Brash Don: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Brash Don: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:617;Page:12963] 
2.  
Dr DON BRASH (Leader of the Opposition) 
 to the  
Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education) 
: Is he satisfied that all courses provided by New Zealand tertiary education institutions are of an acceptable standard; if so why? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education)) 
: 
 In general yes. All formal provision in tertiary education institutions is subject to external quality assurance from a range of quality assurance bodies including the Committee on University Academic Programmes the New Zealand Polytechnic Programmes Committee the Colleges of Education Accreditation Committee and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. This cannot ensure that every course is perfect all the time but if there are failings we move on them immediately. I have publicly stated my concern that not all the growth in non-formal community education is of the highest standard or well aligned with the tertiary education strategy. That is why we have capped community education funding. 
Dr Don Brash 
: Does he agree with the view expressed last year by Mr John Tamihere that some courses offered by wananga were “pitched to a whole bunch of people sitting on their backsides watching Oprah Winfrey hoping something will come around the corner” and can he tell the House how courses like those described by his colleague are of benefit to Maori? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I support my colleague Mr John Tamihere in his relentless pursuit of excellence on behalf of Maori students throughout this country. Can I say that the one thing John Tamihere does not need is help from someone like Don Brash. 
Lynne Pillay 
: What reports has he seen recently on the quality of tertiary education provision? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I have seen one report that gives the impression that Maori tertiary education participation growth has been predominantly in “scandalously second-rate courses that offer a fake education.” I want to tell the person who said that that according to Ministry of Education statistics Maori participation in tertiary education doubled from 1999 to 2003. All of those students were enrolled in formal tertiary education quality assured programmes through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. I should also say that postgraduate enrolments went up 19 percent during that time. In 2002 Maori gained almost 20 percent of all formal qualifications provided. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Having regard to this very very serious subject and its interest to politicians over a long period of time is he prepared to table before the House as evidence of the belief commitment and credence in respect of Maori education of the leader of the National Party all letters all advice all counsel and all communication that he personally has received from Dr Brash on this issue? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I can do that immediately because there are none. 
Dr Don Brash 
: Can the Minister tell the House how courses such as twilight golf aromatherapy radio singalong cool IT Maori sayings and slang and Maori nautical studies—as offered by institutions including Tairawhiti Polytechnic and the Eastern Institute of Technology—are likely to equip Maori with the skills required to acquire high-paying jobs? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I am glad the member asked that question. There are many courses. Let me just take one of them to tell the member what it is about. The course he talks about in terms of learning te reo through singing is a course that began in 1999. It involves 40 hours of teaching—10 half-hour lessons a week for 8 weeks. It was funded at the rate of $318.12 per enrolment in 2003. The polytech has advised the Tertiary Education Commission that it received almost 800 course evaluations and other forms of student feedback and that they were all positive. These courses are very short in nature and therefore they do not have a formal qualification at the end of them. The National Party knows this and it is its constant attempt to try to exploit this issue for its race agenda that is causing it so many problems. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In relation to that question I think the final part of that answer was unacceptable and I think you should have pulled the Minister up for that. But can I just say that perhaps the Minister might like to clarify his position by telling us what language was used in those evaluations. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member has not raised a point of order. [ 
Interruption 
] The first part was out of order. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: Point of order— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The comment was made. I think the member used the phrase “race agenda”. That particular phrase is out of order and I ask the member to withdraw and apologise for it. 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I withdraw and apologise. 
Hon Dr Michael Cullen 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek your guidance. Would it be possible to use the term “race-based agenda” as that terminology has been used frequently in the House by members opposite? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Yes. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: Has the Minister received any reports from the leader of the National Party that would give one some confidence in the level of commitment and understanding in respect of Maori education given that it was the National Party that set up wananga-based education and funded it? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: No. I have not seen one single policy statement from the National Party on anything to do with tertiary education.