5 STAR VEGAS HOTEL

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the place of sex education in the curriculum was a controversial topic. It captured public attention with the publication of the New Zealand Committee on Health and Social Education report Growing, Sharing, Learning (known as the Johnson report) in 1977.

At the time, NZEI supported human development and relationships education as an integral part of a wider social health curriculum, within the context of moral and values education in a supportive school climate. However, faced with threats of complaints and legal proceedings against teachers, in 1978 National Executive regretfully advised members, against policy, not to discuss under any circumstances, matters of human sexuality or contraception with any pupil under the age of 16. The Executive also urged members to examine books, film strips, and recordings in the school library and remove any references to sex.

In 1986 NZEI made a submission on the Education Amendment Bill which proposed easing former constraints to allow teaching about some aspects of sexuality. NZEI reaffirmed its stance that sex education should be seen as a normal and unremarkable part of health and social education. (NZEI Submission 31).

In 1986 National Education reported:

‘Many [teachers] admitted they had been hesitant about tackling the "pubertal" change lessons, embarrassed even to use some of the words they must employ. One school got over that difficulty by arranging to do their inservice days with colleagues from a nearby school and role-play the lessons until they knew they could deal with them in a matter-of-fact way. Another school had decided to show illustrations as a "shared book", in a group setting, rather than using an overhead projector. That school's health co-ordinator said she soon found that the small amount of giggling subsided and that, in fact, there was remarkably little embarrassment between the mixed groups of pupils’. (NZEI (1986) National Education, p. 76)

Photograph: NZEI Te Riu Roa collection
Courtesy of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ
Ref: PAColl-2647-001

Debate about the Treaty of Waitangi gained a focus for NZEI at Annual Meeting 1989. It was agreed that the Institute acknowledge the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi, recognise Maori and Tauiwi as being equal parties in Institute operations, and that a parallel thread for Maori members (Miro Maori) be developed.

The 1990 Annual Meeting agreed that the Rules of the Institute be amended to give appropriate recognition to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. A parallel structure for Maori members was further developed in the report Miro Heretangata : The Future of the Institute, presented to the 1990 meeting.

One of the recommendations was to establish a Hui a Tau (annual policy making meeting to address Maori issues). The inaugural Hui a Tau was held on Tauwhara Marae, Tai Tokerau in 1992. Paramount principles were stated as tino rangatiratanga and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The revitalisation and promotion of te reo me ona tikanga Maori was identified as a priority.

The hui determined the roles and functions of Te Reo Areare. Maori names for NZEI structures were agreed to, including the adoption of the name Te Riu Roa.

A decision to change the name of Hui a Tau to Te Kahui Whetu was made at Hui a Tau 2004.

Photograph: NZEI Te Riu Roa collection