Te Pāti Māori has unveiled a major Māori-medium education policy, promising long-term investment in kōhanga reo and kura Māori as part of its Election 2026 platform.
The party says it would establish a Te Kōhanga Reo Act and provide secure annual baseline funding for kōhanga reo, with co-leader Rawiri Waititi framing the policy as supporting tino rangatiratanga in Māori education.
Under the proposal, $20 million a year would be placed into a dedicated kōhanga reo capital fund, alongside a $50 million investment aimed at addressing a backlog of around 80 kōhanga requiring new buildings or refurbishment. The party also plans to fund 20 new kōhanga reo over three years, with investment priorities developed alongside Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust.
Kura Māori would receive the largest investment, with Te Pāti Māori proposing $1.25 billion over five years through a ring-fenced property programme. That would include $250 million annually for upgrading kura property and supporting growth in Māori-medium education.
The party is also promising to restore Te Ahu o Te Reo Māori, committing $30 million annually to strengthening te reo Māori capability across the education workforce.
Hauraki-Waikato MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke says the policy is intended to give tamariki access to fit-for-purpose learning environments while providing the buildings, kaiako and resources required for Māori-medium education to grow. The commitments are Te Pāti Māori election policy and would depend on the party being in a position to implement them after the election.
#TePatiMaori #KohangaReo #KuraMaori #MaoriEducation #TeReoMaori #HanaRawhitiMaipiClarke #RawiriWaititi #Election2026 #TinoRangatiratanga #Tamariki #Whanau #MataurangaMaori #Education #MaoriPolitics #Aotearoa #MaoriNews #WaateaNews
