Date
12 October 2024

Meet national and international obligations, policies, and guidelines​

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Meeting your legal responsibilities and other obligations’

Giving Effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Giving Effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The Education and Training Act 2020 makes it a primary objective of school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The NZSTA article Giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi provides advice to board members on meeting this objective. It includes an overview of the Treaty articles to support boards with honourable governance that reflects New Zealand's dual cultural heritage.

Source: Giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi – New Zealand School Trustees Association (opens in a new tab/window)

Plan for bicultural practice

Plan for bicultural practice

Kilbirine School Board Chair, Chris Montgomerie explains how the board built an inclusive bicultural approach within the school.

New Zealand Disability Strategy

New Zealand Disability Strategy

New Zealand schools are bound by the New Zealand Disability Strategy.

The vision of the strategy is “New Zealand is a non-disabling society – a place where disabled people have an equal opportunity to achieve their goals and aspirations, and all of New Zealand works together to make this happen.”

There are eight outcomes in the strategy. Outcome 1 is “We get an excellent education and achieve our potential throughout our lives.”

Source: The New Zealand Disability Strategy (opens in a new tab/window)

International obligations

International obligations

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

New Zealand schools are bound by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which New Zealand ratified in 2008. Article 24 relates to the education of people with disabilities.

Signatories to the convention are committed to ensure equal access to:

  • primary and secondary education
  • vocational training
  • adult education
  • lifelong learning.

Useful resources

Useful resources

Website

New Zealand Disability Strategy

This Government strategy has been developed to support the vision of a society that values the lives and enhances the full participation of people with disability.

Publisher: Ministry of Social Development

Visit website

The New Zealand Curriculum

The New Zealand Curriculum

This document, along with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, sets a clear direction for teaching and learning in New Zealand schools. It provides guidance for schools in the design and review of their curriculum.

Visit website

Website

Te Marautanga o Aotearoa

Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, along with The New Zealand Curriculum, sets a clear direction for teaching and learning in New Zealand schools. It provides guidance for schools in the design and review of their curriculum.

Visit website

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Meet legal responsibilities and obligations”:

Return to the guide “The role of school boards”

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