An organisation representing some Maori language schools says it is open-minded about kura hourua or charter schools.
The Government has announced details of its rules for the publicly funded private schools, which are expected to open from 2014.
People with no teaching experience will be allowed to run kura hourua and the schools will be able to have fewer registered teachers than state schools.
The tumuaki or president of Te Runanga Nui o Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori o Aotearoa, Toni Waho, says the current system is failing some students, including Maori.
Mr Waho hopes education leaders around the country will accept there are other ways to approach schooling.
He says is yet to see the finer details of the plan but hopes the most disadvantaged communities will be targeted.
Te Runanga Nui o Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori o Aotearoa acts for 64 kura.
