5699 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister of Education

5699 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister of Education: How, if at all, does the Ministry of Education's refreshed curriculum reflect iwi, hapū, and local mātauranga?

Hon Erica Stanford: The refreshed New Zealand Curriculum recognises New Zealand’s bicultural foundations and reflects te ao Māori in a way that is clear, structured, and nationally consistent. It supports schools to provide opportunities for students to learn tikanga Māori and te reo Māori, while maintaining a strong focus on academic achievement and foundational knowledge. Te Marautanga o Aotearoa is specifically designed for teaching and learning delivered through te reo Māori. The refreshed content provides clarity and strengthens coherence across year levels, while reflecting Māori cultural perspectives, supporting language immersion, and meeting the specific educational needs of ākonga in Māori-medium settings.