Ngaro's News: July 2015

Alfred Ngaro, National List MP based in Te Atatu

Welcome to my July Newsletter. A lot has happened in the past few weeks. Congratulations to all recipients on the Queens Honours List particularly to my fellow Westies: Dr Michelle Dickinson, Sir Pita Sharples and Dr Christopher Hale. Thank you for your contribution to your communities, in your fields of expertise, and to New Zealand as a country.

The Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau) Bill that I’ve been working on passed its third reading in the House, giving these Pacific realm countries flexible options when retiring. Also, I’m really happy that my members’ bill on Local Government (Auckland Council) passed its first reading in the House last week.
Some highlights in June:

June 25: Dinner with the Prime Minister at the Croatian Hall, Te Atatū south.

June 10: Senior Citizens Morning Tea at Ranui Baptist Church, Krajl Tomislav Tour Fundraiser, Te Atatū.

June 3: Orakei Marae
The Māori and Pacific Trades inititiative at Orakei was an awesome event to attend with about 200 students from around Auckland in attendance. The initiative is about getting young people successfully through trades training and into apprenticeships and stable employment while meeting the skills needs of regional employers. As a Government we’re investing an additional $30 million over four years to increase the number of Māori and Pasifika trades Training places from 3,000 to 5,000. Many of our youth will be able to take advantage of these opportunities.

June 19: Ranui PIC ECE Puataunofo Aoga Amata
It was great to celebrate with Rev Elders Pelu Tuai and Uitime Solomona in the opening of the PIC Ece Puataunofo Aoga Amata’s Fale Samoa and refurbished playground. Ensuring every child gets the best possible start has always been our goal. That’s why we have increased ECE funding, and at the same time targeted it to help children from our most vulnerable communities. Puataunofo’s excellent work will contribute to reaching the Better Public Service target of 98 per cent of all children starting school having participated in ECE in 2016. National recognises that regular participation in quality ECE increases a child’s chance of future educational success.

June 29: Opening of Maternity Mental service in Te Atatū
I was honoured to attend with Health Minister Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman the opening of a new maternal mental health respite and support service in Te Atatu south. The new community-based service He Kakano Ora will provide crucial support to mums, babies and their wider families. The Government is committed to providing high quality mental health services. In Budget 2015 we invested an extra $18.2 million in maternal mental healthcare for the North Island. This funding has resulted in a range of new and enhanced services including the maternal mental health respite and support service in Te Atatu South, He Kakano Ora, as well as a new mother and baby unit at Starship Hospital.

At Pacific Media Network with Dr Rob Woonton, Ranui Baptist Church, Don Ryrie, and Tracey Adams.

At opening of Shri Ram Mandir and community centre in Henderson, Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards with winner Sita Selupe.

Press releases and columns
• 19 June: Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau) Bill voted in
• 19 June: Pension more portable to Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau
• 21 June: Bill to improve local electoral system passes first reading

Speeches in the House
• 2 June: Budget Debate
• 16 June: Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau)
• 18 June: Passports Amendment Bill (No 2)
• 18 June: Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau) Bill
• 23 June: Harmful Digital Communications Bill
• 24 June: Local Government (Auckland Council) Amendment Bill (No 3) First Reading

Video clips
• Te Atatū Croatian Hall, Krajl Tomislav tour Fundraiser
• Samoana boys

See my latest photos on Flickr!

ends

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