12. Hon TAU HENARE (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Maori Affairs
What advice, if any, has he received from his ministry on the effect of removing reference to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in the draft New Zealand school curriculum?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education) Link to this
None. The responsibility for the draft curriculum lies with the Minister of Education.
What does the Treaty principle of participation, as identified by the Minister on 1 August as being enhanced in the curriculum programme, mean in relation to the formulation of the school curriculum?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
Within the Education Act, the principles are set out. Within the national education goals, the principles are set out. And they are articulated in this particular version of the curriculum by a commitment to things Māori and to people being able to address a bicultural society and be able to live as a Māori within the education system. A good expression of that will be the rewriting of the draft curriculum into the Māori medium and it being consulted on next year.
Dave HereoraHon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
Quite a bit, but I will restrict myself to the following. The Minister is working with Māori communities through the Hui Taumata Mātauranga process. The first Māori curriculum is being developed and will be consulted on next year. An amount of $26 million a year is being put into support for the full range of te reo Māori learning. As a result, more Māori students are achieving qualifications under the National Certificate of Educational Achievement, more Māori are moving on to tertiary study, and more Māori are getting jobs.
Pita ParaoneHow is the education of New Zealanders affected by the fact that the Education Act 1989 contains no reference to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
Since 1989 there have been quite significant educational gains for Māori. There are a whole host of reasons for that during that period of time. I would note that since 1999 those results have significantly improved again, and they are tracking up in a way that would get the approval of most people in this Chamber. I point to the policies that have been put in place since 1999.
What other principles of the Treaty of Waitangi have his ministry identified, and if there are other principles then which ones does his ministry use in order to ensure that other departments and agencies are providing adequate services for Māori, as required under section 5 of the Ministry of Maori Development Act 1991?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I refer the member to section 181 of the Act, for example, which applies to tertiary councils. It simply places a duty on the council of the institution to perform its function and exercise its powers in relation to the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles—things like encouraging the greatest possible participation by the communities served by the institution so as to maximise the educational potential of all members of those communities, under-represented groups, etc. No discrimination works its way through those kinds of principles, and Te Puni Kōkiri’s role is to ensure that that is carried out right across all areas of education.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am seeking a bit of clarification. The Minister referred to the Acts. I am not sure whether he was referring to the Ministry of Maori Development Act 1991 or the Education Act
Madam SPEAKER
Hone HarawiraKia ora, Madam Speaker. Kia ora tātou te Whare. Could the Minister of Māori Affairs please tell the House how he can justify a comment he made in response to a question from my colleague Mr Flavell on Tuesday, that removal of the Treaty from the curriculum can enhance the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, when he has just voted to delete the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I think the member is referring to the sending of a bill on that topic to a select committee. I made it clear myself that that would not result in a vote on further stages of the bill. Can I just say to the member that if he looks at the Act he will find the principles of the Treaty there. He will find them in the National Education Goals. This is not the same curriculum with bits removed. This is seven volumes of what was a very prescriptive curriculum, now being written as one slim volume, where things to do with the Treaty and to do with Māori, and to do with arts for that matter, are right through it in a way that that member would probably expect them to be.
What evidence can he provide to this House that Te Puni Kōkiri maintains rigorous standards when meeting its statutory obligations under section 5 of the Ministry of Maori Development Act 1991, and does he believe that monitoring other Government departments is also one of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The best evidence I can give is that the Maori Development Act of 1991 gives Te Puni Kōkiri responsibility to liaise with, and monitor, other Government departments, in respect of their responsiveness to Māori. As part of that, and to take an example, the ministry works with the Ministry of Education to effect positive educational outcomes. Examples of that work would be the development of the Māori medium curriculum, the tripartite relationship between Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Education, and the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust. I understand the member was a member of the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust board and would therefore know that.
Does Te Puni Kōkiri have a list of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi; if so, what are they and where could one get a copy of them?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
My understanding is that the Minister’s department does have access to the principles. They have been repeated ad nauseam in court cases throughout the last little while, including when there was a National Government, so I am sure the member will find it easier to access them.
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The first two, if I remember rightly, concern participation. As I say, the member can easily get hold of them.