Terms of Reference
Background
The Government has set nine targets for improved results from the public sector. The
Minister of Education (Minister) and Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Mātauranga (Secretary for
Education) are responsible for the delivery of
Target 7: More students at expected
curriculum levels: Eighty per cent of Year 8 students at or above the expected curriculum
level for their age in reading, writing and maths by December 2030.
The Minister’s education priorities
The Minister has set six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that
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sets Kiwi kids up for future success. They prioritise ambition, achievement and outcomes at
the heart of the education system. The six education priorities are:
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Clearer curriculum: Establishing a knowledge-rich curriculum grounded in the
science of learning.
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Better approach to literacy and numeracy: Implementing evidence-based
instruction in early literacy and mathematics.
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Smarter assessment and reporting: Implementing consistent modes of monitoring
student progress and achievement.
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Improved teacher training: Developing the workforce of the future, including
leadership development pathways.
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Stronger learning support: Targeting effective learning support interventions for
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students with additional needs.
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Greater use of data: Using data and evidence to drive consistent improvement in
achievement.
Māori learners are a significant and growing proportion of all learners in the education
system (25% of all school students in 2023, predicted to
Official grow to 33% by 2040).
Māori education is underpinned by te reo Māori and tikanga Māori (customs). When
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delivered to a high standard it delivers positive benefits for all learners, particularly for Māori
learners.
Purpose
The Māori Education Ministerial
under Advisory Group (Māori Education MAG) will provide the
Minister with independent advice and guidance on all matters relating to Māori education, in
English medium education and Māori medium education settings, with a focus on action to
deliver on the Minister’s education priorities.
Māori Education Action Plan
The Minister will lead the development and delivery of a Māori Education Action Plan (Action
Plan) framed against education priorities. The Action Plan will support the Māori Education
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MAG’s advice to be focussed on delivery of actions to lift achievement and close the
education equity gap for Māori.
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Approved by the Minister of Education on 23/10/2024 [METIS 1335685 refers]
Role
The Māori Education MAG’s role will include:
• providing advice to the Minister to support the Minister in setting priorities and actions
for Māori education – including relevant gap analysis,
• helping the Minister to implement the Māori Education Action Plan – by receiving
quarterly updates from the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) and enquiring on how
actions are being progressed through reporting, monitoring and continuous
improvement,
• enquiring on the impact that is being made for Māori learners, and
• enquiring on the impact that is being made for Māori language in education.
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The expectation is that the Māori Education MAG work together to deliver consensus-based
advice wherever possible to the Minister.
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The Māori Education MAG is not a:
• representative group mandated to provide advice on behalf of Māori
• decision-making group.
Scope
The Māori Education MAG will provide independent advice and guidance on all matters
relating to Māori education, in English medium education and Māori medium education
settings, with a focus on action to deliver on the Minister’s education priorities.
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Out of scope – Kaupapa Māori education
Out of scope for the Māori Education MAG is providing any advice on Kaupapa Māori
education. The Minister is committed to working with Te Matakahuki to identify shared
priorities and actions for kaupapa Māori education.
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Membership
The Minister wil ensure the required expertise is represented on the Māori Education MAG
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by: • appointing up to seven members, including the Chair, to the Māori Education
• reviewing membership as required.
Chair
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The Minister wil appoint a Chair with the appropriate skil s to manage and reflect the
interests of the Advisory Group. The Chair may also engage directly with the Minister on
behalf of the Māori Education MAG.
Skil s, knowledge and experience
The Māori Education MAG will consist of individuals who have the appropriate range of
skills, knowledge, and experience to carry out their functions.
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Collectively the Māori Education MAG will benefit from having skil s and knowledge which
include:
• proven experience in achieving excellent educational outcomes for Māori learners
and for Māori language in education,
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• curriculum leadership as well as the design and delivery of Māori education in
English medium settings and Māori medium settings in areas that align with my six
education priorities,
• expertise in mātauranga Māori, te reo Māori and tikanga Māori,
• experience with whānau Māori engagement in education to lift educational
achievement for Māori learners and their whānau, and
• machinery of government and governance expertise.
Terms of appointment
Māori Education MAG members wil be appointed in two stages. Stage 1 appointed
members, including the Chair, wil be appointed for a term of two years from date of
appointment. Members appointed thereafter wil have the same term end date as Stage 1
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appointees.
The Minister wil formally wind up the Māori Education MAG at the conclusion of their
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appointment term unless the Minister decides otherwise.
Members may be re-appointed at the discretion of the Minister.
Conflicts of interest
Members wil disclose all actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest as they relate
and/or develop to these Terms of Reference, to the Chair, the Minister and the Ministry.
Resignation and removal
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Members can resign from the Māori Education MAG by notifying the Chair in writing of their
intention to resign. The effective date of resignation wil be after the Minister and the Māori
Education MAG have both been notified.
Members may be recommended for removal by the Chair to the Minster. It is expected that
the Chair take reasonable steps to mediate any potential disputes before removal of a
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member is considered. Removal wil be by notice in writing stating the effective end-date.
Terms include but are not limited to inability to perform the duties of a member, neglect of
duty or misconduct compromising the Māori Education MAG’s ability to provide effective and
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independent advice and guidance to the Minister.
Administration
Meetings
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The Chair wil lead Māori Education MAG meetings unless otherwise directed or agreed by
the Minister.
Meetings will be held six times in the first year and aim to be held quarterly thereafter.
Meetings may be held in-person and remotely or in a hybrid format.
No delegations or nominees are to attend meetings of the Māori Education MAG in the
absence of the appointed member without prior approval of the Chair.
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Quorum
Meeting quorum is four of seven members, including the Chair.
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Approved by the Minister of Education on 23/10/2024 [METIS 1335685 refers]
Secretariat
The Ministry wil provide secretariat services to the Māori Education MAG. The secretariat
will report to the Chair of the Māori Education MAG and:
• assist the Chair to prepare meeting agendas;
• circulate meeting packs (agenda, minutes and any papers required);
• create or commission papers for meetings as required;
• process all financial tasks, including booking travel, accommodation, catering and
venues as required and invoice processing.
The agenda and papers for meetings of the Māori Education MAG will be circulated to
members four working days in advance of each meeting.
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Resources
The Māori Education MAG wil have access to all advice, information, data, research
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analysis developed by the Ministry for topics under discussion. This wil include material stil
under development, and that does not reflect either Ministry or Government policy and is not
to be shared outside of the Māori Education MAG.
Costs
The Ministry wil cover costs directly associated with meetings of the Māori Education MAG,
including member fees and actual and reasonable travel costs, including meals and
accommodation.
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Member Fees
Fees for members of the Māori Education MAG have been assessed in accordance with the
Cabinet Fees Framework, according to Cabinet Of ice Circular CO (22) 2. The Group has
been classified as a Group 4, Level 2 body.
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Based on this, the Chair of the Māori Education MAG will receive a daily fee of $885. Eligible
members of the Māori Education MAG wil receive a daily fee of $570.
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In line with the Fees Framework, members of the Māori Education MAG who are currently
employed by a Board of Trustees, or by any government agency, organisation, or body, or
any local authority as defined under section 5(1) of the Local Government Act 2005, must
not receive both their ordinary pay and their fees for acting on the Māori Education MAG if
they discharge Māori Education MAG duties during usual working hours. Where this applies,
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in the case of current teachers and teaching principals, the member wil receive their
ordinary salary only, and in addition, funding for teacher release wil be paid to their school.
In the case of current principals, the member wil receive their ordinary salary only.
Confidentiality and Official Information
Advice and recommendations provided by members of the Māori Education MAG will be
treated in confidence. Members wil not disclose any confidential information or material
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provided to the Māori Education MAG by of icials in perpetuity unless material is released by
agreement with the Minister. The Of icial Information Act 1982 wil apply to the activities of
the Māori Education MAG.
Public engagement
Any media statements made from the Māori Education MAG wil be made by the Chair with
the approval of the Minister.
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Approved by the Minister of Education on 23/10/2024 [METIS 1335685 refers]
