
Business of Tech: Labour's new spokesman for tech Reuben Davidson on ‘crisis that's been created'
Reuben Davidson, Labour's new spokesman for science, innovation, technology, broadcasting and the creative economy, isn't shy about the scale of the challenges facing New Zealand's high-value sectors or the damage he says the current Government is doing.
In this week's episode of The Business of Tech, the former TV producer, who won the Christchurch East seat in the 2023 general election, is scathing of the coalition Government's approach to science and innovation, particularly funding cuts, redundancies and the 'rolling change' that's left researchers and innovators in limbo.

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Scoop
20 minutes ago
- Scoop
MoE Advice Reveals Cost-Cutting Takes Priority Over Quality In ECE
Newly released advice from the Ministry of Education to Minister David Seymour shows the Government is more focused on helping ECE providers cut costs than on making sure young children get high-quality, safe accessible early learning. In the document Options to reduce ECE service staffing costs, four options were provided (three of which remain redacted), all aimed at cutting the most significant cost for providers: staff wages. One of those options which has recently been implemented, allows employers to pay new teachers the minimum starting rate, regardless of their qualifications or experience. 'This advice confirms what we feared, that cost savings for providers are being prioritised over children's learning and wellbeing,' says Kathy Wolfe, Chief Executive of Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand. 'Reducing pay for qualified teachers not only undermines professional standards, but it also risks deterring future teachers from joining the sector. Is this really what the Minister and Associate Minister of Education want? We were told their goal was to lift education outcomes and that journey begins in early childhood.' The Ministry's advice, requested by Minister Seymour, states that this cost-cutting measure is expected to save providers up to $22 million over two years. It also acknowledges the serious risks associated with this approach. 'The Ministry's own words say it all, this move makes ECE teaching 'less attractive for those considering studying and entering the workforce',' says Cathy Wilson, Chief Executive of Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand. 'We're already in a teacher workforce shortage and need to attract more teachers and retain a higher number of teachers. How can we expect to maintain a high-quality system when we devalue the people who deliver it? This short-term thinking will only create bigger problems, with fewer qualified teachers, more instability in the workforce, and a greater risk to children's safety and well-being. How does that help prepare tamariki for school?' Even more concerning is the Government's apparent intention to abandon the Pay Parity scheme. This initiative links the pay of ECE teachers in education and care centres to that of kindergarten teachers, who are funded directly by the government and have pay parity with primary teachers. The system was designed to ensure fairness across the teaching profession, recognising experience and qualifications whether a teacher is in ECE, primary, or secondary education. 'Teachers are teachers, whether they're working with infants, children, or teenagers,' says Mrs Wilson. 'Undermining the pay and conditions of ECE teachers sends a clear message that their work is valued less. That's not only short-sighted, but it's also damaging for teachers, tamariki, and whānau alike.' The implications are serious. In wealthier communities, providers may simply pass increased costs on to parents who can pay. In lower-income communities, however, providers will be more likely to cut wages, reduce qualified staff, or take advantage of any future changes that lower the minimum qualification requirements, effectively creating a two-tier ECE system. 'We're staring down the barrel of deepening inequity in early childhood education,' says Mrs Wolfe. 'If qualification requirements are relaxed and pay is suppressed, the quality of teaching in some demographic areas will decline, and with it, outcomes for tamariki.' This direction, Mrs Wolfe warns, will increase teacher turnover, shrink the future workforce, and accelerate the decline of New Zealand's globally recognised high-quality ECE. 'It is horrifying to see our world-leading early childhood education undermined in the name of short-term savings,' she says. 'Our tamariki deserve qualified, well-supported teachers. They deserve safe, rich learning environments. And parents deserve to know that their children are safe and getting the best possible start in life, no matter their postcode.' Te Rito Maioha and Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand are calling on the Government to reverse this direction and invest in quality, not cuts. 'The funding review is underway; however it already seems to have been undermined, and the Minister's outcome predetermined. We urge the Government to properly fund ECE, not by slashing teacher pay or lowering standards, but recognising the vital role teachers play and committing to equity and excellence for every child,' Mrs Wolfe says. Notes: The advice requested by Minister Seymour was based on the knowledge that the ECE sector would receive only a 0.5% funding increase in Budget 2025, well below the 2.5% rate of inflation. The Ministry's paper acknowledges this shortfall would place significant financial pressure on providers. In response, the Minister specifically asked for advice on how to reduce the sector's largest cost: teachers. The ECE sector has already experienced a multi-year funding freeze prior to 2017 under the then National government leaving the sector approximately 11% behind CPI over the last 10 to 15 years. ECE is considered a public good with investment outweighing the costs. For more information on the need to sufficiently fund ECE services About Te Rito Maioha: Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand is a leader in early childhood and primary education – growing teachers, leaders, knowledge and bicultural practice so every child learns and thrives. As a membership organisation we are a strong voice for young children and quality education, advocating for the ECE sector and connecting our members with the latest sector-related issues, policy and professional development. As a specialist tertiary provider, we grow valued teachers, educators, leaders and experts with diploma, degree and postgraduate qualifications in early childhood and primary education.

1News
22 minutes ago
- 1News
Greens want passenger trains between Auckland and Tauranga
The Green Party is calling on the Government to extend the Auckland-Hamilton passenger rail network to Tauranga. However, Bay of Plenty Regional Council's chairman said now was not the time for regional passenger rail. Green Party transport spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter was in Tauranga on Thursday launching a petition urging Minister of Rail Winston Peters to "Restore Regional Rail". Te Huia, the Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail link, had proven the demand for the service, she said. "It's time to extend that service to the people of Tauranga and some of the smaller towns in between." Extending the service could be done "relatively quickly and at an affordable cost," with operating costs of $10 million over the first four years, Genter said. Last week, Peters threw his support behind a Sunday service for Te Huia, so it made sense for him to look at extending the service to Tauranga, she said. "Aotearoa was once linked up by rail services and bus services that were affordable and frequent, and they linked our major centres, and they enabled people to get to even rural parts of our beautiful country. "It's time to get our rail network back on track." The party's plan would require new stations in Tauranga, Morrinsville and Waharoa but could be run with existing trains. It would also need passing loops and full double-tracking, including through the Whangamarino Swamp in Waikato, to speed up the service. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Hulk Hogan dies, sentencing for a New Zealander who assaulted two airline stewards, and a big accolade for Te Papa. (Source: 1News) The plan stated the initial proposal could be up and running in the next two years. The Greens' full plan was costed at $3.3 billion, with stage two including additional trains for extra services in peak conditions, station refurbishments, a depot in Waikato and duplication of the single track near Meremere rolled out over the next five to 10 years. These improvements would make a trip between Tauranga and Auckland take two-and-a-half hours, the plan stated. Asked if passenger rail would clash with the freight trains, Genter said the initial proposal would be a couple of services a day and there was capacity on the line for that. Stage two would increase network capacity and extend electrification, which would benefit passengers and freight, she said. "It makes sense to make use of our existing rail lines for those passenger services." Passenger rail between Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland was discontinued in 2001 because of low patronage and high operating costs. Asked if it would be different this time, Genter said everywhere that rail was invested in, patronage was growing. "The privatisation of the rail network in the [1990s] led to underinvestment and a decline, but now rail patronage is growing across the world – it's what people want. "Now is the perfect time to use the track we already have and revitalise our passenger rail network." Stage two would increase network capacity and extend electrification, which would benefit passengers and freight, she said. "It makes sense to make use of our existing rail lines for those passenger services." Passenger rail between Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland was discontinued in 2001 because of low patronage and high operating costs. Asked if it would be different this time, Genter said everywhere that rail was invested in, patronage was growing. "The privatisation of the rail network in the [1990s] led to underinvestment and a decline, but now rail patronage is growing across the world – it's what people want. "Now is the perfect time to use the track we already have and revitalise our passenger rail network." Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale was "conditionally supportive" of a Tauranga to Auckland passenger rail service. A transit time of two-and-a-half hours from Tauranga to Auckland needed to be resolved to make it an "attractive option", he said. The service would also need to deliver value for money, Drysdale said. He also had "questions" about the Kaimai Tunnel and freight impacts. "From a Tauranga perspective, I would like to see some options of utilising our local rail network and finding a way to connect passengers from the Mount, Te Puke/Pāpāmoa and Ōmokoroa/Te Puna. 'Considering we have trains running through our city centre, the availability of passenger services could make a huge difference to our public transport system.' Genter said they would be open to looking at passenger rail within Tauranga. "Tauranga absolutely needs more passenger transport options." Traffic was "so bad" in Tauranga and it was not from a lack of roads, she said. "You can build as many highways as you want, the traffic is only going to get worse over time and transport costs will escalate." The petition also called for the overnight rail service between Auckland and Wellington to be reinstated, and for the return of the Southerner connection between Christchurch and Dunedin. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.


Scoop
an hour ago
- Scoop
EDS Submissions Highlight Serious Concerns Over Government's Resource Management Changes
The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) has today filed its very extensive submissions on the Government's review of national direction under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). The proposals, which are spread across three packages of Infrastructure and Development, Primary Sector and Freshwater, present an overwhelming shift towards prioritising use and development at the expense of the natural environment. National direction is the 'engine room' of the RMA. Regional policy statements and regional and district plans must 'give effect' to it and decision-makers on resource consent applications must 'have regard' to it. It therefore has significant ramifications for resource management decision-making. 'Taken together, the changes set out pose a significant risk to indigenous biodiversity, freshwater, wetlands, elite soils and the coastal marine environment. They will result in more inappropriate and environmentally damaging activities occurring in New Zealand's most sensitive places,' says EDS Chief Operating Officer and lawyer, Shay Schlaepfer. 'The environment is not in a healthy state. Monitoring shows ongoing declines in freshwater quality, more threatened and at risk species, a reduction in food producing land, continued loss of remaining wetlands and a marine environment under threat. 'The proposals are wilfully ignorant of that context. They are being pushed through under a 'growth at all costs' mentality that will result in more pollution for longer and more destruction of nature. This is not what the RMA provides for. 'EDS's key concerns with the proposals are: 1. Forestry review too narrow: The proposed changes fail to address systemic issues with forestry regulations which are resulting in extensive and damaging slash and sedimentation mobilisation events with corresponding devastating impacts on receiving environments and communities. 2. Infrastructure proposal lacks environmental considerations: The Government's expansive vision for infrastructure and development comes with no corresponding focus on protecting the natural environment. 3. Increased mining and quarrying in sensitive areas: The proposed changes will facilitate more mining and quarrying activities, directly threatening New Zealand's indigenous biodiversity, vulnerable wetlands and highly productive land. 4. Freshwater management at risk: The proposed changes would unwind decades of freshwater management progress, undermining hard-won legal protections in favour of short-term economic interests. 5. Natural hazards not taken seriously: A gaping hole in the proposals is any regulation to stop building in high hazards areas. If New Zealand is to get real about climate adaptation it needs to prioritise not making the situation worse in the first place. 'The review of national direction is being undertaken before replacement resource management laws are enacted in 'phase 3' of the Government's programme of RMA reform. Progressing substantial national direction review under a regime that is to be replaced, and then implementing those new instruments in a new regime which Ministers describe as being radically different, is a confusing, unstructured and backwards approach. 'This has been exacerbated by Minister Bishop's recent 'plan stop' announcement which has compounded uncertainty about how the package of national direction changes will be implemented. The Government needs to stop rushing and progress resource management reform on a more strategic, coherent footing. 'Most importantly, Government needs to acknowledge that economic growth and good environmental outcomes are both achievable. EDS's submissions propose changes to the policy settings which would bring the instruments into a more acceptable and lawful outcome,' concluded Ms Schlaepfer. Environmental Defence Society EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence. Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non- profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes. EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together the private and public sectors for constructive engagement. EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference. EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.