Hekia Parata backs charter schools with anti-apartheid comment

Education Minister Hekia Parata. Photo / Doug Sherring

The Education Minister has referenced anti-apartheid protests when calling for the PPTA to drop its ban on working with people involved with charter schools.

A member of the audience at the education union's annual conference in Wellington walked out after the comments, which Hekia Parata later stood by.

Ms Parata had delivered a speech covering a wide range of education issues, and during a question and answer session she was asked about charter, or partnership, schools.

She said she was extremely disappointed that a student teacher who had worked at Te Kura Hourua O Whangarei Terenga Paraoa, a charter school in Northland, subsequently lost his placement at Tikipunga High School.

The PPTA's position is to limit where possible professional interactions with charter schools.

Tikipunga High School's board told the Northern Advocate that that position was followed when it became aware of the student teacher's previous work experience.

"Northland has one of the worst and longest education outcomes. We have to find what works for that community, and I am reliant on your professionalism and capability.

"This is New Zealand. Many of us took to the streets in 1981 to oppose discrimination in another country. We are a country built on democratic principles - fairness, equity, accessibility."

There were widespread protests against the Springbok Tour of 1981 by New Zealanders opposed to the apartheid regime.

After her speech, Ms Parata said she had seen one audience member leave, but that did not bother her.

"I was talking about what motivates New Zealanders to take stands on issues. We are motivated my our sense of equity, fairness, accessibility for kids who aren't getting a fair go.

"I was talking about us, that's what motivated me as a protester in that movement, to be on the street - was to say these are not the values that we New Zealanders hold to. I do think it is a disgrace."