Photo: RNZ / Tom Furley
Some schools are defying the government's removal of their Treaty of Waitangi obligations.
Their boards have published public statements affirming their commitment to the treaty.
It followed the government's surprise decision last week to remove a legal requirement to give effect to the treaty by means including teaching te reo Māori - a change that was passed by Parliament this week.
The schools come from around the country and some made statements directed at Education Minister Erica Stanford.
Dyer Street School in Hutt Valley said upholding the treaty was the right thing to do for its students.
"We wish to make it clear that this decision is not a political statement, rather, it is a decision ground in our sense of educational and civic responsibility," it said.
Queen's High School in Dunedin said its connections with manawhenua were foundational to the school and honouring the treaty was a moral imperative.
"Therefore we want to be absolutely clear, the Queen's High School board is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that Te Tiriti o Waitangi continues to inform our governance and decision-making. We will continue to honour the principles of Tiriti o Waitangi in all that we do," it said.
"Our commitment is not a compliance exercise, it is a moral imperative that enriches the education we offer and ensures all students, especially Māori students, see themselves and their culture valued and reflected in the school environment."
Putāruru Primary School's board said it would continue to give full effect to the treaty.
"While government policy may shift, our strategic direction will not. We will not be swayed by divisive politics," it said.
"Strong communities are built through partnership - not by rolling back commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi."
The government said it was making the change because the treaty was the Crown's responsibility, not schools'.
It said school boards should not be asked to decipher an unclear treaty obligation.
The government said schools would still be required to ensure equitable outcomes for Māori students and would need to offer te re Māori.
The Education Ministry said under the new legislation schools that did not offer te re Māori could be required to if a parent or caregiver requested it.
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