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Hon Hekia Parata

17 May, 2013

$136 million investment fast tracks school network upgrades

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced the Government will invest $136 million over the next four years to complete the School Network Upgrade Project (SNUP) by 2016 - two years ahead of schedule.

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16 May, 2013

Investment in education increases to over $9.7b

Budget 2013 delivers $901 million in the current year and over the next four years for operating initiatives to lift educational achievement at every level of the system – from early childhood, to primary, to secondary, and into training for work, Education Minister Hekia Parata says.

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16 May, 2013

Schools: $215m more for student achievement

Budget 2013 reinforces the Government’s commitment to schools with an extra $215 million over four years to further lift student achievement, Education Minister Hekia Parata says.

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16 May, 2013

Early childhood education: $172.5m extra

Budget 2013 will deliver $172.5 million over four years in new operating investment for early childhood education, Education Minister Hekia Parata says.

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15 May, 2013

Learning Media Ltd Board Appointments

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced the appointment of Jenn Bestwick as Chair of Learning Media Ltd, and the reappointment of Taria Tahana as a director.

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15 May, 2013

Top scholars recognised

Wellington College students Thomas Leggat and Nicholas On have been jointly awarded this year’s Prime Minister’s Award for Academic Excellence.

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15 May, 2013

More early childhood education in places of highest need

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced that nearly 700 more children will have access to quality early childhood education thanks to the Targeted Assistance for Participation Fund.

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14 May, 2013

Education Amendment Bill provides further opportunities for the New Zealand education system

The Education Amendment Bill has passed its second reading in Parliament today.

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10 May, 2013

Minister invites Australia to International Summit on the Teaching Profession in 2014

Education Minister Hekia Parata profiled New Zealand’s educational achievement at the Australian Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood Education in Sydney today.

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8 May, 2013

Budget 2013: Supporting parents and communities to lift educational achievement

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced the Government is investing $80.5 million of operating funding over four years in Budget 2013 to help support parents and communities play their role in lifting the educational achievement of young people.

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24 April, 2013

Minister announces New Zealand will host the 4th International Summit on the Teaching Profession

Education Minister Hekia Parata welcomes the news that New Zealand has been successful in the bid to host the fourth International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) in March 2014.

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18 April, 2013

Minister welcomes Pacific Parliamentary and Political Leaders Forum delegation

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata welcomes the first Pacific Parliamentary and Political Leaders Forum hosted by the Government today in Parliament. Around 70 Pacific Members of Parliament from across the Pacific region arrived in Wellington last night to participate in the 4-day programme.

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18 April, 2013

Speech House Debate: Pacific Parliamentary and Political Leaders’ Forum

Mr Speaker, we are joined today in the House by a number of special guests, the delegates attending the inaugural Pacific Parliamentary and Political Leaders’ Forum. I would like to extend a very warm Aotearoa New Zealand welcome to each of them.

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18 April, 2013

NCEA results show more Māori and Pasifika students achieving

Education and Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed new figures which show more students are achieving NCEA Level 2, particularly Pasifika students.

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16 April, 2013

Bill will improve opportunities for all young New Zealanders

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed the Select Committee report back on the Education Amendment Bill, saying that it will provide a stronger foundation to raise the educational achievement of all young New Zealanders.

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12 April, 2013

Speech to the Tamaki Learning Provider's Hui

Tēnā koutou katoa, Talofa lava, Kia orana, Mālō e lelei, Ni sa bula vinaka, Taloha ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, and greetings to you all.

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11 April, 2013

Speech to Auckland Primary Principals Association in Taupō

As principals, you have a vital role to play as leaders of our education sector, and I’d like to thank you all for your hard work and dedication.

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9 April, 2013

Lifting educational achievement through increased early childhood education participation

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed new provisional figures which show an increase in the number of children participating in early childhood education, particularly Māori and Pacific Island children.

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8 April, 2013

Uniting for a healthier Porirua

The Government wants to work with the Porirua community to reduce the number of local people being admitted to Wellington Hospital with preventable conditions.

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4 April, 2013

Vocational Pathways to success

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Education Minister Hekia Parata have this morning launched the final Vocational Pathway publications, allowing senior secondary and foundation tertiary students to make more informed decisions about how their learning choices relate to future employment possibilities.

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28 March, 2013

Minister thanks greater Christchurch schools for their feedback

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today thanked all the schools in greater Christchurch who have provided feedback on the interim decisions announced last month.

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27 March, 2013

Final decisions for 12 greater Christchurch schools

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today announced final decisions for 12 schools in greater Christchurch affected by the Government’s Education Renewal Plans.

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27 March, 2013

New Wakatipu primary school proposed to open in 2015

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced the Government is proposing to open a new primary school in 2015 to cater for the growing population in the Wakatipu Basin.

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9 March, 2013

Minister launches Triennial Board of Trustees Elections

Education Minister Hekia Parata is encouraging people with a mix of skills and experience to step forward and become a board member of their local school.

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8 March, 2013

Annual Auckland Pasifika Festival continues to grow

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata says the 2013 Auckland Pasifika Festival will continue to provide festival-goers with the chance to share in Pacific culture, traditions and customs as it extends its festival from one to two days.

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8 March, 2013

Minister to attend International Summit on the Teaching Profession with Union and Teacher leaders

Education Minister Hekia Parata will attend the third International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) in Amsterdam next week accompanied by union and teacher leaders.

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8 March, 2013

Two new schools proposed for North-East Hamilton

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced the Government is proposing to build two new schools in North-East Hamilton to help serve the growing population.

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7 March, 2013

Minister praises school charter completion

Education Minister Hekia Parata has praised the focus schools have put on submitting their charters, saying their work is greatly appreciated.

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7 March, 2013

Minister thanks Aranui schools for their submissions

Education Minister Hekia Parata has thanked the five Aranui schools for their submissions on the Education Renewal Plans in greater Christchurch which have been received by the Ministry of Education.

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28 February, 2013

Appointment of independent advisor on kōhanga reo

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today announced the appointment of Sir Michael Cullen as an independent advisor to work with the Crown and Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust.

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