I guess it is no surprise to hear that I prefer Helen Clark’s approach to harnessing the potential of the next generation of working New Zealanders. As I said yesterday, I think the development of the Gateway programme is one of the best things that the government has done. It provides a practical trainng ground and a pathway to opportunity for students, and builds connections between businesses and schools. The Youth Apprenticeship programme will extend this in a postive way and will help generate graduates from schools who will enter the workforce with skills and knowledge already in hand.
For me this is one of a number of inititatives I would like to see to enhance and develop our schools-including paying teachers more, giving them more opportunity for professional development, making more use of outside experts and better use of technology. But more of that another day.
The thing that really struck me about the difference between Helen Clark and John Key’s approaches, is that John Key is talking about dealing with (or rather dealing to) a rag tag group of delinquints, the children of ‘hopeless parents’, not like us, who we should be fearful of unless we can scare them straight.
Helen Clark is saying that she wants to harness the potential of all New Zealanders to create an inclusive society. A society where we recognise that kids who do not achieve or go off the rails are not someone else’s children, some group that needs to be “dealt with”, but rather our children, our neices and nephews, our friends and colleagues children. We need to work together to give them hope, opportunity and success.
It is the choice between a hopeful and caring society, or one motivated by fear and division. I know which side I am on.
Posted in Education. |
If all of the next generations of New Zealanders are to achieve their potential then they need support and encouragement from their birth through their early years and into childhood. They need access to quality affordable health and education, and to have their families supported through good and bad. That is what they are getting and will get with Labour. What they got from John Key today was talkback laden rhetoric ( is he actually blaming the government for Nia Glassie’s tragic death?) and a couple of lame policy ideas- one destined to wither on the vine, the other seemingly the result of watching way too many reality TV shows. Continue reading ‘An ambulance stuck at the bottom of a cliff’
Posted in Uncategorized. |
It is certainly not my intention to turn this blog into a series of obituaries, but I could not let the passing of Hone Tuwhare go without comment. His impressive body of work represented a unique and at times beautiful insight into humanity and all our frailties.
On a personal level, I read “Rain” at my brother’s wedding in the USA last year. I have long regarded it as my favourite poem by a New Zealander. Those familiar with Otago University might remember the poem from the Ralph Hotere hanging that was in the foyer of the old Hocken Building. The positive comments and interest in Rain from the American attendees at the wedding indicated that he could transcend international boundaries. The full text is below. Go well Hone.
Rain
I can hear you
making small holes
In the silence
rain
If I were deaf
the pores of my skin
would open to you
and shut
And I
should know you
by the lick of you
if I were blind
the something
special smell of you
when the sun cakes
the ground
the steady
drum-roll sound
you make
when the wind drops
But if I
should not hear
smell or feel or see
you
you would still
define me
disperse me
wash over me
rain
Posted in Uncategorized. |
I feel very sad today learning of the death of Sir Edmund Hillary. Adjectives like ‘hero’ and ‘greatness’ can get overused at the time of someone’s passing, but to me Sir Ed deserves these accolades and more.
Not only did he have a remarkable record as a mountaineer, explorer and adventurer, he was also a true humanitarian, an internationalist, with a generous heart and spirit. No matter his modesty and down to earth style- he was truly a colussus.
As New Zealanders we can and should be proud of someone who stood atop the world, both literally and figuratively.
His wish, the International Herald Tribune tells us was to have his ashes spread on the Waitemata Harbour
“To be washed gently ashore, maybe on the many pleasant beaches near the place I was born. Then the full circle of my life will be complete
Go in peace Sir Ed.
Posted in Uncategorized. |
| February 17, 2008 |
| 9:00 am | to | 12:00 pm |
Help promote Grant Robertson’s candidacy by joining the team. You can choose to run or walk the event.
How do I register?
To enter, visit the Round the Bays website, or go directly to the online registration page.
Then click on the link for Individual Registrations. Under “Category Selection” click “Individuals” then “Adult” and continue. Enter in your details. On the right hand side you will need to enter the following team information:
Team ID – GR4WC
Team Access Password – GR4WC54
Please select “Michael Fowler Centre pick up” (the entire team has to pick their packs up from the same place).
Entries close on Wednesday 13 February at 12.00am.
What’s the cost?
The cost for entry is $16 per person.
What do I wear?
T-shirts are being organised for all who enter and participants will be contacted about these once registrations are closed.
If you need more information or help registering, please contact the Team Manager for the event, Rachel Boyack on 021 250 3903, or by email.
We hope to see a big team turn out to support Grant and the Labour Party’s campaign in Wellington Central!
Posted in Events. |
