A tough week - but we will thrive
Community getting together to help others
Talofa lava. I know that the past week or so here in Horowhenua has been challenging as we have seen cases of Covid-19 increase, we seem to all know of someone who is isolating.
This is a new experience for us, but one that I know that we can get through together. Given the number of Covid-19 cases around the rohe, you should assume you may have been exposed to Covid-19 and isolate and get tested if you experience any Covid-19 symptoms or if you are a household contact of a positive case.
It has been encouraging to see so many of you already have your booster shots, there is still the opportunity to get these as an added layer of protection against Omicron.
The recent announcement by the Minister of Education of a new wharekura for Years 1 to 13 was a fantastic acknowledgement of our growing community.
This comes about after many years of advocating by Muau¯ poko. Te Pa¯ Wa¯ nanga o Tuteremoana will provide education at primary and
secondary levels, embedded with Muau¯ pokotanga – which embraces language, history, traditions, tikanga, values, beliefs, stories, knowledge and the natural environment.
I am proud to be part of this Government making such an investment in our tamariki and rangatahi.
On Sunday I had the privilege to attend the ceremony for the recipients of the Matauranga Ma¯ ori Scholarship at Kohuturoa Marae.
Muau¯ poko Tribal Authority in partnership with Horowhenua District Council created these Aotearoa unique scholarships that will assist rangatahi in gaining qualifications in three waters and environmental management.
Once qualified the recipients have
made a commitment to bring these skills back to Horowhenua to help their iwi and hapu¯ and wider community. Matauranga Ma¯ ori scholarships sit with HDC and are funded using the Government’s Three Waters Reform Bill Stimulus fund.
Congratulations to Rangiora Williams, Amiria McGhie, Tiaki Hirini, Mariah Montagnani, Tikardan Tahiwi-Stowers.
Last week my team and I worked with the Tongan community in the O¯ taki electorate to facilitate the donation of food and items to families in Tonga who were affected by the recent eruption and tsunami.
A massive thanks to the council for the use of the memorial hall and Matt at New World Levin for helping out
with a forklift and pallets.
We even had some little kiddies from Learning Links Childcare walk down to donate items.
The latest statistics show that New Zealand has lifted 66,500 children out of poverty – children who no longer have to sit through school hungry, go without warm clothing in winter, or worry about having a safe place to sleep.
Changes we’ve made since 2017 mean that around 110,000 wha¯ nau with children will be, on average, $175 a week better off. We’re making sure kids don’t miss out on the essentials, with initiatives like free lunches in schools and free doctor’s visits for all children under 14.
Kids shouldn’t get preventable diseases because they live in a cold,
damp house. We’re making sure rental homes are up to scratch, funding insulation and heat pumps, and helping more than a million people through the colder months with the Winter Energy Payment.
Thanks to our efforts, all nine child poverty measures are trending down since 2017/18. Lifting child wellbeing is a long-term challenge, but changes we’ve put in place will make a substantial difference to families – including in our Horowhenua community – for years to come.
I look forward to continuing this work to ensure we can all feel proud of how Aotearoa treats its next generation.
Please continue to wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene and check in on each other.