Ian McLean Spokesperson for the Green Party

We all need reliable transport at a reasonable cost. And that is what a Toyota provides. Functional transportation, and not much more.

When you buy a Mercedes, you invest in quality. The benefit is comfort and pampering, along with everything that a Toyota delivers.

Most of us can't afford a Mercedes, and cheerfully live with the Toyota. Adding quality to the mix actually provides no added functionality. It just costs more.

Our government says that by investing in quality of teaching, it can both reduce costs and improve standards. Using the car metaphor, the same (or better) transportation services would be provided by fewer Mercedes than Toyotas.

This is nonsense, because both types of car carry the same number of people. It's just that those in the Mercedes are more comfortable.

Fewer teachers of higher quality will not deliver better teaching overall. Rather, more children will be left behind.

Ian McLean is a spokesperson for the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand.