Summarised by Centrist

There are reports of students around the country being encouraged by teachers and principals to participate in the Te Pāti Māori linked Toe Toitū Te Tiriti hīkoi to Parliament. 

Naenae Primary School’s recent decision to involve students in hīkoi in Wellington is one such school. Hobson’s Pledge argues the school is crossing the line into political activism. 

The school frames the event as an important stand against the government’s proposed Treaty bill, inviting students and their families to “make history”. Others see it as overt political engagement that is inappropriate for a public educational institution. 

The school plans to transport students by train to Wellington, where they will participate in a demonstration alongside thousands of others. Permission slips are available through the school’s app, and parents have been asked to help with supervision. 

Students are encouraged to come prepared with flags and a readiness to voice their opposition. However, Hobson’s Pledge and others argue that encouraging children’s involvement in this protest may breach political neutrality requirements for schools. 

David Farrar of Kiwiblog has suggested concerned citizens report schools engaging in political advocacy to the Teaching Council, stating that schools should focus on education, not activism.

Don Brash of Hobson’s Pledge notes, “Our opponents use any means possible to silence and attack us, why should we not use regulatory tools to disincentivise destructive activism?” 

Read more over at Hobson’s Pledge and Kiwiblog

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