Message from the Te Puna Wai o Waipapa – Hagley College Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team
We express our deep concern and firm opposition to the Government’s decision to remove the legislative requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi by repealing section 127(2)(e) of the Education and Training Act 2020.
As a school board and leadership team, we recognise that our role is not only to govern effectively but also to uphold the principles that underpin Aotearoa New Zealand’s identity. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is foundational to that identity. It is more than a historical document—it is a living committment. Removing this obligation from education law diminishes that commitment and risks eroding the progress made toward equity and inclusion for ākonga Māori.
Schools are Crown entities. With that status comes both a legal and moral responsibility to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This responsibility has guided our policies, practices, and curriculum to reflect tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te ao Māori. It has strengthened relationships with whānau, iwi, and hapū, and contributed to better outcomes for all learners. To suggest that this obligation is unnecessary ignores the evidence that culturally responsive education fosters engagement, achievement, and wellbeing.
Strong communities are built on partnership, not on retreating from it. Removing Te Tiriti protections from legislation sends a message that the Crown’s commitment to equity for Māori learners is negotiable. We reject that message. Our school will continue to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our governance, strategic planning, and daily practice because it is the right thing to do—for our students, our community, and our nation.
We call on the Government to reconsider this decision and to work collaboratively with education leaders, iwi, and communities to ensure that our education system remains inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the unique heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand. If you would like to show your support of this position, here is the link to a petition from the National Iwi Chairs Forum for you to consider signing.
Ngā manaakitanga, nā,
Board of Trustees & Senior Leadership Team Te Puna Wai o Waipapa – Hagley College
Nau mai, haere mai ki tō mātou kura ko Te Puna Wai o Waipapa. Welcome to our place – Te Puna Wai o Waipapa – Hagley College. Kei te mihi ahau ki te mana whenua o tēnei wāhi, ko Ngāi Tūāhuriri. I acknowledge the mana whenua of this place.
We are a school that is almost as old as Ōtautahi itself and we are very proud of our unique identity. We have designated character status which recognises the fact that we do things a bit differently here. One of these things is we have adult learners both during the day and at night and we provide a space for young people that have had barriers to their education to come with a clean slate and learn. On the other side of all that though we are also a first choice school for the many students who want to join us in year 9 for their secondary education. We stand out with a wide range of subjects we offer and we prioritise wellbeing and a students identity.
When I ask students what are we about at Hagley, they almost always answer that you can be who you want to be here and I just love that! That is what we are aiming for!
Our vision is represented in the whakatauākī – ‘Ka puāwai te koru, ka puāwai te tangata’ As the koru opens, so to does the person! We are about inspiring students. We believe that effective engagement in learning is based on the relationships we build with each of our students and on each student’s wellbeing. We do this so that, like a koru opening, each student will achieve to their full potential, will develop the skills and competencies they need for whatever next steps they persue. We aim to support the development of good people who are curious and enjoy learning!
Thank you for showing an interest in our kura.
Rowan Milburn
Tumuaki | Principal
