Supporters of the change believe that the history of the country as it is currently being taught dominates the atrocities against indigenous peoples during colonization, while critics believe that the new curriculum could not offer a balanced view of the past.
“Let’s teach it, let’s learn it and let’s remember it. Let’s share our history with every student in every school …”, said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as she unveiled a draft of the course she plans to teach. propose next year.
Māori, who make up about 15% of New Zealand’s population, were expropriated from Britain for a large part of their land during colonization. Thousands of Māori protested for civil and social rights in 2019, criticizing successive governments for not doing enough.
During a visit to the site of a battle between the British and Māori at Ruapekapeka in 1846, Ardern called on the public to provide feedback on the concept, which, according to supporters, is a renewed recognition of Maori history and culture reflects.
The proposed curriculum includes the arrival of Māori in New Zealand, early colonial history, immigration and colonization of New Zealand, and the Treaty of Waitangi – a founding treaty signed in 1840 between representatives of the British Crown and more than 500 indigenous chiefs of Maori is signed. .
Paul Goldsmith, spokesman for the opposition Conservative National Party, said the draft was “out of balance and needed to be reviewed”.
“How did we make a living as a country? How did we achieve one of the highest living standards in the world in such a short time?”
“These basic questions do not appear prominently. They deserve much more than a passing reference,” Goldsmith said.
New Zealand marks Waitangi Day on Saturday, named after the Waitangi region in the North Island of New Zealand, where the founding treaty was signed.