30754 (2025). Shanan Halbert to the Minister for Vocational Education

30754 (2025). Shanan Halbert to the Minister for Vocational Education: What partnerships exist with Māori under the current Vocational Education and Training arrangements and how, if at all, will these be affected under the proposed model as outlined in the Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill?

Hon Penny Simmonds: Current provisions in the Education and Training Act that provide for partnerships with Māori in the VET system are: • clause 4(b) and (d) of Schedule 13 (Te Pūkenga’s charter) • sections 325 and 326 (advisory committees to Te Pūkenga) • section 320 (membership of Te Pūkenga’s council) • section 363(3)(b) (establishment of Workforce Development Councils). Clauses in the Education and Training (Vocational Education and training System) Amendment Bill that will affect these provisions include: • 314 (d) which provides that one of the characteristics of polytechnics is that they improve outcomes for Māori students and trainees and Māori communities in collaboration with Māori and iwi and interested persons or bodies; and • 318 (1) (B) which provides that the council of a polytechnic should, as far as is reasonably practicable, include Māori • 321(c) Additional duties of council of Polytechnic requires them to ensure the polytechnic operates in a way that allows the polytechnic to develop meaningful relationships and to engage with communities at a local level, including industries, Māori employers, hapū and iwi, and Pacific communities • 370 requires Industry Skills Boards to act in a manner, when performing their functions and duties, that contributes to an education system the honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and supports Māori-Crown relations.