Blueprint for Christchurch CBD

Rebuilding Christchurch is one of National’s four priorities, and this week the design for a new and innovative city centre was unveiled.

The plan represents a blueprint for the city’s future, and reflects the 106,000 submissions Cantabrians made during consultation.

The plan embodies the vision of a city designed by the people, for the people.

The redevelopment and rebuild of Christchurch is important not just for residents and businesses, but for the rest of the country. While Christchurch will look different, it will be a vibrant, new, and great place to live, giving all Cantabrians and New Zealanders confidence in the city’s future.

For more information, click here.

More trainees, better industry training

National is changing industry training to boost the number of apprentices and increase support for apprenticeship training.

We want to make sure learners are achieving qualifications, and getting every opportunity to reach higher levels of education to improve their earning potential.

High quality workplace-based training produces more highly skilled workers, and is critical for building a faster growing, more competitive economy.

The changes will contribute to our better public services target of 55 per cent of 25- to 34- year-olds gaining a Level 4 or higher qualification.

They will help deliver a results-focused vocational education and training system to equip workers with transferable skills they can use throughout their working lives.

For more information, click here.

Family Court reforms put children first

National is reforming the Family Court to ensure its focus is on those who need it most, as part of our plan to deliver better public services.

The proposals respond to concerns raised by the public, judges, lawyers, and counsellors during a comprehensive review of the Family Court earlier this year.

New Zealand needs a modern, accessible family justice system that is efficient, effective, and more responsive to children and vulnerable people.

We want the needs of children put first, rather than those of couples with relationship issues.

We’re introducing a new Family Disputes Resolution service particularly for Care of Children Act cases so there’ll be about 2000 fewer children going to court each year.

For more information, click here.

Connecting New Zealand to ultra-fast broadband

National’s plan to deliver ultra-fast broadband to New Zealanders is making great progress one year in.

The year one target has been exceeded by more than 6000 premises, with over 76,000 schools, businesses, hospitals, and households now covered by the network.

Ultra-fast broadband is a game changer. People will be able to connect with specialist teachers in virtual classrooms and the world’s best medical specialists, while businesses can connect with export markets around the world.

Building a more competitive and productive economy is one of National’s key priorities and connecting us to the world with ultra-fast broadband is a vital part of this.

For more information, click here.

Partnership Schools to raise achievement

National’s unrelenting focus is on raising achievement for all our students. Four out of five kids are successfully getting the qualifications they need from school, National’s plan is for five out of five.

Partnership Schools/Kura Hourua – New Zealand’s model of charter schools – are part of this plan. They will help lift educational achievement in low decile areas and disadvantaged communities that have been underserved by the education system.

“Partnership” captures the concept of our model. The schools will be a partnership between the Crown and the school’s sponsor, and between the sponsor and the community.

The sponsor will be the governing body and be accountable through a contract to deliver specific targets negotiated with the Crown.

For more information, click here.