NZEI protest action tramples honour of our Nation
The proposed protest by the Primary School Teachers Union (NZEI) to deliberately coincide with the International Summit
on the Teaching Profession to be hosted by Aotearoa New Zealand will not be tolerated and left unchallenged, say
prominent iwi leaders from throughout the country.
We as iwi leaders stand together in strongly condemning the NZEI. We call on them to cancel their protest for the
greater good of Aotearoa New Zealand. We also issue a strong call to all Maori members of the NZEI to withdraw their
membership at once. Their mana as Tangata Whenua must surely count for something and take precedence over their
unionship.
The tikanga of mana is at stake. We will not stand idly by and allow the mana of the Minister of Education, the
Honourable Hekia Parata, her people, our people to be manipulated and trampled on. We, Dr Apirana Mahuika, Sir Toby
Curtis, Sir Mark Solomon, Raniera Tau, Willie Te Aho, Awanuiarangi Black, Tiwha Puketapu, Naida Glavish, Sir Tamati
Reedy and Pem Bird caution NZEI that they are putting their hard earned excellent reputation earned over a sustained
period of time on the line and for what purpose?
The International Summit is the most prestigious educational event on the world calendar, a huge coup for our Minister
of Education, Hekia Parata. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Aotearoa New Zealand to showcase all aspects of
our fabulous education system to renowned educational leaders from throughout the OECD community of nations.
It should be an occassion when all diverse sectors of Aotearoa New Zealand, our cities, our towns, rural communities,
whanau, hapu and iwi join together as one, putting any differences we may have aside and focus instead on the postives
that make us a great nation in which to bring up our children. We have much to be proud of, indeed we have much to
celebrate and share.
Ideas and innovations will be discussed. Inspirational addresses will be delivered and all for the express purpose of
advancing not only our national educational interests but also those of the global community. And yet despite all of
this, we are going to have to witness the deeply offensive and cynical spectacle of a once honourable union exploiting
this event for their own selfish needs, whatever they are.
It is not to late to exit with dignity. NZEI we urge you to come into the whare.
Ends