Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke is backing increased scrutiny of the Government’s education reforms, supporting a Waitangi Tribunal inquiry into changes she says could significantly impact Māori learners.
The Tribunal has already granted urgency to investigate the Government’s decision to remove requirements for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a move critics argue weakens protections for Māori in the education system.
Maipi-Clarke says the Tribunal’s involvement is critical to ensuring accountability, particularly as concerns grow over the direction of recent reforms and their implications for kaupapa Māori education.
The inquiry follows claims from iwi, hapū and education groups that the removal of Treaty obligations risks undermining rangatiratanga, partnership and equity in schools. These groups argue the changes could have lasting consequences for tamariki Māori and their whānau if not properly examined.
The Waitangi Tribunal has signalled the issue carries constitutional weight, noting that altering how the Crown meets its Treaty obligations within education has immediate and far-reaching impacts.
Maipi-Clarke has aligned herself with those concerns, supporting the need for independent oversight and deeper examination of the reforms. She says scrutiny is essential to ensure Māori voices are heard and that education policy reflects the principles of Te Tiriti.
The Government has maintained that responsibility for Treaty obligations sits with the Crown rather than individual schools, while continuing to push ahead with wider curriculum and structural changes.
However, critics argue that removing statutory requirements creates uncertainty and inconsistency across the education system, potentially weakening commitments to te reo Māori, tikanga and culturally grounded learning.
As the Tribunal prepares to hear the case, the outcome is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of Māori education and the Crown’s responsibilities under Te Tiriti.
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