Education Minister bans Māori words from new junior reading books

Wednesday 13 August 2025 · 8 outlets · 4 reports · updated Wed 13 Aug 2025, 4:23pm

In this story Erica Stanford, Ministry of Education

Education Minister Erica Stanford decided in October last year to exclude most Māori words from new additions to the Ready to Read Phonics Plus series. The decision, aimed at preventing confusion for five-year-olds, has been criticised by the NZ Principals' Federation.

How they headlined it

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1. The Post via RNZWed 13 Aug 2025, 6:56am

   Education Minister cut Māori words from future junior books, documents reveal (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab), RNZ (opens in new tab), NZ Herald (opens in new tab), Stuff (opens in new tab)

2. 1News via RNZWed 13 Aug 2025, 8:17am

   Education Minister cut Māori words from future junior books, documents show (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesWed 13 Aug 2025, 8:53am

   Education minister bans Māori words from junior books (opens in new tab)

4. RNZWed 13 Aug 2025, 4:23pm

   Education minister over-reached on te reo in books, say principals (opens in new tab)