Erica Stanford Calls for Major Overhaul of Teaching Council After Damning Reviews

Education Minister Erica Stanford is signalling urgent and far-reaching reform within the Teaching Council following two external reviews that uncovered what she describes as some of the most serious governance and regulatory failures she has seen in the education sector.

"The findings of recent reports on issues within the Teaching Council are some of the most serious that I have seen," Ms Stanford said.

"The reports make it abundantly clear that there are various, highly concerning failures and problems that need to be addressed."

Serious Failures, Not Minor Adjustments

Ms Stanford said the issues raised are not technical matters that can be resolved through small changes, but instead point to deep structural and cultural problems within the organisation.

"The issues identified are not just minor or technical in nature that require slight adjustments," she said.

"We have recently seen significant revelations that highlight key issues which should not be understated."

Child Protection Must Be the Top Priority

The Minister stressed that the most alarming finding across the reviews was the Council's inadequate focus on child safety — one of its core regulatory responsibilities.

"Above all, there has been an inadequate focus on ensuring child protection, a paramount function of the Council that should be their top priority," Ms Stanford said.

She warned that any regulatory body responsible for teacher oversight must place safeguarding at the centre of its work to maintain public trust.

Leadership, Culture and Purpose in Question

The reviews also identified broad concerns about the Council's internal culture, leadership direction, and organisational priorities.

"Various issues have been identified with leadership, culture, purpose, and the priorities of the Council," Ms Stanford said.

"The organisation has not appeared to see themselves as a regulator, and ultimately have not been supporting teachers sufficiently."

The Minister said this failure has undermined confidence across the profession and raised serious questions about the Council's ability to fulfil its mandate.

Teachers' Concerns Over Fees Vindicated

Ms Stanford acknowledged long-standing frustration among teachers about how the Council has used membership fees, saying the reviews confirm those concerns were justified.

"Teachers have long questioned the use of the fees within the organisation and these reports show teachers were right to do so," she said.

She emphasised that teachers must be properly supported to succeed, and that the Council must refocus on serving the profession while upholding standards.

Previous Governance Failures Highlighted

The Minister said the findings raise serious concerns about the capability and performance of previous boards.

"These and the other pressing issues raise serious questions concerning the capability of previous boards," she said.

"A regulatory standards setting body should hold itself to the very highest level, enabling trust and confidence. These reports show previous boards have failed to do this."

New Board Appointed to Restore Confidence

Ms Stanford confirmed she has already taken action by appointing new members to the board, with the aim of restoring sound governance and organisational effectiveness.

"Boards play a key role in organisational culture. As Minister, I have appointed new members to the board to restore sound governance and effectiveness of the Teaching Council," she said.

While expressing confidence in the new board's ability to lead change, Ms Stanford noted that rebuilding trust will take significant time and effort.

"The organisation has a very long way to go to restore confidence," she said.

Rebuilding Trust in the Education Regulator

Ms Stanford concluded by reiterating the Teaching Council's critical role in ensuring child safety, supporting teachers, and maintaining public confidence in New Zealand's education system.

"Ultimately, the Teaching Council needs to undertake their duties competently, ensuring within that child safety, that teachers are well supported to deliver a world-leading education system, and that parents, the public and the sector have confidence in their activities," she said.