NZEI Te Riu Roa is urging the Government to honour its constitutional obligations to Māori and consult educators before releasing updated curriculum content.
A recent Waitangi Tribunal finding confirmed that in developing the new content, the Government breached Te Tiriti principles of partnership, active protection, and good governance by bypassing frontline educators and ignoring co-design with Māori.
NZEI Te Riu Roa President Ripeka Lessels says the Government’s rush to publish makes no sense, given that the Minister of Education has already delayed full implementation by two years to 2029.
“The Minister has already delayed implementation to 2029 so why the rush to publish this content now? Why doesn’t the Government use the next two years to get this right by genuinely engaging with iwi and educators?” says Mrs Lessels.
“For new curriculum content to work for our ākonga, the Government must complete the essential first step it skipped – engagement with Māori and frontline teachers.
“Our tamariki deserve a curriculum that honours Te Tiriti and reflects the local stories of their communities. Bypassing the sector only guarantees flawed outcomes for them,” adds Mrs Lessels.
The Tribunal issued a clear directive last week for the Government to defer releasing all updated New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa content until concerns raised by educators are ruled on. Neither the Minister nor the Ministry of Education has indicated whether they will comply.
The Minister announced previously that Science and Social Sciences will be released on 12 August, Pūtaiao and Pūmanawa Tangata on 26 August, and the updated National Curriculum for Years 0-10 on 9 September.