Interview with Chris Hipkins

What was your reaction to being Education Minister?

I was humbled, elated and also immediately aware of the size and importance of the role. It’s my dream job. I’ve always been passionate about education.

In the future what do you want to improve while being an Education Minister?

I want learning to be fun and rewarding for all students, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances. Children learn in different ways and have varying needs, so it’s important that schools can excite and engage all of their students to learn in ways that suit them.

What is the biggest challenge you've faced?

Education is such a big part of people’s lives and the system that underpins it can move slowly at times. We have one of the best education systems in the world, but sometimes I’d like to make improvements go a bit faster so that it can become even better. We are making good progress.

What is the difference between no Covid and Covid, being an Education Minister?

COVID has forced us all to think and act differently. That is certainly true when it comes to ministers making decisions. For example, the number of meetings we do remotely now, via Zoom, is huge. It means I didn’t visit as many schools as I’d have liked last year, but that is changing now.

But one of things I’m most proud of as Minister is the way the education system banded together during the lockdowns last year. I think it has brought us all closer together and we all learned a lot about what really matters. I think we’ll come out of COVID stronger.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love to spend time with my two young children, walk my dog and do a bit of gardening. A bit of light reading is relaxing as well. It makes a difference from all the Cabinet papers!