Articles by Lawrence Xu-Nan

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

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

people and communities

Inflated student loan debt stopping New Zealanders from coming home

After collating stories from over 400 New Zealanders living and working overseas, the Green Party is calling for an urgent cross-party inquiry into the student loan repayment scheme for overseas-based New Zealanders.“The system isn’t working, because it isn’t fair,” says the Green Party's Overseas New Zealanders spokesperson, Lawrence Xu-Nan. “We should be welcoming our friends and whānau home for Christmas, but for many of those living overseas with student loans, they’re simply too worried about their debt . “78 per...

Posted at December 09, 2025 11:02 AM by Lawrence Xu-Nan

services and systems

Parents echo call for free, public ECE

A new report, released this morning, shows the vast majority of parents want free early childhood education (ECE), not more tinkering around the edges of a broken system.“Parents want the best for their children, and in ECE, that starts with a model that holds tamariki at the heart,” says the Green Party's Early Childhood Education spokesperson, Lawrence Xu-Nan. “The latest Kōriporipo Early Childhood Education Parents and Whānau Survey Report 2025, which received almost 500 responses, paints a clear picture for...

Posted at December 04, 2025 9:44 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

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