The recent passing of a law that bans all elected representatives from the Teaching Council – and gives the Minister of Education total control over appointments – has been called “another step in a highly disturbing and unprecedented level of political interference in the public sector in Aotearoa New Zealand” by leaders of key state sector unions.
Chris Abercrombie, PPTA Te Wehengarua president, said the move means that the Teaching Council can no longer be regarded in any shape or form as a body that represents the teaching profession.
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“Teachers should have a genuine say in the Teaching Council – it’s as simple as that. This is a significant abuse of political power, and every New Zealander should be seriously concerned.”
NZEI Te Riu Roa President Ripeka Lessels said the law change strips the Council of its independence and moves teachers’ professional standards to the Ministry of Education, reinforcing total ministerial control.
“This law change mirrors the same undemocratic process used to remove Te Tiriti obligations from school boards via a last-minute amendment.
“By silencing teachers’ voices and bypassing parents and school communities on the frontline, the Government is failing our educators and the communities they serve,” Ms Lessels said.
Tertiary Education Union (TEU) co-presidents Garrick Cooper and Ti Lamusse said the Teaching Council should be made up of experts in the teaching profession, not “government-backed idealogues”.
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“TEU sees the removal of democratically elected members from the Teaching Council as part of a concerning pattern of silencing voices that this National-led Coalition Government disagrees with.
“We have seen a total lack of consultation and engagement in constructive dialogue with those professionals and experts that will ultimately have a major role in delivering their policy.”
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku said Health Minister Simeon Brown had gutted the Nursing Council, replacing eight existing board members since late last year.
“NZNO is aware that four of these members wanted to stay on and two have quit in protest. This is a ministerial overreach which has taken the number of nurses on the board from seven down to four.
“New Zealanders deserve a nurse-strong Nursing Council which puts their health needs first,” Ms Nuku said.
The passing of the legislation follows the recent decision by the Minister of Health not to re-appoint the Medical Council chair and deputy chair as Council members. Both the chair and deputy chair were voted by their fellow Council members into their respective roles.
It also follows a survey of public servants earlier this year, which found that 54 percent of the 1200 respondents agreed that policy advice had become more politicised and public servants were now more likely to tell ministers what they think they want to hear.
Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, said that decisions by ministers have consequences.
“We are seeing increased and inappropriate politicisation of advice in the public service under this Government. Good decisions depend on good advice.
“Free and frank, politically neutral advice is the cornerstone of our democracy, when ministers are only hearing what they want to hear, they’re making decisions with one eye closed.”
“New Zealanders will pay the price for that down the track. It will lead to poorer outcomes in health, education and workplace safety and other public services. It will hurt the economy and reduce the country’s response to the climate crisis.”
