The Government has announced over $100 million in investment through Budget 2025 to support Māori education initiatives. This includes funding for new classrooms in Māori medium and kaupapa Māori schools, as well as te reo and tikanga training for teachers.
However, critics argue that these investments are overshadowed by substantial cuts across core housing, education, and economic development programmes for Māori. While the Government touts over $700 million in funding for Māori, analysis suggests that when reallocated funds are excluded, the actual new investment is closer to $38 million. Additionally, more than $750 million in Māori-specific initiatives have been axed.
The Minister for Education Erica Stanford announced the allocation of $100m for kura Māori upgrades of buildings at Te Whare Kura Māori o Ngā Mokopuna in Pōneke this morning. The kura received $31m to upgrade it’s kura. Tūmuaki Rawiri Wright says its been an almost 30 year battle to get pūtea but he welcomes the Minister’s announcement.
