If Minister Stanford Can’t Show Up, Can She Still Lead?

by Rebecca Thomas

Image: ROBERT KITCHIN / THE POST

The room was full, but one seat was conspicuously empty.

Educators from across the country gathered today at the PPTA annual conference—an event marked in Minister Erica Stanford’s diary since April. But as our secondary teachers continue with rolling strike action and face historic strain, the Education Minister—our sector's supposed champion—was nowhere to be seen.

It’s not just a missed meeting. 

It’s a missed moment for leadership.

Teachers didn’t expect miracles. But we did expect respect.

This conference was a perfect opportunity for Minister Stanford to show face, to listen with humility, and to acknowledge the deep concern in classrooms across Aotearoa. A moment to affirm that the door to negotiations remains open. Instead, we got silence—and a carefully managed “unavoidable clash” that feels far too convenient.

Yes, the Ministry of Education reportedly advised her not to attend due to ongoing industrial action. However, that has never stopped past Ministers from showing up during turbulent times. Hekia Parata did. So did Chris Hipkins—right in the thick of pay negotiations. Because presence matters. Because leadership is about fronting up when it’s hard, not just when it’s easy.

Imagine if teachers, principals and support staff, doctors and nurses didn’t show up when their jobs were hard — when they had an angry parent to deal with, a violent patient, or made a mistake. We show up because it’s hard. That’s what public service demands. And that’s what this Minister was expected to do.

What message does absence send?

Chris Abercrombie, PPTA president, called out Stanford’s silence. He also called out Judith Collins’ inflammatory comments on salaries and Brian Roche’s damaging disinformation about teacher shortages.

No wonder teachers are feeling betrayed.

No wonder more educators are reconsidering their long-term future in the profession.

It’s not like these negotiations just began. We are deep in this. The system is strained, morale is low, and the teaching profession is being held together by love and grit alone.

And now, a Minister who chooses to absent herself from the very space where healing could begin?

What are we afraid of—honest dialogue?

Let’s not pretend this is about fear of protest. The PPTA is not in the business of ambushing guests. As Abercrombie himself said, “That’s not our kaupapa.” The Minister attended last year and was warmly welcomed.

If anything, her absence has done more damage than a few turned backs ever could.

Even Health Minister Simeon Brown stood in front of nurses as they silently turned away. That takes courage. You don’t have to agree with the crowd—but you do have to show up.

Minister Stanford chose not to.

The snub is political. The cost is human.

Teacher salaries haven’t caught up. Workloads are untenable. Support systems are stretched.

And while the Minister has time to hold press conferences, attend business conferences and issue media releases calling teachers’ actions a “stunt,” they say nothing about the underlying crisis.

If our government continues to dodge engagement—whether by missing meetings or releasing joint statements heavy with blame—they will only embolden more people to stand up and push back.

Silencing teacher voices is not just a political misstep—it’s a betrayal of our tamariki.

We don’t need perfection from our leaders.

But we do need presence.

We do need empathy.

And we do need courage.

Minister Stanford’s empty chair spoke volumes. And what it said was: “Not today.”

To that, the education sector responds—firmly and compassionately—“We’ll still be here tomorrow.”

But how many more missed opportunities can we afford?

Minister Stanford — it’s time to reflect.

This role isn’t just about managing a portfolio. It’s about carrying the hopes, needs, and future of the entire teaching profession on your shoulders. That weight is not something you can leave behind in the back of an Uber on your way to an “unavoidable clash.”

If you can no longer listen, advocate, and front up with the truth, then perhaps it’s time to ask — not if we will hold you accountable — but whether you are still the right person to hold the pen.

Because the sector hasn’t stopped showing up.

And it deserves a Minister who does too.