The Green Party welcome the dates set out for the next 30 years for the Matariki public holiday, but more must be done to embed this significant cultural period into our education.

The Green Party are calling for an expansion of the current school curriculum on Matariki, so that a deeper understanding of how it relates to managing and harvesting food is explored. This push comes at the start of the Matariki season, the final year before it is set to become a public holiday on 24 June 2022.

Green Party spokesperson for Education Teanau Tuiono welcomes the Government’s first step to implementing our own history into curriculum.

Every child deserves a high-quality, free, accessible public education that gives them the best possible start in life. We want all children to reach their full potential, but unfortunately, not all learners get equal opportunities and recognition. We know it’s not only the school system that affects a child’s education, but also housing, income, and health. Aotearoa has an unequal education system, where there is a difference between the haves and the have-nots, achievers and non-achievers. We must fix this...

The Green Party have secured legislative amendments in a bill expected to pass third reading this week, to ensure better rules for school teachers and staff, so they can de-escalate children with diverse needs and cognitive differences, such as autism, rather than using unnecessary and often traumatising force.

The Green Party supports an education system that fosters lifelong learning for tamariki, and develops the skills they need to participate in society as we transition to a zero carbon future that is sustainable, equitable and peaceful. Education must incorporate Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It must provide for diverse educational and cultural needs, and uphold the rights of children and young people. Teachers and other educational staff should be valued, with good pay and conditions. Schools and early childhood centres...

The Green Party is passionate about improving inclusive education services so that every Kiwi kid gets to fully participate in school life. In government, the Green Party will increase education funding by $315 million to build a more inclusive education system.  We will: Properly fund a full-time Children’s Champion for every 400 children to coordinate support for children with high needs (currently called a Special Education Needs Co-ordinator). Create a $5 million annual School Camp fund to support students with...

Tertiary education is primarily a public good, and its resourcing and accessibility should be based on that understanding. Involving tangata whenua is vital to ensure tertiary education is inclusive of Māori from the outset, provides services appropriate for Māori and upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The education provided by tertiary institutions should be of high quality and focussed on the aspirations of the students, respecting and reflecting cultural diversity and the diverse needs of those of different ages, outlooks and...

The Government is delivering on its commitment to make streets safer for kids to walk and cycle to school, by reducing speed limits to a maximum of 40 km/h around urban schools and 60 km/h around rural schools.

The Government’s commitment to ensure New Zealand history is taught in all schools by 2022 is part of a landmark day for our nation’s story, said Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.   The Prime Minister made the announcement during a speech at the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the New Zealand Wars in Parliament’s debating chamber this morning.   “At the moment not enough tamariki are learning about their local history, and what our story is as a country. We...