Luxon vs Hipkins; Christianity vs Te Ao Māori

Bassett Brash and Hide, Summarised by Centrist

Graham Adams writes that while Luxon is pilloried for his Christian beliefs, Hipkins is busy integrating Māori spirituality into education including the science curriculum. This breach of the separation between secular education and religion goes unremarked. 

Along with mātauranga Māori as a blend of “religion, ethics, morality, tradition and superstition” being given equal weight to western science, the absence of central scientific concepts in a leaked draft document for science and technology educators raises concern. 

Adams suggests that the inclusion of mātauranga Māori in science education may not align with the beliefs and interests of the majority of Māori, as a significant number have no religious affiliation at all. 

One of the elite academics heavily involved in the curriculum refresh is Chris Hipkins’ mother, Rosemary Hipkins. Her work explores the intersection of complexity science and indigenous knowledge systems, including mātauranga Māori. 

“You might even say that when it comes to promoting mātauranga Māori in science and “decolonising” the curriculum, Chippie is a chip off the old block.”

Read the full story over at Bassett, Brash and Hide