32102 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Minister of Education

32102 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Minister of Education: What consultation, if any, did the Ministry of Education conduct with schools, teachers, and/or principals regarding the "new interpretation" of the "open for instruction" guidelines?

Hon Erica Stanford: The Ministry of Education (the Ministry) conducted targeted engagement between September 2024 and May 2025. The bodies consulted with included: • Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand (SPANZ), • New Zealand Principal’s Federation (NZPF), • NZ Rural Schools Association, • Te Rūnanganui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori (TRN), • Ngā Kura a Iwi (NKAI), • Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA), • Secondary Principals Council, • Te Akatea Māori Principals Association • New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI). These targeted engagements included online meetings and survey completion by School leaders and Boards, as well as sharing of draft guidance for their feedback. The Ministry also provided my office with advance copies of the guidance prior to publication.