Steiner/Waldorf schools are responsive to the wider cultural, social and political contexts in which they are located in Aotearoa New Zealand in the 21st century. Our schools respect tikanga, embrace and honour Te Tiriti, Aotearoa New Zealand’s bi-cultural heritage, and consider all human beings to be free and equal in dignity and rights.
The Steiner Education Aotearoa N.Z. acknowledges Rudolf Steiner’s work. The Steiner school movement in Aotearoa New Zealand works out of an approach of equity and rejects strongly any historical inferences of racial prejudice. Steiner/Waldorf schools and teacher training centres are culturally safe havens for all.
The Steiner Education Aotearoa in New Zealand’s Curriculum Guidelines state that
“the principles that are fundamental to Steiner/Waldorf education are that it is accessible to, and able to be adapted to, the needs of different ethnicities, cultures and religions. Curriculum content allows for the exploration of a wide variety of cultural traditions and world views. Steiner/Waldorf schools in Aotearoa New Zealand strive to imbue their curricula with the unique spirit and history of this land and its peoples.”