📢 Petition Statement – A Call for Review of the WTR100 Series

We, the undersigned students of the University of Auckland, demand a decisive and comprehensive review of the WTR100 suite of compulsory courses — including WTRENG100, WTRBUS100, WTRSCI100, and WTRMHS100. Our petition has quickly garnered widespread support, underlining the urgent call for change from a diverse student body facing challenges with these courses.

We stand alongside the university in its mission to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the rich history of Māori culture. However, the current delivery of the WTR courses fails to fulfill this mission effectively. Students from various disciplines report that these courses are lacking in clarity, depth, and relevance to their fields of study. Workshops have devolved into repetitive group discussions devoid of substantial lecturer engagement or academic focus. This leads to confusion, disengagement, and dissatisfaction — outcomes that contradict the very educational purpose these courses are intended to serve.

Presently, the courses fall short of providing a meaningful and respectful education regarding the Treaty. Particularly in WTRENG100 and WTRBUS100, the content is often perceived as oversimplified and politically biased, leaving students feeling more alienated than informed. Without sufficient instructional support or clear learning objectives, these courses appear to be mere formalities, burdening students with significant costs for minimal educational gain.

The financial implications are also considerable. Students are currently required to pay over $1,300 NZD for a single paper that lacks robust academic support and fails to align with their educational goals. International students incur even greater financial hardship. Many students question the necessity of separate WTR courses when existing courses, such as ENGGEN140, already incorporate similar content in a more integrated and structured manner.

We recognize the crucial role of Te Tiriti in our educational landscape. However, poorly executed Treaty education risks diminishing Māori voices rather than amplifying them. Instead of fostering understanding and engagement, the current approach leaves students feeling frustrated and disconnected. This is not merely an oversight; it is a fundamental failure in curriculum design.

Our movement stands firmly against hate speech and extremism. We are a collective of students who are deeply invested in New Zealand’s future and in authentic, high-quality cultural education. Nonetheless, we will not accept a system that feels rushed, patronizing, and financially burdensome.

Change is imperative. We call upon the university to listen to the student body and to restructure these courses thoughtfully and effectively — not to eliminate Treaty education, but to strengthen it with intention, academic integrity, and student autonomy at its heart.