Backlash after New Zealand government scraps rules on incorporating Māori culture in classrooms

<p>Minister says obligations for school boards to ‘give effect’ to the treaty are unfair while critics argue the move will sideline Indigenous education</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/06/new-zealands-treaty-of-waitangi-explained-in-30-seconds">New Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi – explained in 30 seconds</a></p></li></ul><p>A plan by New Zealand’s government to scrap a legal requirement on schools to incorporate local Māori culture in classrooms has been condemned by teachers, principals and school boards.</p><p>Since 2020, school boards have been obligated to “give effect” to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/06/new-zealands-treaty-of-waitangi-explained-in-30-seconds">Treaty of Waitangi</a>, New Zealand’s founding document signed in 1840 between Māori tribes and the British Crown and instrumental in upholding Māori rights.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/04/new-zealand-maori-culture-school-classrooms-government-scraps-rules">Continue reading...</a>