Source: NZ Principals Federation
Open letter follows:
Tēnā koe Minister Stanford,
We are writing on behalf of the Ōtaki-Kāpiti Principals’ Association to express our deep concern regarding the Government’s recent announcement to remove the Treaty of Waitangi obligations from school Boards and centralise these responsibilities within Government. Alongside this, we remain extremely worried about the rapid pace of curriculum change and the lack of genuine consultation with the profession.
As principals, we lead schools where the Treaty is not an add-on; it is woven into our values, daily practice, and relationships. Our partnership with mana whenua, Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga and Ngati Toa Rangatira (The ART Confederation) is one of the great strengths of our kura. This relationship guides our local curriculum, supports culturally sustaining practice, and ensures our tamariki understand their place and identity within our rohe.
Across our kura, giving effect to Te Tiriti happens in real, lived ways every day through:
- Partnerships with mana whenua that shape curriculum design and school decision-making
- Kapa haka groups that are valued and well supported
- Pōwhiri, karakia, waiata and tikanga woven through school events and culture
- Noho, hāngī, celebrations of Matariki, and connections to local stories and sites
- Normalising te reo Māori in classrooms, playgrounds, and assemblies
- Developing local curriculum that reflect mātauranga Māori, local histories, tikanga, te ao Māori and place-based learning
- Culturally responsive teaching practices
- A strong focus on equitable outcomes and Māori success as Māori
These are not political gestures-they reflect our values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, kotahitanga, and whakaute. They strengthen identity, belonging, respect and wellbeing for all tamariki, not only Māori.
While our kura will continue this work regardless of policy shifts, we are deeply concerned that removing Treaty obligations from Boards risks creating national inconsistency and avoidable harm to race relations in Aotearoa. Some kura may feel less able, or less courageous, to uphold Te Tiriti in meaningful ways. This would have significant negative impacts, not just on tamariki Māori, but on all learners who benefit from culturally rich, inclusive education.
We also wish to highlight our concern about the proposed new national assessment rollout in Term 1 and the rationale for and speed of disestablishing NCEA. The timing, while teachers and principals are still working to understand the new curriculum expectations, as well as structured literacy and structured maths requirements, feels like a step too far. Introducing high-stakes assessment during this period is likely to increase stress, reduce the quality of implementation, and ultimately fail to produce the outcomes the Government is seeking.
More broadly, there is a growing sense across the sector that schools are “under attack”. Sudden shifts, tight timelines, and insufficient engagement with practitioners are compounding pressure at a time when the system is already stretched. Hundreds of principals nationwide have called for the curriculum rollout to be paused to allow for genuine, sector-wide consultation and realistic timeframes.
We respectfully urge the Government to:
1. Revoke the removal of Treaty responsibilities from Boards of Trustees.
2. Pause high-stakes assessment implementation in Term 1 and the disestablishing of NCEA.
3. Slow the curriculum rollout to allow for careful, collaborative development.
4. Engage meaningfully with the sector to ensure changes are workable and sustainable.
We wish to be clear that we are not against change; we understand and support reform where it is necessary and well planned. However, the frantic pace of current reforms is not beneficial and risks undermining the very outcomes the Government seeks. Our Association remains committed to constructive dialogue and to working with you to ensure all tamariki in Aotearoa receive an education that is inclusive, future-focused, and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Ngā mihi nui,
Ōtaki-Kāpiti Principals’ Association Tumuaki/Principals
- Kapakapanui School
- Kāpiti College
- Kāpiti Primary School
- Kenakena School
- Ōtaki School
- Our Lady of Kāpiti School
- Paekākāriki School
- Paraparaumu Beach School
- Paraparaumu College
- Paraparaumu School
- Pukerua Bay School
- Raumati Beach School
- Raumati South School
- Te Horo School
- Te Kariti o Ōtaki (Ōtaki College)
- Te Ra School
- Waikanae School
- Waitohu School.
