A warning to New Zealanders

This is not so much about this issue and the worst Minister of Education NZ has ever had who is effortlessly deconstructing the education system.

It is about a media that has an agenda to keep this government in power and to paint a picture of a Labour Party that cannot win an election while we have a government that egregiously rides roughshod over democratic principles.

Have no mistake this IS fascism as it is practised over the anglophone world. No need to slap people in jail (yet), or cancel elections.

All that is needed is to use Goebbels-style Doublespeak and have a compliant media arm to twist and distort the real situation

Listen to this radio excerpt where the Leader of the Opposition (who is normally due a certain level of respect) is cut off and is not able to tell the truth as he sees it.

This is a warning to New Zealanders.

If you still think we live in a functioning democracy then you've got your head in the sand

---SMR

Parata must step down, says Labour

Labour leader David Cunliffe yesterday welcomed a move by the Kohanga Reo National Trust to revamp its governance structure as a step towards regaining public confidence.

NZ Herald,

25 March, 2014

But he said it was no substitute "for credible responses to critical questions that should have been answered months ago".

He pointed the finger of blame at Education Minister Hekia Parata for not insisting on a full review of the trust's subsidiary, Te Pataka Ohanga, when allegations of mis-spending came to light last year and called on her to resign.

Ms Parata said she welcomed the trust's acknowledgement it needed to change its organisation and clean up the affairs of Te Pataka Ohanga.

She said the Government's expec-tations in relation to on-going engagement with the trust - which receives $92 million a year - were clear.

"We expect to see that the trust has representative, accountable and transparent governance and management arrangements."

The Kohanga Reo National Trust said yesterday it would fast-track changes to the organisation including board membership after it has faced widespread criticism over its lack of accountability.

Mr Cunliffe said the board's statement still left serious allegations of misuse of public money unanswered by Ms Parata.

"No amount of bluster, bullying and passing the buck by the minister over the alleged mis-spending gets her off the hook. Only her departure from this crucial portfolio will give Kiwis some hope that their children's education and taxpayers' hard-earned money are in safe hands."

The board received $92 million from the Government in 2012 and passed on $79 million to 465 kohanga reo providing education in Maori to 9000 pre-schoolers.