The University of Auckland has defended their "bold" move to have all first-year students complete a course covering the Treaty of Waitangi, saying it will prepare them for their future.
Along with the Treaty of Waitangi, Waipapa Taumata Rau will teach knowledge of New Zealand history as well as skills such as methods of thinking.
The University's website states: "The University places particular emphasis on promoting Māori presence and participation in all aspects of University life and encouraging teaching, learning and research in a range of fields important to Māori."
RNZ reported that pro vice chancellor Māori Te Kawehau Hoskins said students would benefit from the units, which included critical thinking and working in groups.
"Every undergraduate student averagely does eight courses per semester, and this will be one of the courses that they do in their first year at Auckland University," she said.
"We have taken the bold move to create a course that will address preparedness issues and support our students to be successful at university."
She said the university has created almost three hours of central content which could be used across five courses taught by each faculty.
"Every undergraduate student averagely does eight courses per semester, and this will be one of the courses that they do in their first year at Auckland University," Hoskins told RNZ.
She said such knowledge would be of interest to employers, showing them students have a knowledge of te ao Māori and New Zealand history. She noted this was a requirement for the teachers' council.
However, the move has been criticised by a right wing member of the coalition, the ACT Party, who have labelled it indoctrination.
Parmjeet Parmar, a Pakuranga-based ACT MP and the first Indian woman to be elected to the New Zealand Parliament, used an op-ed in the Auckland-based the Times to label the proposal risks "damaging the reputation of the university".
"The course risks a dangerous uniformity of perspective on Treaty issues," she said.
"Whatever you may think about the current Treaty principles debate, it's clear these issues are controversial and politically contested.
"Having a small group of academics in consultation with local iwi prepare a course on Treaty issues will leave graduates with a narrow, one-sided view of the history of the Treaty and its implications for our rights and democracy."
She said international students wouldn't benefit from the course, however Hoskins told RNZ many people who came to New Zealand enjoyed the "cultural vibrancy", Māori people and Māori world.
The course is in a pilot program this year before being officially rolled out in 2025.
The ruling coalition have been criticised by some for their criticism and attempts to remove some parts Māori culture from government and corporate life. This included the disestablishing of Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority) in February and the pushing through of the Treaty Principles Bill, which seeks to "redefine" the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi/te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Guardian Australia noted in July the right wing coalition have enacted reforms that have been described by experts as "chilling" and "dangerous" and which have created a "deeply fractured" relationship between Māori and the crown.
