The Waitangi Tribunal has directed the Kohanga Reo movement, the Ministry of Maori Development - Te Puni Kokiri and the Ministry of Education to enter into mediation over the status of the Kohanga language nests
Kohanga want the Tribunal to hear an urgent claim, which argues they don't want rules governing mainstream early childhood centres imposed on how they run their Maori language nests.
The Tribunal has yet to make a decision has suggested the Kohanga movement should meet as soon as possible with senior personnel from Te Puni Kokiri and the Ministry of Education - who can make significant decisions.
The tribunal says mediation will help re-establish an effective working relationship.
The co-chair of the Kohanga Reo Trust Board, Tina Olsen-Ratana, says mediation is a step forward and says it is a sign the Tribunal has taken on board the urgency of the situation.
She is optimistic the parties will reach an agreement.
The Tribunal wants to hear back from the three parties by 16 September about the outcome of mediation.
