The proposals divide science into ‘mātauranga putaiao’ (Māori understanding of the natural world) and ‘western science’. Mr Goldsmith says he would like to see Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins call it ‘western science’ to the leading rocket scientists or specialists in artificial intelligence in China and India. “It suggests the curriculum leaders don’t know the first thing about the subject. Science is universal no matter where you come from. Calling it ‘western science’ is an insult to half the world. “But more importantly, how will these sorts of muddled distractions help turn around our declining achievement in the