Local schools remain committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Raglan schools have joined hundreds nationwide in pushing back against the government’s plan to remove the requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The Education and Training Amendment Bill, which recently passed its third reading, removes the obligation for schools to ensure their plans, policies, and curriculum reflect tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te ao Māori; to take reasonable steps to make instruction available in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori; and to pursue equitable outcomes for Māori students.

In a letter to Minister of Education Erica Stanford, the Raglan Area School Board of Trustees affirmed its commitment to ensuring Te Tiriti continues to guide governance, strategic planning, and everyday decision-making.

Acting principal Quenten Browne says the board and senior leadership team were unanimous about the importance of Te Tiriti to the school community.

“It’s embedded in our mission statement – Whakanuia te mātauranga i te taiao kākano rua – which means celebrating education in a bicultural environment. Not giving effect to Te Tiriti would mean rewriting our mission statement and values, all of which were debated over time within the community,” he says. “It’s business as usual for the team. The practices we’ve embedded won’t change.”

Te Uku School’s board says the school “stands proudly on the foundation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi”.

“It is woven into the fabric of our kura, guiding how we nurture, inspire, and empower our tamariki. This commitment is not just a responsibility – it is a source of strength, identity, and celebration. We celebrate the ways our kura, our community, and our tamariki embody the essence of Te Tiriti each day – honouring culture, valuing diversity, and creating opportunities for every learner to thrive. These are achievements worth acknowledging with pride, and they inspire us to keep striving for excellence.”

Te Mata School’s board also states it will continue to uphold the intent, principles, and spirit of Te Tiriti in all governance and decision-making.

“Including Te Tiriti principles in our mahi is fundamental to achieving academic excellence and ensuring the inclusion, safety, and wellbeing of our Māori and non-Māori students. Inclusion of Te Tiriti principles in our governance and operations supports our tamariki to understand our history and participate thoughtfully and respectfully in modern Aotearoa. Our recent community feedback reminds us that these values are also important to our school community.”

The Waitetuna School Board of Trustees says upholding Te Tiriti remains central to its approach. “As a board we hold a moral and strategic responsibility to understand and uphold the Principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This is laid out in a strategic plan – in our strategic and annual goals. Our belief is that learning is strengthened when tamariki feel a sense of identity, belonging and wellbeing.”

Lawyer and Māori rights advocate Tania Waikato has been compiling a list of schools publicly reaffirming their commitment to Te Tiriti. As at November 24, 1,128 schools had signed on.