Alfred Ngaro is a normally low profile National list MP. He has recently been promoted to Cabinet as:
- Minister for Pacific Peoples
- Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector,
- Associate Minister for Children
- Associate Minister for Social Housing
Tim Murphy at Newsroom reports that Ngar has threatened that criticism of the Government during the election campaign could affect decisions made about establishing Partnership (Charter) schools. If accurate this is an insidious political threat.
Newsroom: People in glass houses start throwing election stones
The associate housing minister Alfred Ngaro led the charge in a presentation laced with political menace against those who question National’s performance on housing.
He even suggested Labour list candidate Willie Jackson could expect to lose Government support for his Manukau Urban Māori Authority interest in a second charter school, and its Whānau Ora contract should he “bag us” on the campaign trail.
“We are not happy about people taking with one hand and throwing with the other,” Ngaro said.
“Do not play politics with us. If you get up on the campaign trail and start bagging us, then all the things you are doing are off the table. They will not happen.”
The MP’s extraordinary blurring of party politics and government policy implementation came after he claimed to have told Jackson of the risks directly. “I even went to see Willie Jackson at Waatea Marae.
“He has put another application for another Kura that is a Charter School. Their MUMA has taken a contract with Whānau Ora.”
If accurate this is an insidious political threat. Political campaigning should not be used to threaten outcomes of policy implementation. Decisions on whether partnership school applications are successful or not must be independent of political arguments.
Your NZ 
Corky
/ 14th May 2017I like the sound of this Alfred Ngaro. He has the RIGHT attitude in my opinion. Lets face it, we are at the blunt end of an election cycle. The gloves come off and its time for nasty politics.
I’m sure PM Billy English has taken Ngaro aside and given him a pat on the back, but told him his South Auckland approach is a LITTLE too blunt. Paula would have then demonstrated for Ngaro the National way… move quickly behind your opponent, hand over the mouth, quick downward dagger thrust into the clavicle artery, pull opponent back onto the ground while keeping the chin pressed forward to stop gurgling sounds.
I’m sure Ngaro would have been initially impressed until he realised it was a double lesson- a warning to him also.
Gezza
/ 14th May 2017I haven’t downticked you for at least two days because I reckon it only encourages you, but I don’t know how much longer I can hold out Corks.
Corky
/ 14th May 2017Be strong and follow RIGHT ethics.
Zedd
/ 14th May 2017are you still here corkey ?
I heard Mr T has an opening for a foot-stool.. you sound perfect ! off ya tot
Corky
/ 14th May 2017Heard this saying, Zedd%?
An empty skull makes the most noise.
High Flying Duck
/ 14th May 2017I don’t think this kind of talk from a politician can be condoned or allowed. I’m a big supporter of the Charter school concept, but political threats such as it appears Alfred Ngaro has made verge on corruption.
He needs to be brought into line and very quickly on this.
There are better ways to argue a point than to suggest expressing free speech will be punished by Government.
Bill Courtney
/ 14th May 2017“Decisions on whether partnership school applications are successful or not must be independent of political arguments.”
How? The Authorisation Board is headed by Catherine Isaac, a political appointee, and contains members such as Sir Toby Curtis, from the Maori Party / Iwi Education Forum
The Board is also charged with the task of actively promoting the charter school concept.
How did Whangaruru get approved?
What do you mean by “independent”?
Alan Wilkinson
/ 14th May 2017“How did Whangaruru get approved?”
Good question, Bill. Either ignorance or corruption or a bit of both IMO.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 14th May 2017Actually, I have no problem with the approval. My problem is with the taxpayer funding of it.
Bill Courtney
/ 14th May 2017But aren’t taxpayer funding and approval inextricably linked? That’s what charter schools are, after all – privatisation by way of contracting out the provision of education.
I just think too many people don’t understand how charter schools (authorise and fund the provider) differ fundamentally from vouchers (give the cash to the customer and let the market pick the winners).
Regards to Alan in the Far North.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 14th May 2017Yes. I support the voucher system. Let providers invest their own money, not taxpayers’ money. Charters would be ok if that principle was respected.
duperez
/ 14th May 2017Ignorance or corruption? Wasn’t John Banks a big fan for it?
High Flying Duck
/ 14th May 2017Based on your previous posts, I’ll go with:
“independent” = “agrees with your point of view”.
Any other view = partisan ideologically motivated neocon agendas.
Pete George
/ 14th May 2017Pete George
/ 14th May 2017This issue looks like it’s getting legs in the media. It looks bad for Ngaro and also for national unless they do something significant about this.
Brown
/ 14th May 2017Of course its getting legs in the media because the media will hate this irrespective of the background to it.
I think its simple really – if you want Labour policy and related handouts vote them in. If you want National policy or expect their handouts at least keep your trap shut, or respectfully polite, until you have them because a Labour free for all giveaway is some time off. Even Willie Jackson understands this.
Pete George
/ 14th May 2017I bet he regrets it.
Corky
/ 14th May 2017I think Andy needs to be concentrating on more important issues…like his concession speech to Cindy post election.
Corky
/ 14th May 2017Comedy hour with Winston.
http://community.scoop.co.nz/2017/05/pat-on-back-for-ngaro-for-exposing-nationals-nasty-tactics/
PartisanZ
/ 14th May 2017An honest National MP …. That’s a first!
“The MP’s extraordinary blurring of party politics and government policy implementation …” could easily be reworded, “New Zealand’s extraordinary blurring of party politics and government policy implementation …”
What’s the point in trying to hide it?