We also won the Party vote with 16,543 for National in Tukituki. The future is so bright. John Key and our National team will continue our hard work towards an even better Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand.

Chris and I will continue to ‘Back the Bay’, every day, both here and down in Wellington, ensuring we get the best possible outcomes for the people of Hawke’s Bay.

This programme has been developed to ensure every primary school student has access to quality ‘swim and survive’ education at school.  We are a region surrounded by water and our children need to be water-wise and have the skills necessary to use and enjoy the water safely.

 I had a great visit to the school, meeting students, staff and of course Kiwi! Be safe this summer kids and swim safely.

This year there may not have been the calves but with the array of other entries there was a great selection. There were guinea pigs, a cat, a budgie and even a worm! through to  lambs of all sizes to a huge range of dogs.

 The judges this year were two Nationalities; One from the National Bank and one from the National Party. Local MP Craig Foss was rapt to be a guest judge as it certainly made a change from his usual duties along with a local National Bank representative.

 The judging proved be challenging for the National boys but the best pet on the day took out the prize. There were  two main concerns for the day, one was for the worm who was last seen at the start of the obstacle course and had hardly moved an inch by the end of the afternoon. The other was for which pet most resembled the principal; the principal was happier this year as he was more likened to a dog rather than a rat as was the case last year!

 All in all this was one a great end to the school term. Well done Tikokino School for proving that rural communities still celebrate what is the essence of being rural.

I will join the ‘Pink Army Volunteer’ and I encourage you to support the appeal as much as you are able.

Almost everyone knows a family that has been touched by breast cancer. The funds raised in our street appeal make a real difference to the outcomes for our Mums, Sisters, Aunties and friends.

C’mon Hawke’s Bay help support those that we love.

 The children that are part of the Gifted Education Centre and are given the opportunity to learn at the depth and pace they need and deserve.

 It was a treat for me to see these young people in action.

 www.giftededucation.org.nz

The roll out of ultra-fast broadband-enabling fibre to schools is progressing well and 14 local schools will benefit from this Governments investment in technology,” said Tukituki MP Craig Foss.

 “Over 4,750 students locally will benefit by this UFB rollout, “said Napier MP, Chris Tremain. “Across the country 97 per cent of schools will receive ultra-fast fibre enabling speeds of 100 Mbps plus over the next five years. The remaining 3 per cent of schools, which are in the most remote locations, will receive a high speed wireless or satellite connection. No schools will miss out.”

 “This is an exciting time for schools and for students. This technology means that students anywhere in New Zealand can have access to the best teachers and online resources anywhere in the world, “said Craig Foss

Local Hawke’s Bay MPs Craig Foss and Chris Tremaincongratulate their Local Government Councils for processing more resource consents on time in the past two years.

“Our Councils are now approving more consents on time,” says Napier MP Chris Tremain. “Central Hawke’s Bay District Council has increased from 79% to 100%, Wairoa District Council from 77% to 100%, and Napier City Council from 88% to 93%.  These are fantastic results!”

Tukituki MP Craig Foss says “I am rapt to see that Hastings District Council has seen an increase in on time consent processing from 81% to 95%, and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has improved from 96% to 98%.”

“It is great to see our local councils stepping up to the plate to process consents in a more timely manner. This has a huge impact on compliance costs, saving money across our community,” says Chris Tremain.

“We commend our Councils for this good result in reversing what was a concerning trend under the previous Government.It wasn’t good enough that councils were breaching statutory timelines or extending timeframes in over half of all resource consent applications,” the MPs say.

“Delays on resource consents frustrate homeowners and businesses, not to mention the unnecessary costs they add.It’s great to see our councils providing process certainty and efficient service delivery to Hawke’s Bay ratepayers,” says Craig Foss.

The figures are part ofthe 2011 Report on Local Authorities administration of the Resource Management Act (RMA)released by Environment Minister Nick Smith.

“The nationwide results show that over the past two years, 95% of resource consents were processed on time – the highest ever. This is a vast improvement from 69% in 2007/08.

“National’s reforms to simplify and streamline the RMA, including imposing a financial penalty on councils that fail to process consents on time, have provided the incentive for this turnaround in performance,” the MPs say. “This is another demonstration of National reducing red tape and building better performing public services.”

 Three times a year a book catalogue is delivered to each child on the programme. There are approximately 75 titles per book offer and these titles are different from one offer to the next. Duffy Coordinators, principals and children at Book Selection meetings conducted by Duffy Books in Homes choose the titles. All books for Books Offers One, Two and Three are supplied by Scholastic NZ. Each book has a sticky label which has the child’s name, as well as the name of the school and sponsor who gave the book. Each child receives five book offer books a year.

 Fantastic!

 http://www.booksinhomes.org.nz/Home.aspx

Craig Foss MP for Tukituki and Chris Tremain MP for Napier are rapt with funding being made available for cycle trail continuation.

 Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail project and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council have confirmed funding for a new Wineries Ride in Hawke’s Bay.

“Our Hawke’s Bay cycle trail dots are now joined. From commercial gains for our tourism industry through to recreation for locals. This is yet another reason to visit and live in The Bay” said Craig Foss.

 “It is great to see the HB Trifecta of rides completed” said Chris Tremain. “The HB Wine ride was always set to be a winner and will add to Te Mata Peak’s “Landscapes Ride” and Ahuriri’ s “Water Ride”. Together we have a stunning additional attraction for tourists and locals alike, “ said Chris Tremain.

 “It’s awesome that our Councils are all working off the same page for the betterment of our region. It’s exciting and the economic benefits for the Bay keep on growing” added Chris Tremain.

 “Visitors to Hawke’s Bay have a mounting awareness that the Bay is an excellent place to cycle. With the RWC in full swing and many extra visitors to the Bay, this news couldn’t come at a more appropriate time.”

 C’mon the Bay!

Chris Tremain and Craig Foss, National MPs for Napier and Tukituki, welcome the news that the Hawke’s Bay’s new EIT Trades Facility will also be one of the Government’s new Trades Academies from next year.

 “The new Trades Academy will be a fantastic link between school and apprenticeships. It is part of National’s solution to help the current levels of youth unemployment,” Chris Tremain says.

 ”This is great for young people here in Hawke’s Bay.”

 “Our new Trades Academy will offer 150 places for 16- and 17-year olds at the new Eastern Institute of Technology, opened by the Prime Minister last year,” Craig Foss says.

 ”EIT will partner with local schools including Wairoa College, Taradale High School, Flaxmere High School, and Tamatea High School. I expect more schools to partner with the Trades Academy over time.

 “Students are still enrolled in school but can study at other sites, and earn NCEA and tertiary qualifications, thanks to partnerships between schools, tertiary providers, employers, and industry training organisations,” Chris Tremain says.

 “National’s approach to learning for 16- and 17-year-olds will lead to better qualifications, practical skill training, and ultimately better job opportunities for young people here in the Hawke’s Bay,” Mr Tremain and Mr Foss say.

 Courses available at EIT for Trades Academy students from next year will include hospitality, agriculture and carpentry, as well as automotive and electrical skills.