Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP

Education is a vital asset, and the quality of our education goes a long way towards determining our future success in life.

Educators have a significant influence on our children through their ability to share, engage, guide and support. The influence of teachers cannot be underestimated, nor under-valued.

However, the educational environment has changed in recent years and teachers are dissatisfied. They feel undervalued and overworked.

New Zealand First is proud to be part of a government that is committed to rebuilding public education and elevating the status of teachers.

We have offered pay increases amounting to nine per cent over three years - more in just one settlement than the primary teachers negotiated in three settlements under National.

We have moved quickly to deal with immediate teacher shortages and have worked hard to address classroom issues affecting teachers, by abolishing the reviled National Standards and announcing an extra $200 million for 600 new special needs coordinators.

We have also reduced the paperwork and given teachers more time to teach.

We need educators to know that this government recognises their frustration after years of neglect under National, that we value the work they do and that we are taking robust steps to invest in and future-proof our education system for the next generation.

And our commitment does not stop at the school gate. We are looking at a full reset of the crumbling polytechnic sector, which the government last year bailed out to the tune of $100 million.

For years National had mismanaged the sector and failed to adapt to its changing dynamics. We are stepping up and will be taking decisive action.