Kura Kaupapa Maori: Innovation and policy development in Maori education

The two papers presented here argue for Kura Kaupapa Maori to be acknowledged as a viable and legitimate state schooling option because present reforms as outlined in Tomorrow’s Schools do not readily provide for the possibility of Kura Kaupapa Maori development. The first paper is a submission was made by Dr. Pita Sharples. The intention was to: familiarise decision makers with the concept of Kura Kaupapa Maori; show how it did not fit into the predetermined categories, or terms of reference which working parties had to work with; make specific recommendations to enable working parties to give Kura Kaupapa Maori appropriate consideration. This second paper was a submission made by a sub-committee of Tamaki Makaurau Komiti. The two principal concerns of this submission were to argue that Tomorrow’s Schools proposals did not cover Kura Kaupapa Maori and that Kura Kaupapa Maori schooling was a unique and pressing circumstance that merited special and immediate attention.