KEY POINTS:
National leader John Key says the resignation of Katherine Rich does not signal a major change to more hard-line right-wing policies in education.
Ms Rich announced she would leave Parliament at the next election and resigned her education portfolio yesterday, citing a wish to spend more time with
her children.
The party's chief whip Anne Tolley was given the education portfolio and Allan Peachey - former principal of Rangitoto College - was promoted to her deputy.
Education Minister Chris Carter called for Mr Key to make the party's stance on its previous policy of bulk-funding clear after Ms Rich's decision.
Ms Rich - who has already prepared and given a draft policy to Mr Key for the election - had effectively ruled out the policy under which schools get a lump sum of money and can allocate it and set the salaries of teachers.
However, Mr Peachey remained a vocal advocate of the funding system which he used when principal of Rangitoto College and Mr Carter said his elevation showed it was not yet off the agenda.
Yesterday Mr Key - who has previously indicated the party was likely to follow Ms Rich's opinions on the matter - said the change in education spokespeople did not indicate any major shift in thinking.
"We do have some issues to resolve that we are working our way through. Allan, for instance, has well-documented views on things like bulk-funding, but he is always part of the decision-making process anyway. In the end, those decisions will be made by the spokesperson, by Bill English, myself and the rest of caucus. Really, nothing has changed in that dynamic."
Yesterday Mr Peachey would not comment on his views about bulk-funding of schools, saying he "couldn't be bothered" responding to Mr Carter's concerns. He said Anne Tolley would make any policy statements.
"My role very much is bringing my experience, knowledge and standing in the profession in behind assisting Anne in doing her job. But she is the spokesperson."
Mrs Tolley said policy was not yet finalised but indicated she would carry on Ms Rich's work. She expected to work closely with her as policy was finalised in the lead up to the election.
Mr Key said Mrs Tolley was his first choice as education spokesperson "based on meritocracy" and denied it was to avoid the perception of a swing to the right because of Mr Peachey's well-known advocacy of bulk-funding.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said Ms Rich's resignation was "quite a blow" for National because of the high-profile role she played.
"Personally I haven't always agreed with her but I've seen her as someone who has been very much at the liberal end of the National Party. The National Party needs such people and I think she will be a tremendous loss."
PPTA president Robin Duff also paid tribute to Ms Rich's "pragmatic and principled approach" to education and her opposition to bulk-funding.
"We hope they will continue Katherine's policy of building relationships within the sector and looking for collaborative solutions, rather than focusing on ideological answers."
Mrs Tolley said Mr Key rang to offer her the job on Tuesday night and she leapt at the chance to take a major portfolio and move to the front bench.
She was first elected in 1999 after being a local body councillor. She lost her seat in 2002 but returned as MP for East Coast in 2005 and was made the party's first female chief whip after John Key became leader in 2006.
Her background in education policy was limited to a short role as early childhood spokeswoman in 1999 but she said her parents were both teachers, as well as one of her siblings. She had also served on school boards.
