Graham Hingangaroa Smith is a self-proclaimed optimist. But he chooses his words carefully when he says, “I’m terribly disappointed with where education and schooling are at the moment”.

Smith (Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Kai Tahu and Ngāti Porou), a professor, scholar and advocate, spoke at a Tiriti education summit, addressing an audience of about 200 people ranging from teachers and principals to iwi and union leaders.

Among the attendees were some like Smith who had been involved in the development of Te Mātaiaho, the refreshed New Zealand curriculum in 2023.