I want to highlight the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, not just for Māori but for all Aotearoa New Zealanders. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a living document that continues to influence our nation’s trajectory. In the context of education, the articles of Te Tiriti – particularly kawanatanga, tino rangatiratanga, and mana ōrite / ōritenga – serve as guiding principles for creating an inclusive and equitable system.
Kawanatanga emphasises the governance role of the Crown, ensuring that educational policies are developed in collaboration with Māori communities. Tino rangatiratanga asserts the rights of Māori to exercise authority over their own educational pathways, fostering cultural identity and relevance in learning. Meanwhile, mana ōrite / ōritenga promotes equitable opportunities for all students, affirming that every learner deserves access to quality education, regardless of their background.
Importantly, section 127 of the Education and Training Act highlights the necessity of ‘giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi,’ reinforcing the commitment to uphold these articles in our education system. By embracing these articles, we not only enhance the learning experiences of Māori students but also enrich the educational environment for all, contributing to a more unified and culturally vibrant society.
Te Tiriti: A living partnership
Te Tiriti o Waitangi, signed in 1840, established a partnership between Māori and the Crown. It is as relevant today as it was at the time of signing. It is our responsibility as educational leaders to ensure that we honour Te Tiriti and that it is actively enacted within our schools.
Incorporating Te Tiriti’s values into our kura means creating environments where Māori language, culture, and history are not only acknowledged but celebrated. For Māori, this is vital for their well-being and sense of identity. For non-Māori, it offers an opportunity to better understand the richness of our shared history, to build stronger, more respectful relationships with Māori and ultimately, a more tolerant society.
Benefits for Māori students
The importance of enacting Te Tiriti in our schools is especially clear when we consider the impact on Māori students. When Māori tauira see their language, culture, and histories valued in the kura environment, it affirms their identity and fosters a sense of belonging. This sense of cultural pride is directly linked to educational success. Research shows that when schools actively acknowledge and incorporate Māori perspectives, Māori students feel more engaged, motivated, and empowered to succeed academically.
By reflecting Māori language, culture, and history in the curriculum, we give Māori tauira the opportunity to see themselves in their education. Giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi also acknowledges te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori. It provides a focus on developing and practicing the use of Te Reo Māori me ona tikanga. This affirmation of Māori students’ identity boosts their confidence and sense of self-worth, creating a positive cycle of engagement and achievement. Schools that embrace Te Tiriti are better positioned to meet the unique needs of Māori students, fostering environments where they can thrive.
Benefits for Non-Māori students
While the benefits to Māori students are obvious, it’s important to emphasise that enacting Te Tiriti also has significant advantages for non-Māori students. Engaging with Te Reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and Māori histories enriches the educational experience for all students. By learning about Māori perspectives, non-Māori students develop a deeper understanding of Aotearoa’s unique cultural landscape. This fosters greater cultural awareness, empathy, and respect for diversity.
Normalising Māori language and tikanga in schools helps build a more inclusive and cohesive society. When non-Māori students learn Te Reo Māori and engage with tikanga, they contribute to an environment where different cultures are respected and valued. This exposure helps break down cultural barriers and encourages greater social cohesion, teaching all students the importance of mutual respect and understanding.
Additionally, when non-Māori students learn about the historical and contemporary significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, they are introduced to critical discussions about justice, fairness and equity. Understanding the history of colonisation and the lasting impacts it has on Māori communities helps foster a sense of social responsibility and empathy. These lessons not only benefit students academically but also help shape them into compassionate, informed citizens who are better prepared to contribute positively to society.
A path toward equity and justice
Te Tiriti o Waitangi provides a framework for addressing historical and contemporary inequities in our education system. By honouring Te Tiriti, we are working to ensure that Māori students have equitable access to education and the same opportunities for success as their non-Māori peers. This is not about giving Māori students an advantage, but about creating fairness – addressing the disadvantages that have resulted from systemic inequities.
Incorporating Te Tiriti into our schools is a step towards a more just and equitable education system. It allows us to confront and address disparities that continue to affect Māori students and to ensure that every student – regardless of ethnicity – can succeed. Schools that are committed to the intentions of the articles of Te Tiriti create environments where all students are valued, respected, and given the tools they need to achieve their potential.
The role of Principals
As educational leaders, we play a critical role in ensuring that School Boards demonstrate giving effect to Te Tiriti. This means more than just meeting legal requirements; it involves leading by example and fostering a school culture that truly reflects the authentic nature of a reciprocal relationship where mana is valued and upheld. We must support our staff in developing cultural competency, support them to learn Te Reo Māori, ensure that Māori perspectives are embedded in the curriculum, and build strong relationships with iwi and hapū to incorporate local knowledge and histories into our schools.
Our leadership has the power to transform the way Te Tiriti is understood and enacted in schools. By embracing the intentions of Te Tiriti, we are creating educational environments that honour the unique cultural heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand and preparing our tamariki for a future of inclusivity and mutual respect. We have the honour and privilege of creating a more tolerant society.
A shared future
Te Tiriti o Waitangi belongs to all of us. It is not just an historical document, but a guiding framework for our shared future. By giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi through te ao Māori, mātauranga Māori, te teo Māori me ona tikanga in our schools, we are contributing to the development of a more equitable, compassionate, and unified society. This benefits not just Māori students but all students, and by extension, all of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Principals can lead the way in creating schools that reflect the true spirit of Te Tiriti – schools where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.