The school was widely criticised on social media for issuing a student with a uniform pass allowing them to wear a greenstone necklace.
Ashburton Intermediate School, in New Zealand’s South Island, has said it was wrong to issue a student with a uniform pass that allowed them to wear a pounamu (a greenstone necklace), which is considered an important part of Māori tradition and culture.
Over the weekend, a photograph of one of the passes was shared on social media. The identifying details are obscured, but the “incorrect uniform item” is listed as “pounamu.”
The person who posted it said a friend had sent them the photo.
“It seems that if you want to be Māori at Ashburton Intermediate, you have to carry this pass and present it to anyone who asks you for it,” they commented.
Facebook commenters were critical of the school’s policy, with one saying, “Pounamu is part of our culture and it’s a taonga [cultural treasure] that holds deep spiritual significance. It’s not just an accessory. I don’t see why Māori students should need a pass to wear something that represents their identity and heritage.”
Principal Apologises Twice
Principal Brent Gray quickly apologised not once but twice for the incident, first in a statement on the school’s Facebook page on Feb. 1 and then again in a statement to media on Feb. 3 after meeting with the school’s Board of Trustees.
He said the Intermediate had “issued passes that are culturally inappropriate” as part of its uniform pass system.
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“Thank you to those who have brought this to our attention, and be assured that this is something that we will rectify immediately. Our sincere apologies to anyone we have offended,” he said.
“We … will rectify immediately any seeking of passes to wear a taonga/pounamu, which we have not denied the wearing of to anyone during my time here. The Board will also review the uniform code ensuring that incidents of this nature do not occur in the future.
“We have issued a response and apology to our school and Māori community and deeply regret any offence we have caused and apologise to all whānau hapū iwi [tribes and families] as it was not our intention to cause any grief.”
That wasn’t enough for some social media users, who called for the Ministry of Education to investigate the school.
However, the passes for pounamu are not a new requirement and are in accordance with the school’s uniform code, which states, “The only allowable jewellery is a watch and ear studs (one per earlobe). Any other items require exemptions via the Board of Trustees.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education said it had been informed about the issue by the school, which it believed had acted appropriately.
