Iwi/Crown Relationship

The relationship between the Crown and iwi/Māori is important.  The Ministry of Education is committed to creating new opportunities to improve Māori education outcomes and giving effect to the collaborative relationships envisaged in the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Ministry works in partnerships or close relationships with iwi and other Māori organisations.  These relationships provide opportunities to achieve positive changes through involvement in policy development and planning processes, in tailoring existing policies to better meet the needs of local situations and through education improvement initiatives.  Effective relationship management is essential for the Ministry of Education to interact with and influence the wide range of stakeholder groups that contribute to an effective education system.

The Ministry continues to create relationships that strengthen:

• Its capability to take account of the education aspirations of Māori
• The ability of Māori to exercise greater influence and responsibility over their education through their different relationships with and within the system
• The responsiveness of the system to the educational aspirations and needs of Māori.

The Hui Taumata Matauranga process has helped continue a direct dialogue between Crown, Iwi and Māori focused on education achievement.  Existing and future relationships will aim to gain greater depth in achieving collective and respective education aspirations.