Waitangi Tribunal to hear urgent claim into Kura Kaupapa Māori…

The Waitangi Tribunal has begun hearing evidence in the Kura Kaupapa Māori urgent inquiry.

In December 2022, the Waitangi Tribunal granted an urgency application in relation to the Kura Kaupapa Māori Claim (Wai 1718).

The Claim was brought on behalf of Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa (the body which oversees Kura Kaupapa Māori) and concerns Crown policies, acts and omissions in relation to Kura Kaupapa, and in particular the detrimental impact of the Crown’s current reforms to the schooling system.

The Claim alleges that the Crown has failed to work as a Treaty partner in relation to the current schooling reforms, and that the Crown’s proposed reforms would negatively impact Kura Kaupapa Māori by subsuming them within mainstream school systems. The Claim further alleges that the Crown has failed to meaningfully engage with Te Rūnanga Nui regarding the issues facing Kura Kaupapa Māori.

Three hearings will take place between April and June to hear evidence relating to the Claim, with closing submissions to be heard in June this year.

While the urgent Inquiry is limited to issues concerning the Crown’s current schooling reforms, broader issues relating to Kura Kaupapa Māori may be considered in the upcoming Education Kaupapa Inquiry.

If you need assistance to bring or progress your Waitangi Tribunal claim, it is helpful to speak to a professional with experience in this area.

Devon Tesoriero