Poor Erica Has Made a Big Mistake

A very interesting revelation has been published in this article.

The Mistake in Te Tiriti Clause Erica Stanford Hopes the Media Don’t Spot

When the Education and Training Act went through parliament, it included the change to remove the Te Trite requirements from school Boards of Trustees.

 But there was a little error baked into it, that was spotted by Labour Education spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime.

‘In her rush to seize control of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, Erica added a new clause: 29B — a clause meant to show her humane side, to extend a lifeline to our over-exhausted educators.

“We know that schools will need some time to give effect to these changes, and that is why the Education and Workforce Committee have agreed to amend the date at which school boards’ next strategic plan takes effect — from 1 January 2026 to 1 January 2027. This will provide for boards to prepare for and make changes to their strategic plan in 2026…”’

Very reasonable of her, right?

Except there was a big catch she didn’t realise.

“The very strategic plans that already embed Te Tiriti commitments are now rolled over — frozen in time — until 2027. Even those few (if any) schools that might have wanted to remove their Te Tiriti clauses — Hobson-aligned or otherwise — now have no escape.

They must keep them.”

So any school that was eagerly looking forward to removing Te Tiriti obligations is now stuck with having to continue with their present plans to implement Te Tiriti in their school, until the start of 2027. 

‘When Willow-Jean Prime pressed the Minister for clarity:

“Just for absolute clarity for all our schools and kura out there — are you saying that their current strategic plans, which give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, are not required to change until 2027? Could you just clarify for all those schools in their planning?”

The room shifted.

The penny dropped.

The Minister blinked.

The error revealed itself.

A move meant to weaken Te Tiriti commitments has instead preserved them.’

And we know what is likely to happen at the 2026 election…. 

“The longer game is alive: if a new government after 2026 values educator wisdom and Te Tiriti integrity, the undoing of this ministerial mistake will be the first order of business.”

Hah.

Her controllers will not be happy.