Photo: RNZ / Emma Andrews

The country's largest education union, NZEI Te Riu Roa, is backing a claim by Northland iwi and hapΕ« for an urgent Waitangi Tribunal inquiry into the government's decision to remove school boards legal obligations to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

A statement of claim was filed on 19 November 2025 on behalf of Ngāti Hine and Te Kapotai, alongside a joint application for urgency.

The claimants say amendments to the Education and Training Act, and the reset of the New Zealand Curriculum - Te Mātaiaho, undermine Māori rangatiratanga, partnership, and equity in education.

The Treaty requirement, which was added to the Education Act in 2020, was stripped without consultation in November.

Education Minister Erica Stanford said at the time that Te Tiriti was t

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