1.
From:
Karyn Fielding
To:
Richard Wingham
Subject:
RE: Previous news article as discussed
Date:
Monday, 24 August 2020 1:24:00 pm
Kia ora Richard
Will come back to you soon.
In general, school boards are state agencies and “as a state agency, you need to be politically
neutral and can’t encourage electors to vote or not vote for specific parties, policies or
candidates”.
State Services Commission provides guidance and specifically includes school board of trustees.
https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/our-work/parliamentary-election-2020/general-election-
guidance-2020/
Ngā mihi
Karyn Fielding | Education Advisor
DDI +6434715228 | Mobile 9(2)(a)
From: Richard Wingham 9(2)(a)
Sent: Monday, 24 August 2020 12:28 PM
To: Karyn Fielding <[email address]>
Subject: Fw: Previous news article as discussed
Hi Karyn
Apologies for previous misspelling of your name.
Lynne and Ann haven't been able to give me a clear path forward on this matter, they are
having some further internal discussions and will provide more feedback this afternoon.
They have indicated that the MOE is the entity that would ultimately form a view on the
appropriateness of the communication and what actions/if any would need to be taken.
As part of briefing 9(2)(a) we need to understand where we sit in relation to our
governance obligations.
Have you been able to get any feedback in relation to the article below from within MOE
(noting Katrina Casey's comments on the matter)?
Regards
Richard Wingham
Chair
King's High School Board of Trustees
From: Richard Wingham 9(2)(a)
Sent: Monday, 24 August 2020 10:20 AM
To: Karyn Fielding <[email address]>
Subject: Previous news article as discussed
Hi Karen
Thanks for your help this morning.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/122107639/to-legalise-is-to-normalise-auckland-
catholic-schools-say-no-sign-raises-eyebrows
Regards
Richard Wingham
Chair
King's High School Board of Trustees
2.
From:
Karyn Fielding
To:
Nick McIvor; Richard Wingham
Subject:
MOE media Response
Date:
Wednesday, 26 August 2020 8:25:00 am
Attachments:
image001.png
Mōrena Nick and Richard
Please find below the media responses signed off yesterday:
Query: The XXX and XXX raised questions about the appropriateness of the King’s High School
rector airing his views against the legalisation of cannabis on Facebook.
Response: There is information available on our website about the requirement for schools to
be politically neutral. In summary, it says:
You can display material encouraging staff and parents to vote, but you can't show political party
information. As a state agency, you need to be politically neutral and can’t encourage electors to
vote or not vote for specific parties, policies or candidates. To comply with Public Service
Commission requirements, you must not allow billboards, posters, pamphlets and other political
party advertising material at the school.
The referendum on the legalisation of cannabis is not a party political matter. It is an important
social issue, and, like other social issues, people are free to express their views about it.
Ultimately people have to make their own minds up about it. If the school's parent community
have any concerns they should contact the school's Board of Trustees.
Follow-up query: The XXX inquired about PSC guidance that indicates Boards of Trustees should
not engage in political debate on referendums.
Response: The Rector is employed within the wider public sector and his role is not close to,
nor involved in, providing advice to Ministers. The issue he is commenting on is not strictly party
political. The school board has made it clear the Rector’s views are his own and not the board’s.
We are satisfied that this is a matter for the school and not the Ministry.
Ngā mihi
Karyn
Karyn Fielding | Education Advisor
DDI +6434715228 | Mobile 9(2)(a)
414 Moray Place, Dunedin
education.govt.nz
We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes
He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai ōna huanga
