Willis NicolaNICOLA WILLIS (National): I'm standing up today to talk about the state of the Minister of Education to talk about the growing gap between his words and his actions the growing gap between his intentions and the reality of what's going on in education and the growing gap between his ideology and the results for our children. This is a Minister who in February this year told us that his approach would be one that was respecting engaging and drawing in educators; that his approach would be about broad engagement and shared results; that there would be a lot of co-design consultation and collaboration—and all of this was used to justify the fact that that Minister wanted to have 13 different reviews in education.So then we ask ourselves: if those were his intentions what is the reality in education right now? We have primary teachers striking for the first time in 24 years. The engagement's not working so well for them Mr Hipkins. We have school principals respected longstanding experienced leaders in our community—37 of them—taking a full-page ad in the New Zealand Herald to protest the Minister's approach to the review of NCEA. And don't worry they're not backing down from that. Twenty-three more principals have joined them to say We've had enough of this Minister's approach too."As if that's not enough today we had respected educators of more than a hundred years' combined service and Māori leaders of great standing in our community—Sir Toby Curtis and John Shewan at the Education and Workforce Committee—telling us why they were making a claim to the Waitangi Tribunal following that Minister's decision to terminate the agreements with partnership schools. I want to talk about that because if there is one action that throws into high relief the gap between the words of this Government and what it actually does the hypocrisy of this Government it is the callous disregard for the students—Mr SPEAKER: When I stand up the member sits down. She used a word which is on the proscribed list and she will stand withdraw and apologise.NICOLA WILLIS: I stand withdraw and apologise. If there is one action that throws into high relief the disregard this Government has it is the way that they have approached partnership schools. Because those are schools that were set up to target those often let down by mainstream schools—Māori Pasifika and students from decile 1 to 3 schools. Those were schools that were embraced by communities determined to do better for their own people. They were schools that were innovating—that were having the courage to do things differently. They were schools that were delivering results: less truancy more achievement more engagement from whānau fewer suspensions. They were schools that in the words of Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi had a kaupapa about what is good for our children. They were staffed by people working hard to make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged kids.So what does the Minister think? How did he engage collaborate and cooperate with those schools? Did he visit them? No not a single one. Did he talk to the students achieving in those schools? No not a single one. So did he engage with the whānau? Did he engage with the leaders? Did he engage with the teachers at that school? No he didn't consult a single one because their ideology didn't match his and therefore they weren't worthy of his listenership. It is to the shame of the Government that they have been prepared to terminate the agreements of partnership schools without any consideration to the 1500 children whose parents and families have chosen those schools because they believe they deliver better for their children. So how does that action match up with the words of the Minister? Well I won't say it for myself. I've already got myself into trouble for that approach in the House today. I'll use the words of others. I'll use the words of John Shewan and Sir Toby Curtis who were before our select committee today who said that what they think the Minister's approach amounts to is a clear case of bullying—totally unacceptable. They say that they think it's one of the most skilful forms of bullying they have seen. They said they think the actions are manifestly unjust that there was no evidence base for them and that the decisions swam against the tide—the tide of action against inequality the tide of doing things for those who are disadvantaged.So before I sit down let me say that when I talk about partnership schools I'm not just concerned for those children. I'm concerned for every child and family affected by the 13 reviews in education because of the callous disregard this Minister is prepared to show when actions don't fit his ideology. He needs to do better. He needs to listen. He needs to live up to his words of engagement because if we want our education system to improve the voices of all should be heard.The debate having concluded the motion lapsed."