Aotearoa should be a place where everyone, regardless of their background, is respected and part of a vibrant connected community. Where everyone feels a sense of belonging and knows their children will feel the same. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the blueprint to making this future a reality, it guides us to live peacefully and respectfully together so that everyone can thrive. It is vital that our children learn the importance of honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and continue fostering respectful and reciprocal relationships between tāngata whenua and tāngata Tiriti (people of Te Tiriti).
Education is where Te Tiriti o Waitangi is made real for every generation. Section 127 of the Education and Training Act ensures that schools, early learning services and tertiary institutions give effect to Te Tiriti — shaping how our children learn about identity, belonging, and partnership.
Removing this section is not a technical change — it is a step backwards. It erases the Crown’s responsibility to honour Te Tiriti in the one place every child in Aotearoa passes through: our education system.
Te Tiriti is not an add-on; it is the foundation of how we work together as iwi and Crown for the wellbeing of all tamariki. We call on the Government to retain Section 127 and reaffirm its commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in education.
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