Minister Caves To Extremists

As they grapple with major curriculum changes and changes to the Teaching Council, school principals woke this morning to learn that the Minister plans to remove all Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities from School Boards.

"Schools and their Boards have enthusiastically embraced their obligations to enact Te Tiriti o Waitangi, because it is a positive and normal action, in line with all other indigenous cultures of the world," said Leanne Otene, President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF).

"What the Minister has done today is to take an extreme, far right position which is not compatible with where Aotearoa New Zealand society is headed," said Otene.

"Countries like Australia, Canada, Ireland, Wales and Greenland look up to Aotearoa New Zealand schools as leaders in reviving indigenous language and culture, so this move puts us completely out of step as global leaders," said Otene.

"Our approach to enacting te Tiriti o Waitangi has helped create school cultures in which our tamariki see themselves reflected every day, and in which their language and culture is valued and respected," said Otene.

"Our school Boards are proud of the progress we have made as a nation, towards normalising biculturalism, as was the intention of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. They have upheld their Tangata Tiriti obligations with respect and dignity for the betterment of our whole society," said Otene.

"All schools are self-managing schools, and Boards can continue to prioritise their commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. For the sake of our future tamariki, we encourage them to do so," said Otene.

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