New parents’ group pushes school basics as critics focus on political connections

Summarised by Centrist

A new parents’ advocacy group is pushing for stronger academic standards, better-trained teachers and greater school choice

They cite polling showing overwhelming public support for core subjects. But its emergence has drawn attention over its political connections and funding.

The Parents’ Alliance wants schools to prioritise reading, writing and maths, improve student reporting, reduce zoning barriers and give parents a stronger voice in education policy.

Chairman and former ANZ chief economist Cameron Bagrie says academic achievement must come first, particularly after years of declining educational performance.

The group cites a 2025 Taxpayers’ Union–Curia poll of 1,000 eligible voters finding 74% supported the mandatory daily hour of reading, writing and maths, compared with 15% opposed. The survey questioned voters generally, rather than parents exclusively.

Bagrie also pointed to an OECD estimate that declining educational outcomes over the past 20 years have cost New Zealand the equivalent of 4% in productivity.

The group's board includes David Farrar, co-founder of the Taxpayers’ Union and owner of Curia Market Research, former Labour minister Kris Faafoi, consultant Cat Moody, who advised both Labour and National finance ministers, and Anya Zohrab, a former adviser to both Labour and ACT politicians.

Green education spokesperson Lawrence Xu-Nan questioned whether the organisation was genuinely grassroots and raised concerns about its polling methodology.

Bagrie rejected suggestions of polling bias and denied that politically aligned organisations were secretly funding the group. He acknowledged being its second-largest donor but declined to identify its biggest contributor.

He argues parents deserve an organised voice in education policy, comparable to other established advocacy groups.

Read more at Newsroom

Receive our free newsletter here