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20 December 2013 Kia Orana and welcome to my November-December e-newsletter.

Highlights of November 7 Nov: I was happy to host nine students from the Tmaki College Service Academy and Lyle Cairns, their Academy Director at my office in Parliament. The Academy, in collaboration with the NZ Defence Forces Youth development Unit, encourages students to stay engaged in learning by providing a motivating and disciplined programme and prepares students for transition into the workforce or further education or training. 7 Nov: I attended the Auckland White Ribbon Ambassador Meeting. Click on this link to view a video about the White Ribbon Pledge: click here.

With Simon O'Connor and the Tmaki College Services Academy. 12 Nov: I attended the Buddy Day launch. Buddy Day is a Child Matters initiative where leaders "adopt" a buddy and share key messages about how it takes a community to raise a child and that we all have a role to play in keeping children safe. The" buddies", which are created by school children, accompanied leaders to meetings and events they attended building up to Buddy day 15th Nov. I took my buddy, Harry to all the meetings I attended. For more information click this link: www.buddyday.org.nz

Pacific Sports Awards with organiser, Inga Tuigamala. 14 Nov: I attended the 2-day Buy Samoa Trade Fair at the Mngere Arts Centre. Twenty-eight businesses from Samoa displayed their goods ranging from arts and craft, kava bowls, oil and cosmetics, nonu juice, coffee, jandals, pure natural water, island wear, hot chilli sauce and a range of other exotic products. The event was organised by the Samoa Association Manufacturers & Exporters (SAME) and the Samoa Consulate Office in Auckland. 15 Nov: I addressed the South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services (SWPIC) Tokoroa health & wellbeing conference and spoke on leadership, wellbeing and shared my health experiences. Other topics presented were prostate cancer, family violence, mental health for youth, and men's and women's health. 16 Nov: I attended the Flip the Script Youth Suicide Awareness Concert organised by the Takitimu Arts and Cultural Society, Mngere Bridge. Flip the Script is about changing negative words ingrained in the minds of youth and turning it into a more positive script which empowers and inspires youth to reach their full potential and live full lives now and in to the future. 23 Nov: I attended the Pacific Sports Awards to celebrate the success and achievements of our sports people. Winners on the night included Gabrielle Fa'amausili, Magan Maka, Dan Gutteinbeil, Eddie Kohlhase, Black Sox, DJ Forbes, Christian Erick, Valerie Adams, Joseph Parker and Valerie Adams taking out the Supreme Sports person of the year. Legendary Lifetime Achievement Awards went to Lemalu Fred Ah Kuoi, Rita Fatialofa-Patolo, Lolo Heimuli, Kevin Iro, the late Papali'itele Peter Fatialofa and To'aletai David Tua. Golden girl Valerie Adams received the Supreme Sportsperson Award of the year. Congratulations to all awardees.

Flip the Script.

Aorere College visit.

Key issues in Parliament: National focused on raising achievement for all children National wants to see all children get the best possible start in life, and go on to achieve at school and tertiary education, to build successful careers, and make the most of their lives. We have announced a $10.5 million programme to boost maths and science teaching, alongside the Science and Society Project. This will help us lift achievement in these core subjects, and is underpinned by National Standards - which we introduced in 2010 to identify which children are falling behind and need help. Now we can step in and do something to support them. The 2012 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results show our 15-year-olds who came through the education system from 2001-2012 are continuing to score above the OECD average in all three topics. However, New Zealand's position on the OECD scale is lower than the last PISA report, particularly for maths and science. So our recent initiatives are especially timely to support raising achievement in these areas. Ensuring every child gets a good education is one of the most important things National can do to raise living standards, and build a more competitive and productive economy for New Zealand. More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleId=42657 and http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleId=42656 and http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=42719 New Zealand - a great place to do business New Zealand is a great place to do business, supported by National's responsible financial management and comprehensive plan to build a more competitive and productive economy. As the economy grows following the global financial crisis, business confidence continues to improve, more people are employed, and wages are growing. People who live, do business, and invest in New Zealand know they can trust our laws and our government to protect their rights and freedoms. The latest Transparency International Corruption Perception index ranks New Zealand first, out of 176 countries, equal with Denmark, for having the lowest perception of corruption in the public sector. New Zealand is also ranked first on the Forbes magazine list of the Best Countries for Business, partly due to the high trust in our public sector, and our transparent and stable business climate. More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=42718 New Zealand leads world in standing against cyber bullies More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=42722 National is stopping fraudsters and saving taxpayer money More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=42698 New x-rays and staff strengthen border biosecurity More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=42653 Workers and employers keep $387 million more after ACC levy cuts

More information: http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleId=42695 Speeches: Dec 5: Harmful Digital Communications Bill Nov 13: Privacy Commissioner Nov 7: Social Housing Reform Video Blogs: Nov 7: White Ribbon Pledge Dec: Video Update including my buddy, Harry Dec: Christmas Message Office Holiday closing and opening: Our Mngere and Wellington Offices are closing on the 24th December and will re-open on Monday 6th January 2014. Special Acknowledgement to three very special men:

the late Lotu I'iga a humble and noble gentleman whose love and support will be deeply missed. the late Papali'itele Peter Fats Fatialofa and his enormous contribution to the rugby scene; and to Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest leaders this world has ever known.

The teachings and lives of all three will continue to inspire and challenge us all to be better leaders, better people. RIP Lotu I'iga, Peter Fats and Nelson Mandela. "I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended." Nelson Mandela As we draw near to the festive season I wish to extend to you and your families a very merry and safe Xmas and a prosperous 2014. Kia Manuia i te Kiritimiti e te mataiti ou.

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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