19631 (2026). Hon Willie Jackson to the Minister of Education

19631 (2026). Hon Willie Jackson to the Minister of Education: How does the Minister reconcile her statement that she has done more for Maori education than any other Minister ever, and the findings of the Waitangi Tribunal that have suggested that her approach to proposed reforms in the Education and Training act " breached the treaty principles of partnership, active protection, and good government and caused prejudice to Māori"?

Hon Erica Stanford: I reject the premise of the question. I made my statement based on the practical actions I have taken to improve outcomes for Māori learners and to equitably support a bilingual education system. Under this Government, we have made some of the most significant investments in Māori education in recent years. For the first time ever, structured literacy and structured maths approaches have been developed specifically for Māori medium education, ensuring children learning through te reo Māori have access to the same evidence-based teaching approaches available elsewhere in the system. More than 27,000 students across 310 kura and schools are benefiting from new Rangaranga Reo ā-Tā (Structured Literacy resources), Poutama Pāngarau (Maths resources), and Hihiria Wetero (Phonics Checks) curriculum supports. We are delivering Curriculum Insights Progress Study reporting (CIPS) for Māori medium settings for the first time, developing a maths check in te reo Māori, introducing SMART assessment tools in te reo Māori, expanding access to high-quality texts in te reo Māori, and providing dedicated science and pūtaiao resources to support achievement in STEM subjects. We have also invested in a new Virtual Learning Network for kura and wharekura students, supporting access to specialist teaching and STEM subjects regardless of location. In addition, we are providing new te reo matatini and STEM texts and establishing curriculum advisor roles dedicated to supporting Māori medium and Kaupapa Māori education. Through Budget 2025, we committed $36.1 million to strengthen Māori education initiatives, including $14.7 million to support up to 51,000 teachers and kaiako to further develop their te reo Māori and tikanga capability, $10 million for a Virtual Learning Network, and funding for new curriculum supports and resources. We are also investing in the growth of Kaupapa Māori and Māori medium education through new classrooms, kura expansions, and an additional $50 million in capital funding expected to deliver up to 50 new Māori medium and Kaupapa Māori education classrooms across the country. Alongside this, we continue to support Kōhanga Reo, strengthen teacher supply, expand pathways for teacher training, and work closely with iwi, kura leaders, Māori education experts, and sector representatives to ensure Māori learners have access to high-quality education from early learning through to secondary schooling. For too long, too many Māori children have been left behind by low achievement and poor attendance. My focus is on changing that. I make no apology for prioritising the foundational skills, high-quality teaching, strong attendance, and educational pathways that give Māori learners the best chance to succeed. The Waitangi Tribunal is entitled to its views. My responsibility as Minister is to ensure the education system delivers better outcomes for Māori learners. That remains my focus, and I am proud of what this Government is delivering. What matters is whether Māori learners are attending school, achieving at higher levels, and leaving education with the skills they need to succeed.