75435 (2024). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Education

75435 (2024). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Education: What guidance, if any, has the Minister's departments, if any, given staff regarding attendance at Hikoi mō te Tiriti on 19 November 2024?

Hon Erica Stanford: I am advised that staff at the Ministry of Education were encouraged to continue with their business-as-usual working arrangements from their offices, or work from home if they anticipate their journey to and from the office may be disrupted. Staff were also reminded of the Public Service Commission’s guide on political neutrality. Staff who wished to attend the hikoi were advised they may do so during their lunch break, noting that attending outside normal break hours would need to be taken in personal time through annual leave. Staff were also reminded to take sensible safety measures, one of which was not wearing ID cards/lanyards on the street. I am advised that staff at the Education Review Office were informed they must take annual leave should they wish to participate in the Hikoi mō te Tiriti. Staff were also reminded of the Code of Conduct and the Public Service Commission’s guide on political neutrality. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority advised staff in relation to the Hikoi mō te Tiriti: • to be prepared that traveling to work will take longer than usual and plan alternative routes • to remember the importance of maintaining political neutrality; and • if planning to attend the Hikoi, this must be done in their own time.