April 2014 Well, what a great month we have just had in education!

I'm proud to report that the International Summit of the Teaching Profession hosted here in Wellington has been a rip roaring success!! Our international guests are buzzing & have thoroughly enjoyed their time and the hospitality they have been shown in our country. Manaakitanga is the greatest thing you can give your manuhiri and we, NZ, can be very proud that our guests have been magnificently looked after and are going home with very fond memories of our country - and our people. So thanks again to the many hands, heads and hearts that have made this possible. I personally am very grateful and appreciative of all your efforts. Similarly to everyone who organised and participated in the Wellington Festival of Education. The very high standard set by the Auckland & Christchurch festivals has well and truly been maintained. Kei runga noa atu!

For more information regarding the ISTP visit http://www.festivalofeducation.org.nz/

As we are all in the digital age I thought it was appropriate to link a few youtube clips from the 2014 International Summit of the Teaching Profession. Enjoy and feel free to share.

Highlights from the ISTP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vANWRFURK8Q Speech at gala dinner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j7AiCq69p4 Speech at Summit Pohiri http://youtu.be/oYiTqty25yY

Mana Electorate

Creekfest 2014
I had such a fantastic time at Creekfest 2014! It is such a great way to draw attention to health and healthy living for the entire community. I danced, had a chat to some lively Creekfest goers and of course got information from the many health organisations in my electorate. #GIGATOWNPORIRUA

The Challenge Rangikura School

I visited Rangikura School who I must say has a fantastic kapa haka group to announce a new competition as part of the Ngrimu VC and 28th (Mori)

Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund called The Challenge'. It is an opportunity for Year 7 13 students to keep the Battalions legacy alive using 21st Century technology, by reflecting on the triumphs and tragedies of those brave young men. The children at Rangikura School blew me away with their knowledge about the 28 Maori Battalion and their eagerness to give The Challenge a go. Fantastic!

School Visits
I had such an awesome time visiting schools in the Mana Electorate! I visited Pukerua Bay School, met some teachers, some parents, some young artists, and some students who were totally immersed in their digital literacy class cyber

bullying being the topic of the day. I was interviewed by a bright group of year 7/8 students from Plimmerton School, who had some really thought provoking questions: Journalists of the future I think! I met the student house captains at Adventure School and got to share a coffee in the staff room with hard working teachers. My last visit was at Whitby Educare where a 5th Birthday was being celebrated with cake, apples and water (a well balanced celebration if you ask me).

Education Government supports Pacific languages in early childhood education

Our Government is making a significant contribution to supporting the use of Pacific languages in early childhood services. We are proud that many early childhood programmes are specifically designed to support ECE services that provide education in Pacific languages. Acknowledgement of the identity, language, and culture of children is an important part of ensuring their educational success. Thats why the Government developed the Pasifika Education Plan 2013-2017. The Plan has a strong focus on increasing the number of Pasifika ECE Language Services teaching in a Pasifika language or culture, by 2016. We are working with parents, families, communities, and other government agencies to make this happen. Pacific communities are committed to ensuring the revitalisation and retention of their heritage languages. The Government is proud to support them to achieve that goal.

The number of Pasifika children participating in ECE is continuing to rise with participation amongst Pasifika children increasing by 1.9 percentage points since 2012 to 89.3 percent points in 2013. Speaking two languages creates more opportunities for Pacific people. It will help us to build our own enterprises, be more independent from the state, and enable our families and communities to prosper in New Zealand. I would encourage groups who are interested in teaching and fostering Pacific languages in early childhood education to contact the Ministry of Education to find out about the many ways in which they can be supported financially, with professional development and in administration.

For more information visit: http://hekiaparata.co.nz/index.php?/archives/534Government-supports-Pacific-languages-in-early-childhood-education.html

Good news!

Out and about

The Auckland Festival of Education!! A smorgasbord of exciting, interactive and innovative attractions and stalls - all celebrating educational success. Fantastic day!

Speaking to the Wellington Secondary School Students who have come to Parliament to discuss what NZ youth are doing to combat global issues.

Great to talk to the MFAT womens network over 30 years after I started my professional career there! It was wonderful to see familiar faces and to see so many vibrant women (and men!) from across the public sector. My message to professional women: know yourself, find your work-life rhythm, and be resilient!

Stay in touch
For any messages, suggestions of events or feedback please dont hesitate to contact my office at hekia.parata.mp@parliament.govt.nz Please feel free to visit my website www.hekiaparata.co.nz; where you will find my press releases and other key information. It could trigger you to provide comments or ask questions which I encourage you to do. I update my social media pages regularly with photos, press releases, questions and comments.

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Ka mutu..

Hon Hekia Parata National List MP based in the Mana Electorate Funded by the Parliamentary Service and authorised by Hekia Parata MP, Level 1, 20 Parumoana Street, Porirua.

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