The Government has recently confirmed the members of a group set up to work alongside it on tertiary education policy from a Māori perspective.

Te Taumata Aronui, which will consist of eight Māori members, will be tasked with providing independent recommendations and advice to the government and officials about how tertiary education can improve the way it responds to the needs of Māori, and how it can improve outcomes.

The focus is not only on ākonga Māori (students) but also communities and employers.

Terms of reference for Te Taumata Aronui are due to be finalised early in 2020, and a work programme is to follow thereafter.

It is unclear what opportunity will be provided, if any, for Māori stakeholders to provide submissions to Te Taumata Aronui, but this should be made clearer once the terms of reference are released.