From the 19th to the 20th century, a separate system of education existed for Maori learners in New Zealand in which health, hygiene, and manual work were emphasised. This system was based on beliefs that Maori students were less capable, therefore they needed a reduced curriculum to that provided for non-Maori in state schools. Known as the Native Schools, this system started in 1867 and lasted until 1969. In order to change forever this legacy of colonisation and achieve the new political and policy expectations signalled by the 2020 changes to the Education and Training Act, the author explores some of what Maori students believe has occurred for them going into the 21st century. To illustrate what needs to change: (1) follow the author's pathway of listening and learning from students, as a teacher then as a researcher; (2) focus on four studies and four big learnings; and (3) conclude by comparing current political and policy intersection with implications from what students have reported.