LIST MP HEKIA PARATA based in Mana - Newsletter

E-Panui May 2013

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E-Panui May 2013

E-Panui April 2013

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E-Panui April 2013

In Touch - July 2012

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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!

In Touch - June 2012

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:35:00 +1200

Kia ora, Talofa lava and Happy Matariki!!

Well May was another busy month and these last two weeks have been even more so!

In this issue I will cover what’s been happening in the Mana electorate, out and about around the country and what Budget 2012 means for education.

We entered the month of June by celebrating Samoan Language Week and the 50th anniversary of Samoa’s independence (the 50th anniversary of the unique Treaty of Friendship between New Zealand and Samoa and will be celebrated in August). We also celebrate Matariki – the Maori New Year. Matariki is a time for celebration, reflection and preparation where the community comes together to tell stories, sing, dance and work - together. Check out what events and activities are happening in your community.

Parliament : Budget Education

As you know, parents made it clear that they would not accept the trade off of an adjustment to the funding formula for teacher : student ratio’s and so ratios will remain the same.

As Mana List MP for National, I remain firmly focused on raising student achievement in our local schools. There is an unrelenting drive to ensure we are targeting five out of five of our kids succeeding and we know from the evidence that investing in teaching quality and professional leadership are the best ways for the money to do this.

Raising achievement requires a system-wide lift in quality teaching and quality leadership from ECE, through primary and secondary schooling, and on into opportunities beyond.

I have met with all the relevant organisations from across the education sector and they have indicated an enthusiasm to work constructively with the Government on raising quality and achievement for all our students.

To this end, I am setting up a cross sector forum where representatives from a number of education sector organisations, academics, unions and interested parties will work with the Government to achieve our overall goal of raising student achievement across the system.

The first meeting of this group will take place by the end of the month. Terms of Reference that align with the Government’s plan for education will be finalised at that time.

We have set ambitious Better Public Service targets of increasing ECE participation to 98% and ensuring 85% of all 18 year olds achieve NCEA Level 2 or equivalent by 2016.

We have an education system that is among the best in the world. Four out of five kids are successfully getting the qualifications they need from school and we must celebrate their success and the professionals in our system who make that possible every day. But our Government’s education plan is about getting five out of five.

To this end Government has invested $9.6 billion into Education in Budget 2012 and is already spending $304 million over four years on professional learning and development for teachers in primary and secondary education.

We have introduced National Standards in Primary and Intermediate schools to keep parents informed about their child’s process and identify the kids that are falling behind.
We have engaged experts to work with schools and teachers to help raise the bar in education and have focused on teacher support.

We have boosted special education, confronted bullying, established the Youth Guarantee and Trade Academies, and are spending $300-400 million on the Network for Learning.

We remain fully committed to raising achievement and ensuring all our young people have the knowledge, skills and values to be successful in the 21st century.

Education is a passport to a better life. We want our Mana kids to reach their potential. We want to create Kiwis that can fly!

Mana Electorate

Congratulations to Ms Beverley Wakem DNZM and Mr Patrick Waite QSM who live in the Mana electorate and were recipients of the 2012 Queens Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honour Awards – well done!

Congratulations to Juliet Bellingham, Neil and June Penman, Poppy Daymond and Ann Mills recipients of the Porirua City Council Civic Awards. These awards are for recognition of outstanding voluntary service to the community –nga mihi!

Congratulations to Kapiti Coast District Council who has has been highly commended in the 2012 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) Awards, held recently in Auckland. The awards celebrate organisations and individuals that have demonstrated excellence and innovation in energy efficiency or renewable energy.

Congratulations to winner Elyjana Roach and runner’s up Kian Knight, Isaac Stevenson and Dan Bain for their entries in the Porirua City Council Short Film Competition – well done!

Well done to our local fire fighters who completed the Sky Tower Firefighter’s Stair Climb to raise money for the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Foundation. More than 500 fire fighters nationally participated and raised over $300,000 – an excellent effort and thank you!

I attended the launch of the rheumatic fever prevention programme with the Prime Minister and Associate Health Minister and Māori Party co-leader Tariana Turia at Holy Family School. The Government, with the Maori Party, will spend $24 million to help significantly reduce rheumatic fever in vulnerable communities and I am pleased that Porirua will benefit from this programme.

At Porirua College launching ‘Malamalama i le NCEA’ an outstanding publication to help Samoan parents and students to understand the intricacies of NCEA.

I was delighted to be the guest speaker at the Porirua Chamber of Commerce Post-Budget Breakfast held in Mana recently.

Government

As part of my Education and Pacific Island Affairs ministerial duties I continue to travel throughout the country to meet with school communities, business leaders, and community groups. During May I travelled to Dunedin, Christchurch, Hawkes Bay, Rotorua, Horowhenua and Auckland. For more information on these events please visit www.facebook.com/hekiaparata

Upcoming Events

Through June a Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the arrival of the United States Marine Corps in New Zealand.

17th – 23rd June Volunteer Awareness Week
The theme for Volunteer Awareness Week in 2012 is ‘Building communities through volunteering.’ The idea of the community is a broad concept that includes local regions, interest groups, online networks or people with shared/similar values. The theme encompasses the idea that these communities need to be energised and put into action to ensure that all of the communities in our country can thrive.

19th June 11:00am – 1:00pm Plimmerton Mid-Winter Dip at Karehana Bay
The Plimmerton Mid Winter Dip is held every year at the beach in Karehana Bay in Plimmerton, Porirua. The Dip is an iconic, fun community event, which is well attended. For more information visit www.plimmertonwinterdip.com

25th June 7:40 pm – Haier Pulse vs Vixens at Te Rauparaha Arena – GO THE PULSE!!

Applications for the 2012 round of Porirua Youth Awards will open from 16 July to 19 August and will be 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 - 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, Porirua - 04 237 8846
Kapiti Community Foodbank -10 McGrath Ave, Paraparaumu - 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!

In Touch - May 2012

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:26:15 +1200

Kia ora everyone!

April has been an eventful month with Easter, school term break and ANZAC. I hope you all managed to take time out and are now settled back into routine with this lovely Autumn weather.

Electorate

Congratulations and good luck to Adrenalin Forest, Mana Recovery, Splice Group Ltd, Radiola Aerospace Ltd, Cryovac Sealed Ltd and Greenkeeper Systems who are the six Porirua businesses named as finalists in the Wellington Gold Awards. The Gold Awards are an annual celebration and profiling of the Wellington region's business community.

Congratulations and good luck to Kapiti Coast District Council named as a finalist in the 2012 EECA Awards. The EECA Awards celebrate organisations and individuals who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in energy efficiency or renewable energy.

Anzac Service – We will remember them
Together with family members, I attended the Wellington Dawn Parade, the Porirua Civic Service where my husband –a Vietnam Vet - Sir Wira Gardiner, was the guest speaker, and then on to represent the Government at the Ataruk Memorial Ceremony. It was a day of remembering and acknowledging the men and women who have served in the armed services these past 97 years.

Continue reading "In Touch - May 2012"

In Touch - April 2012

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:01:39 +1200

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.

Continue reading "In Touch - April 2012"

Epanui 2.2.2012

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Click here to read my latest newsletter http://www.hekiaparata.co.nz/uploads/Epanui2.1.2012.pdf

November Panui

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October ePanui

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ePanui July, 2011

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e-Panui June 2011

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For a version of this newsletter with pictures, click here to download the PDF.

Kia ora everyone and Happy Matariki!

I hope you have all had a great month and are looking forward to Queen’s Birthday weekend!

In this issue I will cover what’s been happening in the Mana electorate, including my stint as a judge on Dancing with the Stars, and in Parliament where the focus has been on Budget 2011.

Electorate

Collecting with Mary Potter Hospice CEO Ria Earp in the annual Mary Potter Hospice Street Appeal which raised more than $75,000. Thank you to all of you who contributed to this worthy organisation.

Celebrating Youth Week in Porirua at a Kapiti Youth Basketball game with Councillor Penny Gaylor and Angelo Robinson. Was great fun!

Paying a visit to the staff at Smart Power in Mana. Smart Power provide their clients with information and advice to ensure they are running their businesses as energy efficiently as possible.

At the official launch of the Kapiti Monarch Butterfly Trust at Lindale. Following the announcement pupils from schools in the Kapiti region planted seeds which will be transplanted into the Butterfly Farm area later this year.

Celebrating with owner Sandy Foster and residents at the official opening of the new Lifestyle Centre at the Whitby Lakes Retirement Village.

On the judging panel at the Kapi Mana Rock-n-Roll club’s Dancing with the Stars held at the Porirua Club. Congratulations to the winning duo Cammille and Darren.

Government

Budget 2011 sets out the next steps of the Government’s programme to build faster growth, increase national savings, and create sustainable jobs built on savings, exports, and productive investment.

This is a responsible and balanced Budget for the times. It takes steps to ensure the Government returns to surplus by 2014/15, so we can start repaying debt and contribute to higher national savings.

National is ensuring future generations of New Zealanders are not saddled with enormous amounts of debt, and that your tax dollars are going to the things that you really care about – more police officers, teachers, nurses, and doctors, and less money spent on interest rate payments to foreign lenders.

We have continued to protect vulnerable New Zealanders through extensive programmes such as Working for Families, New Zealand Superannuation and welfare benefits, as well as investing significantly more in health and education.

For more information on Budget 2011 go to the Government’s website www.beehive.govt.nz

Alcohol Reform

As a member of the Justice and Electoral Select Committee, I am interested to hear your thoughts on the purchasing age of alcohol.

Remain 18 years
20 years
Split age, 18 years at an on-license (bars/clubs), 20 years at an off-license (liquor store)

Please TXT* your view: TXT to 244; enter “Hekia, [your email address] and then either A, B, or C”, OR email me at hekia.parata.mp@parliament.govt.nz

The Community and Voluntary Sector

In my role as the Associate Minister of the Community and Voluntary Sector I opened the Volunteering New Zealand Conference in Wellington. The conference celebrated ordinary, everyday Kiwis who had gone out of their way to help others and looked at ways the sector can be better utilised in the future. It was a wonderful event.

In Auckland to launch a scholarship programme for the BEST Leadership Programme. The programme is a great initiative which encourages more Pacific Island people into business leadership roles. It was great to talk with four-time Olympian Beatrice Faumuina, who is one of the founders of the programme.

As the Acting Minister of Energy and Resources I had the privilege of attending, along with the Prime Minister, the celebrations of the 100,000th home insulated under our Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart Programme. It is brilliant that 100,000 homes across the country are now warmer, drier and healthier thanks to this programme.

Also last month I co-hosted the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand Awards with the Honourable Tony Ryall. The awards recognised some of the outstanding fundraising efforts in New Zealand.

At the Opening of the Women’s Council of New Zealand new offices in Brandon St in Wellington. It was great evening and lovely to catch up with Dame Laurie Salas.

Celebrating the success of our refugees and migrants

I hosted a breakfast at Parliament, along with the English Language Partners New Zealand and Refugee Services Aotearoa New Zealand, to celebrate the success of refugees and migrants in New Zealand. There were some wonderful stories told, it was a great morning.

Parliament

Ultra-fast Broadband

Wellington will be connected to the world like never before with the introduction of ultra-fast broadband. Ultra-fast broadband will connect our region’s businesses, schools and health providers with the rest of New Zealand and the world as part of the government’s $1.5 billion Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative.

More funding for children in care.

Last month we announced $43.7 million for services for children in care as part of our focus on children. The investment over four years goes into four distinct areas: health and education assessments, mental health services, early childhood education and parenting support services. There are around 4400 children in care at any one time and others that are in a Home for Life who will be eligible for these initiatives.

Give way rule

Public consultation is now underway on the proposed changes to the give way rule. Changing the give way rules for turning vehicles is part of the Government's 10-year Safer Journeys road safety strategy. Currently if you are turning left you have to give way to right turning traffic coming towards you. This change would reverse this so the left turning vehicle would have right of way in this situation. For more information about the Rule or to make a submission go to the NZ Transport Agency website: www.nzta.govt.nz.

Coming up ….

Applications for the 2011 round of Porirua Youth Awards will open from 1 July to 19 August and will be available to download off websites www.poriruayouthawards.org.nz and www.hekiaparata.co.nz. For further information contact my Mana office 04 233 0707 or Michelle Robinson at Porirua Partners 04 237 1099

Applications for the 2011 Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards have opened. For further information or to apply please visit www.pacificyouthawards.org.nz

The Food banks of Porirua and Kapiti are in need. I encourage you to donate food parcels, blankets or anything in your cupboards, garages and garden sheds that will help these organisations help others 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

Ka mutu…

Please feel free to visit my website www.hekiaparata.co.nz; and on the National MPs website – www.nationalmps.org.nz where you can find press releases and my weekly video blog.
Please feel free to forward my newsletter to others who may be interested.

I look forward to seeing you around the electorate.

05June-epanui.pdf

Nga mihi

e-Panui No.12

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:07:10 +1200

Kia ora everyone!

I hope you all had a good Easter break and have settled back into routine, fully rested and refreshed. I have had a busy month both in the electorate and in Parliament.
In this issue of E-Panui I will cover what’s been happening in Mana and around Parliament including my trip to Australia to investigate how Australia has managed to significantly boost the number of women on private sector boards, the April 1 tax changes, the Crimes Amendment Bill (No 2) and the “Business of Aging” Report.

Electorate

Anzac Service - Lest we forget
I attended a moving ANZAC day service at the Peace Memorial Park in Porirua. It was wonderful to see so many veterans, families, and servicemen at the ceremony. Anzac day is a day to appreciate all our veterans, and those currently serving in our armed forces. This year our thoughts were especially with the families of Lieutenant Timothy O'Donnell, Private Jack Howard (serving in the British Army), and Private Kirifi Mila who lost their lives in Afghanistan and Flight Lieutenant Hayden Madsen, Flying Officer Daniel Gregory, and crewman Corporal Andrew Carson who were killed in a helicopter crash near Pukerua Bay last Anzac Day.

To view this newsletter as a PDF (with pictures), click here.

Continue reading "e-Panui No.12"

e-Panui No.11

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Kia ora!

Winter is certainly on its way with the days now much shorter and the air much cooler. Don’t forget – daylight savings ends on Sunday so put your clock back an hour. With Easter nearly upon us it is a good time to reflect on what has been a heartbreaking start to the year with the Christchurch earthquakes and then the Japan earthquake and tsunami.

Our hearts and thoughts remain with those affected. The impact of the Christchurch

Earthquakes’ will certainly be felt for many years to come, but this Government is determined to see the Garden City returned to its former glory and ensure it remains a major tourism, industrial and regional hub.

In this issue of e-Panui I will cover what I have been up to in the Mana electorate, the upcoming budget, the Alcohol Reform Bill and the Government’s tax changes which come into effect today.

Electorate

Porirua Youth Awards 2011

Last year I established the Porirua Youth Award fund for 8-18 year-olds who excel in art, culture, education, the environment, or sport. Eight young people each received a $1,000 award. It’s really important that we acknowledge talented young people, and give them the opportunity to develop their potential.

Preparations for this year’s awards are already underway. More information will be provided in the next issue of E-Panui but people should start thinking about who they might like to nominate.

Partners Porirua, with the help of a group of young people, will again coordinate and administer the 2011 Awards. I want to thank our main sponsor ‘Telecom’ for the continued support. If there are other businesses out there who would like to support this initiative please contact my office on 04 233 0707 or email: hekia.parata.mp@parliament.govt.nz.

Memorandum of Understanding – Ngati Toa and NZ Rugby Union

I attended the historical signing of a memorandum of understanding between the NZ Rugby Union and local iwi Ngati Toa which officially gives the All Blacks the right to continue performing our iconic haka ‘Ka Mate’ while assuring Ngati Toa that the haka will be respected.

Along with Prime Minster John Key, it was wonderful to welcome Windsor Engineering to see their new premises on Broken Hill Road.

Visit to the Porirua City Council

The Prime Minister and I met with Porirua City Mayor Nick Leggett, and Chief Executive Garry Simpson to hear about the lessons from the Canterbury earthquakes, the responsiveness to local emergency management, and the great opportunities the city offers - as reflected by Winsor Engineering to relocate to Porirua.

Creekfest

Congratulations to the organisers, sponsors and supporters of this year’s “Creekfest” for another fabulous day celebrating the culture and diversity of Porirua and promoting healthy living. The information stalls, the entertainment, especially the wonderful local talent, the delicious food, the sporting activities and the wonderful weather made it a very successful event!

Thank you to all those who participated in my survey on issues of greatest interest!

Pukerua Bay School Gala

Congratulations to Pukerua Bay School who put on a wonderful gala raising more than $28,000. It was great community event with stalls and activities, and was well supported by not only the Pukerua Bay community but from also people throughout the Kapiti and Porirua regions. The Topor “hot dogs” were a particularly fabulous feature of the day!

Sports Dinner

I attended a sports dinner hosted by the North’s Rugby Club where it was a pleasure to talk with, and be entertained by, two of rugby’s greats Sir Colin Meads and Mark Shaw.

Shoe Boxes of Love

Thank you to everyone who has supported our Shoe Boxes of Love Appeal. Filled with 'feel good' gifts and luxury items that will make life a little more bearable for people who experienced the earthquake in Canterbury - a small gesture showing that people care for them and are thinking of them.

Visit the website www.shoeboxesoflove.org.nz for ideas as to what you might want to put in your shoe box and for any other information please contact my office on: Phone 04 233 0707 or email: Hekia.parata.mp@parliament.govt.nz

Business NZ Challenge

I was delighted to be present at the final presentations of the Buziness NZ Challenge held recently at Aotea College. I absolutely support programmes that increase financial literacy and promote enterprise and entrepreneurial behaviour - the Business NZ Challenge programme at Aotea College does all these things. Our young people get direct practical experience in a collaborative and learning environment - which was clearly good fun as well!

Winners - Auto Lawn Ranger

2nd Place - Extreme Pet Feeder

Plimmerton Residents Association Fundraiser

Thanks for the wonderful effort in fundraising over $10,000 for Canterbury held at the Plimmerton Boat Club. Well done!

Special Events & Festivals Coming up

Porirua Grand Traverse

Don’t forget the Porirua Grand Traverse being held this Sunday 3rd April. There is an event for everyone - with individual and team categories, a duathlon option for non-kayakers, and a dedicated children's event. The Canopy Connection Challenge offers kids a unique introduction to multisport that starts with a waka paddle. This year I will be starting the Mayoral Fun Run part of the race. Come along to participate or be a spectator. It will be an eventful family day!

More information can be found on http://www.poriruagrandtraverse.co.nz/

Government

I have attended a number of events over the last few weeks.

Festival of Colours

Launch of the Women in Engineering Business Plan

Zonta hosting International Women’s Day Breakfast

NZ Indian Central Women's Conference

Japan Day

Just two days after the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan I attended Japan Day in Auckland. It was the 10th anniversary of the festival of Japan and although there was a lot of sadness and concern for friends and family in Japan, it was still an opportunity to showcase the culture of the Japanese community to the greater Auckland community.

The Budget

Helping support and rebuild Christchurch are among the most important things the Government will do this year and into the future.

Rebuilding Christchurch is essential for all of New Zealand, but while we do this it is also important that we press on with our broader economic programme.

Major infrastructure projects the Government has already committed to will not be put off. But in saying that, we are not keen to increase debt more than we need to.

Our economy can absorb the cost of the quake, and there are reasons to be optimistic as the economic recovery starts to kick in.

The Reserve Bank is forecasting the economy to grow at over 5 per cent in 2012 and unemployment to fall below 5 per cent. It predicts 90-day interest rates will stay below 4.6 per cent.

A combination of high growth and moderate inflation will be good for our exporters and should help lift living standards.

Only a strong economy can provide financial security for families, real opportunity for young people, safer communities, and the high-quality education and health services that all New Zealanders need.

This is the best way we can help the people of Christchurch and Mana and build a brighter future for all New Zealanders.

April 1 Changes

Today a number of the Government’s tax changes come into effect. This builds on the October 1, across-the-board personal tax cuts announced as part of Budget 2010.

From today all New Zealand companies tax is cut from 30 per cent to 28 per cent. A lower company tax rate encourages productive investment in New Zealand, thereby increasing productivity, raising wages and creating jobs.

Some of the other changes coming into effect today to try and rebalance the economy are:

· Working for Families made fairer by tightening rules so that people can no longer use investment and rental losses to reduce their income and qualify for extra assistance.

· Changes to investment property rules mean it will no longer be possible to claim depreciation on buildings with an estimated useful life of 50 years or more

· Tax rules for foreign multinationals will be stricter to ensure that these companies are paying their fair share of tax in New Zealand

Also today, the minimum wage will increase from $12.75 to $13 in line with increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Government’s Employment Law Package, which contains practical solutions to issues facing employers and employees, comes into force, and more than one million New Zealanders, including those on NZ Super and war pensions, will receive an increase to their social assistance payments, in line with the Consumer Price Index.

Alcohol Reform Bill

The Select Committee received more than 7000 submissions on the Bill and will be going through these carefully before reporting back to Parliament with their recommendations later this year. The National-led Government sees overhauling our alcohol laws as a priority, particularly for addressing the drivers of crime, because alcohol is a major lubricant for offending. The Bill aims to strike a balance between dealing with the considerable harm that alcohol causes, while not unfairly penalising responsible and moderate drinkers. Our alcohol reform package empowers communities and zeroes in on where the harm from alcohol is happening – particularly around youth – to help control the supply of alcohol, reduce demand, and limit alcohol-related problems.

Ka mutu…

Please feel free to visit my website www.hekiaparata.co.nz; and the National MPs website – www.nationalmps.org.nz where you can find press releases and my weekly video blog.

Please feel free to forward my newsletter to others who may be interested.

I look forward to seeing you around the electorate. Take care and have an enjoyable and safe Easter break!

Nga mihi

Hon Hekia Parata

E-Panui No.10

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E-Panui No.9

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