Waikato Uni racism allegations ‘incorrect’

Allegations of institutional racism at the University of Waikato by Ma¯ori staff were sparked after it was discovered two senior academics had “not met standards” over the use of hundreds of thousands of dollars on a key project, a review says.

But one of the original complainants says the six-figure spend was authorised, no staff were disciplined and it was for a project to teach Ma¯ori culture online.

The findings of a review into the allegations released yesterday said the claims of systemic racism were “incorrect, inaccurate, or reflect differing perspectives or opinions”.

But the review said because universities were founded in New Zealand’s settlement history and adhered to western traditions and cultures, “there was a case for structural, systemic, and casual discrimination at the University of Waikato”.

It was moving to set up a taskforce to deal with the issues, with one of the Ma¯ori academics at its helm.

The outcome follows a 13-page letter written by six Ma¯ori academics at the university, including worldrenowned professor of indigenous education Linda Tuhiwai Smith, alerting the Ministry of Education to their concerns.

The allegations, which came to light last month, included Ma¯ori expertise being ignored, tokenism, lower pay for Ma¯ori staff and no meaningful commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi.

The university commissioned a review of the claims, which was done by husband and wife Sir Harawira Gardiner and former National MP and Education Minister Hekia Parata.

The review said one of the catalysts for the claims was an employment matter involving two leaders in the Faculty of Ma¯ori and Indigenous Studies who were investigated for “flawed execution of a key project”.

It related to financial and relationship management issues linked to an unauthorised attempt to spend several hundred thousand dollars of university funds. The pair did not meet the standard required and action appropriate to the respective levels of responsibility was taken by the vicechancellor, the report said.

“An employment matter investigated, and determined, by the vicechancellor was the catalyst for a protected disclosure and subsequent campaign against the vice-chancellor and the university, asserting a number of claims, including racism,” the report said.

However, one of the “Waikato 6” who wrote the original letter said the project and use of university money to fund it was legitimate and although it was stopped they hoped it would get the go-ahead again.

They said using the employment matter was a “deflection tactic”.

In a statement, the Waikato 6 said while the report found some claims were unfounded, the most significant issue raised — that of systemic racism — was found to be true.

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

“We strongly support the call

We have raised these issues because of the very real issue of racism that we have experienced. ‘Waikato 6’

issued in the open letter by 37 Ma¯ori professors for a national inquiry into racism across the university sector.”

The reviewers met 80 people and had 96 submissions across a week.

Vice-chancellor Neil Quigley said 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 set up a taskforce led by Tuhiwai Smith and deputy vice chancellor Professor Alister Jones to consider those issues with an action plan to be implemented in the next year, he said.

“We genuinely embrace the opportunity for transformational change and to embed Ma¯tauranga Ma¯ori more deeply in the university.”