“I will move heaven & earth to give you the best possible start in life with an outstanding education” ~ Chris Luxon

Like many of you, education is a subject near and dear to all National MPs. For me, this is in part due to my own experience in New Zealand’s public education system; being disengaged at aged 15, dropping out and then later discovering my passion for learning.

It’s also due to the fact I’ve studied and visited so many countries over the past 20 years, so I have seen first-hand the lost opportunities for Kiwis, our economy, and our nation because we are failing to educate our people properly.

To turn this around and materially lift educational achievement requires us to take a more radical and bold approach. That’s why I fully support this Government’s approach to improving education success. This includes:

1. Ensuring all primary school kids at all schools are taught at least one hour of reading, writing, and mathematics every day,
2. Implementing evidence-based instruction for literacy and mathematics across all our schools starting from term 1 2025
3. Increasing professional development support and raising the entry requirements for new teachers, and
4. Re-establishing and rolling out up to 50 new charter schools to give greater choice and flexibility to some of our most disengaged school children.

Let me be clear, while these policies above are great, much more needs to be done to achieve a world class education system for New Zealand. However, I am encouraged with the direction of travel with our reform programme, and you should be too.

In other news, I wish to signal early on that there is a free vote coming up soon on a private member’s bill. The bill (titled: “repeal of good Friday and Easter Sunday as Restricted Trading Days Amendment Bill”) is in the name of ACT MP, Cameron Luxton.

This bill would remove the restriction on businesses wishing to trade and operate on Good Fridays and Easter Sundays – effectively allowing them to decide whether to open or not on these days.

I believe this change is overdue so I intend to support this Bill on behalf of our community. If you have feedback for me on this vote, please let me know as I do welcome your perspective.

 

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Community Update

• The recent targeted attacks between gangs in our local community have left residents feeling understandably shaken. Police are working hard on these issues with greater presence in our communities. Never hesitate to call 111 in an emergency, danger or when you witness criminal activity.

• As part of the education property funding review, 4 schools in our community (Beach Haven, Marlborough, and Willow Park primary schools, & Northcote College) have had projects delayed. I want to reassure you that these schools are getting support from the Ministry, to ensure that their needs for roll growth are catered for in the interim.

 

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Community Events

• Kaipatiki Project - Gift a tree planting day @ Merrill Place Reserve Birkdale 17 August 10 am – 1pm.

• Kaipatiki Sounds School Music Festival 7 September – @ Birkenhead College featuring Northcote, Birkenhead and Glenfield  kaipatikisounds.org.nz

• Daffodil Day 30 August Join hundreds of fundraisers fighting back against cancer this Daffodil Day    daffodilday.org.nz/fundraise

 

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Northcote National Events

SuperBlues

We're continuing our series of opportunities to meet new or returning members of our caucus, this time with guests Katie Nimon (MP for Napier) and Catherine Webb (MP for Tukituki).

• When: From 10am on Friday 30th August 2024
• Where: Northcote Bowling Club at Little Shoal Bay Reserve
• Cover Charge for Light Refreshments: $5pp (cash at the door) + we will run a cash raffle also
• RSVP: Please click the button below or RSVP via email to [email protected] (please indicate any dietary requirements)

Photos from Recent Events

James Meager SuperBlues

Verran Primary School "Olympic" Quiz Night Fundraiser

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Supporting Northcote National

We are seeking to grow our local membership to help us deliver for Northcote and to set up for success in the 2026 election. You decide what membership is worth and you decide how involved you want to be! 

So, please join or re-join today! 

If you'd rather not join but would like to support Northcote National as we build towards future campaigns, you can donate here:

Please note that all donations made through the link above go directly to Northcote National Party. Please consider a regular monthly donation. Details around donor record keeping and disclosure rules are provided at the link. Note that donations are centrally processed on a monthly basis and so there may be a delay before Northcote National is aware and can thank you.

 

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See you in our community soon!

 

Regards,

 

MP for Northcote

https://www.national.org.nz/danbidois