A Civilised Society

A Civilised Society

The war between teachers and the New Right over public education in New Zealand

This is the untold story of the epic struggle between teachers and the radical right during the 1980s and 1990s.

In 1984 free market zealots took power intent on transforming public education. Schools were to be run as businesses competing in the marketplace, a process called ‘Bulk Funding'.

This is our history told from the front-line - parents, teachers and politicians. We see archive footage of Treasury officials confidently espousing their theories, and ministers like Lockwood Smith forcing the changes. Those ultimately affected - the students - face an increasingly unequal system. The struggle intensifies.