ACT says Auckland University should pay back thousands of students who did compulsory Treaty of Waitangi and Te Ao Māori courses.

The university's senate has now recommended making the courses optional - after criticism from staff, students and politicians.

ACT's Parmjeet Parmar, says more than 8,000 students had to take the course this year.

"They had to push some papers out, papers that they really wanted to do, papers that are relevant to the degree or their aspirations - so they'll have to do that paper in future semesters." 

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