Thousands of people have rallied around the country to protest against the Government's education policies.
Teachers, parents, children and politicians voiced their opposition to everything from charter schools and national standards to the Novopay payroll system.
Hundreds marched in Auckland in protest and Government education policies. Photo: RNZ
Families and teachers gathered at the steps of Parliament. Photo: RNZ
The primary teachers' union, the New Zealand Educational institute, said 4000 people marched down Queen Street in Auckland while a further 2000 rallied outside Parliament and hundreds more protested in other centres.
In Auckland marchers carried signs emblazoned with messages to the Government saying that teachers are fed up and that education minister Hekia Parata is destroying education.
Island Bay School principal Perry Rush told the crowd in Wellington policies such as national standards and charter schools are taking education back to the 19th century.
Mr Rush read a statement from the education minister Hekia Parata defending the Government's approach which was met with yells of disapproval from the crowd.
Ms Parata said she respects people's right to protest and the Government is committed to raising achievement for all children.
Hundreds angry at school mergers in the Canterbury region protested outside electorate office of Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee in Christchurch.
