Hawke's Bay schools are writing online letters stating their commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
More than 20 Hawke’s Bay schools have publicly vowed to continue to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their classrooms, despite a Government directive.
The letters began to appear online on Friday, in response to a decision by the Government which will remove a requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, but will still make clear they should seek to achieve equitable outcomes for Māori students.
Education Minister Erica Stanford said the current legislated requirement means parents in charge of governance of local schools are expected to “interpret and implement a Treaty obligation that rightfully sits with the Crown”.
“School boards play an important role in raising achievement. But they cannot and should not carry the Crown’s constitutional obligations under the Treaty,” she said.
A significant number of Hawke’s Bay school boards have since made the decision to highlight their opposition to this, noting the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi within classrooms.
Bridge Pa School principal and member of the Hawke’s Bay Principals Association Vanessa Sadler said it was heart-warming to see the collective opposition.
“We are all busy with curriculum stuff, which is quite overwhelming at the moment, so when this came out, it was almost like a kick in the guts.
“Whatever changes that come about with that, it won’t affect us; we’ll just carry on doing what we have been doing.”
She said Te Tiriti o Waitangi was “instilled in our schools already”.
“Our schools are already on that waka and paddling the right way.
“We know what works for Māori works for all of our tamariki.”
Hastings Intermediate’s board wrote that while they recognised the legislative change, their values remained steadfast.
“Our commitment to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi is not dependent on policy or law – it is grounded in respect.”
Flaxmere College board’s letter stated the school was proudly multicultural, and the Te Tiriti o Waitangi was a “living agreement that guides relationships, decision-making and educational priorities”.
Hastings Central School’s board said it did not support the directive.
“Removing these protections risks damaging the sense of belonging and trust that our students, staff and whānau value deeply.”
Chairperson of the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua Hawke’s Bay region, Madeleine Gray, said the objective for boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi makes it clear that schools must commit to achieving equitable outcomes for Māori.
“Doing away with this objective sends the message that this is less important than other areas that a board is responsible for,” Gray said.
“Our concern is that the minister’s move will weaken the efforts that schools are making to promote and foster te reo Māori, cultural identity and history.”
Gray said a school board was crucial in creating a learning environment, and its governance sets the tone.
“We fear this decision will take education in Aotearoa New Zealand backwards, particularly in regard to achieving equitable outcome for ākonga Māori.”
Hawke’s Bay Primary Principals’ Association president Aaron O’Neill wrote an open letter to Erica Standford stating there was an “overwhelming consensus” among principals that they opposed the Government’s decision.
“This opposition is principled, rather than political. Our members view Te Tiriti o Waitangi as foundational to our education system and to our shared national identity.”
“Removing this obligation would not change the commitment our schools already make to honour Te Tiriti in their daily practice.”
Ministry of Education deputy secretary of policy Andy Jackson said on Monday that the ministry hadn’t received correspondence from schools in the Hawke’s Bay region.
He said once the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) is enacted, the explicit requirement for boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi will be removed.
“It does not prevent school boards from affirming their commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, or from developing their own priorities informed by their school community.”
Bledisloe School
Porritt Primary School
William Colenso College
Hastings Intermediate School
Henry Hill School
Hastings Central School
Flaxmere College
Napier Girls’ High School
Bridge Pa School
Heretaunga Intermediate
Ebbett Park School
Richmond School
Karamū High School
Clive School
Irongate School
St Patrick’s School Napier
Pakowhai School
Ōmāhu School
Sacred Heart College
Parkvale School
Te Mata School
Te Whai Hiringa
*This list is not exhaustive and is based on what HBT has compiled from public statements so far.
Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.