Belich CamillaCAMILLA BELICH (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. It is an honour to speak on this bill as drafted by my colleague Terisa Ngobi. As we know this bill reforms the Holidays Act to allow workers with children to take leave to attend parent-teacher evenings up to four hours per year. It's an entitlement that is to be used; it is not to be carried over unlike some entitlements under the Holidays Act. I believe because I have read the draft legislation it can be used for more than one child. It also recognises the important role of parents in children's education. I often personally look forward to interviews with my children's parents with some excitement as we pull up our tiny little chairs to sit around the tiny table and hear about our absolute favourite subject our children. We usually try and book these meetings after work and I think most parents probably do try and do that but for some people after work is late at night it's in the middle of the night or it's early in the morning—it doesn't fit the 9 to 5 regime that perhaps those on the other side perceive as a normal working arrangement.I was actually quite surprised at the tone of the other side of the House in relation to this bill because I do actually think that it is a very serious and very useful bill. What I did was actually mention—when this bill was first spoken of in the House by my colleague—the idea to my sister who's a first year teacher in Auckland. She was actually so passionate about the importance of parent-teacher interviews that I contacted her and I asked her to put some of her words and thoughts down in writing so I could convey them to you and I'm sure when this bill goes to select committee—which it will—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Order! I think the member could leave the Chair out of the debate.CAMILLA BELICH: Oh I beg your pardon Madam Speaker.I'm sure when one sees this matter go to select committee that we will all see that there are many stories about the importance of this leave to New Zealanders. So if the Chair—Madam Speaker if you—would indulge me in reading some of my sister's thoughts out I think they would be very enlightening to the House in relation to this bill.She said I feel very strongly about this being an important thing but hard for some families to practically be able to do anything about it. I wish more families had booked in to see me. There are studies that show that whānau engagement is super important. If a family buys into a school being a good place—and this may be counter their past experience—they hold their kids more accountable. Also kids don't make a fuss and can sometimes go under the radar and that's also a worry. Giving them their time in the sun can make all the difference at an age where they don't know who they are just yet. One student had been misbehaving in class—going on computer games; not submitting any work; talking and socialising throughout the lesson. His mother and I had a wonderful conversation about him not being a bad kid but also about how if he was good at a subject and had an opportunity to contribute then he would do well. This kid trusts his mum and her showing me that she trusted me completely changed how this student participated in class."—this was all to do with the parent-teacher meeting. "Not only does he actively now enthusiastically contribute he helps out and supports other students in their learning giving them the confidence to share good ideas even standing with other students to help them have the confidence to speak up in class. His own work is now in the top of the range for his un-streamed class and when previously he had not submitted work or completed tasks he now is doing so. This change took place the day after the parent-teacher meeting."Auckland class sizes are big and having a meeting with a teacher might be the only opportunity in a year where a student is focused on the wraparound attention that they need between their parent and their teacher. Also after a year of lockdowns parents need to know how schoolwork and their expectations of their child work together. Sometimes kids don't pass on things to their parents and they are at a loss of what they need. My sister also reflected that the day she had her parent-teacher interviews she had one particular parent who made a booking but wasn't able to show up for that particular interview because she had a work shift. In that case it was a real shame because she missed the opportunity of speaking to her teacher my sister and hearing about how her student was doing in class. So I would like to commend this bill to the House as a way of addressing this important issue.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jacqui Dean): This debate is interrupted and set down for resumption next sitting day. The House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. tomorrow. Good evening.Debate interrupted.The House adjourned at 10 p.m."