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ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Green Party co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson will visit Taranaki on Wednesday, with trips to various schools on the agenda.
Green Party co-leaders will come face to face with Taranaki principals, still outraged by a $ 11.7 million funding decision to benefit a private school in the region.
On Wednesday, James Shaw and Marama Davidson arrive for a two-day visit, three weeks after the furor that followed news that Green School in Oakura would receive a multi-million dollar boost to fund its expansion plans.
On August 26, Shaw, as associate finance minister, announced that $ 11.7 million had been approved after Green School successfully applied for funds under the Government program.
It has been a decision that has dogged Shaw ever since, but his visit to Taranaki with Davidson was pending before the controversy began.
READ MORE:
* Taranaki educators still want answers about Green School’s private funding
* James Shaw says he warned Green School and the Mayor of New Plymouth not to go to Crown for money
* Marfell School Community Tells Minister ‘We’re Shovel Ready’ As Green School Funding Row Continues
A copy of an itinerary provided to Stuff, described how Shaw and Davidson will visit Stratford Elementary School, Normanby School and Opunake High School on Wednesday, before a meeting with principals in New Plymouth.
The couple are scheduled to go to Central School, Marfell Community School, and Waitara Central School on Thursday morning.
A visit to the Green School is not on the agenda.
SIMON O’CONNOR / Things
A visit to the Green School in Oakura is not on the agenda of Green Party co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson. (File photo)
“We thought it was important to reach out to those schools and hear from them what their struggles are and how we can help in the next government,” Davidson said in a written statement.
“The Green Party has unwavering support for public schools, so we organize some meetings to inform them before the next government is formed.”
News of the government’s support for the privately owned Green School sparked an outcry among educators and members of the Green Party as it was inconsistent with their policy of not financially supporting private education.
Taranaki directors are still seeking answers on how the funds crossed the line and have submitted their own Official Information Act request on the matter.
In the wake of the announcement, Shaw later apologized to his party and said that had he had his time again he would not have supported the project.
A few days later, he also publicly apologized for what he called an “error in judgment.”
