In Touch - April 2012
Kia ora everyone!
While it was with sadness that we farewelled Tonga’s King Goerge Tupou V last week, the funeral was a wonderful celebration of his life where thousands of mourners turned out to pay their respects. Takoto marie e te Kingai – Rest in Peace.
Well the days are becoming shorter, nights are longer and on some days the temperature drops down to single digits – wrap up winter is nigh!!
It has been another busy month and in this issue I will cover what’s been happening in the Mana electorate, and in Parliament, and out and about around the country.
Mana Electorate
Congratulations and a big welcome home to John Price our new Kapiti Mana police area commander. Area commander Price was a resident and a police officer in the Mana electorate for 22 years before moving to Christchurch in 2004. I had the pleasure to meet John at the opening of Creekfest.
Officially opening Creekfest 2012 With area commander John Price
Creekfest 2012 was another successful and entertaining event celebrating our Pacific cultures! The weather was just fabulous and brought the people out in droves – well done to all the organisers!
With Bernadine MacKenzie of Child Youth & Family and local pirate and fairy
Celebrating Children’s Day –the theme for this year's event
was "treasure our children". It was wonderful to see so many pirate and
fairy “treasures” taking part in this event. Thanks to the Porirua
City Council and local groups for organising.
At the Annual Graduation for Health, Arts & Business degree,
post grads and diploma level at Whitireia Porirua. It was wonderful to
see so many graduating from their programmes of study and having an
opportunity to celebrate their success.
Left: With Dr Kathy Holloway, Dean of the Health Faculty, Dr Jane O”Malley, Chief Nurse, Ministry of Health
Right: At the Pacific Business Trust Unlimited Seminar
It was great to speak and share some of my own business experience at the Pacific Business Trust Unlimited Pasifika Seminar in Porirua.
Government
Along
with other ministerial events I am continuing to travel around the
country meeting with schools, boards of trustees, parents, business
leaders, and community groups. This month I have visited Christchurch,
Whangarei, Taupō and Gisborne.
NEW YORK!! NEW YORK!!
I
attended the International Summit on the Teaching Profession in New
York which proved very beneficial and affirmed the Government is taking
the right steps to help NZ teachers deliver 21st century learning
skills.
Education is recognised as the driver of economic growth
and social gain, and we know that it is high quality teaching that
delivers students the best possible opportunities to acquire skills and
meaningful qualifications.
We are fortunate that New Zealand has
invested in a highly competent teaching profession and that we have in
place a number of initiatives to ensure our teachers are well equipped
to help learners succeed in the 21st century.
It was clear from
the Summit that collaboration across the sector is vital to raising
student achievement – that means teachers, principals, unions, parents,
communities, business, academia and government agencies working
together, taking responsibility and sharing ideas so that successful
teaching practice becomes common practice.
For more information on my visit please go to my website www.hekia.parata.co.nz or check out my facebook page www.facebook.com/hekia.parata
I
attended the Breakfast to celebrate International Women’s Day hosted by
Hon Jo Goodhew where I also had the opportunity to sit and chat with
students from the Wellington region.
It was a delight to host a visit by Rt Hon Helen Clark and Michael Sidibe, the Executive Director of UNAIDS.
I
had great pleasure in meeting and speaking to the Pacific Advisory
Group, Pasifika Principals Network for Learning and Pasifika Education
Research Priorities Working Group.
Parliament
Ultra-Fast Broadband –17 schools in Mana,
including Adventure School, Paremata School and Titahi Bay School, will
have access to ultra-fast broadband, by the middle of next year. Faster
internet will help prepare students for living and working in the 21st
century. National is spending $1.65 billion on ultra-fast broadband. By
July next year, more than 410,000 students at nearly 1500 schools around
the country will be connected. For more information go to http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/ufb-be-rolled-out-hundreds-more-schools
Building a Bluegreen Future launched
- National launched Building a Bluegreen Future, an environment policy
paper reporting on the progress of the National-led Government over the
past three years and setting out the next steps to be taken in this
term. Building a Bluegreen Future, is available online here: http://www.national.org.nz/bluegreens/Bluegreen_Future.pdf
Free flu immunisation
- The Government is urging New Zealanders most at risk from serious
influenza complications to get their free immunisation. The flu vaccine
is offered free every year to New Zealanders over the age of 65,
pregnant women and people with ongoing health conditions such as asthma
or heart problems. Last year almost one million doses of flu vaccine
were given. People who are not eligible for the programme can purchase
the vaccine from their general practitioner.
Better local government reforms announced - The ‘Better Local Government’ reforms will provide clarity around the role of councils, stronger governance, improved efficiency and more responsible financial management. For more information go to http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/better-local-government-reforms-announced
Govt sharpens focus on public sector results - Prime Minister
John Key has outlined the next steps in the Government's programme to
create a public sector that is more innovative, efficient and focused on
delivering what New Zealanders want and expect. For more information go
to http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt-sharpens-focus-public-sector-results
Coming up……
End of school term Thursday 5th April.
ANZAC DAY 25th April
For Anzac Services in Porirua and Kapiti regions visit:
http://www.pcc.govt.nz/Your-Council/Council-and-Community/ANZAC-Day
http://kapiticoast.co.nz/e107_plugins/calendar_menu/event.php?1303710300.event.2486
Porirua Mayoral Business Expo – Saturday 28th April 10am – 4pm Te Rauparaha Arena
The
main stadium will feature the Business Expo with up to 160 stalls, with
the rest a kids market, bouncy castles, interactive displays, crafts,
food and more! This is an event that caters for everyone!
For more events within the Mana electorate visit websites:
http://www.terauparaha-arena.co.nz/Events
http://www.pcc.govt.nz/News---Events
http://www.naturecoast.co.nz/events.html
http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/whatson/events/kapiti-coast
Please feel free to visit my website www.hekiaparata.co.nz; where you can find press releases and my latest video blog.
I’d also appreciate your support on Facebook! I update my page at least once a day with photos, press releases, questions and comments. Jump online and add me as a friend! www.facebook.com/hekia.parata
Please feel free to forward my newsletter to others who may be interested.
Have a happy and safe Easter!
Ngā mihi
