A Queenstown parent is strongly critical his son\u2019s school has recommitted to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, or the Treaty of Waitangi, now the government has allowed schools to opt out.<\/p>\n
In November, the government controversially and at short notice removed the requirement for schools to give effect to Te Tiriti.<\/p>\n
Tim Bridges\u2019 son attends Catholic school St Joseph\u2019s, which has strongly committed to retaining the policy, as, apparently, have all other local schools, with ringing endorsements from many parents.<\/p>\n
Bridges, who\u2019s of M\u0101ori descent and doesn\u2019t object to the teaching of M\u0101ori culture at St Joseph\u2019s, has emailed other parents, claiming the policy was originally promoted by a political movement advocating co-governance in every aspect of society, including schools.<\/p>\n
“The consequences of implementing this idea are far-reaching,” he tells them.<\/p>\n
He points out the government amended the Education and Training Act partly so “the Crown\u2019s Treaty obligations should not be foisted on to ill-prepared \u2018volunteer\u2019 school boards, and that the best way to honour the Treaty is by raising educational achievement among M\u0101ori”.<\/p>\n
He notes St Joseph\u2019s two-page draft strategic plan refers to\u00a0\u2018giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi\u2019 six times.<\/p>\n
He also queries if the beliefs of the Te Tiriti movement are compatible with Catholicism given M\u0101ori beliefs “encompass animism and other gods such as Ranginui\/sky father”.<\/p>\n
Bridges \u2014 whose brother Simon is a former National Party leader \u2014 stood unsuccessfully for the school\u2019s board last year, due to his concerns.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s felt the board\u2019s made it hard for him to put his viewpoint across, however he admits it has given him a five-minute speaking slot at its next meeting.<\/p>\n
He adds he feels the school\u2019s stance, because of the policy\u2019s “political nature”, should be decided by the school\u2019s parents, rather than the board.<\/p>\n
On the school\u2019s Facebook page, principal Alan Grant states the New Zealand Catholic Education Office, on behalf of the bishops conference, has encouraged Catholic schools “to continue to give effect to Te Tiriti as an essential component of our special character responsibilities”.<\/p>\n
“Our special Catholic character and our commitment to giving effect to Te Tiriti are intertwined and cannot be separated.”<\/p>\n
However, Bridges says he had an hour-long chat to this region\u2019s Catholic bishop who was clear schools could make their own decision.<\/p>\n
Board chair Catkin Bartlett says, contrary to Bridges\u2019 opinion, parents have been widely consulted \u2014 “we consulted a lot”.<\/p>\n
“That feedback hasn\u2019t been presented fully to the board, but my understanding is our school community is very supportive.<\/p>\n
“The position of the board is really strong that by honouring and attempting to give effect to Te Tiriti, it enhances education for everyone.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s really important for the education of all of our students, it\u2019s not just for M\u0101ori, it\u2019s for everyone.<\/p>\n
“And I\u2019m really sorry if some parents feel discriminated by the decisions the board makes, but none of the decisions we make are made lightly.”<\/p>\n
Bartlett doesn\u2019t have a problem being guided by what Catholic bishops think.<\/p>\n
“The bishops are possibly a little bit wiser than just us, and we do listen to what they say and, again, they\u2019re very, very considered.<\/p>\n
“We don\u2019t have to [follow their guidance] but to go against it would be significant, and we would need to have some very, very good reasons for doing that.”<\/p>\n