Kerre Woodham: Why does everyone have to march to Labour's educational drumbeat?

This election is highlighting yet another war being fought on the ideological battleground that is education. Charter schools, as they operate now, are in the sights of Labour because they're doing something different. To be fair, Labour's never liked the idea of schools operating under their own curriculum. Nothing new there. As Chris Hipkins told Mike Hosking this morning, they're all for new ideas in education, so long as the schools follow the party line.

Mike's Minute: Charter schools starting to get their day in the sun

My uplifting story of the week involves charter schools.

Charter schools are the little idea that could. Or maybe they are the big game-changing idea that could.

We heard this week of the first public school wanting to explore the charter route.

Bob Edlin: We’re sure they can add their student numbers....

We’re sure they can add their student numbers – but the Charter School Agency is coy about giving the answer

Alwyn Poole raises a good question in a Kiwiblog article today:


Why do National and ACT demand accountability when they are in opposition – but suppress information when in government?

Alwyn Poole: Three Key Articles to Consider re Education in NZ

There would have been four articles but the use of taxpayer’s money to pay for teacher registration has already been posted. 

1. An interesting article re moving away from State Schools altogether.

I believe that there are a number of reasons why the Australian system now appears to be moving well ahead of NZ. You can stipulate the others but the fact that nearly 36% of students are in private schools in Australia and less than 4% in New Zealand.

This article – raises many interesting points – e.g.

Dr Michael Johnston: Two paths to educational improvement

Regular Stuff columnist Damien Grant is a great friend of The New Zealand Initiative. In fact, he’s a member. From time to time, though, even friends disagree. Today, I am going to disagree with him, partially at least.

In his January 26 column, Grant argued that Education Minister Erica Stanford’s reforms to New Zealand’s school system are destined to fail. He believes that without market-based competition in the education system, there can be little improvement. Grant favours parents freely choosing schools for their children, with schools competing for their business.

DTNZ: Charter schools turn away students amid high demand

Several charter schools are experiencing overwhelming demand even before their official openings, with some turning away students due to limited capacity.

Tipene, the first Māori boarding school in 100 years, received four times the number of applications for its initial intake and increased its roll to 42 students.

Centrist: The debate over the return of charter schools

Five new charter schools are set to open in 2025. Proponents praise the schools’ flexibility in curriculum and funding use, but critics argue this approach diverts resources from public education.

Charter schools were originally introduced under John Key’s National government, but were shut down when Labour came to power.

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 5/12/24

Here’s a tip for tourism operators – hire Indians and “Other Asians” if you want to avoid malcontents

If contented employees are better to have on your staff than discontented ones, then a fascinating message emerges from a just-published survey of hospitality and tourism industry employees and their employment conditions in New Zealand.

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 28/11/24

$82m for Maori housing projects – but it’s unlikely to mute Rawiri Waititi

It’s unlikely to silence the stroppy Maori Party as they rail against the Luxon government and throw accusations of racism.

But Housing Minister Tama Potaka yesterday delivered a speech to the Community Housing Aotearoa annual conference in which he mentioned government measures aimed at helping provide housing for Maori.

Alwyn Poole: Why Charter Schools are HUGE bargain for taxpayers.

From the New Zealand Herald focused on the growth of Auckland schools and some that are bursting at the seams (i.e. these are not my numbers).

David Seymour: Ministry for Regulation, NZ's position on the Middle East and the Treaty Principles bill.

David Seymour talks with Jack Tame on Q+A about a variety of issues including the Ministry for Regulation, NZ's position on the Middle East and the Treaty Principles bill.

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 27/9/24

Thanks, Minister – but our wellbeing would be greatly improved if we knew the cost of this mental health initiative

Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly is among the ministers who contributed to a flood of announcements and speeches to the government’s official website in the past 24 hours.

But we suspect something is missing from his enthusing about the Government and Auckland Business Chamber entering a memorandum of understanding

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 25/9/24

No surprises – customary title is among issues tackled in new bills and a report tells us that towers will topple without enough nuts

Some of the government’s latest news deals with legislative intentions that have been well signalled and widely debated, but further wrangling – some acriminious – is inevitable as the bills proceed through Parliament.

David Farrar: 78 charter school applications

David Seymour announced:

Associate Education Minister David Seymour says the Charter Schools Agency (CSA) has received 78 applications to open new charter schools, or to convert existing state schools to charter schools.

JC: Charter Schools Offer Choice and Chance

Tinetti has produced precious little evidence to back up her sweeping claims that charter schools are bad for children and their learning. She is simply parroting the union position.

Jan Tinetti popped up on Q+A with Jack Tame a few weeks ago with yet another announcement that will ensure Labour MP posteriors will continue warming the exact same leather upholstery they are now. Labour appear to have a preternatural death wish to remain as His Majesty’s Opposition. If His Majesty were aware of this fact he would no doubt be happy that his subjects in New Zealand will not be subject to a further period of Labour’s largesse anytime soon. He’s currently getting a dose of what that looks like in his own country. But I digress.

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 15/8/24

Disabilities shakeup is likely to draw focus from charter schools, but Seymour should explain what “accountability” means

In terms of news on the Government’s official website, we last heard from the PM on Monday when he announced he was headed to Australia until tomorrow for a series of top-level political and business engagements.

Alwyn Poole: The need for massive change in Education in New Zealand

You would think from the way that representatives of the teacher unions, speaking to MPs this week in opposition to Charter Schools, spoke of themselves, and their schools, that the sun shines out of their educational backsides.

Unfortunately the latest OECD studies show that a significant portion of the NZ population doesn’t think so – and it is yet another awful international comparison.

Alwyn Poole: Presentations to the Education and Workforce Committee about Charter Schools

I made a short presentation yesterday and said the things you would expect from someone who researches the NZ system intently and has successful designed and provided models/curriculum to counter the mode of the schools that are failing.

Peter Boshier (Ombudsman) made a fair point that, as the Charter Schools will receive most of their funding from the taxpayer then they should be subject to OIA. I have always held the view that even when not legally required the Charter Schools should be fully transparent.

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 23/7/24

Come back, Sir Donald – the govt needs a Special Envoy for a funeral in Saigon

More travel plans have been set out on the government’s official website over the past 24 hours.

They tell us not only what current ministers are doing. Foreign Minister Winston Peters – for example – will travel to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 26/6/24

Just in case you missed it – the govt has received the final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care

Oops – did someone jump the gun in announcing the Government’s receipt of the final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care?

We raise the question on noting these two statements posted on the Government’s official website