Hon Hekia Parata
National Party Spokeswoman for Education
Hon Nikki Kaye
National Party Associate Spokeswoman for Education
5 September 2014Media Statement
National to build on strong progress in education
National will continue to build on its strong progress in education and invest in areas that will make the most
difference for all New Zealand children if re-elected, says National’s Education Spokeswoman, Hekia Parata, and
Associate Spokeswoman Nikki Kaye.
“As a result of National’s careful financial management, the economy is strengthening and we’ll be back in surplus this
year. One of the benefits of a strong economy is that we can afford better quality health and education services for New
Zealanders,” says Ms Parata.
“Under National, we have more kids starting their education earlier, staying longer and leaving better qualified,” she
says.
“Since 2008, early childhood education participation rates, and the number of 18-year-olds with at least NCEA Level 2
have increased to the highest levels ever, particularly for Maori and Pasifika children and young people.
“We are working hard to ensure our education system is working for all Nēw Zealand children. We have made great
progress, but there’s more to do.”
If elected, National will:
• Implement our $359 million initiative to improve teaching quality and leadership in schools;
• Support children with special needs by providing up to 800,000 more teacher aide hours a year, over four years;
• Support deaf and hearing-impaired children, their families and their schools by providing more sign language
resources;
• Grow Asian languages in our schools through a new $10 million contestable fund;
• Continue to invest significantly in early childhood education to increase participation and make it more affordable
for parents;
• Invest $350 million over four years to build up to nine new schools, and additional classrooms in the Auckland region;
• Continue to invest in providing modern, flexible and digitally connected classrooms.
“National’s targeted approach to education is ensuring that more and more of our young people are equipped with the
skills and education they need to be successful in employment and life in the 21st Century,” says Ms Kaye.
National’s Schooling Policy is available at: http://ntnl.org.nz/1r59y7o
National’s 21st Century Schools Policy is available at: http://ntnl.org.nz/1nZo938
National’s Early Childhood Education Policy is available at:http://ntnl.org.nz/Z7NOBi