According to a report by RNZ, Education Minister Erica Stanford was a notable absentee at the Post-Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) annual conference in Christchurch on Tuesday, where she had been scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
Her absence drew criticism from union leaders, who said the explanation provided by her office did not stand up to scrutiny.
PPTA president Chris Abercrombie told attendees that Stanford had confirmed her appearance as early as April, but pulled out in recent days. Initially, her office cited an unavoidable scheduling clash, later clarifying that the Ministry advised her not to attend due to ongoing collective bargaining and industrial action.
Abercrombie argued that previous education ministers, from both Labour and National, had attended conferences during tense negotiations, calling Stanford’s absence “hugely disappointing and very poor form.”
The conference spotlighted deep tensions between teachers and the government. Abercrombie accused Public Services Minister Judith Collins of spreading “blatant lies” about teacher salaries—remarks Collins later walked back—and criticised Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche for denying a teacher shortage. He warned these statements only worsened disputes.
Union members highlighted issues ranging from curriculum reforms and NCEA changes to ongoing strike action and pay disputes. Auckland art teacher Paul Stevens cautioned that ignoring teachers’ concerns risked triggering broader industrial action. Teachers, he said, felt undervalued: “They’re asking us to do more for less.”