Hello John,

What a difference a day – and a visit to a truly inspiring school - makes. Yesterday’s news that just 39.9% of pupils attended school regularly in Term Two was absolutely shocking. Winter illnesses contributed to the poor attendance, but sickness neither excuses or explains the scale of absences in New Zealand schools. I looked at those numbers and saw a moral and social failure – and an economic crisis in the making unless there’s a rapid turnaround.

Then today I visited Manurewa Intermediate, a decile 1 school in South Auckland and saw a completely different picture of education in New Zealand. The school has dedicated staff, committed parents and engaged kids. That’s the trifecta and it’s what every New Zealand school pupil deserves. One boy told me that he reads at home every night because that’s part of his work plan and his parents hold him to it. Today’s visit was not just inspiring, but also timely for me as the country discusses education. New Zealand does not have to accept that poor attendance is immovable. It is not, and Manurewa Intermediate proves the point. Research shows that kids who do not attend school regularly are five times more likely to fall behind in reading, writing and maths. Parents, schools and the Government must urgently do more to get young New Zealanders to school. A National government will use all tools to lift attendance.

Here's a glimpse of the high-energy Manurewa Intermediate in action

There was more hand wringing but no action from the Prime Minister this week on bank profits. National supports competition, but the Government needs to hold up a mirror if it wants to see one of the causes of the cost-of-living crisis that’s crippling households. The Labour Government wants to blame anyone and everyone for rising prices, but its own excessive and wasteful spending - combined with massive stimulation from the Reserve Bank - has made inflation higher than it otherwise would have been. Today’s news that food prices rose 10.1% in the past 12 months simply confirms what so many people are experiencing at the checkout – inflation is out of control. National has a plan to tackle it. Labour does not.

On happier topics, “Show Day” is a big event on the Canterbury calendar and I had a great time there yesterday talking to farmers, exhibitors and the public. I was struck once again by the breadth and sophistication of New Zealand’s primary sector. National backs farmers and rural communities. We won’t pile costs on to businesses like Labour has done.

Finally, I’m so looking forward to the Women’s Rugby World Cup final on Saturday night. I salute the participants, organisers and volunteers, the media coverage, and the sportswomen across all codes who’ve lobbied for decades for competitions like this. All we need now is a Black Ferns’ victory!

Have a great weekend,
Christopher

PS. Remember that submissions close next Friday on the Government’s unpopular agricultural emissions plans - which would see sheep and beef production fall by up to 20% in New Zealand - only to see that production, and its related emissions, shift overseas. To voice your opposition, email [email protected].