PM defends Parata over Chch schools shake up

The Prime Minister's continuing to defend the way his Education Minister has communicated with Christchurch communities over the shake up to the region's education sector.

All 31 schools in line to close or merge have now been told they have 10 weeks to put forward their proposals.

It's sparked a massive backlash from the community - and a large degree of criticism of Hekia Parata for the way in which she's handled the proposal.

But John Key says there's no easy way to explain why it needs to happen.

"When people say, I don't like the process and the minister (does) a bad job and the ministry (does) a bad job - what they're really saying truthfully is, I don't like the decision you're making in relation to my school."

Mr Key says it's all about looking ahead.

"I think it's important that we also take a step back and say are we actually building a Christchurch which is going to address all of the demands for the future - in my view, that's actually one of the fundamental requirements from the Government."

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