Posts by Hilary Stace
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Dinah Dunavan
"I'm flumoxed on Ian Wishart. He went to Onslow College at the same time as me. We were at an incredibly liberal secondary school."When writing a history of Onslow College for its 50th birthday in 2006, I asked several former students for memories of the school. Ian Wishart kindly and promptly provided a couple of paragraphs in which he looked back favourably on his time at the school, 'It certainly helped me (which I'm sure some now regret) become a self-starter'.
If you would like a copy of the history I still have a few copies. It is full of school memories from a cross section of NZ's interesting and influential, including several MPs, such as Trevor Mallard who recalled unjust physical punishment meted out by the art teacher.
Also featured is former secondary school activist, the new Green MP Catherine Delahunty.
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A report on the radio news that life expectancy in NZ has risen. I wonder if the new government will congratulate the last one for this?
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In spite of the sinister overtones of the Act Party's new influence, there are some aspects of the election that portray a more positive and tolerant NZ. For example, in the Dompost this morning there is a photo of 36 year old newly elected gay Wellington Central Labour MP Grant Robertson hugging his partner, and talking about their upcoming civil union.
Remember your post of a few weeks ago revealing the homophobic comments from the National candidate in the electorate ...?
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Ben Wilson and others
Re education, particularly how NZ can provide the best of inclusive education for all students. This is not the right forum for a discussion on this complex topic. I would like to see a government sponsored conference on education, with representation from the unions, principals organisations, disability groups etc. Most importantly, it would hear from students themselves, including those with disabilities and behaviour issues, about what works for them. One of the main problems with the public discussion on the child discipline bill (and the referendum to come) is the lack of a voice for children themselves. Similarly, we rarely hear from kids about their own education. -
..."maybe one day politicians from the two main parties may breakaway and form a centrist party."
Blake - Peter Dunne did this in the early 90s,took some from Labour and National and formed United something, and its been morphing ever since, until there is now just him. However, I prefer the Pretender version and I hope this TV series now gets rescreened at a better time.
Steven Crawford. Are you seriously supporting the Nat's special ed policy of building more special schools and satellite classes? Even in rural areas, and towns where most kids with special educational needs are already mainstreamed? The policy also calls mainstreaming ideological. Did anyone in the National Party ask the kids themselves what they want before making this statement? Best practice evidence is that a properly supported mainstream education is best for ALL kids, is what kids with disabilities choose if they get a choice, and is actually a right under the new UN convention as well as our Education act. More ORRS funding would be a good idea but that current figure of 1% was brought in by the last National Govt on advice from Treasury (while Labour has added to it in various ways)
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Michael Cullen is stepping down from the deputy leadership of the LP according to the radio news. Sorry to lose these two great intellects from our country's leadership. I hope he and Helen find time to write their memoirs.
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Some people have been mourning Helen's leaving parliament too quickly. She will still be a member of caucus, at least for a while. She will be in a great position to mentor those new MPs who are going to rejuvenate the Labour Party such as Jacinda Adern (still in her 20s) who reminds me very much of the young Helen.
And re the leadership of the Labour Party. I would like to see Ruth Dyson either as leader or deputy. She has been around a long time, and was an effective president of the Labour Party in that difficult time in the early 1990s. She has also been a popular Minister of Disability Issues, and has worked hard on social justice and inclusion. Disability is one area where NZ has led the world over the last few years, and NZ was recently recognised internationally by winning the Roosevelt award for disability leadership.
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There is some great new talent in the Labour caucus like Grant Robertson and Jacinda Adern, just two of the Prime Ministerial prospects for the future. And two new Greens including my old friend Catherine Delahunty. She's been taking on the right, and authority in general, since she was an articulate teenager.
So don't despair. Regroup, watch the right slowly disintegrate around the tensions of just how right (ie wrong) they can be. Far right policies have never been popular in NZ as they are against our basic values of fairness. There will soon be a lot of disappointed people waiting for their pay back for voting for Key.
So from tonight the return to the left starts.
And didn't Helen provide a new benchmark for gracious integrity.Accepting responsibility and stepping down. What a legacy.
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Just a warning, the Freeview TV7 programme from the Back Bencher tonight is sharing the venue with the local Nat's election party.
My son and I went to vote at his friendly former primary school, Thorndon. There was a short queue which was probably because it is right next to Thorndon Pool and one of the busiest New World supermarkets. But otherwise very efficient - so efficient everyone, particularly the party scrutineers, looked slightly bored.
This is the 15th NZ election I have been aware of and the 12th I've voted in (unfortunately, I was too young to vote against Holyoake). And the easiest. You can now enrol up the day beforehand, and just have to tick what you want. I remember when Winston first got in in Hunua all those years ago, the electoral petition he took against Roger Douglas' brother Malcolm - who won on the night - was one disputing whether those who had voted had actually ''struck out those for whom they didn't wish to vote', and anyone who had merely ticked ended up having their vote disallowed!
So nice to vote in your own community. We knew some of the people behind the desks and my son was pleased to see two of his Special Olympics swimming coaches in front of us in the queue. The hall we voted in was moved to the school in 1999 and I was reminded of the long process that had been for the school board. It looks so established now. I was involved with the school throughout the 1990s, and the battles we all fought about government special ed policy are still vivid. But all was sunny and cheerful today.
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Just off to vote. Waiting for a ride with my friend who has already voted in Palmerston North. My son who I've written about (with his permission) on the humans site is autistic and is a passionate supporter of the democratic process. He has watched all the election speeches,followed the election coverage on every TV channel, read the leaflets - not just in today's election but in the USA's one last week, and even in Australia last year. He is waiting impatiently at the door with his easy vote card, for me to be ready. I suspect his will be a vote for Helen since he met her in person at her at his not-Godfather's civil union a couple of years ago, and Grant Robertson since he has met him recently too - but is perfectly able to make up his own mind unassisted in the booth, and it will be a very well informed choice. I just hope the form isn't too complicated. Helps if there are visual symbols.