The Ministry of Education is introducing fresh requirements for teachers, new and old, to be culturally competent and know how to teach Maori students.
Officials in charge of the Maori learning strategy, Ka Hikitia, appeared before the Parliamentary Education Select Committee on Wednesday.
Ministry executive Rowena Phair said the Teachers Council ensured its training programmes prepared teachers to effectively engage with Maori students and have some te reo Maori.
Teachers renewing their certification were also required to demonstrate cultural competencies, while workshops had been held nationwide for existing teachers and principals to ensure they understood the new requirements, Ms Phair said.