August 17, 2023
Wānanga Bill affirms rangatiratanga
Parliament has passed a law allowing wānanga to determine their own institutional status.
The Education and Training Amendment Act gives Māori tertiary institutes the option of becoming Crown entities or establishing themselves as wānanga accountable to iwi, hapū or any other Māori organisation.
Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis says wānanga have been restricted in their ability to operate and express rangatiratanga.
“The wānanga now have the ability, if they want to, to be accountable to either the crown or to the iwi that established them. It’s been a long time coming. We’ve worked on this Bill a number of years, we’ve worked alongside the wānanga so it’s just really special for them to have this finally happen,” he says.
“It is an important and positive reflection of the relationship between the Crown and Wānanga and acknowledges how Wānanga differ from other tertiary institutions.
“Wānanga have been restricted in their ability to operate and express rangatiratanga. These changes will enhance Wānanga rangatiratanga and move them closer to achieving their own aspirations.
Representatives from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi were there to witness the Bill’s passing.
The Act also restores the status of kura kaupapa Māori as unique and distinct entities rather than be included in the special character school regime.