Dismissed teacher to speak on marriage equality

Nigel Studdart. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Mike Dinsdale - Editor. Northland Age | Northern Advocate

A Whangarei school teacher sacked for speaking out against what he called discriminatory comments by the principal of the catholic school he worked at is a keynote speaker at a national marriage equality conference in the capital.

Former Pompallier College teacher Nigel Studdart was dismissed in September.

Mr Studdart will speak at the Campaign For Marriage Equality's national conference in Wellington from November 30 to December 2 at St Andrews Church.

Conference chairman Rawa Karetai said Mr Studdart was somebody who had been sacked for speaking out against the principal's views on gay marriage.

Mr Studdart said his conference speech will be focussing on "teachers and schools being places which are open - that is open to discussion and debate".

Mr Studdart said if teachers are punished for speaking out in the public interest everyone suffers.

Mr Studdart has started proceedings against the Pompallier's board of trustees claiming unjustified dismissal with the matter likely to go to mediation later this year.