FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wellington, New Zealand – 16th December 2025 – The Naenae College Union, a collective of concerned parents, whānau, educators, and community advocates dedicated to improving educational outcomes and accountability at Naenae College, strongly condemns the deeply disturbing and fascist comments made by Naenae College Principal Chris Taylor.
In a recent interview with The Post, Mr Chris Taylor stated: “I try to deal with the majority – not the minority, but in this case, sometimes the minority grows to be a little bit more painful than it should be.”
These words are not merely insensitive, they are outright fascist in tone and implication. By explicitly prioritising the “majority” while dismissing and dehumanising the “minority” as “painful,” Mr Chris Taylor reveals a dangerous mindset that echoes authoritarian ideologies which historically marginalise and oppress minority groups. Such rhetoric has no place in any educational institution, let alone one entrusted with the care and development of young people.
At Naenae College, Māori students comprise approximately 30% of the roll, and Pacific students around 23%, together forming over half of the student body in a school serving a high-needs, multicultural community. These are not a “minority” to be tolerated or silenced when they become “painful”; they are the heart of our school. Mr Chris Taylor’s comments send a chilling message that the voices, needs, and rights of Māori and Pacific students, and indeed any students facing complex challenges, are secondary, burdensome, and expendable.
This attitude is highly jeopardising to our tamariki and āiga. It undermines their sense of belonging, safety, and value, perpetuating systemic inequities in a school already grappling with lower-than-average achievement outcomes and disproportionate stand-down rates for Māori students. Dismissing legitimate concerns as mere “pain” from a “minority” fosters an environment where discrimination thrives and student wellbeing is sacrificed for administrative convenience.
The Naenae College Union demands:
- An immediate public apology from Principal Chris Taylor for these harmful remarks.
- His resignation or removal from the position of principal, as his leadership clearly prioritises deflection over genuine accountability and equity.
- An independent review into the school’s culture and practices regarding the treatment of Māori, Pacific, and other priority learners.
- Greater transparency and community involvement in decision-making to ensure all students, especially those from marginalised groups, are supported, not sidelined.
We stand united for better outcomes, cultural safety, and true leadership at Naenae College. Our students deserve nothing less.
ENDS