Photo: Supplied - David Ferguson
The New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) and the Council of Deans of Education say messages obtained under the Official Information Act show a conflict of interest between the head of the Teaching Council, David Ferguson and Education Minister Erica Stanford.
The messages show Ferguson asked Stanford for advice and support about government funding for a teacher training institute he was helping set up before Stanford appointed him to the council.
They included Ferguson thanking the minister after the Teachers Institute, an organisation founded by several Auckland schools to provide in-school teacher education, received confirmation of the government funding it would receive in 2025.
Stanford's office told RNZ she did not provide any ministerial assistance and Ferguson said he had sought clarification about funding.
The Educational Institute Te Riu Roa, obtained the messages and provided RNZ with a copy.
Most were texts sent in 2024 when Ferguson was principal of Westlake Boys' High School but involved in setting up the Teachers' Institute.
Ferguson formally took up his r
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