Government levels another blow at kaupapa Māori education

The Green Party is appalled by the Government’s plan to disestablish Resource Teachers of Māori (RTM) roles, a move that takes another swing at kaupapa Māori education.

“Cutting these roles is a direct attack on the right of tamariki Māori to access quality education which accurately reflects their identity and whakapapa,” says Green Party Māori Education and Early Childhood Education spokesperson, Benjamin Doyle.

“Our mokopuna deserve to be empowered in their education. Our mokopuna deserve better than this. 

“This consultation to disestablish these roles undermines the value of these highly specialised kaiako in providing support, advice and guidance for other kaiako, for students, whānau and kura. Resourcing RTMs is a step forward for ensuring education is for, with and by Māori - this move directly undermines that.

“This is yet another assault on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and an attack on tangata whenua from this Government.

“The Prime Minister’s actions need to match his words. He cannot say that Te Tiriti is our past, present and future and then undermine the very essence of our founding document with a series of assaults. 

“The Green Party is calling on the Government to instead commit to properly resourcing the taonga that is kaupapa Māori education, so all of our children can thrive.

“We want to see te reo Māori and te ao Māori flourish in Aotearoa, as was promised in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As such, we stand with the educators and communities who are fighting to protect Māori education,” says Benjamin Doyle.

Latest Early Childhood Education Announcements

Story

Parents echo call for free, public ECE

A new report, released this morning, shows the vast majority of parents want free early childhood education (ECE), not more tinkering around the ed...
Read More

Story

Family Boost announcement does little to boost families

Today’s announcement on the Family Boost scheme is little more than tinkering around the edges while real issues in the ECE system are ignored, say...
Read More

Story

ECE funding review must centre tamariki

The Government’s review of Early Childhood Education funding, announced today, is a clear and appalling reflection of its priorities, with a minist...
Read More

Story

Pay parity back pedal a kick in the teeth for ECE kaiako

The Government’s latest move to unwind the ‘pay parity’ regime carefully negotiated between government and the sector is a kick in the teeth for al...
Read More

Story

Budget 2025 delivers little to nothing for our youngest

The Government’s Budget offers little more than crumbs for our tamariki, while real issues in the ECE system are ignored.
Read More

Story

Green Budget: Early Childhood Education for Everyone

The Green Party has unveiled its new plan to make Early Childhood Education (ECE) free.
Read More