New Zealand's government has announced plans to scrap a legal requirement for school boards to incorporate Māori culture into classrooms, sparking condemnation from teachers, principals, and school boards. The obligation, in place since 2020, required schools to 'give effect' to the Treaty of Waitangi, which includes reflecting local Māori customs, knowledge, and world views in policies and curricula.
Education Minister Erica Stanford stated that the treaty obligation 'made no difference to raising the achievement of Māori children' and placed an unfair burden on volunteer school boards. Under the new rules, boards must instead 'seek to achieve equitable outcomes for Māori students' and provide te reo Māori instruction upon request, but critics argue this weakens Indigenous education.
Meredith Kennett, president of the school boards association, said the clause had been a unifying influence and its removal would harm social cohesion. Leanne Otene, president of the principals' federation, noted that schools had embraced the obligation, incorporating local history, language, and traditions, and warned the change would put New Zealand 'completely out of step as global leaders' in Indigenous language revival.
The coalition government, which has pledged to end 'race-based policies', has also rolled back other Māori-focused initiatives. Labour leader Chris Hipkins called the move a 'step backwards', accusing the government of prioritising 'culture wars' over economic issues.
