STATEMENT IN RELATION TO CHANGES PROPOSED IN THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING AMENDMENT BILL (NO.2) REMOVING THE PROVISIONS RELATED TO TE TIRITI O WAITANGI FROM THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING ACT 2020

As the Anglican Church, we stand within a tradition that has, from the early 1800s, affirmed with conviction that we are the Church of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This commitment is embedded in our constitution which gives structural expression to the principles of partnership and bicultural development that lie at the heart of Te Tiriti. 

Whatever legislative changes may arise, our identity and mission are not determined by political cycles. Our dedication to honouring Te Tiriti is foundational to who we are as a Church. It shapes our relationships, our governance, and our responsibilities to ākonga, whānau, and communities across all three Tikanga of our Church.

We therefore urge every Anglican school to continue to embody Te Tiriti o Waitangi with integrity and courage—through authentic partnership with mana whenua, culturally sustaining practice, and a deep commitment to equity and flourishing for all learners. This is not simply a compliance matter; it is a Gospel matter, a covenantal matter, and an expression of our shared identity in Christ. 

In this moment of national conversation, Anglican schools have an opportunity to witness to a hopeful, just, and honouring future. We encourage each school to hold fast to the vision that Te Tiriti offers us, to continue their commitment to Te Tiriti within their schools irrespective of any changes to legislation and by doing so to therefore offer leadership within their communities with confidence, humility, and faithfulness.

Archbishop Don Tamihere
Primate and Bishop of Aotearoa

Archbishop Sione Ulu’ilakepa
Primate and Bishop of Polynesia

Archbishop Justin Duckworth
Primate and Bishop of Wellington