Open Letter from the school board – Te Tiriti o Waitangi

 17 November 2025

Tēnā tātou e te whānau,

The Wellington Girls’ College Board wishes to clarify the school’s position around Te Tiriti o Waitangi, given the recent legislative amendments announced by Government.

These announcements to deprioritise Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the Education and Training Act may have created uncertainty for some, but we remain committed to our school’s current direction.

We recognise and respect that while national policy settings may shift; our values, commitments and relationships do not have to.

We will continue to aspire to meet our 2024-28 Strategic Goals which include but are not exclusive to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We do not find this approach onerous or burdensome but rather find it helpful in illuminating a path of inclusion and partnership in everything we do.

Even if not seen as a legislative requirement, we reaffirm our commitments to Te Tiriti as we see them providing a historical foundation for our nation and a pillar for an inclusive education system that truly reflects Aotearoa.

We also value our developing relationship with Te Āti Awa and recognise them as Mana Whenua.

This relationship is pivotal to who we are as a school, encapsulated by the journey towards our new te reo Māori name, Te Kura Manawaroa o Pipitea.

This relationship helps shape our identity, supports our growing cultural competency, and helps students understand respect, and connect to the land and people of our area.

Much of our work alongside Te Āti Awa has centered around Te Ōhākī o Te Wharepōuri or the dying wishes of Te Āti Awa rangatira Te Wharepōuri in 1842:

 “I muri nei kia pai ki aku taonga Māori, taonga Pākehā, kia tae ake te haruru o tō reo ki ahau i Te Reinga.

“After I have gone, be good to my Māori and my non-Māori, let the thunder of your voice reach me in the spirit land.”

This underlines why we will continue to honour this partnership and work collaboratively to hold space for te ao Māori within our school.

We want to reassure our community that the primary objective in governing, as outlined by the Education and Training Act, “to ensure that every student at the school is able to attain his or her highest possible standard in educational achievement” is central to all Board decision-making, including this confirmation of our strategic goals.

We understand these public discussions produce a range of emotions and opinions and as a community we certainly welcome open, thoughtful, and respectful conversations.

Together, we will ensure that our school remains a place where all students are included and empowered to thrive into the future in the spirit of Te Ōhākī o Te Wharepōuri.

We thank you for your continued trust and support.

Ngā mihi nunui,

THE WELLINGTON GIRLS’ COLLEGE SCHOOL BOARD