Kindergartens Aotearoa strongly opposes the Regulatory Standards Bill.

We have first-hand experience of the principles set out in the Bill being applied to regulation.

Currently, ECE regulations are primarily focused on the interests of young children. The recent review of ECE regulations and subsequent recommendations, shifted the focus to the interests of business.

As service providers, we have considerable experience working within the regulatory system across government institutions. As not-for-profit, community-based ECE service providers we have no issue with the current regulations as they have been developed to protect the physical and educational well-being and interests of babies and young children. Government invests almost $3 billion in ECE each year. We believe being accountable through regulation for the receipt and expenditure of public funds, is both fair and reasonable and an expectation of tax payers.

In our experience, it is the interpretation and application of regulations that is problematic – the so called ‘red tape’. We note the examples given by Ministers of why the regulatory system needs to be overhauled, often refer to the interpretation or application of a regulation rather than the regulation itself. The examples mask the true intent of the Bill which is to advantage individual freedoms over the public good.

Kindergartens Aotearoa strongly opposes the Regulatory Standards Bill as it:

• is based on a false premise;
• undermines our democratic process and institutions;
• undermines Te Tiriti o Waitangi;
• impacts the well-being of children; and
• is an unnecessary exercise.

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1. Our services are located in communities in Whangaparāoa north of Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Murupara, Wairoa, Napier, Taranaki, Whanganui, the Central Plateau, Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Whanganui-a-Tara, the Christchurch metropolitan area and greater Canterbury district, the West Coast, and Central and Southern Otago.