington law firm Chen Palmer.
Roihana Nuri paid them a visit.
This is the Chair of the Maori Language Commission
arriving to the Maori Affairs Select Committee today.
Are you prepared for Pita to leave this general election -
are those details sorted?
What? I don't know what you're talking about?
Then the interim CE arrived...
Are you still a registered member of NZ First?
No comment.
Well how's the commission?
It's going well.
They were then followed by the actual CE's arrival.
How is work progressing with the research unit?
It's going well, but I have a meeting to attend now.
Despite the lack of answers,
they weren't able to dodge questions
from the Maori Affairs Select Committee.
In last year's budget,
over $2 million was allocated to their research.
What's the state of the commission's finances?
If you'd seen the annual report,
you'd know that the govt has the commission's books
did well with two good ratings
and one recommendation of improvement.
What needs improvement?
The statement of intent needs amending.
Glenis Philip-Barbara
is still the CE of the Maori Language Commission
despite working on the research unit programme
out of Chen Palmer offices.
The question is yes or no -
was the Minister of Maori Affairs involved
in moving Glenis Philip-Barbara
to the look after the $2 million dollar unit?
Yes, the paper was presented to us
before Christmas for the launch of Te Puna Whakarauora,
but even before that,
we spoke at length about it at our monthly meetings with the minister.
It appears that the Minister of Maori Affairs isn't ignorant
of what is currently happening at the Maori Language Commission.
Roihana Nuri, Te Karere.