15 April 2014

Victoria University O-week, Dr Kiki Maoate, Māngere Genesis Youth Trust

Kia Orana and welcome to my March e-newsletter.

Highlights of March

March 1 - Healthy Village Action Zone (HVAZ) in the Park was held at St Pauls College in Ponsonby and I attended with my colleague Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-I'iga. Forty-two Pacific churches in the Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) participated in the range of activities that took place:

walkathon, youth sports, health screening. HVAZ's main objectives are to build capacity and capability in the churches through supporting health programmes which promote healthy lifestyles through physical activities, education programmes on nutrition and smoke free environments etc. I was initially involved in this project when it was first established in 2007, and to see it evolve to this stage was very satisfying.

March 1 - Word of Life Church Opening: My wife Moka and I attended the opening of the Word

of Life Church's new building on View Rd, Henderson. We have known Senior Pastor Tavale and Alison Mataia for many years and were proud to be a part of the celebration of their new church building.

March 3- Young Nats O-week, 5 Universities: I joined the Young Nats at O-week at Auckland University, Otago, Waikato, AUT, and UNITECh and signed up a lot of students who are interested

in becoming active in the National Party. I am definitely noticing a growing interest from our young people to participate in the political arena and I think this is a great thing!

These visits are also the basis for my video blog this month. Click here to view: video blog

Orientation week @ Auckland University, Otago University

March 8 - Pasifika Festival: I accompanied my colleagues and the Prime Minister John Key at this year's Pasifika Festival. We walked around the whole site and talked to people, dancers,

artists, stall holders, and others. We listened to the music, tasted the island food, and bought t-shirts and handicrafts from the extensive array on display in each of the villages. It was great to see new entrant to the festival, Hawaii, taking its rightful place and battling it out with the other villages at Western Springs. An enjoyable day was had by all.

At Tav Stall, Pasifika Festival, Springhill Corrections Facility Te Kauwhata

March 10 - Springhill Corrections Facility, Te Kauwhata: Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-I'iga and I

attended the opening of Saili Matagi, a 26 week rehabilitation programme for Pacific men run twice a year by the Pacific Focus Unit at Springhill. It was a very special occasion where we connected with our men and their families through shared stories and experiences from boys to men. There were tears, a lot of laughter, and reflection. I pointed out that there really isn't that much difference between them and me - the only difference is in the choices that we make. After

successful completion of this programme the men will graduate in July and I look forward to celebrating their success.

14 March - Polyfest: The 39th annual ASB Polyfest, one of the largest Polynesian and Maori festivals in the world kicked off at the Manukau Sports Bowl. More than 9000 students from 62 schools from all over Auckland performed to an estimated crowd of 100,000. I attended with colleagues and John Key - the first Prime Minister of New Zealand to attend Polyfest since its early beginnings at Hillary College Otara in 1976. The Prime Minister was well received and enjoyed the

vibrant performances and demonstration of cultural pride and identity. Looks like this could be an annual event on the Prime Ministers calendar. This year's theme was ''Care for our seas and our lands so that the safety of our home, both present and past, endures forever''.

Prime Minister John Key at Polyfest @ Manukau Velodrome

March 22 - Cancer society relay for life: It is always an honour to participate in "Relay for Life"

events as you get to meet some very brave and inspiring survivors of cancer, their families and

friends, and caregivers and pay tribute to those who have passed on. Relay for Life is part of a global movement to "celebrate, remember, and fight back" against cancer.

March 27 - Māngere visits with Hon Paula Bennett: I accompanied Hon Paula Bennett to Auckland Seventh Day Adventist High School in Māngere Bridge and met with Peter Sykes and the young people taking part in the LilyBSafe, Young Enterprise Scheme.

We then visited Manager Alfred Wendt and staff at Work and Income, CFYS in Māngere and the Mangere Bright Sparks Childcare Centre in the afternoon. Some great things happening in the Māngere community!

Key Issues in Parliament:

3.1 per cent growth, economy on the right track

The economy continued to grow by more than 3 per cent in the year to 31 December, confirming New Zealand remains on the right track under National's responsible economic management.

Statistics New Zealand reports gross domestic product expanded by 0.9 per cent in the December quarter and 2.1 per cent in the second half of 2013.

This took annual growth - from the December quarter 2012 to the December quarter 2013 - to 3.1 per cent.

One of the Government's priorities is to build a more competitive and productive economy.

Providing we stick with the Government's successful programme, New Zealanders can lock in the economic gains we're starting to see through more jobs and higher incomes.

More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=43412

Better information for ratepayers

Ratepayers will be able to keep a closer eye on their councils' financial positions thanks to new regulations introduced by National.

The new regulations set seven benchmarks for councils which address the affordability, sustainability, and predictability of council finances. Councils will report against these benchmarks through graphs in their planning and reporting documents.

Councils will publish their first set of results using the benchmarks in their 2013/14 annual reports, providing ratepayers with new insights into council financial management. In the long run, this will improve decision-making at the local level.

The establishment of the new benchmarks is all part of National's plan to ensure responsible management of government finances, and is aligned with our broader local government reforms.

More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=43391

Health and Safety Bill introduced to the House

More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=43300

$2.7 million to lift achievement of at-risk students

More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=43293

Safer communities under National

More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=43319 and http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=43140

New domestic violence programme for offenders

More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=43330

Debates:

Victims of Crime Reform Bill

Families Commission Amendment Bill

Video Blog: This month I joined with Rodney MP Mark Mitchell to speak about our visitS to O-Weeks around the country. Click here to view: video blog

Events and activities in April:

Apr1: Launch of Indian Newslink-"Electionlink" Apr6: Mass @ Malaeola, Mangere Apr10: World Autism Awareness Day Apr18: Good Friday Apr20: Hawaiki Nui-Cook Islands Commemorative Service for ex-veterans

Apr25: Anzac Day Apr29: Village Collective visit to Parliament

Special Acknowledgment for NZ Honours List Awardees:

Congratulations to Dr Kiki Maoate, Jan Taouma, Steve Boxer, Rita Fatialofa-Patolo, Tutagaloa

Tuhipa, Hafeiki Vilitama, Mary Harris, Laurel Taufauata and Dale Williams

Reminder:

Closing date for nominations for 2014 Youth Awards is 28th April 9am. Please contact my office should you need further assistance or information or go to link: http://www.myd.govt.nz/news/2014/youth-week-2014.html.

I look forward to meeting you at the community events I will be attending over the coming weeks. If there is an issue you wish to discuss with me please ring my offices/ or email to book an appointment.

Meitaki Maata.

Phone: 04 817 8396 or 09 275 8761 Email: Alfred.ngaro@parliament.govt.nz or ngaro.auckland@parliament.govt.nz Website: www.alfredngaro.co.nz

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