One need look no further than the latest proclamations from the new leader of the opposition, Bill English, as to why civics desperately needs to be added to New Zealand's educational curriculum.
Taking time from packing up his office and getting new business cards printed, Mr English has taken to
the airwaves to proclaim that National "won" the election due the number of votes it received on polling day.
Had the election taken place in 1993 under First Past the Post, then Mr English would be correct, however, in the 24 years that have passed since 93, the MMP voting method has instead been used.
Under MMP, you need to be able to form a parliamentary majority, as National did with three other parties over the past nine years. At this election, just three parties representing more than 50 per cent of the vote with 63 seats in Parliament form the majority with National in opposition with 56 seats.
Thankfully, the parties which will now lead the government all campaigned on introducing civics education to the curriculum, so no child will ever have to go on later in life to embarrass themselves in the media by showing off their lack of knowledge about how MMP works. Perhaps now that Bill English has a bit more time on his hands he could attend one of these classes too?
