International Women’s Day cycling event expands

Source: Massey University – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: International Women’s Day cycling event expands

International Women’s Day cycling event expands

Cycling enthusiasts, from left, Ellie Clayton from ChangeMakers Refugee Forum, tutor Nicola Macaulay from Massey University’s Centre for Defence and Security Studies, Leidy Hurtado who took part in the event last year, Cushla Donovan from Revolve cycles and former postgraduate student Alex Neems who are participating in the 2018 cycling event to coincide with International Women’s Day.

For the second consecutive year, Massey University has teamed up with other Wellington organisations for a community event that invites former refugee women to improve their bike riding skills.

Coinciding with International Women’s Day on Thursday, senior lecturer Dr Negar Partow and tutor Nicola Macaulay from the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at the Wellington campus, have teamed up with the group including the non-governmental organisation ChangeMakers Refugee Forum, to offer the women new to Wellington the opportunity to try a new skill and meet others in a similar situation.

Cycle trails and simple obstacle courses will be set up at Kilbirnie Park as instructors from Revolve, ReBicycle Wellington and MUD Cycles, take the women through the cycling basics.

This year, similar events will also be held at The Esplanade in Palmerston North and the Sandringham Road extension in Auckland.

Undertaking such an activity was a great way for the women to take their minds off their own struggles to re-settle at a time when the plight of refugees and rising nationalism dominate world headlines, Dr Partow says.

It also highlighted Massey’s relationship with the city’s NGOs and wider community, and hopefully signalled to other Wellington businesses the importance of engaging in social activism.

“Settling into a new culture and facing the challenges of adapting to a different way of life can be incredibly stressful for former refugees who have fled conflict and destruction in their home country,” Ms Macaulay says.

Dr Partow adds: “Participating in social and sporting activities allows diverse communities to interrelate and exchange ideas about some of those challenges.”

Ms Macaulay says the main point of the cycling morning was for women to come together and have fun.

“Agencies have come together to make these opportunities possible. It’s important that organisations do more of this and reach out to refugee background populations.”

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March 6, 2018

Will Labour Repeat Nats’ Fail Mark on NCEA?

Source: ACT Party

Headline: Will Labour Repeat Nats’ Fail Mark on NCEA?

“The New Zealand Initiative’s new report Spoiled By Choice is a severe indictment on the National Party, whose targets for NCEA pass rates severely distorted the system, and a massive challenge for Labour, who are now promising change”, says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“The thoroughly-researched report calls New Zealand’s whole secondary school qualifications framework into question.

“I set this problem out in my election year book, Own Your Future, when I said: ‘The government understands the importance of education, but its Better Public Service targets have just helped disguise the problem by encouraging schools to massage data. While the Ministry of Education crows that more eighteen year olds are leaving High School with NCEA Level 2 qualifications, international evidence shows that in objective tests that aren’t graded by friendly teachers we are going backwards.’”

“The OECD’s PISA rankings saw New Zealand schoolchildren’s ranking in English, Maths and Science achievement drop relative to other countries between 2009 and 2012. The most recent results, in 2015, saw our kids gain a few places in the rankings, but with worse test results.

“The frenetic, grandiloquent diva that could only be Hekia Parata has exhorted them to succeed over the past five years. Nearly singing her way through her speeches, Parata would often say things like “we must get Pasifika Level 2 pass rates to 80 per cent by 2017!”

“Of course, setting such a challenge in 2014 was implausible. The students in question started school eight years earlier and preschool nearly a decade earlier. The whole point of the Government’s ‘social investment model’ is that a stitch in time saves nine; that a dollar spent on a kid early can get them back on track and save many taxpayer dollars later on. And yet we are expected to believe that students from 2010-16 made enormous improvements after the Government set targets.

“A more plausible explanation comes from a visiting British expert, Briar Lipson of the New Zealand Initiative, who said: ‘Between 2002 and 2004, NCEA replaced the traditional trio of School Certificate, University Entrance and Bursary. With its equal emphasis on academic and vocational programmes, NCEA puts course choices from nuclear physics to nail technology into the hands of teachers, parents and students. Then in 2007 the new New Zealand Curriculum was introduced. A high-level document, it leaves much of the selection of curriculum content to its teachers… It is hard to imagine a system more likely to accentuate the gap between our ‘haves’ and our ‘have nots’”.

“On average, our students compare well with the rest of the world, but outcomes have got worse for kids from poorer backgrounds. That’s a concern, because these are the students who need good education the most. But, surprisingly, outcomes have also dropped for kids from better off families. We’re often told by teacher unions that bad educational outcomes are the result of income, race, colonisation – anything, in fact, except the education system itself. But they are wrong. The fix for bad education is better education. The party that will provide it is ACT.

“The New Zealand Initiative report is meticulously researched and comprehensively damning. If we want students to leave school well-equipped for 21st century jobs, and if we want to have a high-productivity, high-wage economy, the new Government must take its recommendations seriously and restore basic educational standards so that students cannot avoid numeracy and literacy requirements”, says Mr Seymour.

March 6, 2018

Submissions on End of Life Choice Closing Soon

Source: ACT Party

Headline: Submissions on End of Life Choice Closing Soon

The chance for New Zealanders to submit their opinions on the End of Life Choice Bill closes midnight on Tuesday 6 March.

“Over 14,000 submissions have been received by Parliament’s Justice Committee with four more days to go,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“I’d encourage anyone thinking about writing a submission to do so this weekend and not miss the chance to have their voice heard by the Justice Committee.”

“I’d also suggest taking five minutes to watch a short video from our #MyLifeMyChoice campaign which I launched to highlight the personal stories of Kiwis suffering from terminal illnesses.”

Our campaign videos have been viewed over 100,000 times, and shared nearly 1000 times, on Facebook.

You can view the videos on the End of Life Choice NZ Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/LifeChoiceNZ/

Follow the link below to make your submission on End of Life Choice:

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/52SCJU_SCF_BILL_74307/end-of-life-choice-bill

March 6, 2018

Bridges pays tribute to Steven Joyce

Source: National Party – Headline: Bridges pays tribute to Steven Joyce

National Party Leader Simon Bridges has thanked retiring MP Steven Joyce for his service to New Zealand and the National Party.

“Steven has made a huge contribution during his 15 year political career, including in the last decade in Parliament. In that time he has proven an exceptional minister, colleague, advisor and political strategist.

“As a minister, Steven has played a major role in helping create a stronger New Zealand, particularly in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis.

“Among his many successes, he oversaw the rollout of the ambitious Ultra-Fast Broadband programme, ensuring New Zealand is one of the most digitally advanced economies in the world.

“As Science and Innovation Minister he worked with the private sector to substantially lift investment in R and D, helping pave the way for some of the world leading science and business initiatives we are seeing and benefiting from today.

“And as Transport Minister he helped make New Zealand’s roads safer and more resilient, through initiatives like the Roads of National Significance.

“He was someone both John Key and Bill English turned to for advice and to get things done. That meant he was given some tough tasks but he consistently rose to those challenges. And I will also continue to use him as a sounding board as the National Party looks to 2020.

“He played a major role in rebuilding the National Party, leading the past five elections and helping turn National into New Zealand’s largest and most popular political party.

“Steven is a huge loss to Parliament and to the National Party and I want to thank him for his immense contribution to New Zealand, and his wife Suzanne and their children for sharing them with us. We wish him all the best.”

March 6, 2018

Joyce to retire from Parliament

Source: National Party – Headline: Joyce to retire from Parliament

National Party MP Steven Joyce has announced today that he will retire from Parliament.

“I have had a wonderful time in this place over the last nearly ten years including nine years as a Minister, and have been privileged to be able to make a real contribution to the development of our country,” Mr Joyce says.

“With the recent change of National Party leadership I have had the opportunity to consider again what I would like to do over the next several years.

“Simon has made a very positive proposal to me to stay and contribute as a senior member of the team on the front bench with a choice of portfolio.

“However I feel that it is time for him to get a new team around him to take National forward and win in 2020 and then govern again for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

“I have offered to assist in any way I can from outside parliament and will remain a staunch supporter of the Party.

“Personal highlights of my time in office include setting up major infrastructure projects like ultrafast broadband, the major motorway and expressway projects now coming on stream, and the electrification of Auckland’s commuter rail network.

“I have also enjoyed my involvement in the tertiary education sector, the hi-tech sector, the science sector and regional New Zealand and am proud of the progress we made as a Government in all four areas.

“I have led the National Party’s general election campaign five times as Campaign Chair and in four of those for John Key and Bill English, we achieved a Party Vote in excess of 44 per cent, the only time it has happened under MMP.

“And it was an honour to be Bill English’s Associate Minister of Finance for eight years before presenting my own budget in 2017, which continued building the platform for future economic growth and focused on boosting incomes for low and middle income earners.

“My plan now is to return to commercial life and seek new challenges and also to focus on being a good Dad to Tommy and Amelia.

“I’d like to thank my wife Suzanne, colleagues, staff, party supporters, the public and all the people I have met through my work for their encouragement, support and friendship over the last ten years in Parliament and fifteen in the party.”

March 6, 2018

New High Commissioner to Tonga announced

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New High Commissioner to Tonga announced

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today announced diplomat Tiffany Babington as New Zealand’s new High Commissioner to Tonga.
“New Zealand has a strong relationship with Tonga, based on a population of more than 60,000 Tongans resident in New Zealand, development cooperation and our shared interest in regional issues,” says Mr Peters.
“Cooperation between our countries has been clearly demonstrated in recent days with our support to the Tongan Government following Tropical Cyclone Gita.
“Ms Babington will lead the delivery of New Zealand’s Official Development Assistance programme in Tonga, helping to oversee $66 million of investment over three years focused on energy, policing, justice and education.”
Ms Babington has previously been posted to Vanuatu and Italy, and worked on global development, Pacific regional, Niue and Tokelau issues.
ENDS
Contact: Alex Masters, Press Secretary, 021 809 186

March 6, 2018

Experts address urban challenges

Source: University Of Auckland – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Experts address urban challenges

As Auckland’s population continues to grow and the city intensifies, a key challenge is how to create high-quality urban spaces, accessible to all. Experts will address these issues at the School of Architecture and Planning’s annual lecture series Fast Forward.

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March 6, 2018

Expressions of Interest: Consumer representative for the Mental Health and Addiction Quality Improvement Programme Leadership Group

Source: Health Quality and Safety Commission – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Expressions of Interest: Consumer representative for the Mental Health and Addiction Quality Improvement Programme Leadership Group

Mental Health & Addiction Quality Improvement

Do you want to use your own mental health and/or addiction experience to work with the Health Quality & Safety Commission?

We are seeking expressions of interest for the consumer position in the Commission’s Mental Health and Addiction (MHA) Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) Leadership Group. This group has a diversity of senior sector leaders as members and provides advice and direction to the Commission on this programme and its projects.

Key purpose of the Leadership Group

Provide sector leadership in the development and implementation of the MHA quality improvement programme and achieving improved outcomes.
Proactively support effective relationships between the MHA sector and the Commission.
Provide advice and make recommendations to the Commission that are informed by evidence and international, national and local knowledge, and focused on strategies to improve mental health and addiction services.
Share information that supports a national approach to MHA quality and safety improvements.
Foster an integrated approach to improving the quality and safety of health and disability services with other Commission programmes.

What is expected of the consumer representative role?

Members of the Leadership Group have well-established networks and the ability to consult widely. Full day face-to-face meetings are held at least quarterly in Wellington or Auckland, with occasional teleconferences at other times and decisions by e-mail, if required.

The consumer representative will:

provide advice from a mental health and/or addiction consumer perspective, and be able to represent your own views from lived experience and represent the relevant views of your consumer community
provide advice and review materials from the Commission’s MHA programme, working collaboratively with other LG members, and other agencies when required
promote the work of the Commission and the Mental Health and Addiction Quality Improvement Programme with local, regional and national consumer groups and health providers
support and promote consumer leadership capability development in the health and disability sector
provide strategic guidance and support to enhance collaboration between consumer groups, health providers and government agencies.

Selection criteria

Candidates will be selected according to the following criteria:

demonstrated experience as a consumer representative
established or developing networks with local, regional and national consumer and community groups
ability to use personal mental health and/or addiction health experiences and those of others to support better design and delivery of health and disability services
knowledge about the mental health and addiction/disability services in New Zealand
experience working in advisory groups
prior knowledge/experience in co-design and/or quality improvement.

How to submit an Expression of Interest

Read and complete the attached Expression of Interest form, and email it to info@hqsc.govt.nz by 5pm Friday 23rd March 2018.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their Expression of Interest within one week of the closing date. Short-listed candidates will be then be offered a telephone interview and the successful candidates will be notified within a week of the telephone interview date.

For further information please contact:
Shaun McNeil, National Consumer Engagement Advisor – Mental Health and Addiction.
shaun.mcneil@hqsc.govt.nz
04 912 0306
021 933 681

Approximate Timeline

Application closing date	5pm, Friday 23 March 2018
You will be notified by	Friday 30 March 2018
Shortlist telephone interviews during	first full week April 2018
Successful candidates chosen for recommendation to the Chair, by	Friday 13 April 2018
Orientation of successful candidates	to be advised
MHA QIP Leadership Group meetings 2018	Wednesday 30th May (29 August, 28 November)

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March 6, 2018

New factsheets show extent of crisis in regions

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New factsheets show extent of crisis in regions

New regional factsheets being published for the first time today show the housing crisis is not just an issue for Auckland but is now a challenge for our regions, Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford says.
Factsheets for 11 regions are now available on the Ministry of Social Development website and contain the latest data – including regionally-specific public housing supply figures, government support, transitional housing and numbers on the public housing waiting list – from the December 2017 quarter.
“The Labour-led Government isn’t shying away from the housing challenges our regions face. We want the public to understand the extent of these issues,” Phil Twyford says.
“This data gives the regions the information they need to work with central government on solutions to increase the supply of housing in their areas.
“This information is critical for the Government to understand what is happening at the grass roots level. We know what is happening at a national and main centres level, Auckland especially, but these factsheets shed new light on what is happening in heartland New Zealand in places like Northland, East Coast, Bay of Plenty and Canterbury.
“Everyone – no matter where they live – should have a warm, dry, safe home. Solving the national housing crisis is a massive task and one we are rolling up our sleeves and getting on with.
“This is why last week I announced the first tranche of up to 155 new state houses to be built in the regions by the middle of this year. And there will be more to come,” Phil Twyford says.

March 6, 2018

Over 14,000 Kiwis set their wheels in motion in Aotearoa Bike Challenge

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Over 14,000 Kiwis set their wheels in motion in Aotearoa Bike Challenge

Throughout the month of February participants made more than 159,000 trips by bike, cycling an impressive 2,156,800 million kilometres in total.

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is a partnership between the NZ Transport Agency and global organisation Love to Ride. The challenge encourages New Zealanders to make everyday trips by bike, with one 10-minute ride enough to give them the chance to win some great prizes while feeling the benefits of cycling.

“It was great to see so many New Zealanders committed to getting on their bikes this February,” says NZ Transport Agency Senior Manager System Design, Brett Gliddon.

“The challenge is an opportunity for more New Zealanders to experience just how easy it is to incorporate cycling into everyday life and its benefits as a transport option. Getting about by bike is great for your health and wellbeing, it supports communities, often is an efficient way to get around our towns and cities, and for many Kiwis who choose to ride to work, it’s a great way to start and end your day.”

To get more New Zealanders to give cycling a go, workplaces across the country were encouraged to sign up for the challenge and to motivate staff to take part.

Trade Aid Development and Education Manager, Michelia Miles, said the Aotearoa Bike Challenge was a valuable initiative for staff to take part in.

“As an organisation, we feel it is important to encourage our team to get involved in initiatives that benefit their wellbeing and the environment. The Aotearoa Bike Challenge was so fun and easy. It increased staff motivation and built stronger connections amongst the team.”

Fitting cycling in to your everyday routine doesn’t have to be difficult, says Michelia.

“As a mother with a young family I often find it hard to fit in exercise but taking part in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge was an easy way for me to get moving regularly as it only took a 10-minute bike ride to take part.

“Because of the challenge, I’m now getting at least three hours of exercise into my mostly sedentary week. It’s a win-win for both me and the environment, and a habit that I definitely plan on keeping up for the rest of 2018!”

To give riders an extra incentive, there were great prizes up for grabs. The Wattwheels e-bike was won by Elle Heike from Victoria University of Wellington; and the Avanti e-bike was won by Ross Stanley from Xero in Auckland. Hundreds of other prizes including cycling gear, books and vouchers were awarded to participants throughout the challenge.

View all results from the 2018 challenge

Place	Company	Region	Percentage of staff cycling
2000+ staff
1.	Beca	New Zealand	16%
2.	Christchurch City Council	Canterbury	8.7%
3.	University of Auckland	Auckland	5.6%
500 – 1999 staff
1.	Tonkin + Taylor	New Zealand	35%
2.	Greater Wellington Regional Council	Wellington	20%
3.	Palmerston North City Council	Manawatu	17%
200 – 499 staff
1.	Beca Christchurch	Canterbury	41%
2.	Warren and Mahoney	New Zealand	32%
3.	Meridian Energy Christchurch	Canterbury	30%
50 – 199 staff
1.	Laura Fergusson Trust	Wellington	82%
2.	Mercury Rotorua	Bay of Plenty	70%
3.	Tonkin + Taylor Wellington	Wellington	69%
20 – 49 staff
1.	Harbour Sport	Auckland	100%
2.	Tonkin + Taylor Nelson	Nelson	100%
3.	TDG Auckland	Auckland	100%
7 – 19 staff
1.	Southern Institute of Technology Early Childcare Centre	Southland	100%
2.	Vivian Medical Centre	Taranaki	100%
3.	St John Gisborne	Gisborne	100%
3 – 6 staff
1.	Mosgiel Central Kindergarten	Otago	100%
2.	Warren and Mahoney Tauranga	Bay of Plenty	100%
3.	Van Dyck Fine Foods CRM Team	Taranaki	100%

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