It's been 38 years since the first kohanga reo centre opened in Wainuiomata - and there's now over 8,500 tamariki in centres across New Zealand. But the competition from mainstream centres, and a change to bring them under the Ministry of Education, has seen the number of centres drop from a high of 800 in the mid-1990s to 450, with many of them in need of an upgrade to buildings. Maori TV has a new programme, Tōku Whare Kōhanga Reo, which aims to help bring communities together to do some DIY on run-down centres around the country. Joining Kathryn to talk about his involvement in the show, and the vital role kōhanga reo play in Maori communities is Daniel Procter, co-chair of the Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board and a kohanga graduate himself.
Photo: Supplied
