Bevan Holloway

"we needed to adjust how we were working with sector representatives ... [we were] finding that their involvement was adding complexity and not supporting the development of curriculum materials at pace" – Pauline Cleaver, written evidence to the Waitangi Tribunal.

"The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union aims to influence government spending, through public campaigns, media engagement and direct lobbying" Civics, Year 8. NZ’s knowledge rich curriculum.

The point and purpose of education isn’t what parents get but what happens day after day in the classroom. And for that to go well you need pros, not programmes.

“Why are they not up in arms at the squandering of their children's vitality, curiosity and their righteous indignation?” This. How much of Ss affect for learning is dictated by framing? Do we teach the curriculum to kids, or teach kids with the curriculum? The framing absolutely matters.

A lot of wasted $$$. All those resources and programs are now gone. Complete 180 to child-focused pedagogy and systems from leaders who actually have backgrounds in education.

The 80% isn’t a research finding — it’s an arbitrary number that everyone, including the people issuing it, knows is arbitrary. 80% is a confession, not a finding. The number exists to make compliance auditable and deviation punishable. It is a loyalty test. open.substack.com/pub/aecnz/p/...

Just finished Chloe Dalton’s book Raising Hare. What a beautiful, sympathetic, touching and wise book. www.chloedalton.uk/raising-hare

At what point does information become propaganda? And if you were a listener, would you have wanted to know about the deep connection to the Minister’s office?

The Atlas will have whole teams of lawyers poring over the constitutions and laws of target countries to find vulnerabilities to exploit, and ways of running soft, slow or fast coups against democratic norms and any restrictions or limits on fossil capital.

HOW IT STARTED I was interviewed by @mihiforbes.bsky.social on Mata Reports/TVNZ (Jan 2024), & warned Kiwis of the assault on Maori, the constitution (Treaty of Waitangi) & climate policy to be expected from the oily #AtlasNetwork's infiltration of NZ govt. Pls watch! www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/m...

"As the song ends, a quote appears across the screen. 'I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible' – Peter Thiel, chairman of Palantir." novaramedia.com/2026/06/01/m...

The coalition is intentionally trying to hide their corruption. They know how bad it is and don’t want anyone to know it #nzpol

Time for us all to brush up on these. snyder.substack.com/p/on-tyranny

Just days before giving a Dame-hood to Elizabeth Rata, Erica Stanford's inspiration, Michael Gove, signs off on this for the magazine he is editor of.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Dame Liz.

Dame Elizabeth Rata now. White supremacy pays dividends under this government.

At what point does information become propaganda? And if you were a listener, would you have wanted to know about the deep connection to the Minister’s office?

Here’s how I sum up the Budget for education. Hundreds of millions are being spent on things that are lifeless: workbooks, kits, strategies, assessment. Nothing on relationships and connection.

At what point does information become propaganda? And if you were a listener, would you have wanted to know about the deep connection to the Minister’s office?

Kids are really being ripped off when the best the Budget can do for them is music kits and workbooks.

Any reporters asked Nicola Willis if she recognises this toaster?

I’ll never tire of this bike ride to work.

Stanford said she takes the Treaty very seriously. But in the Bill she has just introduced to the House giving her unlimited power to create curriculum, there is not one reference to Te Tiriti in the section that grants her that power. Nothing that directs her to act as a partner. Nothing.

More tricks from Stanford in the House, this time to sneak in a change that makes all members of the Teaching Council ministerial appointees. What is taught, how it's taught, what counts as good teaching, and who is fit to teach — On 6 July, these are all under direct political control.

A lady asked me if I really needed the glasses I was wearing to see. I said, “No, I just wear them so I can take them off and rub my eyes with my palms in exasperation when someone says something really stupid.” I then proceeded to take off my glasses and rub my eyes with my palms in exasperation.

So ... The curriculum had to be rewritten because achievement wasn't high enough, but NCEA has be replaced because achievement is too high?

Sunday Watch: Guy Claxton - Bodies of Learning

This new(ish) UI feels very chummy. So chummy that I want to raise my eyebrows each time I open the app.

Despite the Waitangi Tribunal's judgement, the govt is full speed ahead with this because apparently it's too confusing for adults to deal with more than one phrase about Te Tiriti, which is ironic given everything they say they're doing with education.

The only way I can make sense of the way ministers in Cabinet ignore official advice is that they are operating from a position of • I have an idea and it is good, therefore let's get it done. Whereas, good governance requires something more like • I have an idea. Is it good? Let's check.

The first of what hopefully are a few wins coming.