Hon Hekia Parata
Minister of Education
Joint Communique: Ministerial Cross-Sector Forum on Raising Achievement
27 August 2012 Media Statement
Forum recognises the importance of teaching quality to raise learner participation and achievement
The Ministerial Cross-Sector Forum on Raising Achievement today discussed the qualities needed by teachers in the 21st
century and reviewed the on-going work of sub-groups around priority learner achievement and Public Achievement
Information including for Maori-medium learners.
Education Minister and Forum chair, Hekia Parata, says these areas of focus will be critical to ensuring we have an
education system that enables all our learners to leave school with the skills they need to reach their potential in the
modern economy and society, and make progress towards the Government’s Better Public Service targets.
“We want to have 98 per cent of all new school entrants having participated in quality early childhood education and 85
per cent of 18 year-olds having achieved NCEA Level 2 or an equivalent qualification within five years.”
Pauline Winter, who is chairing the current review of the New Zealand Teachers Council, also addressed the Forum
outlining the importance of a leading professional body for the teaching profession and requested input from the Forum
into the review of the Teachers Council.
“The Forum provided input into the future state for the Teachers Council and also committed to undertake further work to
identify how the profession responds to the critical qualities and processes needed to deliver 21st century teaching,’’
says Ms Parata.
The Forum will meet monthly for the rest of the year.
Forum Membership
Patrick Walsh, President SPANZ
Gary Sweeney, President NZAIMS
Ian Leckie, National President NZEI
Para Meha, President Te Akatea – Maori Principals Associations
Pat Lynch, Chief Executive NZ Catholic Education Office & Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools
Paul Drummond, President New Zealand Principals Federation
Toni Waho, Tumuaki Te Runanganui o Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori
John Garner, President New Zealand Area Schools Association
Lorraine Kerr, President NZSTA
Robin Duff, President PPTA
Stuart Middleton, Director of External Relations Manukau Institute of Technology
Barbara Ala’alatoa, Representative Pacific Principals Association
David Langford, Principal Awapuni School
Anne Meade, Independent Consultant
Elizabeth McKinley, Director Starpath, University of Auckland – Starpath
Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, Trustee, Te Kohanga Reo National Trust
Iva Ropati, Principal Howick College
Nancy Bell, Chief Executive, Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association
Graeme Daniel, President, Special Education Principals Association
Derek Wenmoth, Director of e-Learning, CORE Education Ltd
Barbara Cavanagh, Principal Albany Senior High School
Trevor McIntyre, Headmaster Christchurch Boys High School
Prof Gary Hawke, Victoria University
Carol Stovold, President New Zealand Home-based Early Childhood Association
Nadine Wishnowsky, New Zealand Playcentre Federation
Pem Bird, President Ngā Kura A Iwi
Deborah James, Chief Executive, Independent Schools
Phil O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Business New Zealand
Haami Piripi, Representative, Iwi Leaders Forum
John Langley, Chief Executive Cognition