October 19, 2016
Hekia Parata to stand down at election
Education Minister Hekia Parata is quitting parliament at the next election.
The National list MP said she advised Prime Minister John Key of her decision earlier this year, and it’s now the right time to tell everyone else.
She hopes to keep her portfolio until the election so she can continue to advance her education reforms, which have included charter schools, getting schools to work together in communities of learning, and here current attempt to change the funding system for schools.
Ms Parata, who has Ngati Porou and Ngai Tahu whakapapa, entered parliament in 2008 after a long career in the public service.
She also ran a consultancy with her husband and former Te Puni Kokiri chief excutive Sir Wira Gardiner advising government agencies.
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