National’s education spokesperson Paul Goldsmith.

The tape has been leaked to Newstalk ZB political editor Barry Soper, discussed (audio) here

“The first thing to do is to take a minute to list your own privilege. This might include white privilege, which we’ve been talking about a lot recently,” one part of the audio says. 

This month, Act’s David Seymour questioned why the Ministry of Education is teaching primary kids about white privilege.

Jacinda Ardern said those words aren’t used in the resources.

Soper told Heather du Plessis-Allan teachers were played the tape last week.

“Indeed, some of the stuff they should be aware, but to be preached at like this, the vast majority of them said they felt insulted.” 

National’s education spokesperson Paul Goldsmith says it’s right to have a conversation around inequalities, but it’s wrong to peddle divisive stereotypes.

He says we’ve heard the Prime Minister say this is not part of the Government agenda — but clearly it is.

“And it’s very much something that teachers having to go to all these education sessions on, and it’s filtering through the classrooms as well.”


Even Labour Party members may feel uncomfortable about the extent of divisive race-baiting now underway. The party’s next conference could be interesting. —Eds