I am Maori. Can I wear a bone or pounamu (greenstone) taonga at school?

Stopping you from wearing something that is of cultural significance amounts to discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnic origins. The Human Rights Commission has agreed that Maori students have the right to wear taonga openly at school despite a school uniform code that bans the wearing of jewellery.

The Education Act 1989 also says that all school charters must recognise the unique position of Maori culture in New Zealand society.

Under the Treaty of Waitangi, state and integrated schools have to make sure uniform and appearance rules still give Maori control over their taonga.

YouthLaw	Latest page update: made by YouthLaw , Aug 16 2009, 9:04 PM EDT (about this update About This Update Edited by YouthLaw 96 words added view changes - complete history)
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Anonymous

concerned employer

Jan 31 2012, 5:32 AM EST by Anonymous

Thread started: Jan 31 2012, 5:32 AM EST Watch

As an employer my company has a strict dress code, Am I allowed to ask employee's to tuck the green stone under their uniform?
can I say they may still wear cultural jewlery but it must be out of site, under their uniform?

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