10. JO GOODHEW (National—Rangitata) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
When is the last day for parents to vote in the 2010 school trustee elections?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
For the vast majority of schools, voting in the 2010 school trustee elections closes at noon this Friday, 7 May. Parents at schools with more nominations than positions should have their voting forms and I encourage them to vote in these elections for the parent representatives who will govern their children’s school for the next 3 years.
What reports has she received on the number of schools with too few nominations in the 2010 school trustee elections?
I am delighted to say that reports I have received state that across the country only three schools have had insufficient parent representative nominations. That compares very favourably with the 2007 elections, which saw five schools with insufficient nominations. Commissioners will be put in place on a temporary basis for those schools until a new election process can take place. This strong nomination turnout shows that parents are interested in taking part in the governance of their local schools, and I am particularly pleased that parents have ignored the calls of Mr Mallard to think twice before they consider standing for boards of trustees. It shows that parents are paying as much attention to the Labour Party on this one—
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Ordinarily we would appreciate full and long answers from the Minister, but for this question, which is an informational one, the answer is now turning into a speech.
Mr SPEAKERI think that was a fair point. Indeed, I think we have had enough of it—[ Interruption] Could members make sure they rise and call? Today the noise level in the House means either I need to get my ears tested or the noise level is too high. It is very difficult to hear. Members need to get to their feet reasonably promptly or I cannot pick them up. I apologise to Rahui Katene, who has a supplementary question.
Hon Gerry Brownlee Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I apologise to the member. The comment you just made about the noise levels in the House is pretty relevant. Sometimes members miss an opportunity to take a call. We have had a little bit of that lately; indeed, I think it is largely due to the sound system, which is still not working well in this House. It is unfortunate that we keep getting reports to us stating that it is the best thing since sliced bread and that there has been a significant amount of money spent on it, but it continues to be something that is very, very difficult for members to work with. I have been approached by members of our own backbench who even on a quiet day find it difficult to hear members at the front of the Chamber speaking.
It is an important issue. I will hear the Hon Peter Dunne, but I do not want to spend too much time on it. I am acutely aware of what the Leader of the House has just said.
Hon Peter DunneI endorse Mr Brownlee’s comments. I think that although today there has been a higher level of noise than usual—in this corner of the House, anyway—the problem is that the noise comes through at a constant level. When we get someone with a louder voice than usual—for instance, when Mr Brownlee was answering questions previously—we might expect it to carry. What is often carried down to this end of the Chamber is the constant hubbub, and we cannot hear the individual speaker over that hubbub. I have had difficulty hearing you and members on that side of the House at times today. When we had the system that was individualised to the seats, the individual sound of a voice came through. When we went for these stalactites, or whatever they are called upstairs, we lost that. I think the consequence has been that it is harder for people to hear and this has contributed to a general level of disorder.
I think that both members make very good points. I am acutely aware that members in the back rows of the House cannot hear even in good times. I assure members that I will pursue this matter again. Members will recollect that I sought approval at one stage to enable technicians to come into the House during question time so they could hear what was going on. Again, I will seek the indulgence of the House for that because we must solve this problem. I am struggling to hear and members at the back of the House cannot hear. This is a very serious problem. The point the Hon Peter Dunne just made is true; it leads to disorder. When members cannot hear what is going on, there tends to be more noise and difficulty all around. I promise members I will pursue it again, because it is not good enough.
Rahui KateneWhat strategies are being employed to ensure that boards of trustees are representative of their communities, including the representation of mana whenua?
Boards of trustees are self-governing entities, and there are no specific initiatives to encourage the representation of mana whenua. When voting, school communities will no doubt look to put in place governance that is in the best interests of the school. That may very well include people with links to local iwi. The Education Act 1989 allows boards of trustees to co-opt members. The Act requires that in doing so, they take into account the ethnic diversity of the school population and the character of their community.