2. Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What were the highlights of her international travel this year as Minister?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) Link to this
Representing New Zealand overseas is a privilege, and highlights for the Minister included opening a New Zealand export education fair in Bangkok in June and representing key Government initiatives like trades academies, national standards, and the Youth Guarantee at a recent OECD conference in Canada.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Why did she, while at the Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers, decline an offer made through a UK Minister to host the equivalent meeting here early in 2011?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
If the member chooses to set down a written question to the Minister, then he will get a very full reply to that question.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Was the Minister aware, when she rejected the offer to host the Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers in 2011, that the Indian Minister of education generally travels with a large group of academics and educators and that India is a key target market for many New Zealand tertiary institutions?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
I am sure that is something the Minister is aware of. But might I say that although the previous Labour Government had a view that it could raise national standards and that it could introduce things that give the benefits of something like the Youth Guarantee by having massive international talkfests, this Government does not believe that.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Does this Government value postgraduate international students more or less than primary age international students?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
This Government values all international students for the experience they bring to this country.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Why, then, did the Minister reject the biggest opportunity offered to New Zealand in years to promote international education, in the same year that she is promulgating the opening up of New Zealand schools to international primary school students?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
If the member would like to set that down as a written question to the Minister, he will get a very full answer.