Local Auckland politicians say an ACT MP’s member’s bill
targeting race-based scholarships at universities is
‘clearly anti-Māori’.
Dr Will Flavell says
targeted support helped him earn two Master’s degrees and
a doctorate – and Māori and Pasifika students still need
that support today.
A proposed member’s bill banning
race-based scholarships and services is “extremely sad and
frightening”, Henderson-Massey Local Board deputy chair
says.
“I am a product of Māori support services
throughout my time at university.”
ACT tertiary
education spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar says she has
drafted the member’s bill to ensure universities do not
allocate resources, benefits or opportunities based on
race.
But Flavell says the bill is “clearly
anti-Māori”.
“We need to continue speaking out
against the government about this. Ka whawhai tonu tātou.
We all benefit as New Zealanders when our indigenous people
do well – nobody loses, because we all win.”
Dr
Flavell grew up in the North and attended Waikato and Otago
universities. He says tertiary education was intimidating as
a young Māori student, but support services made all the
difference.
“I always made sure that I connected
with the Māori services that were provided for Māori
students, such as cultural, language, and iwi scholarship
support. There were also great mentors who supported me, and
I was grateful for them that enabled me to thrive in the
world of education.”
The member’s bill, if passed,
would stop tertiary institutions from offering resources,
spaces, and academic pathways targeted at specific ethnic
groups.
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Parmar argues such policies are divisive and
that all students should be treated equally. The ACT Party
has long opposed race-based policies, arguing that public
services and opportunities should be based on need, not
ethnicity.
But Māori and Pacific leaders say the bill
ignores systemic disadvantages their communities still face
– and the role of targeted support in addressing those
inequities.
Flavell says cutting the support services
would hit Māori and Pasifika students hardest, especially
in areas like West Auckland.
The Māori economy is now
worth around $126 billion, and investing in Indigenous
learners benefits everyone, he says.
“Formal
education is extremely important, and typically when Māori
graduate, they give back to their respective communities
through their mahi.”
He says this parliamentary term
has seen a wave of bills come through, but he feels a
responsibility to speak out when they increase hardship for
Māori and Pasifika communities.
“To achieve
equitable services for Māori, it is important that we focus
on Kaupapa Māori services, whānau-centred approaches, and
addressing systemic barriers to ensure access to
high-quality educational services and support that are
responsive to Māori needs and
aspirations.”
Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board chair
Apulu Reece Autagavaia also criticised the bill for missing
the point.
“The scholarships recognise that there
are structural inequalities leading to worse outcomes for
Māori, Pacific, disabled, rural communities, women, and
others. It’s not just about race; it’s about addressing
underrepresentation across multiple groups.
“If we
want more doctors who look like us, talk like us, and can
explain things in ways our communities understand, then we
need to build strong pipelines into those professions.
Diversity is our strength. Without it, the same demographic
will continue to dominate and struggle to relate to the
communities they serve.”
Apulu says the bill is
“ideological” and ignores evidence.
“The
research clearly shows these groups face systemic
disadvantages. Scholarships and support services help level
the playing field.”
What’s next?
Dr
Parmar’s Education and Training (Fair Treatment) Amendment
Bill is a member’s bill. It must be drawn from the
parliamentary ballot before it can be debated in the
House.
Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.
