The Treaty of Waitangi principle in action

The Treaty of Waitangi is one of the eight principles that provide a foundation for decision making within The New Zealand Curriculum:

The curriculum acknowledges the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and the bicultural foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand. All students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga.

NZC. p9

A recent Education Review Office report (2011) found that in schools where the Treaty of Waitangi principle is evident:

• te reo Māori me ōna tikanga are valued and promoted in school management and in teaching and learning, for example, through pōwhiri, karakia, and kapa haka
• all students have the opportunity to learn te reo Māori and to understand and celebrate the place of Māori as tangata whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand
• established relationships with students, parents, whānau, iwi, and other community members support Māori students' learning.

The Treaty of Waitangi media gallery on the NZConline website provides examples from schools of the Treaty of Waitangi principle in action.

Questions / Things to think about

1. How well is your school reflecting the Treaty of Waitangi principle?
2. How well is your school demonstrating the three points above?
3. How can the school find opportunities to engage with whānau and iwi about learning?