Chris Hipkins

Acting Education Spokesperson
 
17 February 2013                                                      

MEDIA STATEMENT
 
Christchurch schools deserve respect

Tomorrow’s announcement on the future of Christchurch schools is an opportunity for the Government to show some respect for the communities affected and to demonstrate that it has listened to their concerns, Labour's acting Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.

"Hekia Parata displayed a total lack of respect for Christchurch schools and their communities when she initiated these closure and merger discussions. It's all very well for her to splash out on full page newspaper advertisements to put a positive spin on the outcome, but the decisions will speak for themselves.

"Recent statements from the Minister have raised Cantabrians expectations. Parents and teachers alike have been on tenterhooks over the weekend and most are now expecting some pretty significant backdowns from what was originally proposed. I certainly hope Hekia Parata hasn't raised those expectations unfairly.

"The last two years have been hugely challenging for these schools. They've provided stability and certainty for their kids at a hugely disruptive time. I tip my hat to them.

"I certainly hope that when she makes her announcements tomorrow, Hekia Parata will demonstrate that she truly has listened and that she begins to show some respect for the schools and communities affected," Chris Hipkins says.
 
ENDS

© Scoop Media

World Refugee Day:
Are We Doing Our Bit?

On World Refugee Day, Thursday June 20th, Doing Our Bit will officially launch a campaign to double New Zealand’s UNHCR Refugee Resettlement Quota...

New Zealand’s low refugee intake is not a new issue. In February a NZ Herald editorial commented that our intake was ‘paltry’, remarking that ‘surely we could do more’. In April, Amnesty International described the quota as ‘tiny'.

“Despite being a small country in the middle of the South Pacific, New Zealand prides itself on being hospitable. We are friendly to overseas visitors and we see ourselves as punching above our weight in international affairs,” said Murdoch Stephens, coordinator of Doing Our Bit.

“However, in terms of accepting refugees New Zealand is clearly not doing our share.” More>>