New Zealand's Education Minister Erica Stanford has sparked outrage among teachers, principals, and school boards by announcing plans to scrap a long-standing requirement for schools to incorporate Māori culture into their curricula. The move has been met with fierce opposition from education professionals, who argue that removing the legal obligation would undermine the progress made in promoting Indigenous rights and cultural revitalization.
Since 2020, schools have been required to "give effect" to the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, which established a relationship between Māori tribes and the British Crown. The treaty requires schools to reflect local Māori customs, knowledge, and worldviews in their policies, plans, and curriculums.
However, Stanford has claimed that the treaty requirement has made "no difference" to improving the educational outcomes of Māori students. She also argued that placing the burden on school boards, comprising elected representatives and volunteers, was unfair. Instead, she proposes that schools focus on achieving "equitable outcomes for Māori students," providing teaching and learning in te reo Māori (the Māori language), and reflecting cultural diversity.
Critics argue that removing the legal requirement would not only undermine the progress made but also risk erasing Indigenous culture from the education system. Meredith Kennett, president of the school boards association, warned that the change would have "plenty of harm" – including harming social cohesion. Leanne Otene, president of the principals' federation, echoed this sentiment, stating that the treaty obligation had helped create school cultures where Māori children felt reflected and valued.
The backlash against Stanford's decision has been swift, with Labour leader Chris Hipkins labeling it a "step backwards." The move is part of a broader trend of rollbacks on policies designed to improve Indigenous health, wellbeing, and representation outcomes.
Since 2020, schools have been required to "give effect" to the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, which established a relationship between Māori tribes and the British Crown. The treaty requires schools to reflect local Māori customs, knowledge, and worldviews in their policies, plans, and curriculums.
However, Stanford has claimed that the treaty requirement has made "no difference" to improving the educational outcomes of Māori students. She also argued that placing the burden on school boards, comprising elected representatives and volunteers, was unfair. Instead, she proposes that schools focus on achieving "equitable outcomes for Māori students," providing teaching and learning in te reo Māori (the Māori language), and reflecting cultural diversity.
Critics argue that removing the legal requirement would not only undermine the progress made but also risk erasing Indigenous culture from the education system. Meredith Kennett, president of the school boards association, warned that the change would have "plenty of harm" – including harming social cohesion. Leanne Otene, president of the principals' federation, echoed this sentiment, stating that the treaty obligation had helped create school cultures where Māori children felt reflected and valued.
The backlash against Stanford's decision has been swift, with Labour leader Chris Hipkins labeling it a "step backwards." The move is part of a broader trend of rollbacks on policies designed to improve Indigenous health, wellbeing, and representation outcomes.
, but I'm not convinced this is the right approach for me at least. Scraping the requirement to incorporate Māori culture into curricula seems like a step back, you know? 
I mean, it's not like they've been forcing schools to teach some watered-down version of it or anything. The issue is more about representation and giving Indigenous voices a seat at the table. Teaching te reo Māori is already happening in many schools – maybe that's what Stanford wants to focus on? 
But, I get why critics are worried this could lead to some cultural homogenization. It's like, if we don't have some pushback against the status quo, how do we know we're actually making progress? 
I cant believe what the Education Minister is doing 
, schools are like literally the only place where we can preserve our Māori culture right? removing it would be super bad 
. And what about all the kids who struggle in school because they don't feel like they belong or get to learn their own language? this is like a huge step back 
, lets stand with erica stanford's critics and fight for our māori rights 
. It feels like they're undoing all the progress made towards reconciliation and inclusivity. Māori culture and language are so important to New Zealand's identity, and removing the treaty requirement is just going to wipe out a part of their history 
. It's not just about making things "equitable", it's about recognizing and respecting Indigenous voices 
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. This move feels like a step backwards, not forwards 
. What's next, taking away the Te Reo Māori language classes too? 
Education professionals have been pushing for this stuff for years, and now it's being taken away from them because of some misguided attempt at 'equity' 
. I'm all for progress, but we gotta be careful not to dismantle the very things that brought us here in the first place 
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. These teachers and school boards know what they're fighting for - not just about Māori culture, but about representation, equity, and social cohesion 
. I get that Stanford wants to improve educational outcomes, but is this the right way to do it? 
. And now, with Labour leader Chris Hipkins saying it's a "step backwards", I reckon he's got a point 
. It's not just about doing things differently, it's about maintaining consistency and respect for the treaty and its importance to Māori people 
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. Māori students have been struggling for ages, it's like we're taking two steps back here 
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. Like, what's next? Removing math and reading from the curriculum because they're not "cool"? 
Schools are already struggling to meet basic educational standards; do we really need to take away something that actually helps Māori students feel seen? It's like taking away a child's favorite toy and expecting them to just be okay with it 
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. We can't just erase our history and culture to fit into mainstream society 
. I mean, have you seen the stats on Māori students' achievement gaps? It's not a coincidence that they're struggling 
. What's next? Are we gonna start erasing Indigenous voices from our media and curricula too? 
No way, José! We need to stand with our Māori friends and say, "Whakawhanaungatanga" – let's come together and make this right 
! #JusticeForMāoriStudents #TreatyOfWaitangi #EquityOverEquivalency
It's not like they're trying to do it, they're just trying to make things 'equitable' and 'fair'. 
. I mean, I get that maybe the current system isn't working but taking it away altogether is a big step back 
. It's not that hard to understand why teachers and principals are opposed to this move... removing the legal obligation is just gonna make it harder for schools to prioritize Māori culture and language in their curricula 
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. I hope Stanford reconsiders her decision and finds a way to make it work for everyone 
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