Skip Content
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa: Apakura campus, Te Awamutu

The first reading of the Education and Training Bill (No.3) in the House of Representatives today signals an historic shift in the relationship between the Crown and the Wānanga sector, namely Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.

The Bill seeks to enhance the relationship between tino rangatiratanga and kāwanatanga as prescribed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles through the establishment of a Wānanga Enabling Framework within the Education and Training Act 2020. The Wānanga Enabling Framework describes the characteristics of wānanga and enables each wānanga to design its own organisational arrangements by Order in Council.

These provisions recognise the unique role that wānanga play in the tertiary education sector through the provision of teaching and learning that is inextricably linked with te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori. They also represent an important first step in addressing decades of inequity due to Crown policies and actions that have prejudicially affected wānanga and their exercise of rangatiratanga.

The framework, co-designed between the three wānanga and the Crown, is the culmination of many years of work. The wānanga look forward to building on the foundation laid by these provisions and are committed to continue working with the Crown to ensure that wānanga thrive into the future.

 Back to news & events

Published On: 29 March 2023

Article By: Comms Team



Other Articles

  • 23 September 2025

    HRC Maternal Health Inequity Report

    New research led by Dr Sarah Lockwood highlights critical gaps in maternity care during Cyclone Gabrielle, urging the Government to include midwifery and Māori leadership in emergency planning. The report calls for equity-focused reforms to protect pregnant women and whānau in climate crises.

  • 18 September 2025

    From Wānanga baby to Wānanga tauira

    Ripekka Matthews’ lifelong connection to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa began as a child and continues today through her te reo Māori studies. Discover how her journey from wānanga baby to tauira reflects whānau legacy, cultural identity, and the transformative power of education.

  • 05 September 2025

    Cooking up confidence in te reo Māori

    Āku Hapa! is a reo Māori cooking show created by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa tauira, blending kai, kōrero, and comedy. Streaming on Māori+, this series celebrates learning te reo through laughter, mistakes, and whānau connection - one delicious dish at a time.

  • 29 August 2025

    New baby brings new purpose

    Ropata Haddon’s journey through te reo Māori study at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa was reignited by the birth of his child. Discover how fatherhood, kapa haka, and whānau support are helping him embed te reo and tikanga Māori into everyday life for future generations.