A union has offered support to Freyberg High School students facing disciplinary action after a student spat at the feet of ACT leader David Seymour during a haka.
Seymour, who was visiting the Palmerston North in his capacity as Associate Education Minister yesterday, was faced off with a haka as he went to leave.
One student held the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand, while another held a tino rangatiratanga flag during the haka.
Seymour told 1News some of the students became "overexcited" as he left, "perhaps seeing a politician they recognised and egging each other on".
He added: "I thought their haka was actually good."
Mobile phone footage also showed students rushing Seymour's car as he attempted to leave the school.
This evening, Unite Union said it has offered professional advice and assistance to any Freyberg student facing disciplinary action over the protest.
“A school strike and protest in 2006 over youth rates drew very similar criticism at the time. In reality that protest was crucial in both bringing youth rates to an end and establishing Unite’s first McDonald's collective union agreement ” said assistant national secretary Gerard Hehir.
“Students should be encouraged to speak truth to power. In 2006, it was youth rates and union rights for young workers. In March 2024, it’s about prioritising school lunches over tax cuts for landlords and trying to re-write Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
"These are important issues and, as is often the case, it is young people leading the fight."
The offer of union support was in response to a statement from Freyberg High School principal Graeme Williams, who said: "The behaviour of some of our students at the end of their protest yesterday was totally unacceptable and contrary to the values and the high standards we hold ourselves to.
"Upholding the mana of our young people recognises the reality of their world but also that we must respect and uphold the dignity of each other and all guests at our kura/school."
He said the incident would be "managed appropriately through our disciplinary process".
SHARE ME