If there was ever any doubt about who was calling the shots regarding the curriculum rewrite, Michael Johnston made it clear on 4 April, 2024.

Elizabeth Rata had had her curriculum writing team organised from 23 March, including the venue (Auckland Grammar). But they hadn’t been able to get started because they needed Stanford to accept the MAG’s report and recommendations, which doesn’t happen until 5 April.

So, there is a sense of frustration in Johnston’s email on 4 April to Anya Pollock at the Ministry:

“I’m at the NZ Initiative retreat … I understand that it’s the Ministry’s job to put together the writing groups, but they need to do so in consultation with key MAG members. In the case of subject English, that means Elizabeth.”

The next day, Stanford accepts the MAG’s recommendations, while she is at the NZ Initiative retreat.

Who is in charge here?

This is a clear case of an advisory group exceeding its statutory authority and seizing control of a government agency. And at the centre of this, we find Rata. We find Johnston, the chair of the MAG and the NZ Initiative’s senior fellow leading their education work. We find a clear warning: the influence Rata was able to exert over the curriculum rewrite means that her now having Te Whāriki in her sights is something we need to take seriously.

I am available for contract work. Please get in touch if you have something you think I can help you with: bevan@bevanholloway.com