Expert questions decision to remove Māori words from new reading books
Thursday 14 August 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Erica Stanford, Ministry of Education, University of Canterbury, Ngāi Tahu
University of Canterbury Professor Gail Gillon has called for transparency after Education Minister Erica Stanford imposed a near total ban on Māori words in new books for five-year-olds. A Māori educator also argued that children should not have to wait until Year 2 to learn the language.
