Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye will turn the soil at a ceremony tomorrow morning to mark the start of construction of Hamilton’s new Rototuna Junior High School.

“Rototuna is Hamilton’s fastest growing community, and this new school reflects the Government’s commitment to ensure school capacity matches changing population trends,” says Ms Kaye.

The school, estimated to cost $40 million to build, will have capacity for up to 1,200 students from years seven to 10, and is due to open at the start of 2016.

With many of us finishing our summer break and gearing up for the new work and school year, now’s the time to check that we’re prepared for an emergency, says Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye.

“The start of the year provides a great opportunity to sit down and develop your household emergency plan.

“Learn about the hazards in your area, figure out where you’ll meet if you can’t get home, decide who your emergency contacts will be and check what supplies you will need.”

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says 2015 will see major school property developments as the Government invests around $650 million in maintaining, modernising and replacing buildings and infrastructure.

“A number of new schools will open in the next few weeks, and this year will see a continuation of the major redevelopment of existing schools,” says Ms Kaye.

The new schools include Ormiston Primary School in Flat Bush, Auckland; Endeavour School in Flagstaff, Hamilton; and Shotover Primary School, near Queenstown.

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye says 100 young people have been selected to take part in this year’s Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, which kicks off in Auckland next week.

“This week-long programme is about fostering and celebrating the achievements of young people living in Auckland, who are facing and successfully managing challenges in their lives,” says Ms Kaye.

“During the week, everyone involved will get to take part in a range of workshops and activities.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and ACC Minister Nikki Kaye say consultation starts today on ACC support towards free kids’ doctors’ visits.

“From July next year, children aged 13 years and under will be able to access free doctors’ visits and prescriptions,” says Dr Coleman.

“This will make healthcare more accessible, take pressure off busy hospital emergency departments and improve the wellbeing of our children.”

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye today announced $100,000 in funding to expand the ‘Youth in Emergency Services’ programme to ten new communities around New Zealand.

This will mean up to 16 young people in each of the following communities can be part of the programme in 2015: Hurunui, Taupō, Kawakawa/Moerewa, Central Otago, Taranaki, Upper Hutt, Kapiti, Murupara, Maketu and Katikati.

“This is an exciting programme that opens the door for young people to volunteer or follow a career path in emergency services, such as fire, ambulance and search and rescue.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye confirmed today that $23.5 million of funding has been approved towards the second stage of redevelopment of Southern Cross Campus.
 
Southern Cross is a decile 1, co-ed state school for years 1 to 13 in Māngere, Auckland.
 
“This is about fulfilling the Government’s commitment to prioritise several major school redevelopments in Auckland.
 

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye is pleased to announce that 12 successful applicants will receive a total of $500,000 over three years, to deliver initiatives for youth supported by the Financial Literacy Fund.

“I expect around 10,000 young people will benefit from these initiatives, including many from identified communities of need, such as Kaitaia and South Auckland.

“The fund supports organisations to help young people improve their financial awareness, so they can do everything from avoid getting into debt, to maybe one day starting their own business.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced that CORE Education has been chosen to deliver the Ministry of Education’s new Learning Technologies Advisory (LTA) Service.

A total of $5 million will be invested in the service over three years, starting in 2015.

“This service is about helping teachers take advantage of digital technology to enhance learning in our schools.

“The world is now awash with digital resources, such as interactive, online learning tools, that can help make teaching and learning more engaging and more effective.

Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye welcomes the appointment of Sarah Stuart-Black, the new Director at the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM).

“The appointment was made by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, in consultation with me about the requirements of the role.”

“Sarah has strong national and international experience, and a broad understanding of managing emergencies, as well as building and maintaining systems to prepare for, respond to and recover from them.”

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye today launched the ‘Youth Enterprise Fund’, aimed at helping today’s young people become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.

“The fund is part of the Government’s 2014 Budget announcement of $2.5 million of new funding for youth enterprise initiatives.

“This is about growing the next generation of confident citizens, who can contribute to their communities and make their mark in ways that deliver cultural, economic and environmental benefits.”

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye has today announced the successful applicants for Youth Fund 2015.

Youth Fund supports youth led and designed projects that enable young people to develop decision-making and leadership skills, and engage with and contribute to their communities.

“I am pleased to announce that 47 projects will be supported in 2015. These encompass everything from the performing arts and leadership workshops, to environmental projects and community events,” Ms Kaye says. “Initiatives for disabled youth are also included.”

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye today announced the opening of a Financial Literacy Fund to support organisations to deliver financial literacy skills to young people.

“The fund will prioritise initiatives focused on assisting disadvantaged youth. In Budget 2014, Government announced $2.5 million of new funding over the next three years for youth enterprise initiatives,” Ms Kaye says.

“The funding will support young people to learn financial literacy and business enterprise skills, as well as get opportunities to develop social-enterprise projects. 

On a visit today to Clifton Terrace Model School in Wellington, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced funding of $5.4 million to enable upgrades to improve wireless connectivity for more than 400 schools.

Ms Kaye says it’s a significant boost for staff and students who want to be more mobile with their devices while at school.

A multi-million dollar upgrade has been confirmed for The Gardens School in Manurewa by Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye.

Ms Parata says the redevelopment is expected to cost up to $22 million and is a significant commitment to the school and its community.

“This will help ensure The Gardens is a school where the kids from the local community can continue to get a great education.

The rollout of fast internet to schools continues to exceed expectations with the connection by Network for Learning (N4L) of the 1000th school to the Government’s Managed Network, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says.

“I am delighted to be able to today visit Stanley Avenue School in the Waikato town of Te Aroha, the 1000th school to be connected. This means that 40 per cent of New Zealand schools are now connected to the Managed Network.

Minister for ACC Nikki Kaye today welcomed the release of the Accident Compensation Corporation’s Annual Report, which shows its financial performance is improving.

ACC has achieved a surplus of $2.1billion - $300 million ahead of budget.

Levies will be reduced in 2015, and more reductions are expected from 2016, as the three levy accounts are now fully funded.

“I have written to the ACC Board to acknowledge this result. The Annual Report shows ACC is making good progress.