ACT Party Demands End to Compulsory Maori Studies for 1st Year Students

David Seymour wants Auckland University to end its policy of making courses on the Treaty of Waitangi compulsory for all first year students.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Auckland University is pictured on September 19, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. The University of Auckland is the largest university in New Zealand, located in the country's largest city, Auckland. Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images

The leader of New Zealand’s libertarian ACT Party David Seymour is pushing Auckland University to end what he calls the “indoctrination” of first-year students by forcing them to pass compulsory courses on Māori history.

The “Waipapa Taumata Rau” courses, covering the Treaty of Waitangi and traditional Māori knowledge systems, cost international students up to $5,370, which is the same or similar cost to most other 100-level courses for international students. It was launched this semester.