Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi wants to see the Treaty of Waitangi taught in all secondary schools.

He says it needs to be part of a comprehensive civics programme, so rangatahi coming out of school understand how government, local government and even trust boards and marae committees work.

Greater understanding of the electoral system would be particularly beneficial for Maori.

“I don’t know why there is not more emphasis on teaching civics in schools so out tamariki understand right from the start the impact politics have on them and the impact civics education will have on them in terms of moving forward. That to me should be a priority for any party or any Government moving into the future is that civics is taught at school at all levels in all kura,” Mr Waititi says.

Civics lessons could also help young Maori understand the importance of signing on to the Maori roll if they want to increase the number of Maori MPs.

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