New Zealand First leader Winston Peters joined National MPs in condemning a Qualifications Authority decision to give Maori performing arts equal academic status to maths and English.
Kapa haka can now form up to 24 credits out of the 80 required to attain level one of the Year 11 National Certificate in Educational Achievement, which replaces School Certificate this year.
It is joined by waiata (Maori singing), outdoor pursuits, sports coaching, travel, boat building and motor mechanics in a move supported by head teachers but which Mr Peters described as "pitiful - political correctness gone mad".
"As the [former] Treasurer who made the first grant in support of kapa haka as a cultural activity, I'm astonished it's been taken from that area to be misrepresented as an academic activity the same as maths and English."
The Tauranga MP described the move as a retrograde step that would not help Maori to get jobs in a modern economy.
Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall also attacked the move.
"No one will get ahead while we have this bigotry of low expectation," he said.
National's education spokesman, Nick Smith, said: "This is a cynical exercise in getting more students a qualification at school, not by improving their education but by lowering standards.
"Kapa haka is like school choirs, sports teams and school productions.
"These activities have long been acknowledged at school in reports and references but it is a nonsense to include them as part of a formal qualification.
"This nonsense of creating qualifications for kapa haka, travel, outdoor pursuits and Maori song is dumbing down academic achievement in our schools," he added.
But Tauranga Girls' College principal Pauline Cowens welcomed the kapa haka option. She said any course would be rigorous.
"They're not saying you can just go out and do a haka ... The course would cover written, performance and skills development.
"I have watched girls in a combined kapa haka group train from 4pm Friday to 8pm Sunday ... and I would be happy to employ anyone who showed that kind of dedication."
Kapa haka instilled similar skills to drama and music, including concentration, discipline, teamwork and the ability to memorise complex routines.
Graham Young, principal of Tauranga Boys' College, said the NCEA was a qualification that students could package as they liked. "A tertiary provider or employer can unpack it," he said.
"But it means that people need to get very good guidance. If your career aspiration is to get into medical school then it [kapa haka] won't fit the criteria for that - but if you want to be a performer, then it could be very useful."
Mt Maunganui College principal Barry Bean said it was absolute rubbish to view kapa haka as an easy option.
A great level of expertise was required, just as in other performing arts.
Whether it was valid in the employment market was up to employers.
- NZPA
Kapa haka status criticised
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