Education Minister Chris Hipkins defends Simon Bridges' sister over creationism complaint

Education Minister Chris Hipkins says families should be left out of debates. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Education Minister Chris Hipkins has come to the defence of National leader Simon Bridges' sister after she was accused of teaching creationism in science classes at a private Auckland Christian school.

Hipkins tweeted: "I don't agree with the attacks on Simon Bridges sister. I'm happy to debate creationism with anyone but MPs families should be left out of it."

Bridges yesterday called the complaint, from a former student at Mt Hobson Middle School, a "cheap political hit".

Bridges' sister Rachel O'Connor, who is married to National MP Simon O'Connor, is a science teacher at the school.

The former student told Newsroom that creationism was being taught in preference to evolution.

The student said that in 2016, O'Connor showed a science class a video called Science Has Found Proof of the Existence of God, which "twisted" scientific argument.

"It strikes me in terms of whoever's involved, there's a bit of a cheap political hit here. It's a private Christian school. I don't know the ins and outs of the rules on what should be taught but that school should be teaching the government curricular in this area. Everything I've seen and understand suggests they are," Bridges said.

He didn't know what his sister's beliefs were but "she's a New Zealander and she should be able to believe whatever she wants".

He said he believed in evolution but that had nothing to do with the issue. He would "absolutely not" talk to his sister about it.

"I'm not going to deign to do something like that on a cheap political hit job."

Mt Hobson Middle School is run by Villa Education Trust, which also has two charter schools.

Alwyn Poole, a Villa Education Trust board member and principal of Mt Hobson Middle School, said Rachel O'Connor was a superb teacher and "very balanced and open in all that she presents".

"The NZ curriculum is broad and designed brilliantly that way by the team that did it. Darwin himself would be very unhappy if the controversies, developments and unfinished business of his theories were not discussed. Everyone who actually knows the basics of science understands that it is built on profound discussion and reaches across broad disciplines. The student's recollection of Mrs O'Connor's statements and the ability to discuss are highly flawed," he said in a statement.

Bridges has pledged to reopen and expand charter schools if National wins the next election.

Villa Education Trust's two charter schools have not yet heard whether Hipkins will allow them back into the state school system after the Government said it would get rid of charter schools.