It all seems rather “Trumpian” in New Zealand politics at present. Do we need to do a factcheck before even contemplating the accuracy of statements being made by Ministers?
Recently, the Prime Minister made announcements regarding changes to maths to be taught in schools. His speech at the National Party Conference included references to what he labelled the "shocking" state of maths achievement after "years of drift and decay". At Year 8, he said, only 22 percent of students were at the expected standard for maths which he called "deeply concerning" and a result of "total system failure".
In support of his analysis he said "this is the first time we have assessed our kids showing where they are at compared to the year they are actually in. Essentially, that means many parents were being told that their children are doing just fine when the reality is they could be years behind." The failure to use assessment properly was "abhorrent" and the necessary interventions had not occurred.
Former Education Minister Jan Tinetti did not deny that New Zealand has a long-standing maths achievement issue but was very critical of the Prime Minister’s analysis.
“The big thing here that I’m very angry about is that this Government has manipulated data to justify their own crisis at the moment.” She explained “They’ve bandied round that figure of 22% now that is measured against the curriculum that was released last year, has not been taught so effectively you’re measuring kids against something that they’ve never ever been taught. That is manipulation”.
Likewise, Labour's leader Chris Hipkins called out the government for not using accurate data. He explained that "it's a bit like moving the goalposts after the kids have already kicked the ball" and said "I think the government should use data and information that's accurate. I think assessing kids against a curriculum that they have not been taught isn't a fair reflection of what kids are capable of”.
Maybe the Prime Minister was not aware of the irony when trying to justify his use of the data; “whether it’s 45% or 22%, we’ve got a problem in maths” he said.
Remaining in the education field, earlier this month the mega polytech, Te Pūkenga, tabled its 2023 Annual Report in Parliament, which showed that it had made more than $50 million in cost savings. The report showed it still had an operating deficit of $37.9 million at the end of 2023, but that was a significant reduction on the forecast deficit of $93.4 million.
Yet, as recently as June this year the Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds told Parliament’s Education and Workforce Select Committee that the polytechnics were facing a $189 million financial hole.
Who knows what the actual position in the health system is. Doctors and nurses continue to raise the alarm about staff shortages and burnout. All too often patients are sharing stories of long wait times and delayed diagnoses. The Minister and Health New Zealand are adamant frontline roles are safe from cuts. Yet a copy of a presentation to senior leadership last week about "potential cost savings in hospital and specialist services" suggested a total reduction of 4492 staff, including 470 doctors, 1491 nurses, 338 allied staff and more than 2000 managers and admin workers. The newly appointed Health Commissioner denies he was aware of this and staff have been told to dismiss the presentation.
Contrast this to the obligation of good faith that is at the heart of employment relationships. Under common law it was an implied duty, but the Employment Relations Act introduced a statutory duty of good faith. It provides that parties to an employment relationship must deal with each other in good faith; and must not, whether directly or indirectly, do anything to mislead or deceive each other (or do anything that is likely to mislead or deceive each other). It confirmed that the duty of good faith is wider in scope than the implied mutual obligations of trust and confidence. The Act also provides for remedies, including possible penalties, if the duty of good faith is breached.
Data from Covid times, pre-high inflation times, and the cost of living crisis continues to be used to obfuscate the true position. New Zealand has gone and continues to go through some hard times. By treating us in good faith the journey and the measures that the present government wants us to take would be more palatable – with no wearisome point scoring and manipulation of the actual position. Trust and confidence makes strong governance. And Government? Read more....