Peachey Allan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Peachey Allan: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:632;Page:4069] 
12.  
ALLAN PEACHEY (National—Tamaki) 
 to the  
Minister of Education 
: Does he stand by his statement that “the arrangement in Flat Bush has not come from a ministry-driven restructuring of education. I think really people there had decided it would be interesting to do this kind of innovative approach.”? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister for Economic Development) 
: 
 on behalf of the 
 Minister of Education 
: Yes the Minister knows that his predecessor was interested in that model especially after the repeated request to expand the zone of the new Albany Junior High School by the member for East Coast Bays following representations from many parents in that area. My predecessor decided that people in Manukau should be able to consider what was working well on the North Shore as part of the consultation. The Ministry of Education therefore put that model of schooling to the community and the result of the consultation convinced the Minister that that was the way to go. 
Allan Peachey 
: At what stage in the consultation process did the residents of Flat Bush decide that in the Minister’s own words “it would be interesting to do this kind of innovative approach” ? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I am informed that consultation over the area strategy began in October 2003. The ministry involved 28 identified groups—including schools from around the boundary of the area iwi Auckland Catholics unions the early childhood sector representing the parents of the children who were heading in that direction community groups and the Manukau City Council. Fourteen organisations or groups and 25 individuals made written submissions. That is hardly ministry-driven restructuring but genuine and some might say extended community consultation. Whatever the options that has got to be a better model than stabbing one’s local school in the back. 
Hon Marian Hobbs 
: Does the Government have a policy on middle schools or does it have a policy on quality teaching in the classroom? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I think it is fair to say the Government is indifferent to the question of a middle school - junior high school model. But what was quite clear was that that model was welcomed. Probably the person who was the loudest supporter of it for that particular area was Sir Barrie Curtis who as local mayor looked at the issue very very carefully; looked at what was happening in Albany saw how Murray McCully was promoting the approach on behalf of the constituents who loved it; and for reasons that became obvious put it to those people. The key of course is quality teaching. 
Hon Brian Donnelly 
: Can the Minister confirm that far from junior high schools being a new idea the first one was Kowhai Junior High School which commenced in 1922 and that in the second half of the 1990s the National Government approved a number of such schools starting with St Andrews Middle School in Hamilton in 1995? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I of course accept the member’s word as to the timing. I know that advice has been received about the benefit for middle schooling in New Zealand back as far as the 1930s when I understand Don Brash was attending. [ 
Interruption 
] 
Madam SPEAKER 
: The member used an unparliamentary term by accusing another member of lying. Would the member please withdraw and apologise. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: I withdraw and apologise. 
Allan Peachey 
: How many of the options for the structure of Flat Bush schooling that were presented for the Minister to choose from were then taken to the community for consultation? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I do not have that advice with me. My understanding was that a preferred model was taken to the community. 
Allan Peachey 
: I take that to mean “one”. Does the Minister acknowledge that his predecessor Mr Mallard pre-empted a community decision on the shape of schooling in Flat Bush in light of Mr Mallard’s indication in October 2005 that he—Mr Mallard—preferred a network that included junior high schools in Flat Bush? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: It was very clear which model was taken to the schools. My predecessor of course looked at this very very carefully and he was well supported in education. He was someone who welcomed the bumper sticker that was used in Auckland during the last campaign which stated: “Save Rangitoto. Vote Peachey.” 
Allan Peachey 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. It never ceases to amaze me that you tolerate such mean-spirited vindictive comments as we get from the Minister. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: That is not a point of order. My patience and tolerance are tried at times. If all members would desist from such an attitude then I think the House would be better for it. 
Allan Peachey 
: I seek the leave of the House to table two documents that might put a slightly different light on the Minister’s answer. The first is questions for written answer 6966 and 6968. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table those documents. Is there any objection? There is objection. 
Allan Peachey 
: Will the Minister now give regard to the views of Flat Bush residents who last Monday 26 June voted unanimously against his plans for the future schooling structure in Flat Bush and undertake further consultation to ensure that the views of Flat Bush residents and parents are reflected in any future schooling structures for their community? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I do not have that information with me. I suggest that the member set the question down as a primary question if he wants a response to it. 
Allan Peachey 
: I seek the leave of the House to table a newspaper report dated 28 June 2006 “Meeting rejects school’s plan”. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is objection.