David Seymour, Chloe Swarbrick Debate School Climate Protest

Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick has responded to criticism from David Seymour regarding students protesting against the climate crisis during school hours today, The New Zealand Herald reported.

Associate Education Minister Seymour expressed disapproval, stating that it was "unacceptable" for students to protest during school time and suggested that schools should mark them absent.

Swarbrick, in a video posted on her Instagram, dismissed Seymour's comments as "a little bit embarrassing." She was interviewed amidst young protesters, emphasizing that the world doesn't stop at the classroom door and highlighting the energy and passion of the youth for a healthier planet.

The protests, part of the School Strike 4 Climate campaign, saw hundreds of students, some as young as 10, marching to Parliament. Similar protests were held in other towns and cities, including Auckland and Christchurch.

Seymour insisted that students should not be protesting during school time and suggested they could have marched on Tuesday, a nationwide teacher-only day, or during the upcoming school holidays. He stated that schools should treat today's protesters as absent but unjustified.

School Strike 4 Climate Pōneke member Frankie Huthnance criticized the National-led Government for lack of action on climate change, describing it as "all talk and no action." Huthnance emphasized the urgency of the climate crisis, citing recent environmental disasters in New Zealand.

Seymour acknowledged students' concerns about their futures but emphasized the importance of education, stating that real change requires education and attending school. He announced that the Government would be unveiling an Attendance Action Plan to address the national truancy crisis.

Huthnance argued that the Government needed to take climate change seriously and called for an increase in climate education for all. The protest is expected to cause traffic disruptions in Auckland's city centre, with delays expected in traffic and public transport services between 3.30pm and 6.30pm.