A Queenstown parent is strongly critical his son’s school has recommitted to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, or the Treaty of Waitangi, now the government has allowed schools to opt out.
In November, the government controversially and at short notice removed the requirement for schools to give effect to Te Tiriti.
Tim Bridges’ son attends Catholic school St Joseph’s, which has strongly committed to retaining the policy, as, apparently, have all other local schools, with ringing endorsements from many parents.
Bridges, who’s of Māori descent and doesn’t object to the teaching of Māori culture at St Joseph’s, has emailed other parents, claiming the policy was originally promoted by a political movement advocating co-governance in every aspect of society, including schools.
"The consequences of implementing this idea are far-reaching," he tells them.
He points out the government amended the Education and Training Act partly so "the Crown’s Treaty obligations should not be foisted on to ill-prepared ‘volunteer’ school boards, and that the best way to honour the Treaty is by raising educational achievement among Māori".
He notes St Joseph’s two-page draft strategic plan refers to ‘giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi’ six times.
He also queries if the beliefs of the Te Tiriti movement are compatible with Catholicism given Māori beliefs "encompass animism and other gods such as Ranginui/sky father".
Bridges — whose brother Simon is a former National Party leader — stood unsuccessfully for the school’s board last year, due to his concerns.
He’s felt the board’s made it hard for him to put his viewpoint across, however he admits it has given him a five-minute speaking slot at its next meeting.
He adds he feels the school’s stance, because of the policy’s "political nature", should be decided by the school’s parents, rather than the board.
On the school’s Facebook page, principal Alan Grant states the New Zealand Catholic Education Office, on behalf of the bishops conference, has encouraged Catholic schools "to continue to give effect to Te Tiriti as an essential component of our special character responsibilities".
"Our special Catholic character and our commitment to giving effect to Te Tiriti are intertwined and cannot be separated."
However, Bridges says he had an hour-long chat to this region’s Catholic bishop who was clear schools could make their own decision.
Board chair Catkin Bartlett says, contrary to Bridges’ opinion, parents have been widely consulted — "we consulted a lot".
"That feedback hasn’t been presented fully to the board, but my understanding is our school community is very supportive.
"The position of the board is really strong that by honouring and attempting to give effect to Te Tiriti, it enhances education for everyone.
"It’s really important for the education of all of our students, it’s not just for Māori, it’s for everyone.
"And I’m really sorry if some parents feel discriminated by the decisions the board makes, but none of the decisions we make are made lightly."
Bartlett doesn’t have a problem being guided by what Catholic bishops think.
"The bishops are possibly a little bit wiser than just us, and we do listen to what they say and, again, they’re very, very considered.
"We don’t have to [follow their guidance] but to go against it would be significant, and we would need to have some very, very good reasons for doing that."
