Dr James Kierstead presents to the Education and Workforce Select Committee on the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No.2)
Dr James Kierstead
11 July, 2025
Dr James Kierstead presented to the Education and Workforce Select Committee on the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No.2). He spoke about academic freedom, presenting findings from the New Zealand Initiative's 50,000-word report "Unpopular Opinions, Academic Freedom in New Zealand".
Dr Kierstead detailed 21 episodes of academic freedom violations at New Zealand universities, including instances of de-platforming and survey evidence suggesting significant discomfort among academics and students when discussing certain topics. Watch below.