26 Nov 2025

Hi all, 

Just a reminder about our End of Year Concert/Picnic Tomorrow at 6pm, here at Whangarei Primary. See more details on the poster attached.

Office@WPS

26 Nov 2025

Wednesday 26 November 2025.

 Tēnā koutou e te whānau o Whangārei Primary School 

Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Whangārei Primary School

You may be aware that the recent Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) passed its third reading in Parliament, following some changes from the Government. These changes removed the legal requirement for school boards to explicitly 'give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.' This move has sparked widespread discussion and, for many, a sense of anxiety and dismay across the motu (country). We have received enquiries regarding our school’s position on this important matter.

On behalf of the Whangārei Primary School Board of Trustees, we want to assure our whole community our whānau, parents, and staff that Te Tiriti o Waitangi remains an absolute cornerstone of our school's governance, our curriculum, our policies, and our relationship with our community and mana whenua.

Whangārei Primary School firmly believes that we are a bi-cultural nation, first and foremost, and this legislative change does not alter who we are or what we stand for. We will continue the work of giving effect to the Treaty in our teaching and learning practices, just as we have in the past.

We remain committed to:

• Achieving equitable outcomes for all our students, particularly our Māori students.
• Instilling in every child an understanding and appreciation of the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te reo Māori as part of our shared heritage.
• Ensuring our school plans, policies, and local curriculum are robustly informed by and reflect local tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), and te ao Māori (the Māori world).
• Building and strengthening relationships with mana whenua (local iwi/hapū) to ensure we are responsive to the cultural landscape of Whangārei.
  This is not a temporary policy, but a core belief and a commitment to a continuing journey of partnership, protection, and participation within our school community.

As a school community, we are steadfast: Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a living document that shapes our school's vision and identity. Legislative changes will not alter our Board’s responsibility and commitment to honour this partnership, now and into the future.

This position aligns with the stance of the School Boards Association, Principals' Federation, and many other schools across Whangārei and Aotearoa who have reaffirmed their commitment to the Treaty principles.

Ngā mihi nui

Matua Danny / Board of Trustees of Whangarei Primary School

25 Nov 2025

WPS Newsletter

Kia Ora,
This is our latest newsletter for Week 8 of Term 4, 2025

Please click on the link below to open and view our newsletter:
WPS Newsletter - W08T04 - 25 November 2025

If you would like to view any of our previous newsletters, please click on this link below:
WPS Newsletters and Notices

Nga mihi

Office@WPS
Ph: (09) 438 3186
office@whangareiprimary.school.nz