Dear Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand,

Please provide any information, including emails, meeting notes, briefing documents, advice given etc about the use of the phrase “Tiriti o Waitangi Partnership” in Standard One and its focus areas in the 2026 standards.

I would like to know the following:

What is the teaching council’s definition of this term? Please give a definition that does not contain the phrase “Te Tiriti Partnership” as in "A guide to the Standards and Focus Areas" on page 9, and does not use the word "Partnership"

Why the phrase was chosen given the acknowledgment of the issues with it as shown on page 12 of that guide:

“It is acknowledged that a sole focus on partnership is not always the preferred formulation in relation to the Te Tiriti. The usage of the full phrase “reflects Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership in New Zealand” is interpreted as primarily emphasising the centrality of Te Tiriti to the identity, culture, and political and legal framework of Aotearoa New Zealand. This phrasing is not intended to limit any interpretation of the focus area that is genuinely focused on honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”

Why Standard One was not called Te Tiriti o Waitangi Standard

Any feedback given on suggested changes to this standard which were not undertaken, and why this feedback was not undertaken.

Yours faithfully,

Yours faithfully,

Ken Robertson