Big ‘A’ Awards Awesome
It’s always great to recognize people who are doing special things. Last week the Big ‘A’ Awards 2010 celebrated some awesome creative work. The Awards were presented by Arts Access Aotearoa, which acts as a catalyst in promoting artistic opportunities for some of our most vulnerable groups, the disability sector, disconnected youth, mental health service users, disadvantaged migrants, refugees and prisoners.
There were four major winners Toi Ora Live Art Trust of Auckland won the Big ‘A’ Creative space Award. Each term more than 130 people attend classes in their community Arts Centre. The judges were impressed by Toi Ora Live Arts Trust’s “wow factor”. It has a strong public profile, a list of awards and achievements and offers a wide range of art forms and programmes in its new premises.
The Big ‘A’ Community Partnership Award went to Enliven Longview Rest Home, Society of St Vincent de Paul and Vinnies of St Francis Xavier School and St Francis Xavier School of Tawa in Wellington. These three organizations created opportunities for an inter-generational exchange of ideas and creativity between the residents of the Rest Home and the children of St Francis Xavier School. Projects have included crafts, musical and dance performances, storytelling and oral histories
The Big ‘A’ Prison Art leadership Awards went to Robyn Hughes, a long term and enormously respected art tutor at Auckland Prison. Robyn has been an art tutor at the prison for 17 years. She is totally dedicated to developing prisoners artistic talent and has had some stunning success. Her positive influence cans be seen in the murals around Auckland Prison and in the changing attitudes in the men she works with.
The Big ‘A’ Winton and Margaret Bear Young Artist Award went to Duncan Armstrong from Wellington. Duncan has not let Down syndrome stop him performing, succeeding academically or pursuing his goal of a career in the Arts. Duncan is a drummer, dancer, actor and kapa haka performer. We were treated to a glimpse of his work when his band ‘Mr Handsome’ played “I get by with a little help from my friends” It was brilliant!
Throughout the night we were entertained with haka, singing and dance by the young men performers from Te Rakau Hua O Te Wao Tapu Trust.
All in all, the Big ‘A’ Awards 2010 were Awesome.
Hon John Key cutting the cake at the opening of my new office last week. A lovely day - a very special event!!
Celebrating children in Christchurch
Thousands of children and their parents celebrated Children’s Day in style at the Groynes, the theme was ‘Praise and Encouragement’. We saw plenty of that as the kids enjoyed dozens of different activities, challenging themselves physically, and mentally, learning new skills and having fun with their families
Children’s Day operates under a charter which promotes five key messages:
• Giving time
• Love and affection
• Praise and encouragement
• Listening and talking
• New experiences
At the heart of Children’s Day is the opportunity to spend time with our kids, and to show them how much we love and appreciate them. Our kids are our future, but they are also an important part of our lives now. Positive relationships between adults and kids make such a difference to their lives, and Children’s Day is an opportunity to build on that.”
Habitat for Humanity house at Canterbury University.
They say “Home is where the heart is” and there certainly is a “new heart’ in the home that Habitat for Humanity is building at Canterbury University’s Ilam Rd frontage.
It was great to meet some of the dozens of volunteers, many who are students, who have turned up to work with the partner family who will be actually living in the finished house.
Its all been fast and furious. Such is the enthusiasm and energy that within three weeks the house will be ready to move to its permanent location.
Habitat for Humanity NZ is part of a fabulous international network which has built or rehabilitated over 300,000 homes worldwide since 1976.
It’s a fabulous project and its happening right her in Christchurch
Volunteers working on the new Habitat for Humanity house at Canterbury University.
Scottish Cultural Festival 2010
Clan banners, dozens of different tartans, and the swirl of the pipes, opened the Scottish Cultural Festival 2010 at Riccarton House last Sunday and it was great to see so many people enjoying a taster, or dram of Scottish culture. The highlights included pipe hands, highland dancing, a haggis ceremony, whisky tasting, and ladies and gentlemen in Edwardian attire in veteran cars.
One of the happy results of the168 ethnic groups who live in Christchurch is the number of cultural festivals that are sprinkled through our calendar. With the Scots and particularly the Deans family some of the earliest settlers in Christchurch it was wonderful to see the old Deans homestead alive with Scottish music and dance.
CELEBRATING BOTH TAKAPUNEKE AND WAITANGI
Waitangi weekend brought a double celebration to Onuku Marae near Akaroa on banks Peninsula.
On Friday, we celebrated the establishment of the Takapuneke Historical Reserve with a blessing and tree planting and on Saturday the Governor General joined Te Rünanga O Ngai Tahu to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi at the Marae.
Both Takapuneke and Waitangi are linked. They are both places of immense cultural and historical significance.
In November 1830, the brig Elizabeth anchored off Takapuneke. It was captained by John Stewart and he invited Chief Te Maiharanui aboard to trade. Captain Stewart had hidden Te Rauparaha and his war party seeking utu for the killing of some of their chiefs at Kaiapoi earlier that year.
They seized Te Maiharanui and his family and later, under the cover of darkness, attacked and killed the people of Takapuneke and destroyed their village.
It was this atrocity facilitated by a British subject, Captain Stewart that was the catalyst for the British authorities to appoint a British representative to New Zealand.
The tragedy at Takapuneke directly leads to the arrival of the official British resident James Busby, in the Bay of Islands. It was the first step towards the annexation of new Zealand and the Treaty of Waitangi.
On the 30th May, 1840 Iwikau of Puari in Port Levy and John Tikau of Pigeon bay were the first Ngai Tahu to sign the Treaty.
It was a privilege to be on Onuku Marae this weekend. To hear this stories of the past to celebrate the recognition of Takapuneke and understand how its history influenced the Treaty of Waitangi.
Kids can do anything
We are all used to Mums doing heroic things to protect and look after their kids. But there are two mini-heroes in Christchurch, kids who have saved their Mums from danger. Callum Cameron, who is only eight, saved his mum by getting help from the neighbours when she had an allergic reaction to eating whitebait. It was a serious attack and Mrs Cameron could have died without Callum's quick reaction. Beth Purkiss was only five when her Mum got a severe migraine and was unable to speak or move. Beth phoned her grandmother and asked her to come and help. And not wanting anything else to go wrong, Beth also reminded grandma not to drive too quickly! Beth acted quickly and effectively, she knew exactly what to do!
Last week I presented both Callum and Beth Junior Neighbourhood Support achiever of the year awards. Junior Neighbourhood Support is a programme that aims to promote a sense of pride, safety and community spirit, in children and in the wider school community. The programme works in partnership with Police, the Fire Service, with Civil Defence & Emergency Management and promotes safety awareness, and knowledge of what to do in a fire or civil defence emergency. The awards recognises primary and intermediate school students who have assisted others or have done something that demonstrates community spirit and pride, or supports community safety.
Congratulations to both Callum and Beth they are great examples of just how smart, how responsible and how capable our kids can be.
Somali success
Christchurch in the 2000s is a very different place than it was when I was born. When I was a kid in Christchurch we were all boringly the same. 97% of us were pakeha. We all looked the same, wore the same clothes, and ate the same mundane food. Hardly anyone travelled anywhere and few of us spoke more than one language. But look at Christchurch now. One hundred and sixty eight different ethnic groups, many people from different countries, speaking different languages and wearing different clothes. The town is full of life and colour, new businesses, and new foods. Our neighbourhoods are far more interesting and exciting places.
One of the most successful ethnic groups to settle in Christchurch is the Somali community. The first Somalis arrived as refugees in 1993. They found the city peaceful but cold and very different from home. Few spoke English. But now only fifteen years later they are celebrating the educational success of the Somali community by publishing the Somali Graduate Journal. Between 1997-2009, 97 Somalis have graduated from New Zealand Universities, ( 19 in the South Island) and the momentum is growing with 38 graduating in the 2008/9 year.
The Minister of Ethnic Affairs Pansy Wong helped launch The Somali Graduate Journal in Christchurch. Abdirizak Abdi, is the editor, and the journal profiles Somali graduates and undergraduates. Abdi wrote that "the journal tells the successes of the wider Somali community in New Zealand." He wrote also of other successes including a section on Somali-owned businesses. He said "In Somalia there was no welfare state for the people fall back on at the time of unemployment, people had to rely on themselves for their livelihood. Small retail shops selling food, clothing and jewellery were a very common form of business for many Somalis.
Now it seems that this hidden entrepreneurial skill is finally staring to emerge in the Somali communities in New Zealand. This is another sign of Somalis integrating well into New Zealand as setting up a business in a new country is harder to achieve."It was inspiring to meet some of the graduates and hear their stories. The Somali community is a young community, about 50% of them are under 16, they are hardworking and keen to be educated so we can expect many more successful graduates over the next few years.
Rachael hard at work at the Neighbourhood Trust
Getting a job, being part of a work team, learning new skills, and making a living are key parts of growing up. Everyone needs to feel needed and useful and have a purpose in life. That why the global recession and the high unemployment rate are so difficult for people to manage. It is particularly hard for young people who have been in school or in training and are now coming out into the work force for the first time. The downturn is really bad timing for them.
Having completed their studies it should be an exciting time with lots of opportunity to get started in work, and to develop good long term work habits and build a career. That is why the government has introduced the Job Ops and Community Max programmes for young people from 16 – 24 years old. They are designed to encourage those who have work, both businesses and not-for-profit organization to create new jobs. And it has been a very successful project with over 4,000 places being created since the schemes began in August.
New Zealand businesses and community groups are truly getting behind this scheme, and it is making a difference.My local church, the St Albans Baptist is really enjoying being part of the scheme. They have employed Rachael Prior, under the Community Max scheme. Ginny Larsen, the New Projects Worker, at the Neighbourhood Trust says “Rachael has just turned 18 and is loving the opportunity to do a variety of things working for both St Albans Baptist Church and Neighbourhood Trust. And it is great for us to have the help. Here is Rachael helping put Christmas hampers together to go out to people in the community.”It’s great to see young people out in the community working, learning and supporting the organisations that deliver so much to our society.
Opening of the new revamped City Mall linking Cashel St to High Street
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, opening the new revamped City Mall linking Cashel St to High Street - the first stage in injecting new life into the heart of Christchurch.
Members of the The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem Grand Priory of New Zealand in Christchurch recently.
Volunteers, good Samaritans, helping hands, mates! More than one million fabulous, hard working people help out in our communities across the country. The volunteer sector in New Zealand is made up of 97,000 community organisations. There are dozens in every community and I bet that most people in your town are involved in at least one.
Each of these groups play a hugely important role and about 90 per cent of them are run completely on unpaid labour.Recently I went to a ceremony of a very old and revered voluntary group, The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem Grand Priory of New Zealand. The exact date that the Order of St Lazarus was founded is not known but it is generally accepted that it was established during the First Crusade in AD 1098.
When Jerusalem fell to the Crusaders a large number of sick and wounded were found including many lepers. These people, many who were knights, were looked after in an ancient hospital for lepers outside Jerusalem, as they were not allowed into the city. The care of the patients in this hospital became the responsibility of Christian monks whose work was later given Papal recognition when they were formed into a Hospitaller (or charitable) Order. After the defeat of the crusaders in 1291 the order withdrew from the Holy Land but it continued its work to protect and care for those with leprosy in France.
Leprosy was very common in Europe at the time. From the French Revolution until 1910 the history of the Order is not clear but it expanded after 1910 firstly in Europe, but later in Canada and the United States, and after 1961 elsewhere across the world and in New Zealand. The Orders banner and mantles worn by the members feature a bright green Maltese cross.
Carol Singers from the Korean Presbyterian church
On Sunday afternoon with just 10 days to go before Christmas local Richmond churches held a family friendly Carol Concert on the Richmond Green.Lead by Lay Minister Bruce McCallum the programme included both classic and modern carols by the music team of the Korean Presbyterian church and a performance from the Hand bell ringers of the Richmond Methodist church. Like all good community events there was something for everyone.
A bouncy castle, donkey rides, and a lolly scramble for the kids. A traditional sing-along for the keen singers, and everyone enjoyed a beautiful afternoon catching up with local friends and soaking up the Christmas spirit.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to a fabulous afternoon.
Me with Nicky with Bruce McCallum - organiser and handbell ringer.
Angus Winstone (Marketing Manager at Mastagard) and Iexamine processed pellets. The process is so effective that the plastic, although recycled, is the equivalent to virgin plastic and is suitable for food grade applicationsI am very interested in what I am calling Blue Green Business that is “profitable, sustainable and environmentally friendly business’ And Christchurch leads in the country in new innovative businesses.
Last week I visit the new Mastagard plastic reconstituting plant. Many businesses and organizations throughout NZ collect plastic for recycling but th vast majority of that plastic is baled and exported for processing.The new Mastagard plant will mean that plastic can be processed right here in Christchurch. It’s a huge leap forward, saving the dollar and emission costs of transporting plastic half way around the world only to import it again once it has been processed.
The commissioning of this plant supports several other down-stream businesses which would not be viable without it. Plastic films are processed and reconstructed into plastic beads for feedstock for extruding machines.
Eggstraordinary
I've seen it myself! The world's biggest Scrambled Egg Omelette. It was made from 20,000 eggs - 20,000 free range eggs - in the Square in Christchurch this week. The successful attempt on the world record, was to celebrate the introduction of free range eggs to McDonalds' restaurants in Christchurch and Dunedin.
I met the McDonalds' boss- no,not Ronald McDonald - Managing Director, Mark Hawthorne and he told me that the introduction was driven by public demand. People are really keen to eat healthy and buying Free Range eggs is all part of it. Actually, McDonald's would like to introduce the eggs to more restaurants but there is a supply and demand problem.
Dunedin and Christchurch alone will consume nearly 2,000,000 eggs a year and that makes a big dint in the number of free range eggs available. I also spoke to the farmer who runs the free range egg farm and I learned a little about free range hens. Did you know that laying hens only produce .8 of an egg a day? Which could be tricky. They get to live in a barn, to perch on the walls or floor and to wander in and out whenever they like.
They have special nests to lay their eggs, but they don't hang around on the nests too long as they share them with a couple of hundred other laying hens. Christchurch was shouted a free breakfast by McDonalds so I can vouch for the quality of the Scrambled Egg Omelette. The gas fired pan was so huge that the eggs had to be turned with garden shovels and rakes but it didn't ruin the flavour. It was delicious!
Roots of Empathy programme
Mother Ang and Baby Noah enjoy the Roots of Empathy programme - a wonderful warm project that brings babies, their parents and schools kids together. Its about 'heart to heart' education. The babies come to school and the pupils get to observe, to meet, to get to know and to handle babies in their first year. Lots of cuddles, hands on learning and the development of empathy and understanding of a vulnerable new life. Originally a Canadian programme it was introduced to New Zealand three years ago and I went to the first year in Christchurch. Its been a great success with everyone from the babies, to the schools, and all are keen to see it continue!!
Marae tikanga
Recently a group of National MPs visited the Kelburn University Marae with Hekia Parata & Hon Georgina te Heuheu to improve our marae tikanga. The programme included whakaeke, karanga, pohiri, waiata. And presentations by Selwyn Parata, Pro Vice Chancellor Piri Sciascia, Lecturer and Marae manager Te Ripowai Higgins, and Sir Harawira Gardiner.
The visit concluded with a poroporoaki, a karakia, and himene. Attendees included... Simon Bridges, Amy Adams, Cam Calder, Sandra Goudie, Nicky Wagner, Chester Borrows, Katrina Shanks, Jackie Blue, Aaron Gilmore, Louise Upston, Paul Quinn, Craig Foss, Melissa Lee, David Bennett, and Chris Tremain.
Clean, green washing!
I have just been part of the launch of the Canterbury Laundry's $3 million state-of-the-art tunnel washer. It washes two tonnes of laundry an hour, and is a whole lot more environmentally friendly because it uses half the water and half of energy of its smaller predecessor. It's a win win all round. The cleaner burning LPG saves carbon emissions and over $million a year, and in the process they save enough water to fill 17 Olympic sized swimming pools.
Canterbury Laundry processes each year over 5000 tonnes of sheets, towels, pillowcases and other different items of linen for several top hotels, 150 motels, restaurants, rest homes, the New Zealand Army camp at Burnham, and all the hospitals in Canterbury.
The photo shows Norm Withers- Deputy Mayor of Christchurch, Bruce Humphreys General Manager and me looking at 75 kg of sheets ( 75 queen sized sheets) coming out of the washer in a small round disc with all the water squeezed out. They come out at the rate of one every two minutes.
The Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust
Banks Peninsula MP Amy Adams and I visited farms where with the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust farmers are convenanting land. The process includes fencing the areas to preserve the bush and unique flora and fauna.
Kapa Haka
Kapa Haka as part of the 30 year celebrations for the ESOL Home Tutors in Christchurch. 30 wonderful years of teaching migrants and refugees language and communication skills with fun and laughter and friendship.
NPC Final Canterbury v Wellington
AMI Stadium on Saturday night - NPC Final Canterbury v Wellington. WE WON!!! and doesn't the new Deans grandstand look fabulous!!
Hallooween at the St Albans School Fair
Great Hallooween costumes at the St Albans School Fair.
ULearn Conference on e-learning
Over 2000 people were involved in the ULearn Conference on e-learning in Christchurch. The conference involved over 400 sessions designed to inform in the use of new technologies to enrich and enhance the learning experience. As an ex-teacher myself, I was excited and inspred by the work that I saw at the conference. ULearn is recognised as leading the world.
Nicky with Ali Hughes, CORE Education General Manager at the Ulearn conference. Computer savy students from local schools at the Media desk at the ULearn Conference. They recorded the conference on-line, they interviewed attendees, covered events and profiled products and services.
Millennium Hotel in Queenstown
I visited the Millennium Hotel in Queenstown and was totally impressed by their environmental programme. Here I am with Simon Hodge who leads the environmental team and we are inspecting the hotel's worm farm.
The Millennium Hotel also grows its own herbs - here I am with Sharon Schindler who is the Sustainable Tourism Advisor at the centre for Sustainable practice.
Wastebusters
Wastebusters in Wanaka is an energetic community organisation that leads the country in managing waste. The complex includes a second hand store, composting plant, and they recycle everything they can!!
Milford Sound
I visited Milford Souond and spent the night on the Milford Wanderer. Their environment advisor introduced us to the history, natural features and wildlife in the Sound.
Enjoying the nature at Milford Sound - we used small boats to get a close-up view of seals, penguins and birds.
World March for Peace and Non-Violence
Chester Borrows and I met the World March for Peace and Non-Violence on the steps of Parliament.
Christchurch went quiet for one minute
Christchurch went quiet for one minute on Wednesday the 14th of October to raise awareness about the dangers of hearing loss, remove the stigma of hearing loss and educate the public about noise induced hearing loss.
Christchurch Hearing Association President Bob Abbott, Norm Withers and I and many others took part in the event in Cathedral Square.
The 2009 Parliamentary Interns Group
The 2009 Parliamentary Interns Group - my intern was Emily Taylforth - that's her front left, and that's me back right.
International Buddhist Association, with Hon Gerry Brownlee.
Kate Sheppard Suffrage Celebration
Hon Pansy Wong, Amy Adams and myself at the Kate Sheppard Suffrage Celebration in Christ Church Cathedral “Celebrating Kate Sheppard – from Suffrage to Seeking a New Spirit”.
The gathering of people of all faiths or none celebrated women.....
- who have moved and shaken Christchurch and beyond
- put a spotlight on work still to be done with women who experience barriers in our city
- seek a renewed vision and solidarity with those who work to reduce these barriers for women
Wigram Airforce Museum
Hon Chris Finlayson and I visited the Wigram Airforce Museum recently, they are planning a significant redevlopment in the near future.
CYDP Canterbury Youth Development Programme
CYDP Canterbury Youth Development Programme graduates at Burnham Military Camp.
eDay
Harold Williams organiser of eDay did a great job at the Christchurch Collection centre with the help of many volunteers including these lads from Burnside High School unloading computers.
New ski field at Crystal Basin and an Alpine village
National MPs visited Porter Heights Ski field to be briefed on proposals for the development of a new ski field at Crystal Basin and an Alpine village. Michael Sleigh, Hon David Carter, Amy Adams and I, enjoyed great day!
Youth employment opportunities.
About 70 members of the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce met with Work and Income about youth employment opportunities. Ivan Iafeta from WINZ spoke to employers and explained the subsidies available.
Over a dozen employers registered interest in taking part in the programme and several were offering multiple jobs. Christchurch businesses and community organisations are strongly supporting the governments Youth Initiatives.
Job Ops and Community Max meeting at the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce. Nicky with Ivan Iafeta.
New Horizons Womens Trust Awards Ceremony
2009 Chinese Festival
The Chinese Community has enriched the lives of all New Zealanders through the celebration of Chinese arts, Chinese cuisine, and Chinese traditions. I recently attended the opening of the 2009 Chinese Festival
The Christchurch Charity hospital
A first for New Zealand, the Christchurch Charity hospital has been built entirely on donations and has a state-of-the-art operating theatre, a two-bed recovery unit, computerised examination rooms, kitchen, lounge and administrative area. Its mission is to provide free elective day surgery and outpatient services to those who would otherwise miss out.
Phillip Bagshaw the the Chair of the Charity hospital and you can read more about their good work at http://www.charityhospital.org.nz/
An-Nur Child care centre
A thoroughly enjoyable recent viist to the An-Nur Child care centre. An-Nur works with parents and whanau to provide quality early childhood education and care, in a warm and secure environment.
Teachers offer affectionate skilled care and provide a constant variety of exciting programmes and activities that promote all areas of development, and are committed to encouraging non-racist, non-sexist, peaceful conflict resolution in play attitudes with in the centre.
They promote and encourage Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to the language (Arabic), culture, education and teaching of Islam is a guiding principle of the centre. www.an-nur.school.nz
HUGGIES Nappies New Zealand Envirocomp Ltd
Hon Nick Smith launched the HUGGIES Nappies New Zealand Envirocomp Ltd nappy composting facility. This is the 1st commercial nappy composting facility in New Zealand, and to our knowledge, the only one in the world able to compost all brands of disposable nappies, sanitary and incontinence products.
It is a world leading example of waste minimization technology and product stewardship. The initiative won a Green Ribbon Award for Making A Difference to Household Sustainability in 2008.
Visit by students from Cathedral Grammar
I was delighted to welcome the students from Cathedral Grammar to Parliament today before they had a tour of Parliament and sat in the Gallery for Question Time.
Maori Language week
To celebrate Te Wiki O Te Reo Maori, Maori Language week Ngai Tahu organised 92 people to don lettered T-shirts to spell the longest Maori Place name in New Zealand - Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaurehaeaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu Tau mata whaka tangi ha nga ko au au o tama tea ure hae a turi pu kaka piki mau nga horo nuku po kai whe nua ki tana tahu
AMI Stadium in Christchurch
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker was delighted at the Government's announcement that it will provide $15 million towards the $60 million redevelopment of AMI Stadium in Christchurch which will be completed in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011.
"This development will have flow-on benefits throughout the whole city and shows the Government’s commitment to making RWC 2011 a great success."
Decibel Control Systems Enterprise Team
Decibel Control Systems Enterprise Team of St Thomas's of Canterbury College - Nicky and the boys in the Team. Both Nicky and the boys are interested in monitoring noise on our streets.
15th annual PricewaterhouseCoopers Hi-Tech Awards
I attended the 15th annual PricewaterhouseCoopers Hi-Tech Awards on Friday night at the Christchurch Convention Centre. eDay 2008, New Zealand’s only community-driven national electronic waste recycling event, diverted 946 tonnes of computer waste from landfills.
More than 16,600 carloads of electronic waste (e-waste) was dropped off at 33 venues in October last year with more than 87,000 computer items including monitors, CPUs and printers diverted from being dumped in New Zealand's landfills.
Laurence Zwimpfer, chairperson of CANZ and organiser of the event, says the award is fantastic recognition of the effort invested by hundreds of volunteers and 100 funding partners, including central government, local authorities, local businesses, computer companies, recycling partners and transport operators.
With me in the photo is Laurence and Howard Baldwin, Manager eLearning, Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education provides the core funding for our CANZ and eDay programmes. The Government, through the Minister for the Environment’s Sustainable Management Fund and KiwiRail, were both significant partners for eDay 2008. I was involved last year on eDay and will be organising volunteers for this years eDay. If you are interested in helping please contact me or my office
Parliamentary Intern
Each year I have an Intern working in my Parliamentary office, they are part of the Victoria University Political Studies programme run by Professor Stephen Levine.
This morning they were welcomed by the Speaker and a presentation made to the 'most worthy" Intern from 2008.
I am happy to say that my Intern Steve Barnes won that award and the picture shows Steve and this years Intern Emily Taylforth and my EA Kath at the presentation.
Walk for the Planet at Cathedral Square
Walk for the Planet at Cathedral Square - walking from Stewart Island to Wellington.
Earth Hour in Cathedral Square
Chalk artist creates a banner to celebrate Earth Hour in Cathedral Square.
Sausage Sizzle at the City to Surf
Sausage Sizzle at the City to Surf - Aaron Gilmore MP and Stuart Laing Christchurch Central Electorate Chair
The girls at City to Surf 29 March 2009 - another great day in Christchurch.
Martin Aircraft Company
A very interesting visit to Martin Aircraft Company where Glenn Martin, the Founder and Director showed MPs the Jetpack system (a personal flying machine), which has received government funding of $1m.
Several firm orders have been received for the jetpack, and expressions of interest for many more following its US debut.
Venture capitalist Jenny Morel's No 8 Ventures company have also invested significantly in the project in recent years, an indication of its commerical potential.
The potential is not for the jetpack alone, but also for the engine, which has other potential uses.
Helping Hands Day at the YWCA Women's Emergency Housing
Helping Hands Day at the YWCA Women's Emergency Housing on Saturday 21 April 2009. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints volunteering group did a fantastic job of cleaning, painting and gardening - over 120 people were involved.
The YWCA now has a vegetable patch, attractive ornamental gardens and the buildings are looking much more loved. The group also stocked a food cupboard and provided toiletery packs for families.
The final touch was a garden statue of a koru representing the family and symbolizing a new start.'
Kate Shepherd
At the home of Kate Shepherd, early Christchurch feminist and leader of the vote for women campaign. We had a garden tour to fundraise for the "Kate Sheppard Memorial Award” An award opportunity for a women to develop her potential by undertaking further education, study, research or training in areas which are of value in the community of New Zealand.
Woman on Boards meeting
Woman on Boards meeting at my office with the Honourable Pansy Wong Minister of Women's Affairs. New Zealand needs to ensure that we get the best possible governance of our businesses and organisations.
We would like to promote more capable, competent women to our boards especially in the private sector.
Gebbies Pass Windflow wind farm
At Gebbies Pass Windflow wind farm the Blue Greens were hosted by wind energy expert founder and CEO of Windflow Geoff Henderson - all dressed up to climb the windmill!!
The Solid Energy West Coast Garden
The Solid Energy West Coast Garden designed by Dan Rutherford was one of the fabulous gardens on display at Christchurch's first Ellerslie Flower Show.
The Show held at Hagley Park has been a stunning success in its new home with over 75,000 people visiting the show and the Garden City. I loved it!!
Visit to St Michaels School
Visit to St Michaels School with Headmaster Kevin Boyce and Head Girls Olivia and Rebecca.St Michaels is in Christchurch Central only a block or so from my office.
It is the oldest primary School in Christchurch but its heritage buildings are complimented with new modern classrooms and teaching spaces.
Emma Daken
Emma Daken the 20 year old student at Victoria University who spent all of November and December plus some of January walking from Cape Reinga to Bluff raising money for research into a cure for cystic fibrosis.
Canterbury Home Energy Advice Centre
Congratulations to the new Canterbury Home Energy Advice Centre launched by the Minister of Energy and Resources Hon Gerry Brownlee on March 2009. It is designed to give consumers FREE, EXPERT and IMPARTIAL advice to manage their energy needs more effectively via an 0800 free phone line.
Adam Reid and Katie Nimmo are two key advisors and they are both passionate about community sustainability and household energy efficiency.
Ask them about insulating your home, about financial assistance for householders and landlords. Heating and ventilation options, efficient appliances and how to save money on your power bills and finding the best energy plan.
More details at www.energyadvice.org.nz
Photos show Nicky with Adam Reid and Katie Nimmo- Free, impartial expert advisers at the Centre.
Science Alive! "Botanica' exhibition opening
Science Alive! "Botanica' exhibition opening. An interesting, interactive exhibition about pollinators.
CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY CLUBS DAY
CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY CLUBS DAY Childrens Day - working with the Family Works team at the
Groynes.
Opening of the 5th Annual West Melton Art Exhibition
Nicky, Hon Kate Wilkinson and Amy Adams at the opening of the 5th Annual West Melton Art Exhibition at Nut Point Gallery 13th February.
Canterbury University Clubs Day
Canterbury University Clubs Day is always a good day to interact with students, Hon Heather Roy and Chris Auchinvole and I working together.
