Weekly Newsletter #15 2012

7/31/2019 Weekly Newsletter #15 2012

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The big story this week has to have been the Governments education reforms led by HonHekia Parata. While some have chosen to take the melodramatic end-of-the-world route, itis important to see this for what it really is: a balanced approach to education which placeseducational outcomes for children at the forefront. If we can obtain better educationaloutcomes for children by improving teacher quality (in exchange for slightly larger classsizes), isnt that a good thing?

This week I also was proud to be able to action the Southern Young Nats policy in favourof adoption law reform by seconding two motions of the National Executive during themonthly conference call. This means that the New Zealand Young Nats now officiallysupport reform of the Adoption Act 1955, as well as the remit passed by the Northern

Conference not that long ago.

Other highlights this week included beginning work on the Octacan Charity Food Drive withPresbytarian Support Otago, and getting the chance to have a coffee and catch up withMinister of Health and State Owned Enterprises, Hon Tony Ryall, who braved an earlyDunedin winters day to visit South Link Health, Dunedin Hospital, and the Young Nats.

Coffee & Catch Up with Hon Tony Ryall

It was a pleasure to welcome the Hon Tony Ryall to Dunedin this afternoon in his capacityas Minister of Health.


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Tony joined the Southern team at Allpress Caf for a coffee and a chat today, sporting abold, thickly striped purple-themed tie with pale-blue shirt combo. The conversation waslively and enjoyed by all, so a big thank you to the Minister for taking time to meet up withthe team. You can check out more photos from the day on our Facebook Page.

The wheels are also in motion to organise a sit down breakfast with Hon Hekia Parata at theend of June when she visits Dunedin, as well as two trips to Invercargill and Queenstown, sostay tuned for more details there.

Keep It 18 Campaign Laying Down The Wero

A sincere thank you to Invercargill MP Eric Roy and Dunedin MP Michael Woodhouse forresponding to the letter regarding changes to the alcohol purchase age, written on behalf ofSouthern members last week.

Michael in particular has laid down a challenge for the Young Nats to walk the walk, and lead

the culture change which we think is required to address New Zealands structural drinkingproblems. He comments that we dont see young leaders taking the lead in promoting aresponsible drinking message. And I think thats a fair comment to make.

So heres what we need to do. We need to do what Michael and others would like to see:take the lead in sparking this culture change. It starts at home and it starts in school. We canmake a difference in both. But we need your help, and your ideas. The message is not thatalcohol is sinful, and were not out to stop people enjoying the social benefits which alcoholcan bring.

The message has to be that alcohol consumption is normal, but excessive consumption is

not. Youve all signed up for this mailing list presumably to get involved and make adifference, and this is your very real chance to do so. The work begins this weekend, soemail me and let me know you can help drive real social change.

Octacan Charity Food Drive Progress

Last week the Southern team took our first steps to help Presbytarian Support OtagosCharity Food Drive.


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Buckets of blue paint, a few hours, and a lot of channelling our inner child later (hard forsome, not so hard for Todd others), and we had produced 50 bright blue boxes fordistribution around Dunedin businesses in preparation for the big collection day at the endof June. The next step is contacting businesses to find homes for the boxes for the next

couple of weeks. If youve got a good voice for making phone calls, or know of a businesswho would be keen to participate, drop Mark Currie a line.


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Parliamentary Rugby Gala

The Parliamentary Rugby Gala is on this Saturday 9 June in the Southern Cross Hotel from6:30pm onwards. It is a great chance to mix with local rugby identities and MPs from a range

of parties, as well as catch the All Blacks vs Ireland live on the big screen.

Tickets are available from Michael Woodhouses office on Friday morning with all proceedsgoing to Sport Otagos Sporting Chance Programme, helping disadvantaged kids get involvedin sport.

The highlight of the weekend though might be the Parliamentary Rugby teams match againstthe NZ Police team the following day on Sunday 10 June as a curtain-raiser for the North vSouth match. Tickets for that fixture are available through ticketek and go towards raisingfunds for the embattled Otago Rugby Football Union.

Adoption Law ReformAs mentioned earlier, Southern are proud to support motions of the National Executive infavour of adoption law reform. The focus must always be on the welfare of the child, and thecurrent law is simply too outdated to deal with modern relationships and familyarrangements.

If youd like your chance for input on this policy, or on any other policy mooted by theSouthern Region as a whole, register for the Regional Policy Day in Gore on June 16.

Virtual Tipping

Another week and another 8 point extension to John Double-Barrelleds lead as he looks toclose out the Super Rugby comp. The question now must be whether hell play it safe andpick identically to the Southern team in second, or whether hell continue his daring andmaverick strategy.


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While in the NRL that seems to be the exact tactic of Steveman, though that may leave himopen to a mid-season run from harry.

Next Meeting

The next Southern Young Nats meeting will be held on Wednesday June 27 at 6pm, venueTBC. This meeting is likely to be a Special General Meeting in order to confirm delegatesand nominations for the NZ Young Nationals Annual Conference.

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Weekly Newsletter #15 2012