laud Education Ministry's support
Last month, Breakfast talked to Hawke's Bay student teachers Arihi Raiha Hutana and Rangi Mitchell, who during their school placements were both told they could not use the Māori titles matua and whaea in the classroom.
The direct translation of the titles mean uncle and aunty, however they also have a greater significance and are a mark of respect to their culture and heritage.
The pair were instead left with two options — to change their titles to Mr and Mrs or leave to train at a different school.
However, in a statement to 1 NEWS yesterday, the Ministry of Education's deputy secretary of education system policy Andrea Schöllmann said Māori now have a right to use matua and whaea titles.
"The Education & Training Act 2020 requires schools to be good employers, provide a physically and emotionally safe space for students and staff and to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi," she said.
"We would expect that to meet these obligations schools would embrace Te Reo Māori in the classroom and allow teachers to use matua and whaea titles."
Link to article and video: Māori teachers who fought school over te reo honorifics laud Education Ministry's support | 1 NEWS | TVNZ
