3 October 2013 Kia Orana and welcome to my September e-newsletter.

Highlights: Sep 1-8 I celebrated with colleagues the opening of Tongan Language week - Uike Ktoanga'i 'o e Lea Faka-Tonga in parliament and its theme of Fakakoloa Aotearoa 'aki 'etau Hiva Fakatonga - Enriching Aotearoa with Tongan Music and language. The Tongan Language Week featured celebrations through music, song, dance, food, crafts, and language around the country. Speaking ones language is important not only because it is the essence of understanding ones culture but evidence confirms that it enhances educational outcomes. For any language or culture to thrive and survive we must speak it, breathe it, and live it in our homes first and foremost. Sep 6 I attended the Niue Conceptual Framework Launch in Auckland to speak on behalf of Hon Minister Tariana Turia. The programme is a foundation course for Pacific practitioners in family violence. The Pacific Island Health and Injury Prevention with a core group of experts designed and developed the Fakatupuolamoui he Magafaoa Niue - Family Violence Prevention and Intervention Education Programme specific for the Niuean community.

Niue Conceptual Framework Launch, Pacific Blues Event with David Tua, Elizabeth Mc Ewan, Fonoti Dr Lafita'i Fuata'i and Dr Nua Tupa'i and Professor Karoline Afamasaga-Fuata'i. Sep 10 My colleague MP Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga and I hosted a Pacific Blues fundraiser dinner where Hon Minister Paula Bennett addressed a gathering of 60 plus Pacific Blues members and friends at the Community Caf in Otahuhu. Pacific Blues is a Pacific Peoples lobby group within the National Party. If you are interested in becoming a member please email Chairperson, Elizabeth McEwan - john.mcewan@xtra.co.nz or Vice chair Daniel Fuemana dfuemana@unitec.ac.nz. Sep 14 I attended the Family Fun Day and Super 12 Waka Ama event to support the Cook Island Outriggers, Manukau Outriggers, Pakuranga Outriggers, Te Paerangi Waka Ama and Auckland Rowing Clubs. The 5 clubs have joined forces to fundraise for "Nga Hau Maiangi -the first purpose built waka ama building in Aotearoa." This is unique as it will bring two different water sporting codes together under one roof. It was a spectacular event comprised of junior waka ama 200m paddle, events for men and women, live entertainment, and food stalls. Sep 14 The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival also known as the Moon Festival, is one of the most important traditional celebrations in the Chinese lunar calendar. Thirty Chinese communities in Auckland came together to hold a Grand Show that featured a Maori Haka team, local Chinese

and Taiwanese performers. Traditionally, Chinese family members and friends get together to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat moon cakes together to celebrate family reunion and hard work throughout the year. The round shape of the moon is to symbolize good fortune, peace and prosperity for the whole family. An enjoyable evening had with colleagues, Minister Judith Collins, MPs Jamie Lee Ross, Melissa Lee, and Jiang Yang. Sep 19 I attended the 120th anniversary of suffrage breakfast in Parliament hosted by Women's Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew. In 1893, New Zealand became the first nation in the world where women won the right to vote. The Minister encouraged all New Zealanders to take action to improve the lives of women. She also acknowledged the brave suffragists of yesterday and the men and women who are continuing to create opportunities for women. Our government continues its commitment to making more progress and success for women in employment, earnings, leadership, zero tolerance for violence against women, and other key areas. Sept 19 I represented Hon Minister Paula Bennett at the Political Panel of the 1st Joint Fostering Kids/Social Service Providers Aotearoa Conference at Waipuna, Auckland. The Conference theme was "Working together post -White Paper to achieve the best outcomes for vulnerable children and Whnau". I emphasised that our Government has been consistent in its approach to tackling poverty and that has been to encourage people off welfare into work, while protecting vulnerable children, maintaining support for low-income households, and strengthening the economy.

Family fun Day and Waka Ama Regatta, Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, with MP Jiang Yang National wants to give every child a better start to life. New Zealanders asked us to take action, and we have - but there's more that can be done. As part of our Children's Action Plan we've expanded social workers in schools and hospitals, increased funding and services for children in care, and introduced Children's Teams to work with at-risk children. Now we're introducing legislation to bring in better government accountability, better vetting and screening of people working with children, and better guardianship and protection laws. We committed to halt the rise in children who are physically abused, and reduce current numbers by 5 per cent by 2017 as part of our better public services targets. We are absolutely committed to this goal, and determined to build a safer environment for all vulnerable children. Our Children's Action Plan outlines more than 30 new initiatives introduced in the White Paper. For further information click on the following links: - www.childrensactionplan.govt.nz and www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/workprogrammes/better-public-services/supporting-vulnerable-children/index.html - http://www.alfredngaro.co.nz/index.php?/archives/80-Protecting-our-vulnerable children.html or http://www.national.org.nz/Budget2013/Budget Helping%20Families web.pdf Sep 23 I was a guest speaker at the Westlake Boys High, Pasifika Parents Komiti (PPK) Event and also presented awards to Pasifika students in acknowledgement of excellence in culture, community, sports, academia, and overall achievement across the categories. Other speakers included Daniel Devonshire - Baseball player with Toronto Blue Jays franchise, Alex Brown, Body Builder & Business Owner, and Sky Nicholls from Converger. The evening concluded with Form 7

student Albert Folasa-Sua being presented with the Overall Excellence award for Pasifika Students. PPK are committed to supporting Pasifika boys and their families through an excellent initiative called the "Taro Patch" group -a study club that supports the boys with homework, and overall school work. It also has Pasifika role models come in to speak, motivate and inspire the boys to aim high and work hard in achieving their dreams and aspirations.

With Hon Min Gerry Brownlee proudly adorning our "red" socks in support of Emirates Team NZ, Westlake Boys High Event and Amelia Fukofuka, Cook Islands Ministry Foreign Affairs officer at my Mngere office. Key issues in Parliament: Protecting children from rheumatic disease National's fight to reduce the rate of rheumatic fever among children is making great progress. Budget 2013 invested a further $21.3m over four years to combat this life-threatening disease, almost doubling the substantial investment of $24m we were already making. This week National announced the great news that a further eight Papakura schools are scheduled to become part of the throat-swabbing campaign - a vital part of our commitment to tackling rheumatic fever. We've also announced more than 50,000 children in 200 schools will be participating in the campaign next year. As part of our Better Public Services focus, the Government has a target to reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever by two-thirds, to 1.4 cases per 100,000 people, by June 2017. More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=41738 Investing in educational infrastructure to raise achievement for students National has announced a plan to transform the way school property is delivered, to promote modern learning environments and improved outcomes for students. The plan focuses on eight areas including offering a flexible range of property services for schools, investing in areas of growth, and providing greater support for major property works. The Ministry of Education will establish an Education Infrastructure Service by the end of 2013, which will include a dedicated team to resolve long standing, complex property issues. In Budget 2013 we set aside $134 million to support new schools and roll growth over the next four years. National is committed to making sure our schools have high-quality infrastructure, so they can deliver better public services for our children. More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=42045

Columns: Sep16: Affordability and Availability are Key Speeches/Debates: Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep 3: Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill 4: General Debate 5: Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill 17: Vulnerable Children Bill 17: Electoral Amendment Bill 17: Public Safety - Public Protection Orders Bill 18: Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill

VideoBlogs: Sep 4: Events in Parliament and Katrina Shanks Sep 22: Protecting Vulnerable Children and the America's Cup Events and activities in October Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct 1-6 7 7-13 8 9 10 13-19 20 22 25 28 28-Nov3 29 30 Tuvalu Language Week Protecting the Most Vulnerable, Manurewa, Auckland Fiji Language Week Children in Crisis, Waikato University, Hamilton World Vision Panel Debate,"Poverty is a myth" Auckland Fiji Independence Day Niue Language Week Halberg 10km race, Auckland Domain 2013 Speakers Science Forum, Parliament Launch of Rheumatic Fever Prevention, Auckland Labour Day Tokelau Language Week Launch of Super Gold information in other languages, Auckland National Northern Regional Council Meeting, Auckland

SPECIAL TRIBUTE Navy Epati, born to parents Patea Satini and Folau Epati of Saleimoa Samoa, married to Cook Islander Florence Kimi Herman, father to Jana, Maureen and Al Jermaine died suddenly last month in Rarotonga. He was buried at Matavera where he had lived with his family for the last 25 years.

At a government memorial service held in his honour he was acknowledged for his contribution to the Cook Island Public Service as a CEO, Commissioner and Secretary to Ministry of Marine Resources. He was described as the third "Laughing Samoan" and a "fearless and vibrant speaker" by ANZSOG's Pacific Executive (PACE) Program. Family, friends, colleagues, sports groups, church groups and all took part in the procession to carry him on their shoulders to his final resting place.

"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively" - Bob Marley. Rest in Peace Tonumaivao Sami Masuisuiolemalietoa Alaiva'a Navy Epati.

Phone: 04 817 8396 or 09 275 8761 Email: Alfred.Ngaro@parliament.govt.nz or Ngaro.Auckland@parliament.govt.nz Website: www.alfredngaro.co.nz Facebook: facebook.com/alfred.ngaro Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlfredNgaroMP

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