Katrina Shanks MP

Invest in Our Community, Urges Local MP Katrina Shanks

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:07:57 +1200

“Weaving a safety net for the most vulnerable families in the community,” is how Katrina Shanks, the Ohariu based National List MP, describes the work of those involved in running the Newlands Food Bank.

For years now, the food bank has been an integral provider of support for families in need, but now Mrs Shanks is urging local businesses to support it.

“The food bank, which is run by a charitable trust, needs more donors. It’s a great cause, which directly impacts on the health and wellbeing of our locals,” Mrs Shanks says.

“Last year the food bank gave 320 food parcels and this year they expect this to climb to 450 parcels. They have already noticed an increase in people that have contacted them.

“All of these families who receive food parcels give something in return. For example, one family mows lawns for retired clients who can no longer mow their own lawn.”

Food bank director Michelle Rowe describes it as a win-win situation for all: “One family has been given seedlings and they are growing vegetables for their family. When they have too much they bring the rest to the food bank.”

Last year the food bank cost $12,000 to run. This year the cost is expected to be around $18,000. “This doesn’t include the seedlings committee members donate or the veges they grow themselves,” Michelle Rowe says.

They hold sausage sizzle fundraisers and quiz nights to help with this cost.

The food bank is run out of Newlands Community Centre which encourages locals to get more involved in their community.

“Our communities are safer and happier as a result,” Mrs Shanks says.

“A donation to the food bank really is an investment in our community.”

If you are interested in meeting with Katrina Shanks to discuss donating to the food bank appeal, please email katrinashanks.mp@parliament.govt.nz or call her office 04 478 0351.

Just leave your mates behind this time aye?

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:31:50 +1200

It’s about time we talked about last night, New Zealand.

You’re great, but it’s time you ditched those mates of yours.

Shouty New Zealand, annoying New Zealand, fall over New Zealand, violent New Zealand, almost get arrested New Zealand – they’re not welcome at our parties anymore.

Binge drinking has become an accepted part of our culture and it cannot continue.

The harm caused by alcohol not only affects individuals, it affects their families, friends, neighbours, work colleagues, and society as a whole.

Alcohol plays a part in 30 per cent of all offences, 34 per cent of family violence, and is a factor one in every two homicides.

Around 1000 deaths each year are estimated to be caused by alcohol.

It is time to admit that we have a problem and it is time we ditch our mates.

The public has told us that alcohol laws aren’t tough enough and we have responded with a comprehensive alcohol law reform package that zeroes in on the harm.

We are focusing on minimising alcohol related-harm, including crime, disorder, and public health problems. Measures include giving local communities the power, through local alcohol policies, to decide how many alcohol outlets they have, where they are, and what time they are open.

We’re giving parents more tools to manage their children’s access to alcohol, and requiring people to be more responsible when supplying alcohol to minors.

This package is a pledge from the Government towards a better future for our children and for our grandchildren.

I encourage everyone to get involved in the process and to make a submission when the bill goes to Select Committee. In the mean time, I welcome your letters and am happy meet with you as we work together to change New Zealand’s binge drinking culture.

We know that legislation alone will not turn binge-drinking around. But these reforms can, and will, support a culture change by helping to control the availability and proliferation of alcohol.

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.

So go on New Zealand, ditch your mates.

Plans to reduce alcohol-related harm

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:34:28 +1200

Ohariu-based National List MP Katrina Shanks welcomes the Government’s comprehensive alcohol law reform package to address alcohol-related harm.

“The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, and this package does exactly that,” Mrs Shanks says.

“The misuse of alcohol has caused too much harm in our communities. National has stepped up do something about it.

“We want a better future for our children, for our grandchildren, and for their children.”

Alcohol contributes to 1000 deaths a year, and is a major driver of crime, being implicated in 30 per cent of all police recorded offences, 34 per cent of recorded family violence, and 50 per cent of all homicides.

“I have been a strong advocate for change within the Ohairu electorate and have continued to listen to and take on board the views of our community,” Mrs Shanks says.

“This package focuses on minimising alcohol related-harm, including crime, disorder, and public health problems, and zeros in on where harm is happening – particularly around youth.

“Over the coming weeks, I will be talking to students, and getting their response to the reforms.

“I am happy for anyone to contact me about this issue and I encourage everyone to make a submission when the bill goes to select committee. Now is the time for us to work together to change New Zealand’s binge-drinking culture.”

The Government hopes to introduce legislation to Parliament in October, and plan to have the law in place by the end of next year.

Further information can be found on the Ministry of Justice website at www.justice.govt.nz and on the Beehive website at www.beehive.govt.nz

Katrina Shanks Blog: What happened to our kindy??

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:38:54 +1200

Sessional kindergartens are iconic to New Zealand - like plunket, pineapple lumps or baked beans. Over the past decade I have put my three children through kindergarten and have experienced first hand how wonderful these community based organisations are. I and many other parents, have loved the sessional structure of kindy, and have become part of the ‘kindergarten family.’

The traditional kindy system was designed to smoothly transition children between home and school. Mat time, story time, counting and basic reading skills are taught in a classroom type environment. The terms follow the school structure, children arrive and go home at the same time and the system fosters friendship and independence for children.

When I received a call from a concerned mother telling me three more key kindergartens in the Ohariu electorate were planning to shift to all day licences I was ready to jump on the bandwagon and do what I could.

Throughout the day parents from Onslow, Khandallah and Ngaio kindergartens called my office to let me know they would be attending the meeting, with the Wellington Kindergarten Association, in support of keeping the sessional structure. When I got there, it was clear the parents who had called me were just the tip of the iceberg.

The Wellington Kindergarten Association had advised parents that Onslow kindergarten will be shifting to all day licensing and it will be ‘best for all.’

The main concern parents have is that they’ve been given little opportunity to consult with the association and feel that they have not considered other options.

Many of the parents didn’t want a bar of it – and for good reason. A shift to an all day licence will be the end of the traditional kindergarten as we know it.

Dr Sarah-Eve Faarquhar from the childcare forum explains that “from one group of services initially being focused on supporting mothers in their parenting role (kindergartens and play centres) and the other focused on providing parents with relief from childcare responsibilities (daycares, crèche etc.) the sector has become more and more a part of the formalised education system.”

And she’s exactly right. The nature of childcare these days has changed from how I knew it. The demand for all day crèches and childcare centres has sky rocketed as more parents go to work. Somewhere along the way, the line between crèche and a traditional kindy has been blurred.

It seems that kindergartens have shifted from supporting parents and children in their transition to school to an attitude that revolves around business and profit. For them, an all day licence equals more funding.

The parents who attended the meeting are well educated, smart and hardworking people. They choose to be stay at home parents. Their help volunteering and fundraising within the community in their spare time is invaluable. They care about their children and their children’s right to the iconic Kiwi kindy session. So do I.

Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week Launch Lunch

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:59:42 +1200

Katrina Shanks with Tracy Hurst-Porter and Tawa College Students at the Cystic Fibrosis Awareness week lunch launch

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John Key Fundraiser Breakfast

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:50:16 +1200

Katrina with Young Nats at the John Key Fundraiser Breakfast

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Giving kids a ‘home for life’

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:15:16 +1200

The ‘Home for Life’ support package will provide New Zealand children in care with the security and love they deserve, says Johnsonville based National List MP Katrina Shanks.

“There are more than 5,000 children in State care at any given time and the National-led Government is determined to remove any barrier to finding them a permanent, stable home” Mrs Shanks says.

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Katrina Shanks in Tonga for discussions on democracy

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:00:48 +1200

Our Parliamentary Delegation in Tonga

Katrina Shanks, the National list MP based in Johnsonville has joined a New Zealand Parliamentary delegation in Nuku’alofa, to assist the Tongan Parliament in preparing for political reform.

"Tonga is a key regional partner for New Zealand. We are excited to be working closely with the government as they prepare for parliamentary reform,” Mrs Shanks says.

“The objective of the visit is to enhance governance and leadership in the region through an increased understanding of the strengths of sound parliamentary practices and procedures.”

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Tonga

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:06:00 +1200

Parliamentary Delegation to Tonga

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New approach to lift student achievement in Ohariu

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:11:39 +1200

At least 50 practitioners will be appointed to work closely with schools or clusters of schools to lift educational performance, says Johnsonville based National List MP Katrina Shanks.

“This is part of National’s new approach to help lift student achievement,” says Mrs. Shanks.

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Locals urged to come up with festival ideas for World Cup 2011

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 10:49:07 +1200

Johnsonville based National List MP Katrina Shanks, is urging Wellingtonians to come up with ideas for the Rugby World Cup.

The Government recently announced a new $9.5 million Lotteries Fund to support community events and activities in every part of the country in the lead-up to, and during, the Rugby World Cup.

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Blog: NZ Poetry Day Celebrations at Tawa Library

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:31:34 +1200

“Be yourself because everyone else is taken” – Oscar Wilde.

This morning I attended NZ Poetry Day celebrations at Tawa Library. The theme of individuality resonated as I walked into the room.

I remember when I was a child having to get up in front of my school to recite the poem The Little Elf by John Kendrick Bangs.

It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life.

I’ve never forgotten that poem. It also illustrated to me the power of poetry as a form of expression and as a way to connect with people.

At Tawa Library poets from all walks of life read, acted, and even sang their poems to the crowd – and it was great.

Some poems inspired me, some made me laugh, some touched my heart, but all of them offered a window into the soul of their author.

Thank you to all who helped organise the event. It was a great way to celebrate poetry!

Johnsonville Rugby Club Launches Solar Water Heating System.

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:28:50 +1200

Johnsonville based National List MP Katrina Shanks attended the launch of Johnsonville Rugby Clubs solar water heating system this week.

“Johnsonville Rugby Club is the first in New Zealand to set up a solar water heating system,” said Mrs. Shanks

“The panels are not only great for the environment but could have huge economic benefits for the club in the long term, with lower energy bills, and by adding value to the building.”

Paying themselves off in around 14 year’s it’s a win, win situation for the club, explains Mrs Shanks.

“For a small club in the suburbs it’s great to see how progressive and innovative Johnsonville Rugby Club has been.

“New Zealanders are well-placed to harness the sun's free, renewable energy, and it’s great to see this club recognising and taking advantage of this.”

Minister of Economic Development Gerry Brownlee, Mayor of Wellington Kerry Prendergast and other MPs were also at the event.

Tawa Rotary Book Fair

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:14:04 +1200

Katrina Shanks at the Tawa Rotary Book Fair

Launch of the Johnsonville Rugby Club's new Solar Hot Water System

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:20:25 +1200

Gerry Brownlee launching the Johnsonville Rugby Club's new solar hot water system

Minister Brownlee turning the switch