Category: Te Ao Māori

Source: Radio New Zealand

A growing number of schools across Aotearoa are pushing back against the government’s plan to remove the requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, saying their commitment to the Treaty will remain unchanged.

The Treaty requirement previously in the Education Act said schools would give effect to Te Tiriti, including by ensuring plans, policies, and local curriculum reflected local tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te ao Māori; taking all reasonable steps to make instruction available in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori; and achieving equitable outcomes for Māori students.

The Education and Training Amendment Bill, which passed its third reading on Tuesday, removed this requirement.

Associate Education Minister Penny Simmonds, who moved the bill’s third reading, said it was “unreasonable to expect elected parents, who volunteer their time, to discharge the Crown’s legal responsibilities in respect of the Treaty.”

“This government is relentlessly focused on lifting student achievement and closing the equity gap,” she said.

“Boards will still be required to seek equitable outcomes for Māori students, and to take reasonable steps to reflect New Zealand’s cultural diversity and provide te reo Māori learning if requested.”

Simmonds said the bill “clarifies expectations” and “keeps schools focused on educational achievement as their highest priority.”

But education leaders say the move – made without public consultation – “undermines” boards’ legal responsibilities as Crown entities.

The National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF), supported by a coalition of national education organisations, also launched a petition against these changes, saying “removing Te Tiriti from the one place every child in Aotearoa passes through… deprives our tamariki of the opportunity to learn about identity, belonging, and partnership in a culturally responsive environment.”

Kura commit to Te Tiriti

From Whakatāne to Tāmaki Makaurau to Ōtautahi and Invercargill, school boards have issued public statements reaffirming their obligations to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Te Uru Karaka Newton Central School in Auckland said the government’s move “does not change who we are or how we operate.”

“Our commitment to Te Tiriti is deeply embedded in our co-governance model, which is clearly reflected in our school constitution,” the Board of Trustees said.

“This structure ensures shared leadership and genuine partnership between Tangata Whenua Ahi Kaa and Tangata Tiriti. It reflects our identity as a school community and anchors the values that shape our relationships, decisions, and aspirations for our mokopuna.”

In Whakatāne, Allandale Primary School said its direction would remain “unchanged.”

“We will continue to proudly work to support mana motuhake – the right of Māori to determine and shape their own futures including educational pathways,” the board wrote.

“Our kura will remain grounded in te reo Māori, mātauranga Māori, and local tikanga, guided by the aspirations of Ngāti Awa whānau and hapū, and the whānau of our school hapori.”

Nearby Apanui School said Te Tiriti o Waitangi was the foundation of its strategic plan.

“We work in partnership with Ngāti Awa to ensure Māori aspirations guide our curriculum, culture and decision-making,” Alexandra Pickles said on behalf of the school board.

“Apanui School will continue to uphold Māori rights as tangata whenua and to enact Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a living, practical foundation of all we do.”

“This is not only our legal responsibility but also our moral and educational one. We stand firmly in this position.”

In Ōtautahi Christchurch, Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo said the removal of the clause would not change its priorities.

“Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi remains unwavering,” presiding member Lucy Green said.

“The principles of partnership, protection, and participation are core to our responsibilities and integral to success in our kura.”

Another school in Ōtautahi, Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery, responded to the changes by learning a new waiata Māori for staff and students.

“The Board and staff at Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery would like to reinforce our commitment to valuing our bicultural heritage” the kura wrote on Facebook.

“We will continue to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”

In a letter seen by RNZ, the New Zealand Catholic Education Office (NZCEO) also reaffirmed its support for Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Chief Executive Dr Kevin Shore encouraged Catholic schools to continue giving effect to Te Tiriti, embedding tikanga Māori, te reo Māori, and local mātauranga Māori into school policies, curriculum, and daily life.

“Catholic education in New Zealand has a long history of support for tangata whenua and for the inclusion of tikanga and te reo within the culture and practice of our schools,” he said.

The letter outlined practical steps for Catholic schools, including developing community understanding of te ao Māori, recognising Māori as tangata whenua, consulting with local Māori communities, and embedding Māori spiritual and cultural practices into school life.

Lawyer and Māori rights advocate Tania Waikato has been compiling a list of kura who have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to Te Tiriti, and as of 13 November the list had reached 195 schools.

Waikato said this response shows that the government had “failed” to remove Te Tiriti, and she expected the list to grow.

“The people are speaking. Not the politicians, not the activists, the people,” she said.

“They are telling you again, that we will not dishonour Te Tiriti, because Te Tiriti protects us all.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Te reo speakers of all levels and stripes gathered in Hastings on Thursday for Toitū te Reo.

The two-day Māori language symposium attracted several thousand people to celebrate, with zones catering for beginners through to experts with the hope of welcoming more speakers on to the waka.

One of the many guests of honour was Sir Timoti Kāretu, who perhaps more than anyone else has seen more of the ups and downs of te reo Māori as the first Māori Language Commissioner, a famed kapa haka composer and one of the founders of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo the Institute of Excellence in Māori Language.

Now in his late 80s, Kāretu had inspired fear in countless students with his philosophy of “ma te hē ka tika” – learning comes through errors.

“Engari kaua e mataku ki te kōrero, ki te mataku koe e kore au e mōhio pēhea rā tō reo. Nā te mea ka taea e au te āwhina, mena kei te kōrero ka hapa, waiho kia mutu tō kōrero ka noho tāua ki te kōrero ki te whiriwhiri he aha ngā mea i hē, me pēnei te whakatika me pērā te whakatika, engari tukuna te tangata kia kōrero.”

While he was famous for his high standards, Kāretu said it is good to show some aroha to te reo beginners, but they would need to turn to speak only in te reo at some point.

But, he said he was impressed by the amount of reo coming from younger generations of Māori.

“I au e mātakitaki ana i ngā mahi haka i tērā atu wiki i āhua tumeke ahau i te pai o te reo o ētahi o ngā tamariki pakupaku e kōrero ana… i te pātaihia atu ana e whakautu Māori mai ana me taku whakamiharo i te pai o te reo, nō reira he tohu pai tēnei.”

Festival founder and director Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod said Toitū te Reo was a dream of Kāretu’s, even though he may not agree with how everything was run.

Going into a te reo only space was a very daunting thing, MacLeod said.

Learners needed to find their own way to overcome the whakamā, the shame of speaking te reo, but Toitū te Reo could offer some inspiration, he said.

“As I sit here and look across at the City Fitness gym which gives me intense anxieties the thought of going in there and the pain it’s going to take, but it’s about trying to create that welcoming space where we can all come together and those who are in the beginning stages of their journey can take something away.”

The festival was divided into two zones – Rangimamao entirely in te reo and Pūmotomoto entirely in English. MacLeod told RNZ that allowed people to participate regardless of their level of language.

Even non-speakers play a huge part in championing the language, he said.

“The future of the language rests with everyone regardless of your level of proficiency and language champions come in all shapes and sizes and some of those people that championed the language back in the initial stages of the renaissance in the 70s weren’t speakers of the language but they were prepared to die for the language.

Te reo advocate Leon Blake was leading a session on the evergreen topic of the A and O categories of te reo, two small letters that can be a big hōhā for learners.

The zones were a great addition to the festival because it allowed those still getting used to te reo to understand all the kōrero, he said.

“Kia kaha tātau i roto i ngā piki me ngā heke o te wā, ahakoa ngā raruraru o tēnei wā, koira te ātaahua o tēnei kaupapa, ko tēnei kaupapa kei te whakakotahi i a tātau ko to tātau reo te taura here i a tātau kia kotahi ai tātau i tēnei wā.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Thousands of te reo learners are gathering the Hawke’s Bay for the second year Aotearoa’s national Māori language festival Toitū te Reo.

Described as a two-day “celebration, inspiration, education, and activation of the language and culture”, it is hosted in Heretaunga Hastings on Thursday and Friday.

The audience has the chance to hear from those still learning te reo, such as broadcasters Mike McRoberts and Moana Maniapoto while rubbing shoulders with long-time advocates such as Sir Timoti Karetu.

The festival is divided into two zones, Rangimamao which is entirely in te reo Māori and Pūmotomoto which is entirely in English.

Part of Hastings Street North is also cordoned of for kai stalls, Māori businesses and musical performances.

Festival founder and director Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod said it was pleasing to see people enjoying themselves and hearing the language being used.

Having two zones is to make this a welcoming space so people can participate regardless of the level of language, because even non-speakers play a huge part in championing the language, he said.

“The future of the language rests with everyone regardless of your level of proficiency and language champions come in all shapes and sizes and some of those people that championed the language back in the initial stages of the renaissance in the 70s weren’t speakers of the language but they were prepared to die for the language.”

MacLeod said one of the themes of Toitū te Reo was “te Tiro Whakaroto what can we do?”

“Toitū te Reo is about what we can do. And what we can do is look to ourselves, we can be resolute, we can be steadfast and we can put a stake in the ground and have an unwavering commitment to the language regardless of policy, rhetoric, social media, newspapers, because like anything the tide will ebb and flow.”

Te reo advocate Leon Blake was leading a session on the evergreen topic of the A and O categories of te reo, two small letters that can be a big hoha for learners.

“E rongo ana e rere haere ana i waenganui i te iwi kua tae mai nei, no reira kua tino koa kua tino tau hoki te mauri.”

I’m hearing the language flow freely among all the people who have arrived today, so I’m feeling very happy and settled.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

A 10-year rāhui following Tongariro’s devastating wildfire is causing confusion according to the Department of Conservation.

The weekend blaze torched almost 3000 hectares in the national park.

Local iwi, Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro, placed an immediate rāhui preventing public access to the fireground and walks in and around Whakapapa, which lifts on Monday 17 November.

However, it said a second decade-long rāhui wasn’t about keeping people out, but reinforcing a focus on restoration.

Spokesperson Te Ngaehe Wanikau said restoration was about the spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing of Tongariro.

“We’re being very strategic in placing this rāhui. Our biggest fear is two weeks, two months down the track everyone forgets about the fire, and we’re left with a landscape of weeds.

“Instead, we’re reinforcing a focus on restoring Tongariro. It’s a rāhui for people to come together, pool resources and heal.”

He said iwi still expected people to walk on tracks.

“But we’re looking to a future where people will come here just to be a part of the healing of the maunga.”

Department of Conservation (DOC) operations director Damian Coutts said DOC supported the restorative rāhui and looked forward to welcoming people to help with the recovery.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Pākehā leader working to mobilise tangata Tiriti support for Te Tiriti o Waitangi, says last year’s hīkoi revealed the power of collective action and aroha.

A year on from one of the largest protest movements in Aotearoa’s recent history, the sense of kotahitanga (unity) that filled the streets during Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti still lingers for many who took part.

Rebecca Sinclair, co-founder of the Pākehā Project, an organisation of tangata Tiriti leaders who run programmes and workshops for Pākehā, told RNZ one of the most moving aspects of the hīkoi was seeing so many Pākehā and Tauiwi marching alongside Māori.

“The real difference now, compared to ten years ago or so … is that those Tauiwi and Pākehā aren’t just showing up to be seen,” she said.

“They’re showing up because they really believe in this. They want this, not just for Māori, but for themselves.”

She said many non-Māori are beginning to understand that honouring Te Tiriti benefits everyone.

“There’s a real sense of, ‘this is what’s better for all of us if we move towards it’.”

“So many more people understand that this is at the root of our collective well-being. It’s pretty amazing – and we see that in our Pākehā Project people as well.”

She said through any mention of the hīkoi, she was “totally transported back.”

“For me, it was that real sense of what it felt like to be in kotahitanga (unity).”

“Not even the outcome or whatever anyone thought the message was. It was about the experience of being there, all of us there for this common purpose, and for each other.”

A taste of kotahitanga

Sinclair was among hundreds of volunteers supporting the hīkoi through Wellington in 2024, helping to run manaaki stations offering water, kai, and powerbanks to participants as it made its way to Parliament.

“I was feeling intense love, feeling the kotahitanga – like this is the Aotearoa that we actually deserve,” she told RNZ at the time.

“If people could just come down and feel what it feels like, they would see why it’s so incredible to be supporting this kaupapa.”

Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti began with a dawn karakia at Te Rerenga Wairua on 10 November 2024, marking the start of a nationwide movement opposing the government’s Treaty Principles Bill and other policies impacting Māori.

Thousands of people – Māori and non-Māori – joined the protest as it travelled the length of the motu.

Sinclair said what stood out to her the most was the feeling of collective strength.

“It was every moment – being there near the beginning, watching as it took two hours for people to pass us, bumping into people I knew, giving out water and kai – it just felt so beautiful,” she said.

“Then when we went and sat down at the park afterwards, it was this amazing feeling of real love. That kind of agape love for everyone.”

She said the hīkoi offered a glimpse of what Aotearoa could be like when people stand together.

“This was a taste of what we could have if we could just understand that this is the future of Aotearoa right there.

“My daughter said she wants something like that again because she’s never felt anything like it before.

“That sense of wanting that feeling again, is what’s so powerful about it,” she said.

The nine day hīkoi also reminded her what real power looked like.

“It showed me that power is so much more than top-down wealth or manipulation or force. For power to be exerted on us, we have to give it away,” she said.

“What kotahitanga gives us is a taste of what it feels like not to give that power away, but to explore that power together.”

The experience echoed the energy felt each year at Waitangi, she said.

“The more people can experience that, the more they’re intrinsically motivated to keep going with it.”

Over the past year, a series of government policies have sparked debate about Te Tiriti o Waitangi – including the Treaty Principles Bill, the Regulatory Standards Bill, and changes to the education curriculum.

These shifts had only reinforced the importance of tangata Tiriti stepping up, Sinclair said.

“We’ve got to be part of this, and we’ve got to see the ways that dominant colonial power is working, and that it’s actually working against everyone,” she said.

“People are starting to see that this sort of colonial power isn’t about looking after everyone… it’s not even about looking after white people.

“When authoritarian behaviour starts to appear, there’s going to be a backlash, and that’s what we’re seeing now – a reaction of coming together.”

The government’s recent decision to remove Te Tiriti from legislation and protections has had unintended consequences and that she has seen an uptake of Pākehā wanting to know more about Te Tiriti, she said.

“The Treaty Principles Bill has made so many people understand Te Tiriti in a way they didn’t before.”

“[The government] don’t realise the reaction they’ve provoked. They fear the stuff they don’t understand – people power, kotahitanga, manaakitanga. They fear care, love, togetherness and that’s why they’re trying to get rid of them. That tells us those are exactly the things we have to keep doing.”

Building a community of tangata Tiriti

The Pākehā Project, which Sinclair co-founded in 2019 alongside Louise Marra (Tūhoe), runs workshops and leadership programmes to help Pākehā understand Te Tiriti and their role as tangata Tiriti.

Interest in their kaupapa has grown rapidly, even as funding remains a challenge, she said.

“We just finished the last retreat for our leadership programme in Tāmaki.

“It’s beautiful to see what happens when people start to feel what it might be like to operate in a different way – to think collectively, without judgement or superiority. It’s about trying to genuinely operate from a different paradigm.”

That included learning new ways of relating to one another, she said.

“One thing that stuck with me is that Pākehā need to learn to love each other. We’re not used to that – not used to loving each other in public,” she said.

“It might sound strange when we’re talking about resistance, but if we can’t be with each other in that way, how are we going to be with anybody else?”

Self-compassion was also key to sustainable change, she said.

“You can’t have accountability without compassion otherwise it becomes self-flagellation.”

“Everyone’s feeling overwhelmed by what’s going on, so it’s even more important to look after each other.”

Despite the political climate, with ructions within Te Pāti Māori, Sinclair said she felt hopeful about the growing number of groups across the motu working to uphold Te Tiriti.

“There are so many cool groups popping up now doing this mahi not just us, but all over the place.

“It reminds me how much bigger it is than us.”

The spirit of connection was what would sustain the movement, she said.

“As painful as some moments are, rupture is part of our ways of growing. Maybe we just have to hold firm and understand we’re holding that around each other,” she said.

Her message to those continuing the kaupapa was to “look after each other”.

“We so need each other. Kotahitanga, aroha those are so important. We cannot do this alone.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Thousands of indigenous educators and leaders from around the world are set to gather in Tāmaki Makaurau next week for the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE).

It’s the first time in 20 years the global event has returned to Aotearoa, with more than 3800 delegates expected to attend.

Hosted by Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau (AUT) and iwi manaaki Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the five-day conference will be held at the Aotea Centre from 16-20 November.

The event opens with a pōwhiri on Sunday, followed by a colourful ‘Parade of Nations’ along Queen Street, where representatives from more than 20 Indigenous cultures will march in official kākahu (attire).

WIPCE Co-Chairs Dr Noe Noe Wilson-Wong, Dr Bentham Ohia, Professor Damon Salesa and Professor Meihana Durie said the gathering celebrates indigenous unity and knowledge-sharing.

“WIPCE is about celebrating and affirming a shared sense of Indigenous determination and unity,” the co-chairs said in a joint statement.

“WIPCE is also a time to draw inspiration from the power of Indigenous ceremony, language, culture and scholarship and to reimagine the future of Indigenous education through sharing our deepest experiences, our distinctive histories and bold visions for the future.”

Alongside their iwi manaaki of Ngāti Whātua Orākei, the chairs said they look forward to welcoming manuhiri to Aotearoa and in particular, to Tāmaki Makaurau, “a city that is home to the largest number of Pacific peoples in the world”.

Durie said the kaupapa provides a global platform for indigenous voices and aspirations.

“Although it is clear that indigenous rights remain under immense threat, this gathering unites indigenous educators, scholars and champions from across the world,” he said.

“Amplifying indigenous voices and aspirations to transcend barriers that limit our collective potential, and more importantly, to achieve transformative inter-generational outcomes for indigenous education worldwide.”

Durie said WIPCE is all about thinking about the future, and how to navigate it collectively as Indigenous people.

“Our greatest strength comes through our unification.”

The conference will feature keynote speakers including distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai-Smith, Professor Leonie Pihama, Dr Teina Rongo and actor-producer Cliff Curtis.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill said WIPCE will also deliver a major boost to the city’s economy, generating an estimated $8.275 million and more than 16,600 visitor nights.

“In addition, this gathering reflects our identity as the world’s largest Māori and Polynesian city, enriched by more than 200 ethnicities. We are committed to sharing knowledge that connects us all.”

For those not attending the conference, a free public festival Te Ao Pūtahi will run in Aotea Square over the week, featuring kapa haka, live music, kai and workshops – all celebrating indigenous culture.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The National Iwi Chairs Forum has filed court proceedings seeking clarification on how the Crown must uphold Treaty of Waitangi settlements as it pushes ahead with major resource management reforms.

The action has been brought by forum member and Waikato Executive Chair Tukoroirangi Morgan, who said iwi leaders have lost confidence that the government understands or intends to protect the integrity of Treaty settlements.

“Treaty of Waitangi settlements are a solemn compact between iwi and hapū and the Crown, giving rise to a series of obligations on the Crown to uphold those settlements with honour and integrity,” Morgan said.

The move comes as the government prepares to introduce replacement Resource Management Act (RMA) legislation before the end of the year.

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said the legislation removes “handbrakes on New Zealanders’ lives,” helping to drive growth and job creation.

“The Resource Management Act has been holding New Zealand back for decades. It has let successive governments and councils say ‘no’ to progress, ‘no’ to development, and ‘no’ to building the houses, infrastructure, clean energy and other important projects that New Zealanders need to get ahead,” Bishop said.

Despite government assuring that they intend to uphold Treaty settlements, the National Iwi Chairs Forum and Morgan said iwi and hapū engagement to date suggests otherwise.

“The Government’s announcements about replacement RMA legislation show that decisions on the new regime have been substantively made, and iwi and hapu are being engaged on our settlements as an afterthought,” Morgan said.

The Forum, which represents over 80 iwi across Aotearoa, argues that Treaty settlements are deeply connected to existing resource management law – meaning any new framework must embed those commitments from the outset.

“The Crown cannot unilaterally change settlements in a manner that diminishes that compact,” Morgan said.

“That will give rise to fresh grievances and the need to re-negotiate all of our compacts. So we are going to Court to seek that confirmation, because this Government is not listening, so it needs to be told.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Labour is “absolutely” campaigning to get Te Pāti Māori out of Parliament and while that party’s internal ructions are sad for te ao Māori, that is politics.

Labour’s campaign manager Willie Jackson said there has been strong interest in campaigning for the Māori seats and they will be “ready” if there are by-elections.

He has also ruled out accepting rogue MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris into Labour, after Te Pāti Māori announced their expulsion from the party on Monday.

Jackson – who will be managing Labour’s 2026 election campaign and also leads the party’s Māori caucus – said they would be fighting hard to win all seven of the Māori seats, and if that meant Te Pāti Māori not getting back into Parliament, that was fine with him.

“Oh absolutely. We got rid of them in 2017 and they try to get rid of us in the seats, we try to get rid of them, that’s just the nature of the game. Doesn’t mean to say we don’t have good relationships with them still … it’s just how it is.”

He said there had been a lot of interest from people looking to win the Māori seats for Labour.

“We’ve had a lot of interest, a lot of interest in the seats – particularly during the Māori Party troubled times – so had a lot of interest in the last six to eight weeks, candidates lining up everywhere.

“I think people don’t like division, and they like what they’re seeing from Labour. Our Māori MPs are performing and they’ll be ready if there are any by-elections.”

He made clear however that whoever Labour picked as candidates, Kapa-Kingi and Ferris would not be among them.

“They’re not Labour people, they’re not Labour candidates. They’re good people, we don’t have anything against them, but they will not be candidates for Labour.”

Asked what value Te Pāti Māori was bringing to Parliament, he came up short.

“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask their supporters. I worry about Labour and the reality is we’ve got a real opportunity – at the same time I don’t take any joy in what’s happening. All parties go through these internals, so, disappointing for them, disappointing for a lot of our people but it’s their business, we’ve got to concentrate on getting ourselves organised and we will.”

Labour leader Chris Hipkins agreed the party would be competing “vigourously” for every Māori seat at the next election.

He had a pithy response when asked if he would be comfortable with Te Pāti Māori exiting Parliament: “They’re doing a pretty good job of that for themselves at the moment.”

“At the moment Te Pāti Māori are more focused on themselves than focused on tackling the issues facing New Zealand, so they’re not bringing a lot to the debate at the moment.

“We’ve got a very strong line-up of potential candidates vying for Labour’s nomination for those Māori electorates and I think that bodes well for a good result for us in those seats at the next election.”

He indicated Labour was looking to capitalise on the divisions in Te Pāti Māori.

“There were a lot of non-Māori New Zealanders who were very supportive of the Toitu te Tiriti movement for example who felt very let down from the Māori Party basically saying ‘if you’re an Asian new Zealander or a Pākehā New Zealander then you have no right to be speaking on Māori issues’.

“A lot of people driving around with Toitu te Tiriti bumper stickers suddenly felt that they were alienated from that kaupapa so I think that means that they’re now looking around to say ‘well we thought we were supporting something which it’s clear … that’s not what we thought it was.

“My message to them is vote Labour if you want to change the government.”

Whether Labour could work with Te Pāti Māori around the cabinet table was still an open question, which would be answered next year, he said.

“Lots can change in a year. But we will make our decisions, and they’ll be principled decisions and we’ll set them out closer to the election. I’m not making those decisions in advance.”

He said strategic decisions about whether Māori seat candidates would be also placed on Labour’s list would also be made closer to the election.

There was “some certainty” that Cushla Tangaere-Manuel would again be Labour’s candidate for Ikaroa Rāwhiti, but the others were yet to be confirmed.

Jackson said Te Pāti Māori’s internal ructions were “very sad”.

“I think it’s sad for te ao Māori. I don’t like to see this sort of thing happen – some of these people are friends, relations, so I take no joy in it but the reality is we’ll be after the seats … so course it’s sad, however that’s politics.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF), supported by a coalition of national education organisations, has launched a petition against the government’s removal of the requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The Treaty requirement currently in the Education Act said schools would give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including by ensuring plans, policies, and local curriculum reflected local tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te ao Māori; taking all reasonable steps to make instruction available in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori; and achieving equitable outcomes for Māori students.

Rahui Papa, chair of Pou Tangata the NICF’s arm responsible for education, said after more than a year of formal engagement and consultation with the government on the proposed changes, they were disappointed and concerned by the last-minute amendments to remove the school board objective requiring schools to give effect to Te Tiriti.

“These amendments were never put out for consultation. Instead, they were introduced by the minister after public consultation closed, published less than 24 hours before they progressed through Parliament, and it looks like those changes will be passed into law today – only a week after they were made public,” Papa said.

“We’re launching this petition to send a clear message to the Government: removing Te Tiriti from education law undermines your responsibility to ensure every learner, Māori and non-Māori, thrives in an education system that honours the Māori-Crown relationship.”

Education Minister Erica Stanford said the Treaty was the Crown’s responsibility, not schools’.

“School boards should have direction and we are giving very clear direction. You need to ensure equitable outcomes for Māori students, you need to be offering te reo Māori and you need to be culturally competent,” she said.

The Protect Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Education petition is led by the National Iwi Chairs Forum, and supported by the New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa, New Zealand Principals’ Federation, New Zealand Post Primary Teachers’ Association Te Wehengarua, Te Akatea New Zealand Māori Principals Association, Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand, Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa – New Zealand Schools Boards Association, Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa, and Te Rūnanga Nui o ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa.

Papa said collectively the coalition represents 88 iwi and over 95,000 teachers, principals, schools, and kura.

“We agree with the Minister of Education when she says that school boards play an important role in raising achievement. Boards set the overall direction of a school or kura, through their governance responsibilities and development of strategic plans,” Papa said.

“Removing Te Tiriti from the one place every child in Aotearoa passes through – our education system – deprives our tamariki of the opportunity to learn about identity, belonging, and partnership in a culturally responsive environment, and we will not sit idly by while this happens.”

The petition is hosted on ActionStation and will be available to sign until Tuesday, 25 November. It will then be presented to Parliament.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF), supported by a coalition of national education organisations, has launched a petition against the government’s removal of the requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The Treaty requirement currently in the Education Act said schools would give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including by ensuring plans, policies, and local curriculum reflected local tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te ao Māori; taking all reasonable steps to make instruction available in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori; and achieving equitable outcomes for Māori students.

Rahui Papa, chair of Pou Tangata the NICF’s arm responsible for education, said after more than a year of formal engagement and consultation with the government on the proposed changes, they were disappointed and concerned by the last-minute amendments to remove the school board objective requiring schools to give effect to Te Tiriti.

“These amendments were never put out for consultation. Instead, they were introduced by the minister after public consultation closed, published less than 24 hours before they progressed through Parliament, and it looks like those changes will be passed into law today – only a week after they were made public,” Papa said.

“We’re launching this petition to send a clear message to the Government: removing Te Tiriti from education law undermines your responsibility to ensure every learner, Māori and non-Māori, thrives in an education system that honours the Māori-Crown relationship.”

Education Minister Erica Stanford said the Treaty was the Crown’s responsibility, not schools’.

“School boards should have direction and we are giving very clear direction. You need to ensure equitable outcomes for Māori students, you need to be offering te reo Māori and you need to be culturally competent,” she said.

The Protect Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Education petition is led by the National Iwi Chairs Forum, and supported by the New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa, New Zealand Principals’ Federation, New Zealand Post Primary Teachers’ Association Te Wehengarua, Te Akatea New Zealand Māori Principals Association, Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand, Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa – New Zealand Schools Boards Association, Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa, and Te Rūnanga Nui o ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa.

Papa said collectively the coalition represents 88 iwi and over 95,000 teachers, principals, schools, and kura.

“We agree with the Minister of Education when she says that school boards play an important role in raising achievement. Boards set the overall direction of a school or kura, through their governance responsibilities and development of strategic plans,” Papa said.

“Removing Te Tiriti from the one place every child in Aotearoa passes through – our education system – deprives our tamariki of the opportunity to learn about identity, belonging, and partnership in a culturally responsive environment, and we will not sit idly by while this happens.”

The petition is hosted on ActionStation and will be available to sign until Tuesday, 25 November. It will then be presented to Parliament.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand