Hekia Parata
Release

Fourteen finalists have been selected from more than 200 entries for the prestigious 2016 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards, Education Minister Hekia Parata announced today.

The finalists come from Northland, Auckland, Waikato, the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Manawatu, Canterbury and Southland and include early childhood services, primary and secondary schools.

They were chosen by a panel of education experts from a total of 212 entries. 

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced that a new education research scholarship worth $15,000 a year for up to two years is to be awarded in honour of the 28th (Māori) Battalion.

“The Education Research Masters Scholarship will be awarded by the Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund to support an exciting, up-and-coming education thinker examining ways to ensure even more Māori enjoy and achieve education success as Māori,” says Ms Parata.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata today announced that the Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Board is now the official administrator of the 28th (Māori) Battalion’s name, emblem and trademark.

This role was previously the responsibility of the 28th (Māori) Battalion Association, which held a National Commemorative Ceremony in 2012 to mark its closure.

Ms Parata, who chairs the Board, says the Association saw the Board as the natural successor to protect the name and emblem of the 28th (Māori) Battalion.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata today planted poppies and white crosses with children at a Palmerston North early learning centre to commemorate New Zealanders who served in World War One, as part of the Fields of Remembrance project.

“I was delighted to join Secret Garden Childcare in establishing their Field of Remembrance, singing the national anthem and exploring a light armoured vehicle,” says Ms Parata.

Hekia Parata
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today announced the five outstanding winners of the Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship was established in 1948 in honour of the 28th Māori Battalion and supports future Māori leaders to be successful in education.

Ms Parata, who is Chair of the Scholarship Fund Board, says that this year’s winners share the same qualities that earned the battalion an honoured place in New Zealand history.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata says thousands of secondary school students will have free access to new online tools to help them with maths and literacy.

E-Ako Maths is an interactive online resource currently used every year in primary schools. Since 2012, tens of thousands of students have solved maths problems and answered questions at their own pace to enhance their class work.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata has paid tribute to Sir Brother Patrick Lynch KNZM for his service to education as he steps down from his role as CEO of the Association of Proprietors’ of Integrated Schools (APIS) after 22 years.

Sir Brother Patrick is also stepping down from his role as CEO of the New Zealand Catholic Education Office (NZCEO) having announced his retirement in January 2015.

Ms Parata says he has made an immense contribution to education in New Zealand and internationally throughout his long and distinguished career.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata says she is delighted by the record number of entries for the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards.

“It’s fantastic that so much of the excellent work being done every day has been put forward, so it can be recognised, celebrated and showcased,” says Ms Parata.

Entries have more than doubled this year to over 200 and have come from 91 early childhood services and schools.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata acknowledges that a settlement has been reached between the Ministry of Education, Teach First NZ, The University of Auckland and the PPTA in relation to the Teach First NZ programme.

“This means that Teach First NZ can continue getting some of the best and brightest graduates into the schools that need them most,” says Ms Parata.

Teach First NZ recruits high-achieving graduates and places them in low-decile secondary schools for an initial two-year commitment. 

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata today congratulated the Wellington region on becoming one of the first three in the country to achieve the Government’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) participation target.

Speaking at an early learning provider hui in Porirua, Ms Parata said the Wellington region had already achieved the 98 per cent participation target the Government set for the end of this year.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed a review of a new service for students with the highest needs which has found it is improving behaviour and educational outcomes.

“Almost all the families involved in the study saw the Intensive Wraparound Service (IWS) as a major improvement for their children with some describing it as a life-saver,” says Ms Parata.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Projections showing students are on track to surpass challenging educational targets almost two years ahead of schedule have been hailed by Education Minister Hekia Parata.

“In today’s world kids need meaningful qualifications to make the most of their talents and opportunities,” says Ms Parata. “These figures show more young New Zealanders than ever before are entering adulthood with the skills and tools they need to succeed.”

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata says public consultation over the Education Act shows New Zealanders want their kids to receive a well-rounded education that equips them to play a full part in the modern world.

Ms Parata today released a summary of public submissions on the proposed update of the 27-year-old Act.

“The summary shows New Zealanders want their kids to succeed academically, to be prepared for work and future life and to be helped to become good citizens. They also want their cultural heritage to be recognised and valued.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

A new exchange programme will give New Zealand principals the chance to lead schools in South Australia, Education Minister Hekia Parata announced today at this year’s first National Cross-Sector Forum in Wellington.

The South Australia/New Zealand Principal Exchange, established by the Ministry of Education and the South Australian Department for Education and Child Development, will see one primary principal and one secondary principal exchange schools in term three with principals of schools in South Australia that have similar student rolls to their own.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry and prominent businessman John Bongard will be among the judges for this year’s Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards, Education Minister Hekia Parata announced today.

“These awards celebrate the best of what is happening in education and I am delighted that Sir Graham, Mr Bongard and the other judges have agreed to give up their time to judge this year’s awards.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Two outstanding New Zealand teachers will head to the United States to study after being granted 2016 Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching, says Education Minister Hekia Parata.

“These awards are a special opportunity for the best New Zealand teachers to study and participate in intensive professional development in the United States,” says Ms Parata.

The award recipients are Sarah Kennedy, Head of Special Education at Waimea College in Nelson; and Simon McMillan, Head of the Science Department at Kaikorai Valley College, Dunedin.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

International education experts at the sixth International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) in Berlin are impressed with our fledgling Communities of Learning, says Education Minister Hekia Parata.

The annual Summit brings together education ministers, teachers, leaders and experts from countries with the top-performing education systems in the world to discuss best teaching practice.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata has met with the Estonian Education and Research Minister Jürgen Ligi and education experts in Tallinn to learn about the rapid progress Estonia has made in lifting educational achievement.

“New Zealand’s education system is recognised around the world as being one of the best, but there’s more we can learn from other countries in order to systematically lift achievement,” says Ms Parata.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata will today travel to Europe to attend the sixth International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) in Berlin. She will be accompanied by teachers and union leaders from New Zealand.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Education Minister Hekia Parata today released provisional NCEA data showing that more Māori and Pasifika students are achieving Level 2 than ever before.

“NCEA Level 2 is the passport to a better future so this increase is great news for our young Māori and Pasifika students,” says Ms Parata.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

New research showing the overwhelming majority of teachers believe in their ability to make a difference for kids has been welcomed by Education Minister Hekia Parata.

“Several surveys have established a link between teachers’ self-belief and higher levels of student achievement and motivation so I am delighted that our teachers are confident in their ability,” says Ms Parata.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Provisional NCEA data showing student achievement is continuing to rise has been welcomed by Education Minister Hekia Parata.

“Education is more important than ever before and these results show more of our kids than ever are gaining the qualifications they need at school,” says Ms Parata.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

As Christchurch’s new education network rises from the rubble, Education Minister Hekia Parata has praised all those involved in shepherding Christchurch’s kids through extremely difficult times.

“Despite the trauma of the 22 February 2011 earthquake and thousands of aftershocks, student achievement in the region has continued to rise. That’s a testament to the resilience, determination and hard work of students, parents, teachers, principals, boards and support staff,” says Ms Parata.

Hekia Parata Education
Release

Forty eight Mandarin Language Assistants were officially welcomed today to New Zealand during a visit to Parliament.

The graduates, from 16 Chinese universities, will spend the year assisting teachers of Mandarin in 112 schools. They are in Wellington for an orientation week run by Victoria University’s Confucius Institute.

“Having the assistants in our classrooms gives students and teachers the opportunity to engage with young Mandarin speakers, providing real insight into the language and culture,” says Ms Parata.

Hekia Parata