Hone Harawira
MANA leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau

5 September 2013

Collapse of Learning Media: Government continues to fail to protect what we value

“Once again the government has failed to protect the things that New Zealand parents and kids value” said Hone Harawira, MANA leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau, about the closure of the state-owned company Learning Media who have produced te reo Maori and English learning resources for New Zealand schools for decades.

“And because of that failure there’s uncertainty about if and how these important resources will be provided in the long term – and there’s also uncertainty for the hundred plus employees who now no longer have a job.

“If running our state-owned companies on big business lines leads to their collapse, even when they continue to increase their total revenue, change is needed. Here’s another example that shows the privatisation agenda of increased competition and cost-cutting doesn’t make for sustainable businesses – nor communities nor families for that matter too.

“The government will bail out failed finance companies and give hand-outs to foreign corporates like mining giant Rio Tinto but they haven’t stepped in to protect our state company that produces resources to help kids learn to love reading. It gives a very clear picture of their priorities.

ENDS

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