12. JILL PETTIS (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Women's Affairs
What reports, if any, has she received supporting gender equity?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Minister of Women's Affairs) Link to this
I have seen a report that states: “the bedrock values I see as fundamental to New Zealanders are an acceptance of democracy and the rule of law, religious and personal freedom, and legal equality of the sexes. If you don’t accept these fundamentals, then New Zealand isn’t the place for you.” These sentiments were expressed by the current Leader of the Opposition, Don Brash, in a speech last Friday.
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
I have seen extracts from a book that identifies a lack of commitment to equality between the sexes. The book states, for example: “The girls don’t need a high level of education because they are not permitted to be in paid employment after they marry.” This is, of course, unless the husband cannot work. This book is about the practices of the Exclusive Brethren, funder of Don Brash and the National Party.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Tēnā koe Madam Speaker. Tēnā tātou katoa. What advice was sought from her ministry to permit the removal of the words: “a gender-inclusive curriculum, which acknowledges and includes the educational needs and experiences of girls equally with those of boys,” from the new draft curriculum statement; or, as with the deletion of the Treaty of Waitangi principles from legislation, does the Minister believe that not talking about the gender of Māori and non-Māori students enhances gender equity?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
I do not have any advice from my ministry on that particular subject. If the member would like to put down a question, I will be happy to answer it for him.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What advice was sought from her ministry about the removal of the words “non-sexism” or “non-racism” from the new draft curriculum statement, and does she agree that the removal of those words endangers gender equity?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
I have brought no information to the House in respect of submissions the Ministry of Women’s Affairs may have made on the curriculum. I do not know the answer to that question. If the member puts down a written question, I will be happy to provide the information to him.