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Welcome to this, the second e-pānui from the Mā Te Reo team. We hope you found our first issue of interest. This e-pänui has been timed to coincide with Round Five. It includes lots of tips and advice about how to complete the application form and improve the chance of your application being successful. Having properly completed forms also makes our jobs of administering the programme easier and more time efficient. But first some sad news...
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For More Information
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Mā Te Reo
Level 14,
Investment Centre
Cnr Ballance and Featherston Streets
WELLINGTON |
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Mā Te Reo
P O Box 411
WELLINGTON |
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+ 64 4 471-6733 |
| Fax: |
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+ 64 4 471-2768 |
| Email: |
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kelly@tetaurawhiri.govt.nz |
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| Personnel Change |
Kelly Harding, Mā Te Reo Project Advisor, who many of our applicants and providers have come to know and love, finishes with the team at the end of the month. The team is really sorry to be losing her as she has made a huge contribution to Mā Te Reo. Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori is currently looking for a replacement for Kelly and we should be able to update you more about this in the next issue. Kel will still be there to help you over the next few weeks...
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| Mā Te Reo Brochure |
We have recently had a Mā Te Reo brochure printed. The brochure covers the programme basics, - when and why the fund was developed, how to apply, types of projects funded etc. If you would like a copies of the brochure, please let us know.
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| Round Four Update |
As mentioned in our first pānui, we contracted 126 groups to deliver Mā Te Reo projects in Round Four. As of 11 April 2005, approximately 30 projects have been completed, with the remainder due to be completed throughout the remainder of this year.
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| New Mā Te Reo Profiles |
Check out the series of new project profiles, some of which have recently been posted on the website – www.ma-tereo.co.nz. The series consists of a selection of Mā Te Reo projects, including a description of the project, excerpts from interviews with project coordinators, and photographs. The profiles are designed to give people an idea of the type and scope of Mā Te Reo funded projects. Listen out for the interviews on your local iwi radio station too, as some are currently being played on air as part of our promotions for Round Five.
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| Overdue Milestones |
Milestone reports are an important part of the Mā Te Reo contract monitoring process. They enable the team to keep track of how all the Mā Te Reo projects are progressing, and where applicable, offer project assistance or support. However, far too many people are failing to complete their milestones by the due dates. This causes an administrative nightmare for the Mā Te Reo team. In the past you may not have been chased up if your reports were overdue, but we have now tightened up on monitoring processes and take a low-tolerance approach to overdue milestones. Please don’t make us chase you up!
If you are currently running a Mā Te Reo project, you should ensure you have your Milestone dates diaried (see Schedule Two of your contract). You will receive a database-generated email two weeks before a milestone is due, and another on the day before it is due. If you are unable to meet the deadline, please contact the Mā Te Reo Project Advisor to let us know when we can expect the required documentation, or in the case of significant delay, to organise a contract variation. We also need to know that everything is ok with your project, and we need you to be proactive and keep in touch with us. As long as we hear from you and know what the situation is, we can usually work something out.
Te Rōpū Tautoko is now taking into consideration an applicant’s history of milestone reporting when assessing applications. Therefore, we can’t stress enough how important it is to keep on top of your current milestone reporting – a poor history of reporting could mean the difference between a future application being successful or not. To show you we mean business, the first group to successfully complete a project after this newsletter is distributed (i.e all milestones completed on time) will receive a Mā Te Reo jacket and beanie).
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| Round Five - Tips for Applicants or How to Increase Your Chances of Success in 2005 |
Haami Piripi, Tumuaki, Te Rōpū Tautoko recently highlighted the growth in Mā Te Reo projects throughout the country.
"We’ve seen a groundswell in Māori community based language initiatives over the last few years. People everywhere are starting to think about what could be done to improve the reo amongst their families and on their marae. If you’ve got an idea for your community it's worth making an application to the fund."
We agree with Haami, but remember that in the last funding round only one third of all applicants were successful in securing funding for their reo Māori projects. This is because the funds available for distribution are relatively small and the fund is heavily over-subscribed. Our seven top tips for you are:
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Apply on-line. If you apply on-line your application is only accepted when all sections of the application are complete. Too many hard-copy applications miss sections or omit essential information and we are not always able to follow-up with you before assessment. Your application may be declined if it is not complete. |
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Give consideration to the funding priorities established by Te Rōpū Tautoko. For this round the two top priorities are Language Planning and Kura Reo a-Iwi. |
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Make sure your project description is clear. Leave us in no doubt about what it is you/your group wants to do. We still get applications that leave us mystified. Don’t assume we know your group and its mahi, some description about who you are and the types of activities you engage in help to build the picture. |
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Ask for help if you need it. We understand that groups/individuals new to our systems and processes might find it all a bit confusing and daunting. Be persistent. Try ringing us 0800 628-373 as we might be able to help you over the phone. If you are Wellington based, we’d be happy to meet with you to go over any queries you might have. OR try contacting your local Te Puni Kōkiri office and ask to speak to a Kaiwhakarite. They can help you to develop your project and to apply on-line. |
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Be realistic – start small. If you are a new applicant especially, don’t apply for a huge amount of funding. Build your credibility by delivering well on your first project, then take the next step. |
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Make sure your budget is realistic – really cost it out based on quotes. Many otherwise good applications are declined because the amount requested is clearly way over the top. |
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Be innovative – Te Rōpū Tautoko love an application that is a bit different - while they understand the value of wānanga reo, they also like new language activities. |
If your application is not successful, don’t give up! Your reo Māori project is important – Māori language revitalisation won’t happen if if doesn’t happen at the community level! Try again next round or apply for funding from other sources - Te Puni Kōkiri, COGs, Lottery grants, etc. etc.
As one of our current providers said recently when interviewed,
"All projects are possible without the funding, because you’ve either got the kaupapa or you haven’t. How we see Mā Te Reo, is something that assists, that plays its part in terms of the delivery of the programmes. If people just do it for the money, it doesn't work, then the kaupapa’s wrong. So we look at it the other way, do the programme and whatever comes in can just assist, taking it a wee bit further."
Those dates again:
Round Five Opens : 4th April 2005
Round Closes: 5pm, 29th April 2005 (for hard-copy applications)
Round Closes: 5pm 13th May 2005 (for on-line applications)
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| Request for Contributions |
If you would like to submit an article about your Mā Te Reo project, we'd love to hear from you. Also any photos, suggestions, queries would be welcome and we'll always do our best to include them in the next pānui...
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| Until Next Time...
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