Abandonment of planned New Zealand teaching definition legislation a victory for ‘common sense’

The New Zealand Government’s abandonment of planned legislation that might have stopped yoga and dance teachers calling themselves teachers is a relief and a move of common sense, according to Exercise Association of New Zealand (ExerciseNZ) Chief Executive Richard Beddie.

ExerciseNZ had feared that, if passed, the Education (Protecting Teacher Title) Amendment Bill would have made it illegal for people to use the title of teacher without a formal qualification.

The Association had put in a submission on the draft Bill which if passed stating that the legislation could have devalued those tutors and people in schools who fall outside the criteria.

Beddie (pictured) explained “we’re so happy the bill has been abandoned because we strongly objected. We had recommended parliament rejected this bill entirely. It had too many consequences for those outside the education sector that had not been considered.

“People working in a teaching role should be able to use the term teacher with no restrictions. There are many roles in many industries where the term teacher is used outside of an education setting.

“This includes many roles within our industry such as yoga teacher, or those in related industries such as dance teachers. Alternatives such as instructor do not correctly describe the role or job of these individuals.

“It would have been inconsistent with the practice in every country and region that we share a common labour pool with such as Australia, the US, the UK and Europe.

“Yoga teachers in New Zealand hold internationally benchmarked qualifications, that are both globally recognised, as well as being recognised by New Zealand's registration body for exercise professionals - the New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals.

“The term teacher is specifically used for yoga due to their unique role of teaching yoga, rather than instructing or doing.

“Restricting the use of the term teacher for this group would have been extremely limiting and involve significant cost to individuals as well as confusion to the public.

“This Bill was a breach of the Bill of Rights - a point already made by the Attorney General - and the concern around charter schools was not a good reason to breach the Bill of Rights for a much wider group than teachers in the traditional education sector.

“This Bill was a good example of a solution to a problem that doesn't exist since charter schools are being phased out.

Beddie says the Bill would have had a significant impact on sectors, and individuals in industries that clearly the Bill has not considered, such as medical doctors. 

23rd March 2018 - NEW ZEALAND SET FOR MASSIVE WELLNESS SECTOR GROWTH  

21st March 2018 - EXERCISENZ 2018 ROADSHOW TO INCLUDE EIGHT HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS 

6th March 2018 - EXERCISE NEW ZEALAND PARTNERSHIP AIMS TO IMPROVE FITNESS CLUB SAFETY 

8th February 2018 - ACCIDENT COMPENSATION CORPORATION NOTES RISE IN GYM-RELATED INJURIES 

29th January 2018 - TOP PERSONAL TRAINER SENDS OPEN LETTER TO NEW ZEALAND’S PRIME MINISTER ON IMPROVING FITNESS LEVELS 

19th January 2018 - AQUAFIT MANAGER KRISTEN GREEN TO RECEIVE IHRSA WOMAN LEADER AWARD

26th December 2017 - EXERCISE NZ’S RICHARD BEDDIE URGES NEW ZEALANDERS TO KEEP ACTIVE OVER THE HOLIDAYS

26th November 2017 - NEW ZEALAND’S EXERCISE INDUSTRY AWARDS RECOGNISE EXCELLENCE 

21st November 2017 - FITNESS CLUBS THAT REINVEST ARE TOP GLOBAL PERFORMERS

20th November 2017 - EXERCISE INDUSTRY AWARDS FINALISTS SHOWCASE THE VALUE OF ON-JOB TRAINING 

26th May 2016 - IHRSA REPORTS ONGOING GROWTH IN GLOBAL FITNESS INDUSTRY 

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.