Hekia Parata

Minister of Education (2011-2017)

Rebecca Harris

Caption from QuakeStudies: "The front page graphic for the Mainlander section of The Press. The main headline reads, "What drives Hekia Parata?"" It shows Parata from the chest up, mouth open speaking and hands extended, gesturing. Along the bottom of the infographic are four images of various other involved people or signs that are in protest of Parata's proposals. The three signs read, from left to right, "OUR SCHOOLS, OUR CHILDREN, OUR FUTURE. Listen to the community." and "PLEASE DON'T CLOSE RICHMOND SCHOOL." and a child holding a sign saying "Will bigger classes benefit me?" The fourth image has two people wearing orange name badges looking down at a document together.

Christchurch Press Infographic: 6 October 2012 (1)

Hekia Parata was the Minister of Education at the time of the earthquakes. Parata’s relationship with Christchurch’s schools is complicated - defined by controversial rulings. Her ministry proposed for 38 schools to close or merge – 13 to close, 18 to merge down to 9, and 7 to relocate.

Throughout 2012, Parata made herself available to parents and teachers from the affected schools, travelling around Christchurch to personally listen to their arguments against her proposed mergers and closures.

However, very few schools survived in their original form, (Chisnallwood Intermediate being one of the only examples of a school successfully remaining open), and many members of the affected schools’ communities felt Parata did not listen to them at all.

She also argued that Christchurch’s role numbers were already too low for the number of schools the city had before the earthquakes, and used this opportunity to shrink “learning clusters”. Parata outlined the criteria of “restoration, consolidation, or rejuvenation” (timestamped section 26:01-35:58) for Christchurch’s "learning community clusters". She defined these clusters as separate from individual schools, but categorised by earthquake damage to campuses, existing and shifting school roles, and shifting area population, among other criteria.

115 schools are still being rebuilt under this, with the Christchurch Schools Rebuild (CSR) programme, which aims to refurnish, rebuild or build schools, slated to finish in 2027. Parata stepped down as Minister of Education in 2017, but her impact on Christchurch’s education was significant.

A black-and-white cartoon sketch of a tour bus going down a street with deconstruction sites either side. The right side is labelled "HIGH SCHOOL", and is being bulldozed, and the left side is labelled "PRIMARY SCHOOL", with a crane with a wrecking ball present. Speech bubbles from a tour guide inside the bus read: "On the right hand side, earthquakes... On the left, Hekia Parata."

Scott, Thomas, 1947- :'On the right hand side, earthquakes. On the left, Hekia Parata'. 20 Februray 2013

Relevant Sources:

  • Govt accused of exploiting quakes to push school closures. 3:08. 14 September 2012. Morning Report. Radio New Zealand. Captioned: “The government is being accused of exploiting the Christchurch earthquake to force through sweeping changes to schools in the city.”
  • Shock at schools shake-up. 18 September 2012. Tina Law. Stuff. Gives the figure of 38 schools – 13 to close, 18 to merge down to nine, 7 to be relocated. It also says that “some 171 schools will continue to operate with no change.” Article discusses Christchurch schools’ reactions to the news of the Minister of Education’s proposals. Also links to the proposal document.
  • Question Time for 16 October 2012. "Question 6. CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: What specific criteria were used to determine whether a school in Christchurch was identified for restoration, consolidation or rejuvenation?" (TIMESTAMP 26:01-35:58). Hekia Parata being asked about her guidelines for what happens to a school.
  • Christchurch Press 31 October 2012: Section A, Page 5 | “Parents tell Parata schools are cherished." - Article describes Parata’s visits to Richmond School and Shirley Intermediate, and voices some criticism of her methods. It also has the timeline of the meetings Parata held on October 30th 2012.
  • Christchurch Press 12 November 2012: Section A, Page 5 | “Schools hope Parata pays heed.” - Article describes Parata’s school visits, and communities’ appeals to her to change her mind about her proposals. The article beside it, named “Backdown reveals flaws in leadership, say critics,” by Charley Mann, criticizes Parata and her Ministry.
  • Fairfax Video, May 2013 (6). 1:52. 22 May 2013. Daniel Tobin. Fairfax Media New Zealand. A video of Chisnallwood Intermediate’s principal, Richard Patton, making the announcement that Chisnallwood will remain open.
  • Minister sticks by plan to close or merge Christchurch schools. 2:46. 29 May 2013. Checkpoint. Radio New Zealand. Captioned: “The Minister of Education has stuck with her proposals in February to close or merge earthquake-hit Christchurch schools, with the exception of some New Brighton.”
  • Education Minister talks on closures. 5:27. 29 May 2013. Checkpoint. Radio New Zealand. Captioned: “More now on the Minister of Education sticking with her proposals in February to close or merge earthquake-hit Christchurch schools, with the exception of some New Brighton schools.”
  • School closures driven by need to reduce number of schools. 2:53. 1 October 2013. Checkpoint. Radio New Zealand. Captioned: “It's been revealed earthquake damage was only one factor considered by the Ministry of Education when it decided to close schools in Christchurch and that it was just as much to do with reducing the overall number of schools in the city.”
  • Rebuilding Christchurch Schools. 30 September 2024. Last updated 11 November. Ministry of Education. Facts and figures about the rebuild process of Christchurch schools. Contains a downloadable file of schools’ status as of July 2024.
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