Education

people and communities

Green Party announces plan for free and nutritious school lunches

The Green Party has announced its new election policy for free and nutritious school lunches.“School lunches are about more than food. They are about investing in our children’s futures, creating local jobs and supporting local food producers,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson. “We know that our tamariki learn better when they are well fed. Every child across Aotearoa deserves healthy, delicious, locally prepared kai that helps them thrive.” “This is why the Green Party is excited to announce that...

Posted at August 20, 2026 11:30 AM by Marama Davidson

services and systems

NCEA changes doom thousands of students to failure

The National Party’s decision to scrap NCEA entirely guarantees many thousands of children will leave school with no qualification, no love of learning, and no preparation for a complex and fast-changing world, the Green Party says.“One thing is clear from the announcement today by Christopher Luxon and Erica Stanford, they want more students to fail rather than more students to succeed.  “Education is about encouraging curiosity and nurturing our future generation’s love of learning. NCEA is a world class qualification, one that...

Posted at May 18, 2026 9:58 AM by Lawrence Xu-Nan

te tiriti o waitangi

Greens call on Luxon to abandon racist education reforms

The Green Party is urging Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to abandon amendments to the Education and Training Act following the Waitangi Tribunal’s scathing report on the proposed changes.“The Waitangi Tribunal has been clear: Luxon’s Government has breached its Tiriti obligations. It can no longer mask the racism in its education reforms,” says Green Party Co-leader, Marama Davidson.  “Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a promise to take the best possible care of each other. Its place in the education of our tamariki, our taonga, our...

Posted at May 15, 2026 12:04 PM by Marama Davidson

services and systems

Government cuts education funding while youth unemployment soars

Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson says the Government is callously trading away New Zealanders’ education opportunities to pay for tax cuts for the super-rich.“Unemployment has soared since Luxon came to power, and the situation is even worse for our young people,” Davidson says.  “While Luxon, Peters and Seymour have no hesitation in undermining New Zealanders’ dreams of contributing to society, the Green Party will fight to properly fund the aspirations of our youth and students.   “Over 14% of New Zealand’s...

Posted at May 09, 2026 8:40 AM by Marama Davidson

te tiriti o waitangi

Luxon Government can no longer mask racism in education reforms

The Green Party welcomes the urgent inquiry by the Waitangi Tribunal on the Education and Training Amendment Act and Te Mātaiaho (WAI 3553)."The hearings were clear: the Crown breached its Tiriti obligations. The Government can no longer mask the racism in its education reforms," says Green Party spokesperson for education Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan,. The Tribunal heard from iwi including Ngāti Hine and Te Kapotai, and education leaders from across the sector. They expressed their concerns about the removal of Te...

Posted at April 17, 2026 5:13 PM by Lawrence Xu-Nan and Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

Government once again squeezing young people into one-size-fits-all model

The Green Party has serious concerns with the proposed changes to NCEA by Luxon’s Government, which will undo decades of progress towards a student-centred system. “Luxon’s Government is squeezing our young people back into one-size-fits-all model. Anyone who has met more than one child knows that they are all different,” says the Green Party’s education spokesperson, Lawrence Xu-Nan.  “Education must be shaped by communities to meet everyone’s needs if we want our mokupuna to thrive.”  “What the Minister announced today has confirmed what people...

Posted at March 26, 2026 11:11 AM by Lawrence Xu-Nan

services and systems

Scrapping NCEA will take Aotearoa Back to the Future

The government’s proposal to scrap NCEA risks turning back the clock on decades of progress toward a student-centred system.“Scrapping the entire NCEA system is throwing the baby out with the bathwater,” says the Green Party’s education spokesperson, Lawrence Xu-Nan. “Every child deserves a high-quality, free, accessible public education that gives them the best possible start in life. “When NCEA was introduced, it was the result of work by educators and communities to move Aotearoa away from a system that was...

Posted at August 04, 2025 9:52 AM by Lawrence Xu-Nan

services and systems

Budget 2025 leaves future of school lunches uncertain

The future of the Ka Ora | Ka Ako school lunch programme looks to be uncertain with Budget 2025 failing to provide any funding beyond 2026. “The Government’s refusal to commit to funding the school lunch programme leaves thousands of families unsure whether their kids will be fed or forgotten,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Education, Lawrence Xu-Nan. “Our children deserve better. They deserve kai that nourishes them, setting them up to achieve their full potential. The Government could have...

Posted at May 22, 2025 4:25 PM by Lawrence Xu-Nan

services and systems

Report shows Govt’s callous lack of support for system at breaking point

A new report from Aotearoa Educators’ Collective, released today, has confirmed what teachers, students, and whanau have been calling out for years–our learning support system is overstretched, underfunded, and simply not working.“This report paints a stark picture of systemic strain, with those working in learning support being pushed to breaking point,” says Green Party Education Spokesperson, Lawrence Xu-Nan. “Education should serve the wellbeing and potential of all mokopuna—not just those whose needs align with the status quo. We have all...

Posted at May 20, 2025 12:16 PM by Lawrence Xu-Nan

services and systems

Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh

In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools.“Any review process must truly prioritise the voices and wellbeing of rangatahi,” says Green Party Education spokesperson, Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan. “Every child and young person deserves to thrive in our education system and have a sense of belonging, which means providing them with evidence-based education that empowers them to make informed decisions about...

Posted at December 10, 2024 11:03 AM by Lawrence Xu-Nan

services and systems

Green Party appalled by woeful Government offer to school support staff

Support staff across Aotearoa have been dealt yet another devastating blow with the release of the latest collective agreement offer from the Government.The proposed settlement offers a 0% pay increase to the vast majority of staff and caps increases for others at a mere 1.25%. On top of this, no commitments have been made on critical issues such as sick leave, job security, professional learning and development, or mileage. “This appalling offer is a slap in the face to the...

Posted at November 26, 2024 1:16 PM by Lawrence Xu-Nan

services and systems

Greens call on Govt to leave Te Reo in schools alone

As Te Wiki o te Reo Māori approaches, the Government is considering deprioritising teaching Te Reo Māori in our schools. “Te Reo Māori is a taonga unique to Aotearoa we must protect and empower at all costs,” says the Green Party’s Education spokesperson, Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan.  “Our indigenous language provides us all with an opportunity to connect and engage with the very essence of Aotearoa and deepen our understanding of Te Ao Māori. An Aotearoa that upholds and embraces Te Tiriti...

Posted at September 13, 2024 2:00 PM by Lawrence Xu-Nan

services and systems

ECE teachers deserve better than this Government

The Green Party is unsurprised but disappointed by today’s announcement from the Government that will see our Early Childhood Centre teachers undermined and pay parity pushed further out of reach. “The Government has built on its archaic anti-worker legacy by undermining the pay of our ECE teachers,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for Early Childhood Education, Teanau Tuiono. “The working conditions of our teachers are the learning conditions of our tamariki. We can help set up the next generation for success...

Posted at September 04, 2024 12:02 PM by Teanau Tuiono

services and systems

Charter schools not a serious solution

We need serious investment and solutions into our education system, not a vanity project from David Seymour. “Education is not a business and should not be treated as such. Funneling millions into what is essentially a pet project for David Seymour, at a time when teachers are crying out for more resourcing for our public schools, is morally bankrupt and incredibly irresponsible,” says Green Party Education spokesperson Lawrence Xu-Nan.    “Today’s announcement is another classic case of the Government favouring ideology over...

Posted at May 14, 2024 11:56 AM by Lawrence Xu-Nan

services and systems

Time to get serious on delivering for families

The Green Party calls on the Government to get serious about supporting families.“Tax rebates for childcare will be nothing more than a drop in the ocean for families struggling to get by,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.  “It is insulting for the Government to offer support for childcare if in every other area of life they are going to make life so much harder. Once again, National is demonstrating that they're not actually interested in supporting people.  “Parents are...

Posted at March 25, 2024 4:38 PM by Marama Davidson

services and systems

Greens back striking teachers

The Green Party stands with ECE teachers striking for better funding and conditions.“The working conditions of our teachers are the learning conditions of our tamariki. The Green Party is calling on the incoming Government to prioritise our teachers and address the many issues the sector faces” says Green Party education spokesperson Teanau Tuiono. “We acknowledge that this is the first time early childhood teachers and workers have taken strike action - and they would not have taken that decision lightly....

Posted at November 08, 2023 8:47 AM by Teanau Tuiono

services and systems

Every party needs to step up on school lunches

Labour has finally said it would continue free school lunches - and the Green Party is calling on every party to step up.“Aotearoa can be a place where no child ever goes hungry, but to make that happen we will need to be a lot bolder. This election we have a chance to elect a government with the courage to unlock the money we need to make sure every child has a full puku,” says Green Party co leader Marama...

Posted at September 22, 2023 11:11 AM by Marama Davidson

services and systems

Free school lunches paid for with a wealth tax

The Green Party will expand free school lunches and pay for it with a fair tax system. “The time is now to make sure that every child has healthy, affordable food at home and at school. The Green Party’s plan to expand free school lunches alongside our Income Guarantee will make sure no child in Aotearoa goes hungry - and it will all be paid for with the wealth tax,” says Green Party co leader Marama Davidson.  “Right now, thousands of...

Posted at September 19, 2023 12:45 PM by Marama Davidson and Teanau Tuiono

services and systems

Greens back striking secondary teachers

The Green Party backs secondary teachers resuming strike action.“The Green Party is calling on the Government to prioritise our teachers and address inadequate pay. The wellbeing of our teachers is the wellbeing of our tamariki,” says Green Party’s education spokesperson, Teanau Tuiono. “Teachers make a huge contribution to our communities. They are valued by so many families across Aotearoa, so it’s important the Government comes to the table with an offer that reflects this. “Teachers need salaries that actually keep...

Posted at May 31, 2023 10:34 AM by Teanau Tuiono

services and systems

ECE extension Green win nearly 10 years in the making

The Green Party is today celebrating Budget 2023 funding extending free ECE to two year olds.“This is a big step for our littlest citizens. Early education is the foundation of a child’s learning journey. The Greens have been advocating for this extension since 2014. We are stoked it’s finally happening,” says Teanau Tuiono, the Green Party’s spokesperson for education. “Extending 20 hours free ECE to two year olds makes as much sense today as it did back then. It will...

Posted at May 18, 2023 2:18 PM by Teanau Tuiono

services and systems

Continued strikes show need for bold action

The Green Party backs the demands of thousands of secondary and area school teachers striking today.“The wellbeing of our teachers is the wellbeing of our tamariki. The Green Party is calling on the Minister of Finance to prioritise our teachers and provide the money necessary to increase their salaries” says Green Party’s education spokesperson, Teanau Tuiono. “Teachers make such a difference to children’s lives. They make a huge contribution to our communities, and they are valued by so many families...

Posted at March 29, 2023 10:57 AM by Teanau Tuiono

services and systems

National’s education policy gets an F

The Green Party has marked the National Party’s new education policy and given it a fail, especially for its failure to address the underlying drivers of school performance.“Our education system should give our tamariki the best possible start on a journey that happens inside and outside the classroom. National clearly has homework to do, as its policy fails to address the real drivers of outcomes and attendance,” says Green Party education spokesperson Teanau Tuiono. “National is once again over simplifying...

Posted at March 23, 2023 1:22 PM by Teanau Tuiono

services and systems

Greens back teachers’ demands

The Green Party backs the demands of the teachers’ strikers.“The wellbeing of our teachers is the wellbeing of our tamariki. The Green Party is calling on the Government to prioritise our teachers and address the many issues the sector faces” says Green Party’s education spokesperson, Teanau Tuiono. “Teachers make such a difference to children’s lives. They make a huge contribution to our communities, and they are valued by so many families across Aotearoa. “However, while they may be valued by...

Posted at March 16, 2023 5:00 AM by Teanau Tuiono

services and systems

Greens back teachers’ strike

The Green Party stands with teachers in their request for fair pay and decision to strike.“The working conditions of our teachers are the learning conditions of our tamariki. The Green Party is calling on the Government to pay teachers what they deserve,” the Green Party’s education spokesperson, Teanau Tuiono. “Teachers make a huge contribution to our communities and teaching should be an attractive profession. Children have their whole lives ahead of them and our teachers can have a huge personal...

Posted at March 10, 2023 7:02 AM by Teanau Tuiono