A new lobby group aims to give parents more of a say in education policy in order to address concerns around achievement.

The Parents’ Alliance launched this week, and it's chaired by independent economist Cameron Bagrie - who's joined by former Labour MP Kris Faafoi, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and former political advisor Anya Zohrab, among others. 

Bagrie says the recent drop in educational achievement is going to cost New Zealand in economic productivity growth.

"It's a big hit to absorb, that basically means living standards go backwards. We're poor as a country, and then there's the other side of the equation - teachers have got the unions, principals have got their associations, the ministry's got the backup of the minister, but who's there boxing for the parents?

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A new lobby group aims to give parents more of a say in education policy in order to address concerns around achievement.
The Parents’ Alliance launched this week, and it's chaired by independent economist Cameron Bagrie - who's joined by former Labour MP Kris Faafoi, Kiwiblog writer and Curia pollster David Farrar and former political advisor Anya Zohrab, among others.&nbsp;
Bagrie says the recent drop in educational achievement is going to cost New Zealand in economic productivity growth.
"It's a big hit to absorb, that basically means living standards go backwards. We're poor as a country, and then there's the other side of the equation - teachers have got the unions, principals have got their associations, the ministry's got the backup of the minister, but who's there boxing for the parents?
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Cameron Bagrie: independent economist on his new role in the Parents’ Alliance lobby group

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3adad595-fad8-43c0-91fc-b4cd004d94bc/transcript

Nick Hill is the principal of Christchurch Boys’ High School, and I have no doubt he is a very good headmaster with the best of intentions. But I am not exaggerating when I say I am shocked by the argument he seems so keen to advance.

Last month, he wrote an article for the Herald, and this month he has doubled down on those views in a letter to principals. In that letter, he urges schools to stop recruiting rugby players, arguing there is a link between the recruitment of talented schoolboy rugby players and sexual offending.

He says his thinking has been influenced by Chanel Contos, an Australian advocate who has written about allegations of sexual offending by students at an elite Sydney school. Her argument is that this behaviour stems from a broader cultural problem in some schools, where boys are taught to feel entitled.

Nick Hill argues that rugby recruitment can reinforce that sense of entitlement. He says  when schools recruit a 14-year-old because of his rugby ability, offer him a scholarship and treat him differently because of his sporting talent, what is he learning? He learns that talent brings special treatment.

I can't claim to know any schoolboys talented enough to have been recruited for rugby scholarships but I doubt they are all, or even many of them, sexual offenders or sexually entitled. On the contrary, I think school rugby recruitment is often a very positive thing. In many cases, it gives young men from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to attend schools and access opportunities they otherwise would never have had because their parents could not afford the fees.

I suspect many people will read both the article and the letter and be offended by the link that has been drawn here. As I said, I think Nick Hill means well but the connection he has made stretches credibility and is, frankly, unfair on young men.

LISTEN ABOVE

Nick Hill is the principal of Christchurch Boys’ High School, and I have no doubt he is a very good headmaster with the best of intentions. But I am not exaggerating when I say I am shocked by the argument he seems so keen to advance.
Last month, he wrote an article for the Herald, and this month he has doubled down on those views in a letter to principals. In that letter, he urges schools to stop recruiting rugby players, arguing there is a link between the recruitment of talented schoolboy rugby players and sexual offending.
He says his thinking has been influenced by Chanel Contos, an Australian advocate who has written about allegations of sexual offending by students at an elite Sydney school. Her argument is that this behaviour stems from a broader cultural problem in some schools, where boys are taught to feel entitled.
Nick Hill argues that rugby recruitment can reinforce that sense of entitlement. He says &nbsp;when schools recruit a 14-year-old because of his rugby ability, offer him a scholarship and treat him differently because of his sporting talent, what is he learning? He learns that talent brings special treatment.
I can't claim to know any schoolboys talented enough to have been recruited for rugby scholarships but I doubt they are all, or even many of them, sexual offenders or sexually entitled. On the contrary, I think school rugby recruitment is often a very positive thing. In many cases, it gives young men from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to attend schools and access opportunities they otherwise would never have had because their parents could not afford the fees.
I suspect many people will read both the article and the letter and be offended by the link that has been drawn here. As I said, I think Nick Hill means well but the connection he has made stretches credibility and is, frankly, unfair on young men.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: I'm shocked by Nick Hill's rugby argument

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/004bac0a-7142-4526-9efb-b4ee002d6940/transcript

For the first time, the odds driving past an NZ-built motorhome are higher than ever.

After a boom-bust cycle during COVID, New Zealand's motorhome market is starting to stabilise, and it's no longer a boomer-dominated market. 

Kiwi motorhome company TrailLite's joint Managing Director Shaun Newman says, "for a lot of people, a holiday house isn't a viable option for them anymore."

He says motorhomes and caravans offer a cheaper and more versatile holiday for families.

LISTEN ABOVE

 

For the first time, the odds driving past an NZ-built motorhome are higher than ever.
After a boom-bust cycle during COVID, New Zealand's motorhome market is starting to stabilise, and it's no longer a boomer-dominated market.&nbsp;
Kiwi motorhome company TrailLite's joint Managing Director Shaun Newman says, "for a lot of people, a holiday house isn't a viable option for them anymore."
He says motorhomes and caravans offer a cheaper and more versatile holiday for families.
LISTEN ABOVE
&nbsp;

Shaun Newman: TrailLite joint Managing Director says younger kiwis are taking an interest in motorhomes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b4c84587-8d76-4b49-be25-b4ed016e57b2/transcript

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 23 October, 2026, is the election over for Chippie after the gang fiasco? We question the Labour leader.

An expert's warning to check your connections after a cyber security flaw takes down websites around the world.

Business is booming for motorhomes - and it's not just Boomers buying them.

And one of our Sports Huddlers, Nathan Limm and Lavina Good, makes a big call on our highest-performing team of the year.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 23 October, 2026, is the election over for Chippie after the gang fiasco? We question the Labour leader.
An expert's warning to check your connections after a cyber security flaw takes down websites around the world.
Business is booming for motorhomes - and it's not just Boomers buying them.
And one of our Sports Huddlers, Nathan Limm and Lavina Good, makes a big call on our highest-performing team of the year.
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 23 October 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e6621cae-9bf6-445c-b990-b4ec0066b54c/transcript

Cameron Bagrie: independent economist on his new role in the Parents’ Alliance lobby group

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