In Touch - July 2012
July 2012
Kia ora everyone!
Well June started and ended with a very wintry blast so let’s hope July presents us with some warmer weather and brighter days!
In this issue I will cover what’s been happening in the Mana electorate, in Parliament, and around the country.
Electorate
Congratulations to Whitireia New Zealand. It was a pleasure to be attend the book launch of ’25 Years : leading and illuminating’ and the commemoration of Ngati Toa Te Tiriti o Waitangi signing at Whitireia held recently at Takapuwahia Marae. The book celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of Whitireia New Zealand – well done!
It was a pleasure to host a morning and afternoon tea to celebrate Volunteer Awareness Week. It gave me the opportunity to acknowledge and thank our wonderful volunteers who tirelessly commit themselves to the many organisations within our electorate. Nga mihi and thank you!
I visited the Life Education Trust – Mobile Learning Centre at Cannon’s Creek school recently. It was great to ‘have a hands on’ and join in on a short lesson with students and also an opportunity to meet with LET Founder Trevor Grice, Chair Chris Kirk-Burnand and CE John O’Connell. Next year LET will celebrate 25 years in New Zealand. If you would like more information on this organisation visit www.lifeeducation.org.nz
Government
As part of my Education and Pacific Island Affairs ministerial duties I continue to meet with school communities, business leaders, and community groups and attend events hosted by the different organisations both locally and throughout the country. For more photos and information please visit my facebook at http://www.facebook.com/hekia.parata
I was delighted to attend with colleagues Ministers’ Joyce and Tolley and Hon Parekura Horomia and witness and celebrate the Transit of Venus and the Rededication of the Wharf at Tolaga Bay. It was honour to unveil the plaque that held the time capsule and artwork commemorating this event. I look forward to being present at the opening of the time capsule at the school’s 150th Jubilee in 25 years!!
I had great pleasure in being interviewed by two budding journalists from St Mary’s School Blenheim. It was an interview on ‘Leadership’ and I was presented with some great questions – well done Christine and Mathew!
It was wonderful to spend the last two days of the month in Dunedin (though very chilly) where I attended meetings with community and education organisations and visited with schools.
Parliament
Government sets public sector 5-year targets
Prime Minister John Key and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English recently announced a set of ambitious targets the Government has set for the public sector to achieve over the next five years.
Delivering better public services within tight financial constraints to New Zealanders is one of the Government's key priorities for its second term. The targets announced recently will help deliver that goal. For more information visit
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-sets-public-sector-5-year-targets
Forum commits to raising achievement goal - The Ministerial Cross-Sector Forum on Raising Achievement has agreed to work together on achieving success for all learners.
As Education Minister and Forum chair, I welcome the commitment from all the Forum representatives.
The Forum, which met recently for the first time, aims to provide collaborative cross-sector leadership and advice to the Minister on a quality achievement programme for education that will help meet the Government’s Better Public Service Targets of 98 per cent of new school entrants having participated in quality early childhood education and 85 per cent of 18 year-olds having achieved NCEA Level 2 or an equivalent qualification over the next five years. For more information visit
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/forum-commits-raising-achievement-goal
45,000 fewer crimes a year by 2017 - Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Government’s Better Public Services justice sector targets will mean 45,000 fewer crimes, 7,500 fewer violent crimes, and 600 fewer young people appearing in court each year from 2017.
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/45000-fewer-crimes-year-2017
Transmission Gully green light welcomed - Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed today’s green-lighting of the “An alternative state highway route into the capital through Transmission Gully has been talked about for decades, and the Board of Inquiry’s final decision to approve the regulatory consent applications will allow the NZ Transport Agency to take the project to the next stage. For more information visit http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/transmission-gully-green-light-welcomed
Dunne welcomes mental health, addictions KPI framework development
Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne today welcomed the release of Phase III of the Key Performance Indicator Framework for New Zealand Mental Health and Addiction Services.
The Ministry of Health-funded Key Performance Indicator Framework sees mental health and addiction services from district health boards (DHBs) across the country committing to a national quality and performance improvement benchmarking strategy.
All 20 DHBs and a range of non-government organisations (NGOs) have participated in developing the framework, which enables DHBs to benchmark against each other. For more information visit http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/dunne-welcomes-mental-health-addictions-kpi-framework-development
Upcoming Events
Sat 7 July 2012 - 10am - 3pm PLIMMERTON DAY: Visit Pataka for local art, music, and food stalls to help celebrate Plimmerton's people, art and colourful history.
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2012, Māori Language Week is Monday 23rd July - Sunday 29th July.
Kapiti Craft-It - A Handmade Craft Market : 14 July 9:00 – 12:30 Kapiti Uniting Parish, 27 Raumati Road, Raumati Beach, Raumati
Get Ya Bellyful of Crafts: 14 July 9:30 –2:30 The Anchor Church, 1 Joseph Banks Drive, Whitby, Porirua
Applications for the 2012 round of Porirua Youth Awards will open from 16 July to 19 August and are available to download off websites www.poriruayouthawards.org.nz and www.hekiaparata.co.nz. For further information contact my Mana office 04 237 0746 or Michelle Robinson at Porirua Partners 04 237 1099
The Food banks of Porirua and Kapiti are in need. Contact details for our local organisations are:
Wesley Community Action - 206 Mungavin Ave Cannons Creek - 04 237 7923
Salvation Army - cnr Warspite Ave & Fantame St - 04 235 6264
St Vincent de Paul - 18 Mungavin Ave - 04 237 5968
Citizens Advice Bureau - level 2, Pember House - 04 237 8846
Kapiti Community Foodbank - 10 McGrath Avenue - 04 298 8549
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
Ka mutu…
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.
I trust that you and your family keep well and I look forward to seeing you around the electorate. Take care!
