Back in the bad old days, Māori children were punished for speaking Te Reo at school and Māori culture had no place in the classroom. Our education system has come a long way since then. Unfortunately, Māori educational achievement is still trailing behind, but gains are being made and public schools work very hard to meet the needs of Māori students while also educating all students in tikanga Māori and Te Reo. 

Kohanga reo, kura kaupapa and kura a iwi movements also play an…