Key Takeaways
- Major law changes in 2025 have reduced public sector obligations and targeted initiatives supporting Māori rights, development, and wellbeing.
- The changes affect social services, marine and coastal rights, and education, and have been met with criticism and sadness from Māori leaders and communities.
- The Oranga Tamariki Amendment Act 2025 repealed a section requiring consideration of whakapapa in social services, while the Marine and Coastal Area (MACA) Amendment Bill implemented a tougher legal test for recognition of customary rights for Māori.
- The Regulatory Standards Amendment Act aims to ensure regulatory decisions are based on principles of good law-making and economic efficiency, but critics argue it will weaken Treaty protections.
- The Education and Training Amendment Act (No. 2) cuts the requirement for school boards to "give effect" to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which has drawn significant criticism from schools and Māori communities.
Introduction to Law Changes
The New Zealand government has implemented several major law changes in 2025, which have been met with criticism and sadness from Māori leaders and communities. These changes affect various areas, including social services, marine and coastal rights, and education. According to critics, the changes reduce public sector obligations and targeted initiatives that support Māori rights, development, and wellbeing. The government, on the other hand, claims that the changes are aimed at making children safer, cutting red tape, and improving educational success for Māori.
Changes to Social Services
One of the key changes is the repeal of section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Amendment Act 2025, which required the agency to consider whakapapa in its policies and practices. The section was inserted in 2019 in response to concerns that child protection services were failing young Māori and their whānau. However, the government claims that removing this section will reinforce the need to put the safety of the child first. Critics argue that this change will have a negative impact on Māori children and their families, and that it is a step backwards in terms of addressing the disparities in the child welfare system.
Marine and Coastal Rights
The Marine and Coastal Area (MACA) Amendment Bill has also been implemented, which introduces a tougher legal test for recognition of customary rights for Māori. The test applies retrospectively to July 2024, which has overturned marine title rulings awarded to Māori across 280km of coastline. Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith claims that this change is necessary, but Māori leaders and communities are outraged, saying that it will have a devastating impact on their customary rights and interests. Far North Ngātiwai leader Aperahama Edwards expressed his sadness and outrage, stating that the amendments will undo the work that has been done to advance MACA claims in their tribal territory.
Regulatory Standards Amendment Act
The Regulatory Standards Amendment Act aims to ensure that regulatory decisions are based on principles of good law-making and economic efficiency. However, critics argue that this act will provide a means to weaken Treaty protections and remove the legal meaning and effects of Te Tiriti from the law. Law academic Dr Carwyn Jones claims that this act is a continuation of the work started by the Treaty Principles Bill, which was ultimately rejected. He believes that the Regulatory Standards Bill will finish off the work that was started by the Treaty Principles Bill, and that it will have a negative impact on Māori rights and interests.
Education and Training Amendment Act
The Education and Training Amendment Act (No. 2) cuts the requirement for school boards to "give effect" to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which includes ensuring that plans, policies, and curriculum reflect local iwi history, tikanga, and mātauranga. This change has drawn significant criticism from schools and Māori communities, with many schools reaffirming their commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi by signing up to have their names appear on a public list called Te Rārangi Rangatira. Education Minister Erica Stanford claims that the change is aimed at improving educational success for Māori, but critics argue that it is a step backwards in terms of addressing the disparities in the education system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the major law changes implemented in 2025 have reduced public sector obligations and targeted initiatives that support Māori rights, development, and wellbeing. The changes affect various areas, including social services, marine and coastal rights, and education, and have been met with criticism and sadness from Māori leaders and communities. While the government claims that the changes are aimed at making children safer, cutting red tape, and improving educational success for Māori, critics argue that they will have a negative impact on Māori rights and interests. As the debate continues, it is essential to consider the potential consequences of these changes and to ensure that the rights and interests of Māori are protected and respected.