By Steve Saville Illustrated by Steve Saville I made a decision to not say too much online about the current storm raging around our profession. Mainly because others were articulating the concerns much better than I could and so I saw very little need to add more ‘noise’ that would risk clouding the picture. So first up, I would like to thank again the brave voices who have been pushing back on our behalf. However, reading recent posts from the likes of Kylie Hogan and Bee T

by ELV Aotearoa’s educators, the storm that won’t be silenced. Maybe that’s why the silence. Because thunder doesn’t always arrive on cue — sometimes it brews underground. While the Ministry was polishing its hashtags and prepping polite applause, teachers were busy building something stronger: solidarity. The press might have missed the photo-op, but they didn’t miss the feeling. There’s a hum beneath this quiet — a pulse that says enough. Educators are winning this round. N

by Protective Educators in Aotearoa The Curriculum Shit-Show Was Real Teachers across the motu are only just noticing that the familiar Understand–Know–Do framework has quietly vanished — replaced by a shiny, standardised spreadsheet of “knowledge and practices.” What’s dawning now is how much unpacking, alignment, and translation this “glowed-up” curriculum will demand — and it’s falling on an already exhausted workforce. Not to mention the time, money, and professional lear

by ELV Before Erica Stanford rolls into town with her roadshow banners and big promises, educators deserve to hear the truth. Over the last few years, a handful of small PLD providers, curriculum writers, and school leaders have poured themselves into shaping the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh. They worked ridiculous hours, argued passionately for local voice, and tried to make Te Mātaiaho more than a token reference. Then, quietly, they were told to stop talking. Some were d

Land a glowing ERO report that evaluates how effective this government is — and how much support they’ve supposedly given teachers. by ELV Once upon a time, the Education Review Office told stories. They were not fairy tales, but careful chronicles of how learning was lived — each school its own chapter, each child a line in the nation’s unfolding book. Back then, an ERO report was an independent, honest voice — not an evil stepmother’s looking glass. It spoke of context, rel

by ELV Minister Erica Stanford delivers bold claims on structured literacy progress — backed by a single phonics score and no baseline data. Tonight we were told the government’s mandated structured literacy reforms are “ working for everyone, in every school, in every setting. ” The evidence? A jump in phonics scores from 36% to 58% after 20 weeks of schooling. Fewer students needing targeted support. An increase for Māori, Pacific, and low-decile learners. Cue applause. Co

By Rebecca Thomas Back to Class — and Back to Class Systems Oversight should be a light, not a leash. ERO was created to help schools...

By Rebecca Thomas How tidy numbers hide the children we stopped counting Attendance is up, youth are lazy, The government wants you to...

by Rebecca Thomas Cillian Murphy as ‘ Steve ’ — the teacher holding space when no one else will “It’s 4:45pm, Sunday... I can feel my...

Teachers, nurses, carers, public servants: standing together, sacrificing together. by Rebecca Thomas The Mockingjay stands for those who...

by Rebecca Thomas Erica smiles from flattery This year, in the Mood of the Boardroom survey, CEOs crowned Education Minister Erica...

by Rebecca Thomas Image NZ Herald The government keeps telling us they’ve “invested in education.” They boast of having their “eye on the...

by Rebecca Thomas Image: ROBERT KITCHIN / THE POST The room was full, but one seat was conspicuously empty. Educators from across the...

by Rebecca Thomas Public service commissioner Sir Brian Roche. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone (A Follow-Up to “ Why Our Nation’s Carers...

by Rebecca Thomas Humanity, not hierarchy "They do not leave their work at the door. They carry it home—on their shoulders, in their...

by Rebecca Thomas Just a few bends in the road from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the whenua still carries the breath of promises...

by Rebecca Thomas Play to hear my kōrero People sign petitions for all sorts of reasons. Some sign because they’re angry. Some because...

by Rebecca Thomas The greatest trick? Making NCEA disappear — while calling it curriculum reform. They’re counting on us to obsess over...

Escaping the System That Failed Us: The Real Reason Behind One School’s Charter Bid by Rebecca Thomas I never imagined I’d be writing...

by Steve Saville Drawn by Steve Saville I think we can all agree it hasn’t been a great term for teachers. As a profession we have been...