Controversy Erupts as New Zealand Government Abolishes Mandates for Māori Cultural Inclusion in Classrooms

November 4, 2025

New Zealand Government Scraps Māori Culture mandate in Schools, Facing Backlash

Wellington, New Zealand – A controversial decision by New Zealand’s government to eliminate a legal requirement for schools to incorporate local Māori culture has triggered strong condemnation from educators, school boards, and Māori leaders. The change, announced on tuesday, reverses a policy implemented in 2020, which obligated schools to reflect Māori customs, knowledge, and perspectives in their operations.

The Treaty of Waitangi and its role in Education

As 2020, school boards have been legally bound to “give effect” to the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s foundational document signed in 1840. This treaty established a partnership between the Māori tribes and the British Crown, and it remains vital for safeguarding Māori rights and cultural heritage. The previous mandate ensured that school policies, plans, and curricula incorporated local Māori traditions and worldviews.

Government Rationale and Concerns

Education Minister Erica Stanford defended the policy reversal, asserting that the treaty obligation had not demonstrably improved educational outcomes for Māori students. She argued it placed an undue burden on school boards, comprised of volunteer parents, teachers, and students, to interpret and implement complex treaty obligations. The government now intends for school boards to “seek to achieve equitable outcomes” for Māori students, alongside offering Māori language instruction upon request and promoting cultural diversity.

Widespread Opposition to the change

However, critics contend that removing the legal requirement risks marginalizing Indigenous students and undermining social cohesion. meredith Kennett, President of the school boards association, stated that the clause had a unifying influence and its removal would be detrimental. Leanne Otene, President of the principals’ federation, emphasized that schools had positively embraced the treaty obligation, fostering environments where Māori children felt valued, and their culture was celebrated. She cited examples such as schools learning local history from Māori tribes, incorporating conventional songs and dances, and using Māori greetings and signage.

Feature	Previous Policy (2020-2025)	New Policy (2025 onwards)
Treaty of Waitangi Obligation	Legal requirement to “give effect” to the Treaty.	Removed as a legal requirement.
Cultural Integration	Mandatory inclusion of Māori culture in policies and curriculum.	voluntary; focus on equitable outcomes and optional Māori language teaching.
School Board Role	Obligated to interpret and implement the Treaty.	Focus on achieving equitable outcomes.

Broader Context: Government Rollbacks and Indigenous Rights

This decision aligns with a broader shift by the current coalition government to curtail what it deems “race-based policies.” Recent months have seen rollbacks in policies aimed at improving health, well-being, and depiction for Māori communities. Opposition leader Chris Hipkins criticized the move as a distraction tactic, arguing the government prioritizes “culture wars” over economic challenges.A recent report from Statistics New Zealand indicates that disparities in educational achievement between Māori and non-Māori students persist, highlighting the ongoing need for targeted support and culturally responsive education practices.

did You Know? New Zealand’s approach to incorporating Indigenous culture into the education system has been a model for other countries seeking to revitalize Indigenous languages and traditions.

Pro Tip: Supporting culturally relevant education can foster a sense of belonging and improve educational outcomes for Indigenous students.

The Importance of Culturally Responsive Education

Culturally responsive education is increasingly recognized as a key factor in student success, particularly for Indigenous populations. It involves acknowledging and valuing students’ cultural backgrounds, incorporating them into the learning process, and challenging systemic biases. Research consistently demonstrates that when students feel seen and understood, their engagement and academic performance improve.

Frequently asked Questions About the policy Change

• What is the Treaty of Waitangi? The Treaty of Waitangi is a foundational document in New Zealand history, signed in 1840 between Māori chiefs and the British Crown, establishing a partnership between the two groups.
• Why is Māori culture important in New Zealand schools? Māori culture is integral to New Zealand’s national identity and incorporating it into schools helps preserve the language, customs, and knowledge of the Indigenous population.
• What are the potential consequences of removing the mandate? Critics fear that removing the mandate coudl lead to a decline in the visibility of Māori culture in schools and potentially exacerbate existing educational disparities.
• What does the government say about the change? The government argues the mandate did not improve Māori student outcomes and placed an unfair burden on school boards.
• Will schools still be able to teach Māori culture? Yes, schools can still choose to incorporate Māori culture, but it is no longer a legal requirement.

What do you think about the government’s decision to remove the treaty requirement? How can schools best support Māori students and preserve Indigenous culture?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s continue the conversation.

How does teh policy change impact the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi?

The Policy Shift: What’s Changed?

On November 4th, 2025, the New Zealand government announced the immediate removal of mandates requiring the inclusion of Māori culture, language (Te Reo Māori), and history within the national school curriculum. Previously, schools were actively encouraged – and in some cases, required – to integrate tikanga Māori (Māori customs and protocols) and te ao Māori (the Māori world view) into thier teaching practices. this change, spearheaded by the current coalition government, frames the move as restoring “local control” and reducing what they describe as “ideological instruction.”

The core of the alteration lies in amendments to the National Education Goals and the removal of specific references to Māori achievement and cultural responsiveness within curriculum guidelines.Schools are now free to determine the extent to which they incorporate Māori elements, shifting the emphasis from mandated inclusion to optional enrichment. This has sparked widespread debate across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Key Concerns Raised by Opponents

The abolition of these mandates has ignited critically important backlash from Māori leaders, educators, and advocacy groups. Central to their concerns is the potential for further marginalization of Māori language and culture, already facing significant challenges.

* Erosion of Cultural Identity: Critics argue that removing mandated inclusion will lead to a decline in Te Reo Māori fluency and a weakening of cultural connections for Māori students.

* Breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi: many view the policy as a violation of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi),New Zealand’s founding document,which guarantees Māori rights and protections. The Treaty’s principles of partnership, participation, and protection are seen as fundamentally undermined by this decision.

* Educational Disadvantage: concerns have been voiced that removing culturally responsive teaching practices will exacerbate existing educational disparities between Māori and non-Māori students.

* Historical Context Ignored: Opponents highlight the importance of understanding New Zealand’s colonial history and the impact on Māori communities, arguing that this understanding is crucial for fostering reconciliation and social cohesion.

Government Justification and Supporting Arguments

The government defends its decision by asserting that the previous mandates imposed an undue burden on schools and teachers, limiting their autonomy. They argue that a more flexible approach will allow schools to tailor their curriculum to the specific needs and contexts of their communities.

* Local Control: The government emphasizes the importance of empowering local school boards to make decisions about curriculum content.

* Parental Choice: Supporters claim the change respects parental rights to have their children educated in accordance with their values.

* Focus on Core Skills: The government maintains that prioritizing foundational skills like literacy and numeracy is essential for improving overall educational outcomes.

* Addressing Teacher Workload: Some argue that the previous mandates added to the already significant workload of teachers, diverting resources from other vital areas.

The Role of Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori in Education

Te Reo Māori is the indigenous language of New Zealand, and its revitalization is a key priority for many Māori communities. Tikanga Māori encompasses the customary customs, protocols, and values that underpin Māori society.

Historically, both Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori were actively suppressed through assimilation policies. In recent decades, there has been a concerted effort to reverse this trend, with initiatives such as kura kaupapa Māori (Māori-medium schools) and the integration of Māori language and culture into mainstream education.

The current policy shift raises concerns about the future of these initiatives and the potential for a reversal of progress. Advocates for Māori education argue that incorporating Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori into the curriculum benefits all students, fostering cultural understanding, empathy, and a sense of national identity.

Real-world Examples & Case Studies

The impact of Māori cultural inclusion in education has been demonstrated in several triumphant initiatives. For example:

* Kura Kaupapa Māori: These schools, established in the 1980s, provide immersion education in Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori, resulting in high levels of cultural competency and academic achievement among students.

* Bicultural Curriculum Growth: Schools that have proactively integrated Māori perspectives into their curriculum have reported improved student engagement, reduced disciplinary issues, and a stronger sense of community.

* Partnerships with Local Iwi (Tribes): collaborative relationships between schools and local iwi have enriched learning experiences and provided students with valuable insights into Māori history, culture, and traditions.

Potential Long-Term Consequences

The long-term consequences of this policy change remain to be seen. However, experts predict several potential outcomes:

* Increased Educational Disparities: A widening gap in educational achievement between Māori and non-Māori students.

* Loss of Cultural Knowledge: A decline in Te Reo Māori fluency and a weakening of cultural connections for future generations.

* Social Fragmentation: Increased tensions between Māori and non-Māori communities.

* **Damage to New Zealand’