(1)
A Kura Kaupapa Maori established after the commencement of the Education (Te Aho Matua) Amendment Act 1999 may not merge or be merged with another Kura Kaupapa Maori or other school unless the schools involved in the merger—
operate in accordance with Te Aho Matua; and
use te reo Maori as the principal language of instruction.
(2)
Any other Kura Kaupapa Maori may merge with another school only if both schools use te reo Maori as the principal language of instruction and have the same aims, purposes, and objectives.
(3)
A designated character school may not merge or be merged with another designated character or other school unless the schools involved in the merger have the same aims, purposes, and objectives, being the aims, purposes, and objectives that constitute the way in which the character of each school is different from the character of ordinary State schools.
Section 156B: replaced, on 17 July 1999, by section 4 of the Education (Te Aho Matua) Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 79).