Mahuta: Mangkakino Area School Prizegiving
Mangkakino Area School Prizegiving
Hon Nanaia
Mahuta
Minister of Youth Affairs
Youth Affairs
Minister Nanaia Mahuta's speech at Mangakino Area School
Prizegiving, Karamu Street, Mangakakino on Tuesday 11
December 2007, 1pm
Introduction
I would like to
acknowledge Lorraine Lash from 'Duffy Books in Homes', Pam
Wilson, Chair of Mangakino Community Agency, Rangi Parker,
Chair of Rumaki Reo Whanau, Principal Bill Millward, and
Staff and most importantly to you, the students. Thank you
for this opportunity to join you on this very special day.
In particular I would like to thank Ethan Tupaea and
Monita Nand for their leadership roles in the school and for
their help during this prize giving
ceremony.
Mangakino
Mangakino may seem a small place,
but to all of you it's the place you call home. As Minister
of Youth Affairs, I have a vision for a country where young
people are vibrant and optimistic through being supported
and encouraged to take up challenges. Where young people
feel positive and connected to their families, whanau and
friends, and to their schools, workplace and communities.
By the presence of your friends and whanau here today,
by your pride in Te Reo and through all the awards that
local people and businesses have sponsored, I can see that
young people are truly valued part of this community.
Te
Reo
It is clear, that here in Mangakino you value your
unique community culture. "E kore e ngaro he kakano i ruia
mai i Rangiatea." Translated it means: "The seed that is
sown from Rangiatea shall never be lost."
Through the
Rumaki Reo Unit and the outstanding Te Reo qualifications, I
hear some students as young as Year Eight are engaged in,
and successfully obtaining, a Year 11 NCEA level 1
qualification in Te Reo. I feel confident that the seeds
sown here, in Mangakino, won't ever be lost.
The
Mangakino Area school staff and community are to be
commended on the progress that has occurred within the
school over the past two years. I note from the ERO report
that there were some challenges to overcome and that your
Principal Mr Millward is particularly proud of how the staff
and students of the school have shown commitment and courage
towards building a school that makes a difference to its
children's futures.
The Youth Development
Strategy
The Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa
emphasises the importance of viewing the whole person,
considering the big picture, and taking into account a young
person's family, community, education and spirituality.
For many people, youth is a time when our personal
identity, attitudes and values are formed. It's a time we
gain an awareness of the different messages around us. This
is why it is so important to have good, positive images
about young people. We want young people growing up in a
society where they feel personally valued and connected with
a supportive wider community.
ID360 Short Film
Competition
I'm pleased to tell you about a great
opportunity that the Ministry of Youth Development has for
you to participate in. The ID360 Short Film competition
opened yesterday and it is a chance for you to tell your
stories and let Aotearoa know what identity and diversity
means to you here in Mangakino. There is over $10,000 worth
of prizes on offer and entry is free.
You can enter in
teams or individually and you don't even have to have a
flash video camera or be a movie director to enter. The
winning films will on the Internet in March and you will be
able to vote for the People's Choice Award.
Over the
next ten weeks I encourage you to consider making a short
film about what it means to be You, a young person from
Aotearoa/New Zealand. Everyone has an identity. It could be
your family, your culture, your favourite sport or pastime
that gives meaning to your life. So make sure you check out
the website, www.id360.govt.nz pick up a camera and get
filming!'
I look forward to hearing your voices later
today in your Kapa Haka performance and to see the Maori
language in action.
The importance of parents in
education
Parents, you have a big job raising children
and living with teenagers, and I encourage you to do all you
can to support your children's' development.
The Ministry
of Education Te Kotahitanga Project and the Staying at
School Reports reinforce the evidence that students staying
through to Year 13 and completing a minimum of NCEA level 2
greatly increases a young person's ability to transition on
to a successful adulthood.
Two current Ministry of
Education examples of the importance placed on parents are
Team-Up and Te Mana.
Team-Up, a programme for parents,
is a good example of providing advice to parents and whanau
on how they can support their children in their learning.
This advice includes:
.Attending parent-teacher
interviews
.Setting good homework routines
.Expecting attendance and knowing where to go to get
help.
.You can also sign up to receive the cool
magazines that you see promoted by Tana Umaga on
television.
Te Mana celebrates examples of Maori
achievement with the messages that Maori can achieve - Maori
do achieve. If you want to know more about Te Mana, then go
to the website and get all the tips for studying,
scholarships and how to be smart with your money so you can
get ahead in life.
Conclusion
It's almost the start of
the holidays and so take time to enjoy whanau, be active and
healthy - a little less of the pavlova and a little more
fruit and salad this Christmas and keep safe on our roads
and in the water as we head into 2008.
Thank you for the
opportunity to both speak and listen today. I feel
privileged to have been involved in the way that I have
been.
You are a unique community with a spirit and
energy that will keep things moving for the young people in
Mangakino. I encourage you to build quality relationships
with your children and young people, to encourage their
participation at all levels and to take up the challenge to
continue to build the achievements in your school. I also
encourage you to keep young people close, as decisions are
being made and to view your children and young people as
able partners in building solutions.
Kia Kaha, Kia Maia,
Kia Manawanui!
ENDS