Sunny days, exciting events for the family

Ihave long believed that a world-class education is the greatest gift we can give to our children for the future of our country.

I know this is true for so many of the people who live in Pakuranga – a community people choose to live in because of the great schools we have here in east Auckland.

Education can help solve many of the challenges we face but, sadly, New Zealand has been falling behind in recent years, letting down the next generations in the process.

A recent NCEA pilot demonstrated just how bad things are getting, with 98 per cent of students failing a basic writing test and two thirds failing to meet standards in reading and maths.

For a so-called first world country, this is appalling and, if we are to ever meet our potential for prosperity, a complete educational revamp is needed.

This is why National announced our “Teaching the Basics Brilliantly” plan which will ensure our children have the basic skills they need to face the modern challenges of the world.

We will require all primary and intermediate schools to teach an hour each of reading, writing and maths, on average, every school day.

We will also rewrite parts of the curriculum to provide clarity on what should be taught each year to every year group, and ensure parents are kept informed each step of the way as to their child’s progress.

This will be accomplished through proper assessment of student progress in these foundational subjects, giving parents, teachers and the education system as a whole a clearer picture of where we are and what more we need to do.

Finally, we will improve teacher training to ensure new teachers have the skills to teach the basics and provide them with more tools in the classroom to help.

Here in east Auckland, we are incredibly lucky to have some of the highestachieving schools in the nation, and many parents move mountains to live locally and ensure their children receive a quality education.

It shouldn’t matter where you live or where you come from; every child deserves the best possible education, and to be taught the basics brilliantly.

National’s plan will raise student achievement and ensure future generations of Kiwis are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed at whatever they choose to do.

SimeonBrown, MPforPakuranga

After the rain in late January and February, it has been great to finally be able to enjoy some sunshine and the outdoors.

The beauty of Howick Village is certainly enhanced when the weather behaves!

Now that we are into April, whilst the sunny days continue, the temperature has certainly dropped and daylight saving has come to an end. Winter is around the corner.

Meanwhile, there are some exciting events coming up in the Village this month:

 Easter colouring-in competition 5-12 years – closing on April 14 – entry forms available at Howick Village Association office and in the market.

 All completed entries will be displayed at the market on April 15.

 Easter Hunt competition

– 5-12 years – April 15-22.

Two amazing hampers to be won.

 Sobhnas Indian Spices

– Live cooking demonstration in the market area on Saturday, April 8.

 Anzac Sound and Light

Tribute – Fencible Park

– April 21-23, 7pm-9pm, weather-permitting as it is an outdoor event. This has grown in popularity since inception and has attracted visitors from various parts of Auckland.

 RSA Howick Poppy sales. Many Howick businesses will have poppies available for purchase from April 17. Please buy a poppy to support our RSA veterans. Let’s hope the settled weather continues for a while yet.

GeraldPatterson,DeputyChair HowickVillageAssociation

By LAURA KVIGSTAD, Auckland council reporter

Funded by New Zealand on Air

The Auckland Council Annual Budget 2023/2024 consultation is expected to triple last year’s consultation numbers and has broken the previous record of online submissions.

Council’s 2023/2024 budget consultation closed with 28,850 online submissions, breaking the previous record of 21,000 from the Emergency Budget 2020/2021 during Covid-19 lockdowns.

Early figures do not include feedback outside of online submissions but the overall submissions are expected to almost triple last year’s Annual Budget 2022/2023 consultation, which received 11,500 submissions.

Chief financial officer

Peter Gudsell said he is pleased with the results

“There are some tough choices ahead and these are important decisions that will be made on behalf of Aucklanders, so it’s great to see we’ve heard from so many,” Gudsell said.

A week before submissions closed, council flagged that diversity of submitters was a concern.

New Zealand European’s made up a majority of submissions, representing 82 per cent of the total early submitters.

Gudsell noted Pasifika, Asian and Māori communities were underrepresented in early submissions but were engaged.

“We have been out and about and online at Have Your Say events and our teams on the ground at Pasifika, Polyfest and Te Matatini say these communities are interested and engaged,” he said.

In early submissions, Māori accounted for seven per cent of responses, Pasifika six per cent and Asian 14 per cent.

Council is currently compiling data from hardcopy submissions after which there will be a clear picture of whether council was able to bridge the gap amongst submitters.

The Governing Body will consider the feedback from submissions in workshops throughout May and June.