Montessori Aotearoa NZ

Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand is calling for immediate Government action following the Waitangi Tribunal’s findings on the national curriculum. We encourage the Government to work with Māori and the education sector so the curriculum honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and properly recognises te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and mātauranga Māori.

Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand supports stronger child protection measures, but says meaningful change requires more than compliance and reporting. In its 2026 submission, MANZ calls for nationally consistent training, stronger multi-agency collaboration and a well-resourced system that ensures tamariki and whānau receive timely, coordinated and effective support.

Education sector groups, including Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand, have signed a letter opposing the Minister’s plan to strip the Teaching Council of its independent function. They warn that removing teacher‑led decision‑making and handing control to the Ministry risks the standards that protect both students and the teaching profession.

MANZ welcomes the proposed changes to ECE regulations but wants clearer guidelines on enforcement thresholds, the roles of specialists, and fairness in the process. We believe in a balanced approach that ensures the wellbeing of tamariki while keeping trust in services.