Ngā mihi o te tau hou ki a koutou katoa

Welcome to 2014. As this new year is dawning, I expect that many of us have been filled with the joy that comes with spending time with our whānau, with celebrating our relationships, or simply, taking a reprieve from the business that consumes us for most of the year.

For me, the holiday was a time of reflection, and anticipation for what is to come in the next year.

In the last 12 months, we have made significant changes, both to Te Puni Kōkiri, and to a number of initiatives and policies which will have a major impact on Māori communities. While we announced many of those changes last year, it will be 2014, this year, in which we see those changes take form, embed and start to reach out and touch all of us.

Just before Christmas I released the Government's proposed Māori Language Strategy which has now gone out for consultation. The strategy reflects the work undertaken by Te Paepae Motuhake when reviewing the 2003 Māori Language Strategy, but it also responds to a broader issue, which is the decline of Māori language use in Aotearoa since 2001.

I was a part of language and cultural revitalisation efforts in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. While the efforts of many at that time saved our language from extinction, our reo is still in a vulnerable state. There was a clear need to build upon the work that has already been laid, and to create a strategy that acknowledges how far we have come in our language journey, and what’s needed to achieve our reo aspirations.

It’s a big plan, which is based on the premise that each and every one of us has a stake in revitalising and loving our reo. It’s about the Government playing their part in supporting Iwi/Māori to take the lead role in Māori language regeneration and growth, while focusing efforts on language in our kainga (homes), and in our whānau.

I look forward to seeing the outcome of the consultation, and to progressing the Strategy further this year.

Another major initiative which came out at the end of 2013, was the report from the Constitutional Advisory Panel on the Constitutional Conversation which has been taking place in communities across Aotearoa over the last year. I am extremely pleased that we were able to engage a wide cross section of New Zealanders in a discussion about the foundations and values that underpin the governance of the country, and in particular Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

One of the key recommendations from that report was that the conversation must continue, and what I take away from that is the need to continue to engage our communities in shaping the future arrangements of our country. The report showed that New Zealanders have diverse views on what our country should look like. It also showed that even within Māoridom, while generally we hold the same values in relation to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the constitution, there were many views about how to express those in practice.

It was an interesting report to read, and one which I think shows just how dynamic our communities are. I look forward to considering their recommendations further.

While there were many other announcements, initiatives and changes which took place in 2013, I want to make particular mention of the changes to the core functions of Te Puni Kōkiri.

As the Minister of Māori Affairs, I have always appreciated the hard work and service provided by Te Puni Kōkiri to our communities, and to the Government. Over the years since the Ministry was established, it's responsibilities have progressively increased beyond those generally expected of a policy Ministry, which resulted in work being spread across many sectors and spread too thinly.

Frankly speaking, my vision for Te Puni Kōkiri is to create an agile agency that leads the Crown Māori relationship, that leads Māori policy across the whole of government, while also supporting and aligning with the development aspirations of our communities, whānau, hapū and iwi. The changes that I announced last year, which will give Te Puni Kōkiri an enhanced strategic and leadership role across government, will move us closer to that goal.

The new roles for Te Puni Kōkiri are:

• Ārahitanga: Provision of strategic leadership and guidance to Ministers and the state sector on the Crown’s on-going and evolving partnerships and relationships with iwi, hapū and whānau Māori
• Whakamaherehere: Provision of advice to Ministers and agencies on achieving better results for whānau Māori
• Auahatanga: Development and implementation of innovative trials and investments to test policy and programme models that promote better results for whānau Māori

While there were many other changes that took place in 2013, I want to acknowledge the staff at Te Puni Kōkiri for their service, commitment and dedication to advancing the aspirations of Māori communities through challenging times.

The task of implementing these functions is now with the Chief Executive of Te Puni Kōkiri, Michelle Hippolite, and I am quite sure that she will guide, lead and inspire all those around her to achieve the best outcome for all Māori communities, our stakeholders, and staff.

I look forward to seeing the outcome of these many programmes of work, and wish everyone a wonderful and fruitful 2014 – which will be my last as Minister of Māori Affairs.

Hon Dr Pita R Sharples, Minita Māori