Podcasts about Education minister

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube will today brief the media on a marking irregularity in this year's Matric exams. The Minister is expected to outline measures to safeguard the integrity of the National Senior Certificate results. Elvis Presslin spoke to Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta

“A week of drama” could have been avoided had the principal of a school with mouldy lunches waited for the investigation rather than going public, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. New Zealand Food Safety said yesterday the mouldy lunches served at the Haeata Community Campus were most likely caused by an error at the school. Seymour told Newstalk ZB's Heather du Plessis-Allan the school should have “kept an open mind” so he did not have to spend a week talking about “what happened to 20 lunches”. “I guess people might start to ask themselves, ‘Look, this whole saga, it was unreasonable to have a principal who was out in the media for a week, when in reality, Food Safety New Zealand completed the assessment within 10 days, which is lightning speed for most things that happen in government'. “And if they were just open about what might have been the possibility, we could have waited till now, we could have saved a week of drama.” One of the lunches given to students at Haeata Community Campus He also said he had been told by Food Safety that the school had a policy of leaving school lunches in the cafeteria so students could have extras if they wanted, and the mouldy lunches came from there. He had been told by Food Safety that the school had a policy of leaving school lunches in the cafeteria so students could have extras if they wanted, and the mouldy lunches came from there. He said the same lunch was served on Thursday, so this seems like the most “plausible” answer. Seymour said Food Safety NZ had been all over the school and Compass “like a rash” and was confident in the result revealed yesterday. Haeata Community Campus principal Peggy Burrows did not wish to respond to Seymour's comments this morning. She previously told the Herald the findings of the school's internal investigation were with the board and the school's lawyers and were due to be released on Friday. Haeata Community Campus principal Dr Peggy Burrows. Photo / Supplied Vincent Arbuckle, deputy director-general of New Zealand Food Safety, said an investigation into the incident found that the mouldy lunches were not part of a wider food safety issue with the School Lunch Collective. “We know the issue caused a lot of concern among parents and students at the school, so we considered it important to provide accurate and independent information about the likely cause,” Arbuckle said. “After carefully examining all the possible causes, we are able to reassure parents that there is not a wider, or ongoing, food safety risk with the School Lunch Collective. “The most plausible explanation is that lunches intended to be served to students the previous week were accidentally mixed in with that day's lunches.” Burrows earlier maintained that none of its “robust” systems failed between Thursday and Monday, when the food was served. The lunches served at Haeata Community Campus were covered in a thick layer of mould. Arbuckle said New Zealand Food Safety's food compliance officers considered the possibility that the error was made by the distributor. They found it was unlikely that the distributor delivered lunches from the previous week because several other schools received the same lunch on the same day with no reported issues. Arbuckle said another reason was that the Compass Christchurch Kitchen (Central Production Kitchen) only receives the number of meals required for the following school day because of the minimal capacity of available chillers. A food poisoning warning was issued last week after several children from Haeata Community Campus ate school lunches covered in thick mould. The meals, provided as part of the Government's school lunch programme, were eaten before a teacher intervened. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Auditor-General has released its annual report on questionable spending by schools - and some stand out more than the rest. Sutton Park School spent $11,000 on a staff planning meeting at Sky City, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mangere spent $22,000 on a boat cruise, and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Tonga o Hokianga spent $6,000 on a trip to Turkey for the principal with 'No clear business purpose.' The Ministry of Education says that over 2400 schools were audited and only a handful were 'commented on' by the auditor-general. Education Minister Erica Stanford blamed the previous government, saying that, 'It wasn't particularly fit for purpose and it didn't have good guard rails to prevent exactly what's happened.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 9 December 2025, the big RMA reform is finally here. RMA Minister Chris Bishop explains what resource consents you will soon not need anymore. The Education Minister reacts to all the dubious spending by schools and principals that's been highlighted by the Auditor General. Economist Brad Olsen finally settles the debate over whether our long summer holidays are hurting the economy. Plus, New Zealand Navy's Commodore Shane Arndell reveals the messages the Chinese war ships sent our navy while the HMNZS Aotearoa was patrolling near North Korea and Taiwan. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister's pleased to see secondary school teachers vote yes for their new collective agreement. PPTA members have accepted the Government's offer, which includes a 4.6% pay increase over two years and a million dollar a year fund for professional development. Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking it's a good resolution and she's happy for teachers. She says they've worked hard to raise achievement and close the equity gap, and they deserve the pay rises they're getting over the next two years. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a Teacher exclusive, Minister of Education and Research for Estonia Dr Kristina Kallas joins editor Jo Earp for this special podcast to talk about setting teachers and students up for success, the early years foundations for its impressive PISA performance, and the next big challenge – AI in education. Host: Jo Earp Guest: Dr Kristina Kallas

David Seymour's shrugging off food poisoning concerns at a Christchurch school, saying its principal is often complaining about Government policies. Haeata Community Campus recalled all lunches yesterday after discovering some boxes contained rancid and "dead" looking food. Some children had already eaten their lunch. Minister-in-charge Seymour told Mike Hosking a previous batch has likely been re-served to students. He says they're keeping an open mind while looking into how meals from last week got in front of children this week. The School Lunch Collective, Ministry of Education and MPI are all investigating. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are two new Bills progressing through the House of Keys at the moment and on Agenda we find out what the motivation is for bringing them forward and what their impact will be on our lives. The Education Bill is a mere shadow of the Bill which had previously been brought forward by the education department but it will have a significant impact on home schooling and children with additional educational needs. And do we really need a law to give women access to free period products? The Education Minister has taken her department back to school to produce the slimmer Bill but will the Keys give it ten out of ten or a “see me after the lesson?”

Minister for Education and Police Blair Boyer joined David & Will to discuss the information released yesterday about the terror plot against Glenunga International High SchoolSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In CI News this week: Health Secretary Wes Streeting is urged to abandon plans for a puberty-blocker trial for children, Northern Ireland's Education Minister emphasises that a recent Supreme Court ruling will not impact the Christian ethos of schools, and ‘Shine, Jesus, Shine' is revealed as Britain's favourite school hymn. You can download the video via this link. Featured stories Govt under pressure to scrap puberty blocker experiment on children NI Education Minister to safeguard ‘Christian ethos' following RE ruling Holyrood's controversial assisted suicide Bill moves towards to final stage ‘Shine, Jesus, Shine' voted nation's favourite school assembly hymn Christian Institute Chairman Revd Dr Richard Turnbull promoted to glory

Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has revealed that some senior high school students are using government-distributed laptops to watch pornography and for other unauthorized purposes

I tell you what I like about all the educators whinging away over the curriculum redo and the Treaty treatment: they are at least standing their ground. They are having their say and that is no bad thing. It struck me yesterday when I read Roger Gray's speech, Roger Gray of Auckland Port. When he talked of “No Zealand”, of the naysayers, of the cruise people in Miami and their view of NZ not wanting a cruise industry. Of Jacinda Ardern calling them Petrie dishes. Where were the Roger Grays when she was actually in charge and wrecking the place? The educators are bold enough to tell the current government they don't like what's going on, but where was the business community when their companies were being shafted? In the prizes for gonads and backbone, the educators win hands down. Not that they are right of course, and in that is the gargantuan irony. The educators complain about rules and change and yet are irrefutably on the wrong side of history, given the education outcomes produced in this country. And yet business was nowhere to be seen or heard, despite the fact we all knew the country was being strangled by power freaks, and they would eventually be proved right. But as much as I defend an educator's right to speak up, there is something deeply insidious about the way educators, particularly unions, operate. The list, the signatories of principals who have signed this protest to the Education Minister over the curriculum change is driven by, the Education Minister told us, unions. And it's a standover tactic. It's an intimidatory play. You are bullied and harried and cajoled into signing, hence she claims, you then ring her up and tell her you signed reluctantly. That sadly, says something about a principal that acts out of fear – sort of like businesses hating the decisions but saying nothing. Fear is no way to live, but for some I get it: life is short, who needs the grief? But if that is the mentality in education, if that is the modus operandi of unions, what sort of world are our kids entering into? What sort of brain washing, whether overt or subliminal, do our kids get subjected to? The Minster, in telling us all this on Tuesday, said it is disgusting – anyone want to disagree? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A professor is questioning the results of a school maths trial the Education Minister has called groundbreaking. Massey University Professor Jodie Hunter, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday the 26th of November, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop explains why they want to scrap regional councils. Estonia has the highest education results in Europe, and now their Education Minister is in New Zealand to check out how our reforms are panning out. Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen cover off Michael Wood, regional councils, Greg O'Connor and Craig Rennie on Politics Wednesday. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European nations are eyeing New Zealand's education overhaul as a model for their own reforms. Education Minister Erica Stanford's implemented new curriculums, scrapped NCEA, increased learning support funding and put a sharper focus on teaching the basics this year. Estonia's Education Minister Kristina Kallas is here meeting Stanford, and says her country and others are considering similar changes after drops in achievement. She told Mike Hosking New Zealand's direction is the right one. Kallas says basic skills are needed to develop critical and analytical thinking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A-pluses all round for a nationwide maths trial. The $40 million Government programme targeted 1500 Year 7 and 8 students needing extra support, through small-group tutoring up to four times a week. Education Minister Erica Stanford says early indicators show students averaged one to two years progress. "It tells me that there's no substitute for excellent, explicit teaching in a structured way. And what that shows is that when we have a curriculum that supports that and professional learning and development that supports that, then you get these results." All schools who requested to be part of the programme have been accepted. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister's not ruling out banning other digital distractions in schools. An Education Review Office report shows three-quarters of secondary school teachers believe student behaviour's improved since cellphones were outlawed in class. It's also recommending considering also excluding smart watches and social media. Education Minister Erica Stanford says she's open to the ideas. "We're certainly going to take ERO's recommendations into account and I'll get the Ministry to give me some advice, but I certainly think we probably do need to go further. But that'll obviously be a decision I need to take to Cabinet." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of yesterday's ministerial reshuffle in the wake of the departure from politics of Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton has been appointed Minister for Education and Youth, marking her appointment to full Cabinet for the first time. Minister Naughton spoke to Shane this morning.

As part of yesterday's ministerial reshuffle in the wake of the departure from politics of Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton has been appointed Minister for Education and Youth, marking her appointment to full Cabinet for the first time. Minister Naughton spoke to Shane this morning.

John Paul Langbroek joins Stav, Abby & Matt to chat about the upcoming teacher strikes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concern about how many people drop out of apprenticeships, according to new reports. Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds has told a conference more than half of trainees aren't completing training. She says it's driven by a number of reasons, but she's pointing the finger at the previous Government incentivising training. Simmonds says it means many signed up despite not being that interested - and didn't complete their apprenticeship. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education Minister John Paul-Langbroek joined Luke Bradnam on 4BC Breakfast to discuss the Queensland Teachers Union's 24-hour strike scheduled for next Tuesday. He confirms that the government's best and final offer has been rejected, prompting them to push for arbitration to resolve the dispute.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jerry spoke to Minister Helen McEntee who was attending the conference of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network in Killarney, the official opening of Tahilla Community National School, and a new building at Coláiste na Sceilge, Cahersiveen.

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A new three-year plan is being launched to get more young people speaking Irish. It will be rolled out in primary and secondary schools and aims to foster positive attitudes towards Irish and an increased use of the language. It includes the establishment of a task force, and more language support hours. There will be a focus on inclusion to make sure children from diverse backgrounds and with different educational needs are included in Irish teaching. Cathaoirleach An Clár As Gaeilge, Dónal o hAiniféin joined Alan Morrissey on Friday's Morning Focus to discuss this further.

Unions have voiced disappointment over the Education Minister's plan to remove school board Treaty requirements. Erica Stanford intends to scrap a clause under which boards must reflect local tikanga in the curriculum - and teach te reo Māori. The PPTA labelled it another step in the Government's apparent drive to take the country back 50 years NZ School Boards Association President, Meredith Kennett, says putting it in legislation ensures school policies consider the history of children and their whanau. "Allow us to connect with local iwi - and making sure that this school is fit for purpose for our children, because our children need to belong. And if they don't feel like they do, then they won't achieve." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mick Fealty - Editor of Slugger O'Toole - gives analysis.

The Education Minister says requiring boards to implement the Treaty hasn't made any difference in practice. Erica Stanford has confirmed plans to scrap a clause which requires school boards to reflect local tikanga Māori in the curriculum and offer te reo Māori instruction. The changes will go to Parliament today and are expected to pass before the end of the year. Stanford told Mike Hosking she's not certain what school boards were expected to do under the requirement. She says they've clarified that school boards must work to raise outcomes for Māori students and teach te reo Māori to students who want to learn it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Disgusted, absolutely ridiculous and past being disappointed". Those are just some of the reaction from Principals and teachers to the government's proposed primary school curriculum. The overnight publication of draft curriculums for six learning areas and recent changes to the already-published maths and English curriculums have prompted a virtual revolt by the Principals Federation. It says it does not trust the Education Ministry or Education Minister, Erica Stanford. Education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

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The Government is looking to broaden the social science curriculum, but it's prompted concern from some educators. The Education Minister today unveiled proposed changes to content for Years 1-10, on top of the English and Maths refresh announced earlier. History Teachers' Association chair Craig Thornhill says there's lots of interesting topics being proposed, but no proper structure. "They all seem to be quite free-standing and there's no way for students to join the dots between those topics. The other key concern is the sheer amount of content - for example, students in Year 0-8 are only going to have three hours a week to learn this stuff." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has released the full draft of New Zealand's new Year 0 to 10 curriculum as opposition from within the educational sector grows to the proposed changes. Education Minister, Erica Stanford spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Education Minister's hoping the new curriculum will close the education equity gap. Erica Stanford has unveiled proposed changes to content for Years 1-10 on top of the English and Maths refresh announced earlier. The key changes include financial education, and compulsory consent education. Stanford told Mike Hosking that no matter where a child goes to school, they will learn the same thing. She says a consistent curriculum means no matter where or what family kids are from, they get the same knowledge they need to be successful. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Brady spoke to Paul Calandra, PC MPP for Markham—Stouffville and Education Minister about Education minister plans to 'make an example' of school board trustee involved in Italy art trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Education Minister has been accused of not being across a crucial aspect of her portfolio - or deliberately misinforming people. Post Primary Teacher's Association President, Chris Abercrombie spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

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The Education Minister's confident successful primary school literacy results aren't just low hanging fruit. Results from the new phonics literacy programme show 58% of students are at or above expectations after 20 weeks. More than 40% of students exceeded expectations in Term 3 – more than double the first term. Erica Stanford says they're tracking where they hoped. But she told Mike Hosking this couldn't be achieved by just anyone and required a government who was prepared to follow the science. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 13 October 2025, the last of the Israeli hostages are being released today in a momentous day for Gaza. Israel correspondent Alexander Cornwell speaks to Heather ahead of Donald Trump's arrival to Jerusalem. The Education Minister says "I told you so!" after literacy stats show the structured literacy approach she mandated across the country is already lifting reading rates for our youngest school kids. Heather reckons we need a fundamental change to local body elections after an abysmal turnout over the weekend. Plus, the Huddle debates literacy, local politics and longer hospital stays for new mums. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erica Stanford believes mandated structured literacy is turning reading and writing skills around. The Education Minister's revealed new data showing 58 percent of students are at or above phonics expectations after 20 weeks at school - up from 36 percent in Term One. The number exceeding expectations is more than double Term One's figure. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this data shows the Government's education plan is working. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's confidence New Zealand schools are turning a corner on literacy skills. The Education Minister says data shows 58 percent of new entrant students are at-or-above phonics expectations after 20 weeks at school - up from 36 percent in Term One. The number exceeding expectations is more than double Term One's figure. Erica Stanford says she wants 90 percent of kids to achieve curriculum level. "As teachers become more confident and capable with explicit teaching and the new curriculum and structured literacy, the results will get better and better and better...we see that overseas." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How long is this Alberta teachers' strike going to last? What are the sticking points? Where is the government refusing to budge, and what are the terms both sides agree to? Will the government ultimately order teachers back to work? We ask Alberta's Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides (5:00) in this episode of Real Talk. NOTE: Our YouTube live stream experienced an interruption 45 minutes into this episode. You can catch the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, and you can always catch our audio live stream on the Mixlr audio app. APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/real-talk-ryan-jespersen/id1540709742 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/03RyuWqhe4YBI7mS48VDBA REAL TALK on MIXLR: https://realtalkrj.mixlr.com/ 29:00 | Ryan reads some of the MANY emails we've received to talk@ryanjespersen.com  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

David Seymour says the Government's winning because attendance is improving. The Associate Education Minister's putting $140 million towards improving attendance over four years, promising to reach twice the number of students. Extra support is going to 170 schools with chronic absence. Seymour told Mike Hosking when defining our long-term future, the thing that matters most is getting kids into class. He says throwing money at the problem helps, and this is a better use of taxpayer money to make sure children stay in schools. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the Post-Primary Teachers Association marked the roll at its annual conference in Christchurch today there was a notable absentee - Education Minister Erica Stanford. The excuse she gave for pulling out of a speech this afternoon didn't go down well in a room awash with talk of industrial action, scrapping NCEA, subject changes and teacher shortages. Keiller MacDuff reports.

There's a belief there's more that needs to be done to smooth immigration processes in New Zealand. The Government's revealed two new pathways for skilled migrants to secure Kiwi residency. One is for skilled work experience and another for trades and technicians. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking there's a lot more announcements to come, but they're often held up by IT changes. She says they're working on a start-up visa while more needs to be done in the RSE space, and there's a whole list of other things. Stanford's also standing by her decision to miss the PPTA's annual conference in Christchurch. The Education Minister had been scheduled to speak to the secondary teachers union yesterday for months but abruptly cancelled due to an 'unavoidable clash.' She told Hosking it was because the Prime Minister's office gave her a date for yesterday's skilled workers' announcement in Auckland. She says authorities also advised her it wasn't the best time to give a speech due to the ongoing pay bargaining. Stanford adds she is frequently meeting with the PPTA, and this is the first conference she's had to miss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A much-needed boost to rural schools' infrastructure, which has been neglected for many years. The Education Minister's unveiled a $413 million package to get maintenance and improvement jobs at schools underway sooner. More than half is for improvements on all isolated, rural, or small schools. Rural Schools Leadership Association President Andrew King told Mike Hosking it will predominantly go towards basic infrastructure. He says in the past, rural schools haven't had work done simply because of the cost to get trades people out there. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Africa's future will be written by its girls and women — if they have the resources and rights to lead. Graça Machel calls for a generational shift in how girls' education and leadership are supported, while Françoise Moudouthe challenges donors and policymakers to back feminist movements with flexible, sustained funding. Satta Sheriff brings the voice of a new generation, connecting women's leadership to broader fights for climate justice, peace, and economic inclusion. This episode is full of hard truths about the barriers girls and women face, paired with inspiring examples of what happens when those barriers come down. Guests Graça Machel, women's and children's rights advocate; former freedom fighter and first Education Minister of Mozambique; co-founder of The Elders. Françoise Moudouthe, CEO of the African Women's Development Fund Satta Sheriff, Human Rights Activist & African Union Panel of the Future Member Background Materials Women's Rights in Review 30 years after Beijing, UN Women Futures Africa: Trends for Women by 2030, The African Women's Development Fund African Young Women B+25 Manifesto, African Union

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Also, the Alliance party has slammed the Education Minister's new school uniform bill.

Kiwi students will soon be learning more about AI in the classroom, potentially as a specialist subject in year 13. It's part of a major curriculum shake-up which the Education Minister says will better prepare students for the future workforce. Professor of AI at Victoria University, Alistair Knott spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Helen McEntee, Education Minister, speaks about the current state of negotiations with Fórsa Trade Union regarding the school secretaries and caretakers strike.