Open Letter To Minister Stanford From The Auckland Primary Principals' Association

Honorable Erica Stanford

Minister of Education

Parliament Buildings

Wellington 6011

Tēnā koe Minister Stanford,

Auckland Primary Principals write to express our strong opposition to the Government’s decision to remove the requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi within the Education and Training Act 2020.

Te Tiriti is not an optional extra. It is our foundation constitutional document, and its place in education should not be left to chance, preference, or political cycles. Removing 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.

Principals across Tāmaki Makaurau are united in their concern that this change represents a significant step backwards. Over many years, schools have worked closely with whānau, mana whenua and Māori communities to build local curricula, relationships and practices grounded in partnership. This work has been deliberate, hard-won, and essential to improving outcomes for Māori learners and ultimately for all ākonga.

Voluntary 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.

While we oppose this change, we make this commitment clear: Auckland schools will continue to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in governance, curriculum, leadership, and community partnership. Our moral and professional obligations remain unchanged.

Our request is clear and aligns with the Auckland Primary Principals’ Association position:

"Reinstate the Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligation for school boards within the

Education and Training Act 2020, reversing the recent legislative change."

We stand ready to work constructively, but we will not step back from our responsibilities to Te Tiriti

o Waitangi, and to the future of education in Aotearoa.

Nā mātou noa, nā,

Auckland Primary Principals’ Association Executive

the collective voice of 428 school leaders in Tāmaki Makaurau

www.appa.org.nz

admin@appa.org.nz

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