In this issue:

Building momentum
Expanding KickStart
Boosting funding for KidsCan
Helping families out of poverty

For the past four-and-a-half years, the National-led Government has been addressing the issue of the hardship low-income families face. You would have seen in Budget 2013 a focus on initiatives that address complex issues surrounding vulnerable families.

We've made an investment of over $41 million to target ECE to children from low-income families, we'll trial a new warrant of fitness system for Housing New Zealand rental properties, and spend $100 million to insulate 46,000 low-income homes.

The two biggest factors in helping people rise out of poverty are paid work and education. We spend millions to ensure our education system is world-class, and every child deserves that world-class education.

On Tuesday, I made an announcement about some specific initiatives we're rolling out to help vulnerable children.

Expanding KickStart Breakfast for school children

Parents have the primary responsibility for providing their kids with the basics, including a decent breakfast. But the fact remains some children are going to school hungry and therefore not in good shape to learn.

The Government is teaming up with Fonterra and Sanitarium to expand the KickStart Breakfast programme from two to five mornings per week in all decile one to four schools in 2013. Next year, we will look to gradually roll it out to all those schools which want and need this programme.

This is a simple breakfast, but one generations of New Zealanders have grown up on - Weet-Bix and milk.

The Government has made a commitment of up to $9.5 million over the next five years. This is being matched in value by Fonterra and Sanitarium.

Boosting funding for KidsCan

Another part of my announcement on Tuesday was a $1.5 million boost for the work that KidsCan does with its clothing and healthcare programmes.

KidsCan is active in schools, in partnership with business and communities. Since 2009, we have made grants to KidsCan to support its work, alongside the charitable funding it receives. I'm proud our funding grant will help provide more raincoats, shoes and basic healthcare for more children over the next three years.

Helping families out of poverty

We know children growing up in a home where at least one parent is working are better off.

That's why we have such a strong focus on reforming the welfare system, to support more parents to find work and move off welfare.

We want parents to help themselves rise out of poverty. The way to do this is through paid work. Our reforms invest in the potential of New Zealanders to work, better their situation and set a good example for their kids.

Did you miss these important stories this week?

We're investing $18 million to help new mothers suffering with post-natal depression and other mental illnesses.

Government will provide more B4 school checks to four-year-olds.

From my diary

I hope you have a relaxing Queen's Birthday weekend and take some time out to spend with friends and family. I am looking forward to spending the weekend with my family before another busy week in Parliament.

Next weekend I'll be attending the first All Blacks test against the French. This will be a great match as France return to Eden Park for the first time since the Rugby World Cup final. Here's hoping for a similar result.

Regards,
John Key
Prime Minister
www. johnkey. co. nz

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