No education resources under Sir Jerry?

Back in May 2005, Monarchy New Zealand complained bitterly that education resources posted on the Governor-General's website:

....essentially ask students to consider whether New Zealand should become a republic.

Professor Noel Cox, then head of the Monarchist League (now Monarchy New Zealand) added:

I do not believe that it is appropriate for Government House to be encouraging the so-called debate, or questioning the monarchy, in this way.

Worse, the material, as can be plainly seen, goes beyond merely informing students; it requires them to question the basis of the constitution. As an educator myself I am well aware of the distinction between encouraging conceptual and critical thinking, and indoctrination through the subtle use of loaded questions or the careful choice of scenarios and comparisons. The Government House articles come very close to encouraging opposition to the monarchy.
Aside from any other consideration, I would also regard it as naïve to expect secondary students to make rational and balanced decisions about something as complicated – and as political – as this. Most will not be old enough to vote.
The motive would appear to be to prepare the way for the next stage in the unofficial policy, pursued by certain Government Ministers, of turning New Zealand into a republic. They have failed to promote a grass-roots debate, so they are using Government House as their proxy to indoctrinate our young people. It is very cunning, but very disappointing, that the office of the Governor-General should be used to undermine the institution it supposedly exists to support and maintain.
We must question the integrity of those who drafted and approved the supposedly educational material. We also seek an alteration in what might otherwise be useful material, to make it reflect the proper neutrality of the office of Governor-General. It is not neutral to promote a debate. It is partisan to do so.

Ask students to reflect on what changes they think could happen to the role of the Governor-General in the next 50 years? Have a class discussion.

This comes after a comparison of the systems of government used in the Republic of Ireland, Japan, Australia and the United States to New Zealand. Unfortunately for the monarchists, no-one at Government House agreed and their attack on the integrity of the staff who put the resources together fell on deaf ears.

I think though that New Zealanders’ knowledge of civics could be strengthened. Many communications requesting the Governor-General to sack the Government or to refuse to sign a particular law arrive frequently, along with requests for inquiries to be conducted into things like parking meters and energy-efficient light bulbs, and a recent request for advice on how someone might fast-track their ambition to become Governor-General! I think it is desirable for New Zealanders to have a better understanding of our system of governance.

Sir Anand is right.