Parata HekiaHon HEKIA PARATA (Minister of Education): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. Huri noa i tō tātou Whare i tēnei ahiahi tēnā tātou katoa. I am part of a Government led by John Key who from 2008 has ensured that we are focused on what really matters for New Zealanders and in that context on those most vulnerable—those families who most need the help of a caring and compassionate Government. We have seen very deft and prudent management by our Minister of Finance to ensure as is reflected in the statistics the kind of growth we are getting in our economy—growth that is essential to be able to invest in the way that we have across our country. We have also had leadership about a social investment approach which basically argues to invest early with impact to make a difference for those who otherwise would not be leading the best possible opportunities in their lives. We have Minister Bennett who has been leading in one of the most difficult areas—around social housing—challenging some of the—Phil Twyford: What a disaster.Hon HEKIA PARATA: It is not a disaster at all although I understand that the Opposition is afraid to embrace the changes that we are making and the comprehensive plan that we have in housing. We have heard from Dr Coleman this afternoon who is leading effective investments in health and we are seeing the results of that for young and old New Zealanders—those with challenges whom we are concerned with to ensure they enjoy good health. Just recently the extremely competent Minister Adams launched our investment into family violence understanding that this is very difficult for New Zealand. It has been a long-established one and we must not shy away from it so she has taken the approach there. Minister Tolley in social development generally but specifically in terms of the most vulnerable—the establishment of the Ministry for Vulnerable Children Oranga Tamariki. There is the inescapable challenge that we have to make sure that those kids who end up in the care of the State through no fault of their own get the best care of the State. She has been prepared to confront some very long-established problems there and is supported by our Government to make a difference. On to the Hon Judith Collins and the work that we have to do in the corrections system and Police to make sure that as crime rates come down we continue to assure New Zealanders of a safe community that they live their lives in. And so it goes on. But let me turn to education. Let me turn to education the portfolio that is the most exciting in Government because it has the most durable solution for those who live in hardship. A great education makes the difference for many many people.Ron Mark: What happened to the Māori Education Trust?Hon HEKIA PARATA: The member asks because he knows how much progress we have had in Māori education. It is significant. It is significant—Māori education. What we have seen is more Māori participating in early childhood education. More Māori are getting the interventions they need at primary school around reading together and reading recovery. There is more attainment for school-leavers who are staying longer. There are more National Certificate of Educational Achievement results for young Māori—in fact about a 62 percent increase. Māori Pasifika and all New Zealanders are doing better under our Government and that is the most sustainable answer to poverty or hardship. I know that the Opposition members want to whinge on and we can hear them whingeing on but this Government with our coalition partners the Māori Party ACT New Zealand and United Future knows that sustainable answers come from a strong economy from a great education from investing in communities from trusting New Zealanders know what is best for them and from creating an environment in which they can take a lead in their own lives. In education this year for the first time we have targeted funding to those who we know from research and evidence have the most difficulty in being educationally successful. That amounts to $12.3 million in 2017. That is in addition to $1.35 billion of operational funding to schools. There has been no funding freeze.Ron Mark: How much money did you give to the Māori Education Trust?Hon HEKIA PARATA: The member wants to go on about a particular trust. I suggest he does some actual work and fixes stuff in his own area. What we are doing is focusing on New Zealanders as a whole. In learning support for those kids most vulnerable in terms of clinical behavioural physical or psychological needs we have invested an additional $42 million in Budget 2016 and that reflects a 29 percent increase overall for learning support. Overall Vote Education—in which there is now over $11 billion for the first time ever—represents a 30 percent increase since we came into Government. Within that of course is the critical area of early childhood education. When we came in it was $780 million. It is now $1.79 billion. We are putting the hard-earned tax from New Zealand taxpayers into what counts: growing the quality of participation and the quality of achievement. Kia ora.