June 2009
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 30/06/2009 - 11:12pm
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As if yesterday's news of yet another student association executive member being jailed for misappropriation of funds wasn't enough, I discovered today that Canterbury University has announced - with support from its student association - an enormous increase in its compulsory student services levy.
As of next year, this fee will increase from $85 to $533 per year – a 627 percent increase – in order to "maintain services".
If I were faced with a 627 percent increase in fees, I'd certainly be expecting somewhere around a 627 percent increase in services.
Does anyone really think this is acceptable? What do students think they are going to get for this increase? Is this value for money?
It's time for Voluntary Student Membership.
A comparison would be good. Can anyone help with fees for other Universities and Tertiary Institutions?
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 30/06/2009 - 3:12pm
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Legislation in Parliament this week (June 30-July 2).
Government Bills:
Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Forestry Sector) Amendment Bill - Second Reading, Committee Stage, Third Reading
ACT to Support
Motor Vehicles Sales Amendment Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support
Road User Amendment Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support
Members’ Bills:
Climate Change (Transport Funding) Bill - First Reading
ACT to Oppose
Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support
Liquor Advertising (Television and Radio) Bill - First Reading
ACT to Oppose
Sustainable Biofuel Bill - First Reading
TBC
For a more detailed rundown of Parliament this week, click on 'In The House' or visit http://www.roy.org.nz/inthehouse.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 30/06/2009 - 2:26pm
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As part of the public consultation phase for Defence Review 2009, the Ministry of Defence has developed a number of informative tools to help people understand more about the Review and the New Zealand defence Force (NZDF).
These tools include a public consultation document and brochure - officially released as part of the Defence Review 2009 public consultation launch on Friday June 26 at Te Papa - and a short DVD of NZDF images and comentary. This DVD will be used at information sessions on Defence Review 2009 around the country and is truly inspiring. Check it out below.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Mon, 29/06/2009 - 3:32pm
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The discovery of what has been described as a "massive fraud" at the Christchurch Polytechnic Students' Association (CPSA) has stregthened the case for student association membership to be made voluntary.
According to an article in today's 'Press' newspaper, former CPSA office manager Helen Lenihan has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for stealing $175,000 from the association - $125,000 of which was unrecoverable. The CPSA case is just the latest in a series of thefts or misuses of funds from student associations throughout the country.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Mon, 29/06/2009 - 1:13pm
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Last Friday, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and I launched the public consultation phase of Defence Review 2009 at Te Papa Marae. Te Papa was the perfect venue as it is 'our place' and it signifies the future - forward looking and reflects the multi-cultural nature of the New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand as a whole.
We are seeking the views of Kiwis on the direction of the NZDF into the future. The public consultation document released at Friday's launch features a submission form and the document is available at public libraries, RSA Clubrooms and electronically (as a PDF) on the Ministry of Defence website (www.defence.govt.nz). The document poses ten questions ranging from what the role of the NZDF should be at home, in the South Pacific region and beyond, through to how the NZDF can best manage recruitment and retention, training and the role of Reserves. This is the chance for New Zealanders to have their say.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 23/06/2009 - 2:26pm
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With the media focussing much of our attention on the negative aspects of daily life - crime rates, troubled youth and the economic downturn - we could be forgiven for thinking that New Zealand, as a society, has lost its way.
News website 'Stuff' today featured an article based on the findings of the Reader's Digest New Zealand's Most Trusted survey. According to the survey, the individuals that New Zealanders trust the most are medal recipients and include: Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata, Olympic medallists Barbara Kendall, Peter Snell, Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell, Valerie Vili, Hamish Carter and Dame Susan Devoy.
Clearly, New Zealanders still respect and admire the core Kiwi attributes of hard work, dedication and humility.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 23/06/2009 - 2:22pm
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Legislation in the House this week.
Government Bills:
Appropriation (2008/09 Supplementary Estimates) Bill - Second and Third Readings
ACT to Support
Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Forestry Sector) Amendment Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support
Land Transport Amendment Bill (No 4) - Third Reading
ACT to Support
Parliamentary Service (Continuation of Interim Meaning of Funding for Parliamentary Purposes) Bill - Third Reading
ACT to Support
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Bill - Committee Stages
ACT to Support
Radio New Zealand Amendment Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support
Motor Vehicles Sales Amendment Bill (Minister Heather Roy) - First Reading
Act to Support
Disputes Tribunals Amendment Bill - Second Reading
ACT to Support
A more detailed rundown of Parliament this week can be viewed by clicking on 'In The House' or at http://www.roy.org.nz/inthehouse.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Sun, 21/06/2009 - 11:15pm
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It's feeling like it will be a long hard winter. With tightening budgets and increased power use a certainty over the next couple of months many people are trying to work out how to keep their electricity costs down. I'm getting plenty of letters about power prices in my Consumer Affairs portfolio.
I suspect most kiwis have no idea if they are on the right electricity pricing plan to suit their needs or whether they are signed up to the most appropriate electricity provider. I'm also pretty sure that not many know about Powerswitch. It is a free, independent, internet-based electricity cost comparison service that tells people the choices available to them and allows them to determine if they are signed up to the right plan.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Sat, 20/06/2009 - 9:20pm
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22 years to the day after the All Blacks won the first Rugby World Cup (June 20, 1987)they took on the French again today at the Cake Tin in Wellington. The first Rugby World Cup was held in 1987 – hosted by New Zealand and Australia – and has proved elusive for the All Blacks ever since.
On June 20 1987 – with tries to Michael Jones, John Kirwan and captain David Kirk – the All Blacks defeated France 29-9 at Eden Park to take the first ever Rugby World Cup. On that day, David Kirk became the first – and, to date, only –All Black captain to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy.
What a difference a week makes - after a disastrous game for the All Blacks against the French last week they certainly had it together tonight to win 14-10. Even with the presence of their mascot, the rooster (sometimes on the field) the French were unable to muster the points to beat the All Blacks.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Fri, 19/06/2009 - 12:00pm
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As Gifted Awareness Week comes to a close I decided to take the opportunity to focus on the work being done to support gifted and talented children in our schools and classrooms.
This morning I had the chance to spend some time with the students from the Gifted Kids Programme in their Wilford School unit. Before doing so, I met with Clive Sharpe, Executive Principal of the Gifted Kids Programme and Fay Mayo, Principal of Wilford School.
Both spoke very positively of the Gifted Kids Programme and the impact it has on the development and learning of participating students.
The children attend the Gifted Kids Programme once a week and come from several different schools in the Lower Hutt area.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 17/06/2009 - 9:32am
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In the House this week – June 16-18 2009.
Government Bills:
Appropriation (2009/10 Estimates) Bill - Debate contd
ACT to Support
Land Transport Amendment Bill (No 4) - Second Reading
ACT to Support
Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support
Parliamentary Service (Continuation of Interim Meaning of Funding for Parliamentary Purposes) Bill - Second Reading
ACT to Support
Members' Bills:
Resource Management (Climate Protection) Amendment Bill - Second Reading
ACT to Oppose
Sale of Liquor (Youth Alcohol Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill - Second Reading
Conscience vote
Public Works (Offer Back of and Compensation for Acquired Land) Amendment Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support to Select Committee
Climate Change (Transport Funding) Bill - First Reading
ACT to Oppose
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Mon, 15/06/2009 - 9:26pm
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Today is the beginning of Gifted Awareness Week, a nationwide initiative from June 15-22 that is designed to raise awareness of the Gifted Education Centre and of the needs of gifted students throughout the country.
It is a sad fact that public attention of our young people usually falls into two categories: celebrating success on an event-by-event basis, or focusing on young people who are either troubled or in trouble.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Fri, 12/06/2009 - 10:52am
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Every now and again I get the opportunity to honour someone for achieving a milestone and yesterday I was able to be involved in another of these occasions.
When I became Minister of Consumer Affairs, I learned that several of Minister of Consumer Affairs staffmembers were studying toward the National Diploma in Public Sector Compliance (Weights and Measures) Level 6. Only individuals employed by in the Measurement and Product Safety Service (MAPSS) can gain this qualification and, to date, there have been only two.
Yesterday afternoon, however, that number rose to three. In a special ceremony in my office, I was pleased to present 26-year-old Ben Aitken with his diploma - cheered on by Ben’s manager Stephen O’Brien and some of my office staff.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Fri, 12/06/2009 - 12:39am
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Every year my teenage children have gone to support their school's entry in the Stage Challenge contest and have reported how exceptional the performances have been. I went along for the first time tonight and arrived home to report that this years competition was better than ever. The 8 minute dance and drama performances have their story lines developed and choreographed by the students themselves. Costumes are also designed and made by support student crews, as are the stage sets. The themes were sophisticated and the talent and effort put in by large numbers of students was amazing.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 10/06/2009 - 11:09pm
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Today I was invited to Wilford School in Petone to attend a concert by the New Zealand String Quartet. Sponsored by the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), the concert was part of HSBC Music4life – a series of concerts held throughout the country as part of the Gifted Kids Programme – and in conjunction with the New Zealand String Quartet.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 10/06/2009 - 9:48pm
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Page six of yesterday's 'Dominion Post' featured an article about Churton Park which - with just one school, a lone dairy and a real estate agent's hut - is described as “the Wellington suburb that progress forgot”.
Having campaigned in 2002 and 2005 in the Ohariu electorate (then Ohariu-Belmont) I am aware of some of the issues that Churton Park residents face
The past 15 years have seen Churton Park undergo considerable growth and locals have long lobbied for a shopping complex - or supermarket at the very least - and a second school. The need for an additional school has grown increasingly urgent as the existing school's roll has reached bursting point.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 09/06/2009 - 8:29am
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About two weeks ago, an estimated 300 people gathered in a Wellington Church to commemorate America's Memorial Day - the US equivalent to our ANZAC Day, when we remember those who died to protect our freedom and our way of life.
The only time in history that New Zealand has ever been physically and geographically threatened with invasion and domination that was in the first six months of 1942. Until then, New Zealand servicepeople who had died for their country - in the Maori Wars, the Boer War, WWI, the Battle of Britain, in Greece and Crete - had done so while fighting for Britain and the British Empire.
At that time there was the belief that the Mother Country would always protect us. The fall of Singapore in February 1942 showed that Britain, her Empire and her Navy could not protect us in our hour of need - that was left to the seamen and airmen of another country, and many died in the process of saving us from tyranny.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Thu, 04/06/2009 - 5:33pm
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New Zealand Cadet Forces are one of my defence areas of responsibility. When I was in Tauranga last weekend to speak to the Bay of Plenty Officers' Club I visited the local Cadet units and was warmly greeted with an honour guard made up of members of the Western Bay of Plenty Cadet Unit of the New Zealand Cadet Corps and the 16 Squadron Air Training Corps.
Together with the Sea Cadet Corps, the New Zealand Cadet Corps and the Air Training Corps make up the New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF) - a voluntary, disciplined, uniformed youth leadership training organisation for boys and girls aged 13-18. Established in Dunedin in 1864 and often referred to simply as 'Cadets', the organisation is directed by the Chief of Defence Force on behalf of the Minister of Defence and - although not officially a part of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) - is supported in partnership by the NZDF and the community.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 03/06/2009 - 8:33pm
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Today, I joined the maiden voyage of the fourth and last of the Navy's Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs), HMNZS Taupo, from Whangarei to Devonport Naval Base.
There is quite a handover process from shipbuilder to Ministry of Defence to Navy when a new ship is built. Last week, I attended the formal acceptance of the Taupo - a handover ceremony where I signed to accept the ship from shipbuilders - BAE Systems - on behalf of the Government. The following morning the Taupo's Commissioning Ceremony was conducted on the dockside. Local Iwi (Nga Puhi) participated in the blessing of the Taupo before her Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Clarkson, and crew marched on to strike first colours making her officially the property of the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Finally testing and training was conducted in the following few days and today's passage completed the process. On board, also, were two Fisheries Officers. The IPVs will see much use by other government agencies.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 02/06/2009 - 1:24pm
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In the House this week.
Government Bills:
Appropriation (2009/10 Estimates) Bill - debate continued
ACT to Support
Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill - First Reading
Act to Support
Vehicle Seizure and Confiscation Bill- First Reading
Act to Support
Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support
Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support
A more detailed rundown of Parliament this week can be viewed by clicking on 'In The House' or at http://www.roy.org.nz/inthehouse.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Mon, 01/06/2009 - 11:30am
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Sir John Walker has a nice ring to it. I remember well sitting in my Form 2 classroom listening to the radio commentary of the 1500m at the Montreal Olympic Games. There was jubilation in the classroom of 12 year olds as John Walker crossed the line to take the gold medal. His comment today that "I was a young boy who had a dream and worked hard" speaks volumes and his work more recently with young people make his honour well deserved.
With the reinstatement of titles Sir John is joined in recieving his top honour (Knight Companion of the Order) by two Dames (Dame Companions of the Order)- Dame Jenny Gibbs and Dame Iritana Tawiwhirangi.
Dame Jenny Gibbs is best known for her huge contribution to the arts but is less known for her passion and work behind the scenes in education.
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