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Pou Toru began the term by drawing readers’ attention to an article written by Dr Ann Milne on systemic racism in which she critiques the MAG, the group redesigning the curriculum, calling their work ‘white supremacy’ because it marginalises Māori knowledge, and reverses cultural advancements. The article calls for the dismantling of structural barriers in our education system and calls on educators to challenge inequities for Māori. 

Next was calling on the Associate Minister, Hon David Seymour, to maintain nutritious hot lunch meals in schools so that students could continue to sit down together at lunchtime and eat with their classmates.  This practice had benefits to students extending well beyond the food itself. 

Continual lobbying of the Minister to make improvements to learning support resulted in the Minister’s announcement that the Government will deliver “the right service, to the right child, at the right time”. Both the Minister and NZPF will work closely together to ensure these changes lead to genuine, lasting improvements that guarantee every student in New Zealand receives the education they deserve. So far that has not been the case.

The Minister will begin work on another review of learning support and has asked for the assistance of Pou Toru in conducting it.