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A school in Canterbury has been criticised for requiring students to carry “culturally inappropriate” passes permitting them to wear “incorrect uniform items” such as pounamu.
The principal has apologised, saying he is “grateful” to those who raised the issues – enabling him to make things right.
Ashburton Intermediate’slaminated passes include the student’s name and class and specify the “incorrect uniform item” they have been permitted to wear.
“Student must present pass on request,” it states.
A photograph of one of the passes was shared on social media over the weekend.
“A Facebook friend sent this to me today. It seems if you wanna be Māori at Ashburton Intermediate you have to carry this pass and present it to anyone who asks you for it,” the person who posted it said.
“It’s giving Apartheid South Africa. It’s giving ‘you can, but only when WE say’.”
An image of the pass was shared on Facebook. Photo / Facebook
“Pounamu is part of our culture, and it’s a taonga that holds deep spiritual significance. It’s not just an accessory. I don’t see why Māori students should need a pass to wear something that represents their identity and heritage,” said another.
"Pounamu is part of our culture," says one Facebook user.
A further comment read: “That’s why you just need to send your kids to kura Māori.”
Principal Brent Gray provided a statement to the Herald this morning after discussions with the school’s board of trustees.
“We are grateful to those who have raised the issues around the pass and will rectify immediately any seeking of passes to wear a taonga/pounamu, which we have not denied the wearing of to anyone during my time here,” he said.
“The board will also review the uniform code ensuring that incidents of this nature do not occur in the future.
“We have issued a response and apology to our school and Māori community and deeply regret any offence we have caused and apologise to all whānau hapū iwi as it was not our intention to cause any grief.”
The first statement from the school in response to the matter. Photo / Facebook
On Saturday, he responded to the situation on Facebook.
“We have been made aware that as part of our uniform pass system, we have issued passes that are culturally inappropriate,” Gray said.
“Thank you to those who have brought this to our attention and be assured that this is something that we will rectify immediately.
