Chris

Hipkins

Education Spokesperson
27 March 2014 MEDIA STATEMENT

Steven Joyce in denial as schools battle Novopay

The Minister Responsible for Novopay Steven Joyce is in denial, claiming the system is improving despite principals pulling their hair out over payroll issues, Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.

“The Principals Federation today said the end of the financial year has created a new ‘nightmare’ for school payrolls and has described the increased workload as ‘intolerable’.

“The Federation’s helpline has been inundated with calls about accrued leave errors which are making school payroll staff ‘despair’.

“This follows a survey of principals which found more than 80 per cent have no confidence Novopay will improve.

“The Federation’s comments fly in the face of those made by Steven Joyce yesterday that Novopay is ‘improving again’.

“The Minister’s claim the system is ‘settling down again’ after high volumes and high error rates during the past three pay periods shows he lives in a dream world.

“Our schools, teachers and kids deserve better than an out of touch Government.

“It is time for Steven Joyce to concede Novopay is a weeping sore that needs more than just a band aid,” Chris Hipkins says

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