“We’re going to continue anyway”: Schools around the country say they will defy the Government’s removal of Treaty obligations. Photo \/ Mark Mitchell<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the h\u012bkoi for the schools. It gives that same feeling of unity and community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She said schools are rejecting claims Aotearoa is divided over Treaty issues.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe Government, and the Act Party in particular, have tried their darndest to convince everybody that we\u2019re divided… but the truth is actually quite different.<\/p>\n \u201cThe vast majority of people want to get on with the business of what they\u2019re doing \u2013 teaching the children and ensuring that they have a good education system to do that in.\u201d<\/p>\n Waikato said the letters arriving daily from boards and principals shows how much it means for them to uphold Te Tiriti.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the most amazing things about being in my shoes at the moment is that I get to see all of the amazing letters that have been written,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cEach one of them is uniquely expressing what Te Tiriti means to them within their communities, all of the hard work that they\u2019ve done with the relevant mana whenua\u2026 They are fiercely proud of all of that mahi.\u201d<\/p>\n She said the kura recognise the benefits and they understand how that translates into better educational outcomes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Waikato said schools repeatedly describe Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a \u201cfounding constitutional document\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re grounding their teaching frameworks in the bedrock of our country. We are not America. We are not an overseas jurisdiction that doesn\u2019t have a history. We came to be a country because of Te Tiriti,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cTo ignore that is to ignore part of the framework that makes Aotearoa what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n She said schools view the removal of Treaty obligations as a step that \u201cundermines equity and clarity\u201d for wh\u0101nau.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Government is doing that very purposefully because they do not want the place of M\u0101ori within the Treaty partnership to be recognised,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the schools are saying is: too bad. We\u2019re going to continue anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n Associate Education Minister David Seymour earlier posted to social media in response to schools\u2019 statements, and said the Government had not banned schools from teaching about Te Tiriti o Waitangi.<\/p>\n \u201cI have some disappointing news for them. They\u2019re not rebelling against the evil Government because Parliament hasn\u2019t banned them from teaching about the Treaty.\u201d<\/p>\n He said boards are still required to \u201ctake reasonable steps to ensure that the policies and practices for the school reflect New Zealand\u2019s cultural diversity\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n Seymour also criticised what he described as an \u201cintolerant, bullying tone\u201d from schools.<\/p>\n \u201cIf someone has different priorities from them, that\u2019s okay. What happened to live and let live?\u201d<\/p>\n He said the Government\u2019s only demand, through Act\u2019s coalition commitments, is that \u201cacademic attainment becomes the paramount goal of a school board\u201d.<\/p>\n He also said that it \u201cseems to be less than 200, mostly small, schools\u201d had signed on at the time.<\/p>\n Waikato said the comments by the minister are \u201cout of touch\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of the schools that are actually on the list already are some of the largest schools in the country,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI find it very offensive that he thinks the size of the school means that it doesn\u2019t really matter\u2026 For me, all of that just highlights that the minister is out of touch with what our schools are going through, and very out of touch with what the concerns of parents like myself want to see.\u201d<\/p>\n The Auckland Primary Principals\u2019 Association, representing 428 principals and kura, is among the r\u014dp\u016b issuing formal statements to the Education Minister opposing the legislative change.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cTe Tiriti is not an optional extra. It is our foundation constitutional document,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n \u201cRemoving the obligation weakens accountability, risks inconsistency across the motu, and gives schools that are reluctant to engage an excuse to step away from commitments that should be universal.\u201d<\/p>\n The association said principals across T\u0101maki Makaurau are \u201cunited in their concern\u201d, noting schools have spent years building relationships and local curricula grounded in partnership.<\/p>\n \u201cThis work has been deliberate, hard-won and essential to improving outcomes for M\u0101ori learners and ultimately for all \u0101konga.\u201d<\/p>\n It called on the minister to reverse the recent legislative change and reinstate the Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligation for school boards within the Education and Training Act.<\/p>\n \u201cVoluntary commitments alone cannot guarantee equity. Legislation matters. It sets expectations, protects progress, and ensures every board in Aotearoa New Zealand holds the same responsibility to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.\u201d<\/p>\n Waikato said the association\u2019s message hits at the heart of why schools are speaking out.<\/p>\n \u201cLegislation matters,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sets expectations for what schools must do, and what parents and children can expect. As soon as you remove a legislative requirement, it removes that expectation.\u201d<\/p>\nSchools are rejecting claims Aotearoa is divided over Treaty issues. Photo \/ Regan Schoultz<\/p>\n
Associate Education Minister David Seymour argues the Government hasn’t banned teaching about Te Tiriti, emphasising academic attainment. Photo \/ Mark Mitchell<\/p>\n
Hundreds of schools are reaffirming their commitment to Te Tiriti as ministers defend the coalition’s policy change. Photo \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n