The New Zealand Māori Council is pushing back against what it describes as the removal of Te Tiriti o Waitangi from key parts of the national school curriculum, raising concerns about the future of Māori knowledge and identity in education.
The challenge comes amid wider criticism of proposed curriculum changes, with concerns that Te Tiriti, along with te reo Māori, tikanga and mātauranga Māori, is being downgraded or sidelined in favour of a more “rebalanced” approach.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi has long been considered a foundational part of Aotearoa’s education system, with the Education and Training Act requiring schools to reflect Māori knowledge, language and values, and to support equitable outcomes for Māori learners.
The Māori Council argues that any move to strip back these obligations risks undermining both the intent of Te Tiriti and the progress made in recent decades to better support Māori students.
Education groups have also voiced concern, warning that reducing the prominence of Te Tiriti in curriculum and policy could negatively impact learning outcomes, particularly for ākonga Māori, and weaken cultural understanding across the wider student population.
The debate comes at a time of broader reform in the education sector, with changes to curriculum content and structure already under consultation.
Critics say the issue is not just about what is taught in classrooms, but about the role education plays in reflecting the partnership between Māori and the Crown, and in shaping how future generations understand the country’s history and identity.
Supporters of maintaining Te Tiriti in the curriculum say it provides a framework for partnership, equity and cultural recognition, and is essential to ensuring Māori students can succeed as Māori within the education system.
The Māori Council’s challenge is expected to add further pressure on the government as discussions continue over the direction of education reform in Aotearoa.
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