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In the midst of a busy week of campaigning, Grand Ice Yeti took time off the trail to join the New Zealand Education Institute demonstration outside the district office buildings in downtown New Plymouth. Representatives from other trade unions were also in attendance with the teachers, leading the demonstrations for higher salaries, a pension lock, and better workplace benefits.

On the steps of the district building, Grand Ice Yeti addressed the crowd. He was wearing a small, red, lapel pin that read ‘Proud Union Home.’ Before he even opened his mouth, the teacher’s erupted into chants of “Grand-Ice—Grand-Ice—Grand-Ice.”

“Thank you! It’s great to be here in such a wonderful city, and I must say, that if I was on the New Plymouth School Board, I’d be pretty nervous right now!”

The crowd responds with thunderous applause and a mix of laughter.

“Let me first thank the men and women who are out here tonight for their bravery and dedication. You are not only the pulse of this city, but you are the pulse of New Zealand. The work you do to prepare our children for the future is terrific. You truly are our most valuable resources.”

His words are met with immediate applause

“What we are seeing all across this country are teachers standing up, demanding their rights, and not backing down. You are all here to fight for the justice you deserve, and I applaud your courage.

Every problem we face as a nation—whether it be poverty, hunger, discrimination—it all walks through your doors. You are at the front lines of the fight for a better future, and I applaud your courage.

When you put yourselves on the line in defense of the justice you deserve, understand that there are hundreds of millions of Kiwis are standing behind you!”

The crowd cheers momentarily and then breaks into a rehearsed chant—‘Education’s a human right! That is why we fight fight fight!’

“You and I are fighting here today to transfer our focus away from the wealthy, the financiers, and the big banks and back to the classroom!”

Once again, his words are met with cries from the crowd

“Workers across all fields need the assurance that the government has their back, and I promise that if you elect me this fall, our unified progressive front of Greens, Labour, and Country will be your voice!

No teacher deserves to live off starvation wages. I will fight for salary increases!

No teacher deserves to suffer from health care discrimination. I will fight for equality in the system!

No teacher deserves to fight on their own. I will greatly expand union rights!

No teacher, or student, deserves to be discriminated against at school based on their sexual orientation. I will expand protections for the LGBTQ community!

Meanwhile, National—“

‘Boos’ are sent over the hostile crowd

“Wants to wage a war against teachers and their students. Meanwhile, while I and my progressive colleagues are joining workers on the front lines, the conservatives are fighting tooth and bail to cut, privatize, and defund.

The fight is here, the fight is now, and the fight will he won by us.

Thank you New Plymouth!”