Racism Row: University of Waikato Maori Staff Accusations of Institutional Racism Find ‘Incorrect, Inaccurate’ Review

Accusations of institutional racism at the University of Waikato by Maori staff arose after it was discovered that two high-level academics were “not meeting standards” about using hundreds of thousands of dollars on a key project, according to a review.

But one of the original whistleblowers of systemic racism at the university says the six-figure spending was authorized, no staff was disciplined and it was for a project to teach Maori culture online.

The findings of a review of the allegations released today said the claims of institutional racism were “incorrect, inaccurate or reflect different perspectives or opinions.”

However, the review says that because the universities were founded on the history of New Zealand settlements and adhered to Western traditions and cultures, “there was a case of structural, systemic and casual discrimination at the University of Waikato” .

He was moving to establish a task force to address the issues, with one of the Maori scholars at the helm.

The result follows a 13-page letter written by six Maori academics at the university, including world-renowned indigenous education professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, alerting the Ministry of Education to their concerns.

The allegations, which came to light last month, included ignorance of the Maori experience, symbolism, a lower salary for Maori staff and no significant commitment to the Waitangi Treaty.

The university commissioned a review of the complaints, which was conducted by husband and wife Sir Harawira Gardiner and Hekia Parata, a former national deputy.

The review said one of the catalysts for the allegations was a labor matter involving two leaders from the Faculty of Indigenous and Maori Studies who were investigated for “flawed execution of a key project.”

It related to financial and relationship management issues linked to an unauthorized attempt to spend several hundred thousand dollars of college funds.

The couple did not meet the required standard and appropriate action for the
The respective levels of responsibility were assumed by the vice chancellor, according to the report.

“A labor issue investigated and determined by the vice chancellor was the catalyst for a protected disclosure and a subsequent campaign against the vice chancellor and the university, asserting a number of claims, including racism,” the report says.

“The leadership of the Faculty of Maori and Indigenous Studies reacted to the vice
the chancellor sanctions his colleagues by sending a statement under protection
disclosure to the Secretary of Education.

Subsequently, the statement was sent to the vice chancellor, under the cover of a letter alleging to the vice chancellor about the motive and the exercise of the executive function.

“Separately, statements of personal vilification were made on a variety of media platforms, either directly by faculty leaders or supporters.”

The statement made a series of statements about the vision of the faculty leadership on the
decisions that include the status of the faculty in its hierarchical line, representation in
committees, the breadth of power and influence of those committees, the employment, promotion and pay scales of Maori staff, academic credentials, and the suitability of
appointments, equity fund allocation and profile of Maori achievements, activities and events.

However, one of the “Waikato 6” who wrote the original letter said that the project and the use of the university’s money to fund it was legitimate and, although it was stopped, they expected it to be approved again.

They said using the employment issue was a “diversion tactic.”

In a statement, the “Waikato 6” said that while the report found some claims to be unfounded, the most important issue raised, that of systemic racism at the university, was found to be true.

“The space that has been created now would not have existed without our calling. We have
raised these issues because of the real problem of racism that we have experienced.

“We know from research that systemic and casual racism is bad for people’s health, it can
destroy careers and limit opportunities.

“Racism is not good for our institution or for New Zealand society. We look forward to addressing those issues and supporting our colleagues nationally and internationally to do the same.

“We strongly support the call issued in the open letter by 37 Maori professors for a national inquiry into racism in the university sector.”

Reviewers had access to all relevant university files, held individual and group meetings with 80 people, and received 96 presentations in one week.

Today a final report was presented to the University Council, after which it was made public.

It found that specific claims against the university made under protected disclosure in May were “incorrect, inaccurate or reflect different perspectives or opinions.”

The report noted that “university leaders have taken a number of positive initiatives as part of a Te Ao Māori commitment,” but that “the good intentions of individuals and groups are insufficient to correct this situation.”

The reviewers said their report should be the beginning of a process of ongoing commitment to “urgent and serious action, seeking not just improvement, but transformation as well.”

“Based on these findings and its own investigation of the evidence regarding claims made in the public domain, the University Council expressed its full confidence in the rector [Neil Quigley] and university management “.

In a video statement, Quigley said that he accepted that because the university was founded on a Western university tradition, “our university and our university system will exhibit elements of structural and systemic discrimination and racism.”

The university would immediately establish a task force to consider those issues, he said.

Tuhiwai Smith and Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Alister Jones would co-chair the working group.

Quigley said an action plan would be developed and implemented over the next year.

“This is an opportunity for the University of Waikato to provide leadership both here and nationally for the development of ideas that address structural and systemic discrimination and racism in the university system,” Quigley said.

“It’s going to be a tough ride, a challenging ride and it won’t be fast, but we are committed to making it work.”

Quigley said that recent comments in the media and social media on the issue had been “misinformed”, but with the support of university staff and students, both Maori and Pakehā, and leaders of key iwi stakeholders His constructive work focused on resolution had provided a strong foundation for the future.

“We genuinely seize the opportunity for transformative change and to integrate Mātauranga Māori more deeply into the university.

“We appreciate the many students, staff, and stakeholders who have expressed concern and support for the university, and we recognize the resilience the university community has demonstrated in the face of adversity.”

The University Council supported the recommendation to participate in a process to determine how to apply Te Tiriti as the basis for a bicultural platform for the university.

The task force will operate for the next three months, with implementation projects to follow in 2021.

The timeline will also provide scope for ongoing consultation with the university community and external stakeholders.