LOCAL LEARNING LIVING -together for the future-
Learning Opportunities
We work with interested groups to developed tailored programmes according to time available, prior knowledge and desired outcomes of participants.
We also offer regular learning opportunities open to the public. These two-day courses are hosted by the Canterbury Workers’ Educational Association (CWEA). Our next course “Understanding the Treaty in 2026” will be held on 2 & 9 May 2026.
Our sessions are inclusive and non-confrontational and are designed to give everyone in a group the ability to learn from one another’s experiences. The aim is to explore what it means to live in this country, what Te Tiriti says, and how to think about and work towards the Treaty as a framework for the future.
We do not set fees for our courses. We ask that our expenses be covered and invite koha in relation to the provision of education. Invitations to work outside Ōtautahi are considered, as well as online sessions.
We welcome opportunities to follow up with participants and support the implementation of learnings.
Course Content
Topics include:
- Ancestry and culture, values, cultural difference and cultural safety.
- What was happening before 1840, including the 1835 Declaration of Independence.
- The Treaty documents.
- Post-Treaty legislation and actions taken by Māori attempting to call the Crown to account.
- Personal and cultural bias.
- Bicultural / multicultural / partnership issues.
- Colonisation and decolonisation.
- Institutional racism, social statistics, and economic issues.
- Treaty ‘settlement’ matters.
- New ways of thinking, living, and working.
- Models and possible actions for moving towards a Treaty-based society, particularly in relation to a strongly sustainable future.
NEXT COURSE
“Understanding the Treaty in 2026”
(2 Saturdays, open to the public)
2 & 9 May 2026 from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
at the WEA Centre
For more information and to enrol click here.
Speaking Events
We always have a speaker presenting on a current topic at our AGM and from time to time offer the opportunity to hear speakers talk on other topics of interest.
Networking
This involves local, regional and nationwide organisations in all three sectors – government, commercial, and the Third Sector. In particular we enjoy a collegial relationship with Treaty education groups throughout the country, and maintain strong connections to Third Sector Organisations particularly in Greater Christchurch with One Voice Te Reo Kotahi.
We attend numerous events and provide displays featuring our resources, with our people on hand to explain our work, and we distribute hard copy resources all around the motu. The Ministry of Culture and Heritage endorses our work to teachers seeking resources to support education around Te Tiriti in the classroom: click here to learn more. We also consider making submissions on relevant government bills and have links with Government.
How NWŌ works
REGULATORY STANDARDS BILL
NWŌ submission on the Regulatory Standards Bill
TREATY PRINCIPLES BILL
NWŌ submission on the Treaty Principles Bill
KOHA
We accept koha in recognition of our work on the basis of what individuals and groups can afford, while taking into account the need to ensure that any amounts paid to us will not disadvantage mana whenua planning and will not put people off engaging in the workshops and other activities.
MEMBERSHIP OF NWŌ
People involved in Treaty work, who agree with our Primary Aim and objectives are welcome to apply for membership of NWŌ.
The primary purpose of the Society is to promote, encourage and provide educational opportunities to work, as part of a wider network of groups and individuals, towards a society based on Te Tiriti o Waitangi with a particular focus on the responsibility for building honourable Kāwanatanga.
See our full constitution here.
We really appreciate members promoting our NWŌ approach and resources – assisting in events and displays.
Please find our Membership Application Form here.
Nominations of members to the Organising Group are most welcome!
Snippets
We send out a regular newsletter called Snippets to Treaty workers who request that. Previous issues of Snippets are available on our website.
Additional Education Posts
- Why are there differences between Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Crown’s English-language version and what did Māori intend in entering into the Treaty agreement?
- Which document is the Treaty?
- What are the similarities and differences between Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Crown’s English language version?
- Who wrote Te Tiriti o Waitangi?