Excuses for a culture of failure

One answer is local kura kaupapa. Their rendering of New Zealand history is hopelessly skewed and often wrong. They teach grievance as a part of the curriculum. It explains their existence and excuses their inadequacy. They also build myths that Maori are a kind of chosen people, vested with privilege, and solely because they arrived here first. These myths include that Maori were instinctive environmentalists, living life in harmony with nature and themselves, until the advent of the white man.

Mr Laws says what needs saying.

One does wonder how he might have written this article after certain schools being left out of national standards this week. Or after the awarding of certificates.