Education: $7.6 million funding boost

The 2012 Budget will provide $7.6 million over the next four years for an education programme giving schools and children a hands-on approach to looking after the environment.

Environment Minister Amy Adams and Māori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples announced the funding boost today.

Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa (the Maori immersion approach) encourage children, their schools and their families to think and act sustainably – at school, at home and in everyday life.

Amy says she is pleased that, in tight economic times, the Government can provide substantial funding for this valuable programme as a result of the Government’s confidence and supply agreement with the Māori Party. 

“The Government is committed to improving and maintaining the quality of our environment and this funding will provide a valuable contribution towards the support of the Enviroschools programme.” 

The $7.6 million boost consolidates the interim budget negotiated by the Māori Party in 2010 for Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa.  

“This funding from the Government enables Enviroschools to continue, and Te Aho Tu Roa to be further developed in Maori immersion schools, with support from programme partners that include private businesses and local government,” says Dr Pita Sharples.  

“Because Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa involve students, schools, whānau and communities, the results of this investment will be long-lasting.”

Amy says children are future environmental leaders and it’s heartening so many of them want to be involved in this initiative. 

Students will undertake initiatives to improve their own schools, including reducing waste going into landfill, installing water tanks and planting their own vegetable gardens.

“The programme has a strong bicultural approach, recognising that Māori perspectives and knowledge of the environment enrich the whole learning process,” says Pita.

Source: Offices of Dr Pita Sharples and Amy Adams.