Northland School Board of Trustees

Treaty of Waitangi Policy
 

Rationale:

Northland School is committed to giving effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within the policies and procedures of the school, and to recognize the mutual benefits that may followⁱ.

 

Purpose:

To ensure that principles of partnership, protection and participation express the commitment of Northland School to the Treaty of Waitangi¹.

Guidelines:

• Northland School through the Board of Trustees (the Board), will provide opportunities for whānau to partner and contribute in decisions made by the Board where there are references to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangiⁱⁱ.
• The Board and the Principal will provide for appropriate training and development, by ensuring staff and the Board are equipped to carry out the school’s Treaty of Waitangi policyⁱⁱⁱ.
• As part of the annual planning processes the Board and staff will develop and implement strategies to increase understanding of and commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi^iv.
• Curriculum delivery will also be guided by the school’s tikanga² practices (as developed) and the protection and understanding of tikanga and Māori perspectives be acknowledged and incorporated where appropriate^v.
• The Board will enable participation by the wider community of Northland School and where appropriate consultation with the Māori community will be actively sought^vi.

Approved: 7 March 2011

Review Date: 2014
 

ⁱ For the purposes of this policy it is worthy to note that there are three sets of Principles of Waitangi. Those promoted by the Labour government (1989), the Court of Appeals instructions (1987) and the Royal Commission on Social Policy (1988). In drafting principles it is convenient to use the 3 P’s approach.
ⁱⁱ An example of partnership (or moves toward partnership by a series of “strong relationships” ) two good examples for the Board would be the termly Whānau Hui that have been established where whānau can say that they have been made to feel inclusive and listened to. Once it is agreed to, the establishment of Kaumatua/Kuia (elder states-people) to guide our kawa (ceremonial protocols) and adherence to tikanga (customary concepts).
ⁱⁱⁱ It doesn’t need to be an overly elaborate exercise but around early February each year we should run a fun inclusive Treaty of Waitangi exercise for both Board and staff and perhaps open it up to the community as we go. This reflects partnership and participation but will also lead to knowledge and then appropriate behaviour.
^iv This reflects protection and enables to match up the values and the principles. However, it is the planning of the processes that are of paramount consideration.
^v As in iv above.
^vi Similar to partnership (above in ii. as well) 

¹  Royal Commission on Social Policy (1988).
² Expressed as “customary concepts” Tikanga Māori” HM Mead Victoria University (1982)