The Boards of Trustees of Hukarere Girls’ College and Te Aute College have joined more than 1000 schools nationwide in objecting to the government’s proposed changes to the Education and Training Act.
Under the changes, Boards of Trustees would no longer be required to “give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.” Education Minister Erica Stanford has said schools should still aim to achieve equitable outcomes for Māori students, but many kura believe the removal of explicit Treaty provisions undermines that commitment.
Te Aute College, founded over 170 years ago in partnership between Ngāi Te Whatuiāpiti and the Anglican Church, reaffirmed its dedication to Te Tiriti.
“That partnership endures today through our shared purpose: to develop tāne rangatira – young men of faith, integrity and service – grounded in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga and the Christian faith,” its Board of Trustees stated.
Hukarere Girls’ College, with a 150-year legacy, also declared its steadfast commitment.
“As a Māori girls’ college, we are proud to be a Mihinare school grounded in Te Ao Māori and guided by faith. We recognise Te Tiriti not only as a founding document, but as a living covenant that underpins the partnership between the Crown and tangata whenua,” its Board wrote in a letter to whānau and Minister Stanford.
Both schools emphasised their special character – Mihinaretanga – and their ongoing mission to nurture and empower rangatahi Māori.
Their stance was echoed by the Primates of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. In a joint statement with the Anglican Schools of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia, The Most Reverend’s Don Tamihere, Sione Ulu’ilakepa and Justin Duckworth affirmed “with conviction” the Anglican Church position as the “Church of Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” guided by the Treaty rather than political cycles.
“It shapes our relationships, our governance, and our responsibilities to ākonga, whānau, and communities across all three Tikanga of our Church.”
The Primates urged Anglican schools to continue honouring Te Tiriti through authentic partnership with mana whenua, culturally sustaining practice, and a deep commitment to equity and flourishing for all learners.
“This is not simply a compliance matter; it is a Gospel matter, a covenantal matter, and an expression of our shared identity in Christ. We encourage each school to hold fast to the vision Te Tiriti offers, to continue their commitment to Te Tiriti within their schools irrespective of any changes to legislation and by doing so to therefore offer leadership within their communities with confidence, humility, and faithfulness.”
Read both Hukarere and Te Aute College’s responses below:
