Modernising the priority for Kaye
New Education Minister without ‘ideological baggage’
New Education Minister Nikki Kaye says she plans to be a “modernising” minister. Kaye, 37, says that as part of the “millennial” generation she comes without the “ideological baggage” previous National Party ministers have brought to the role — especially in their frequent battles with teacher unions.
She is passionate about new technology, which has already been her responsibility since she became an associate education minister in 2013.
“I think I have already, as associate minister, had quite a focus in terms of modernisation of the portfolio, and you can expect to see more of that in the future,” she said.
“The impact of new technology in education is one area, but obviously next week and in the coming weeks you will hear more about my priorities.”
She said the Government had made a huge investment in ultra-fast broadband connections to every school — but that did not mean face-toface classroom teaching would disappear.
“All the international research has shown that we need to have that balance of both face-to-face learning ver- sus screen time,” she said.
“I know that many parents are struggling with that issue, which is how much is a good amount of time online. I think there is already a set of guidelines that is going out to schools, and we can strengthen those as we move forward in the next few months.”
Kaye did not have strong links to the education portfolio until she became an associate minister.
But she said there was “no greater portfolio than education to be able to change the course of the nation” — and she brought her youth to the job.
“I do think that, possibly being a bit younger, I don’t have the same history that some people may have around industrial relations,” she said.
“I think I’m very pragmatic as a person, and I’m very collaborative. All I ask is that we have a respectful relationship where there are no surprises and where we work constructively where we can and disagree where we disagree.”
She said National Standards, introduced by her predecessors Anne Tolley and Hekia Parata, had identified the students who were falling behind in literacy and numeracy, and the Government’s “social investment” approach would continue to target those students who needed most help. “We have better data than ever before, and part of our social investment approach is being able to target those young people.
“We have already signalled that there is going to be a range of more interventions in this space.” She expects a briefing when she formally takes over as Education Minister next week on a more targeted funding system to replace the current decile ratings.
Kaye took leave from Parliament last September after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she said her doctors had cleared her to return to work. She came third in her division in a recent running, cycling and swimming race around Motutapu and Rangitoto Islands.
“It’s great to get back into exercise,” she said. “I feel better than I’ve felt in years.”
HFor a video interview go to nzherald.co.nz