Funding of $25,000 to support the New Zealand China Young Leaders Forum 2017 was announced today by Youth Minister Nikki Kaye.

“This one-day forum provides an opportunity to facilitate dialogue, connections and partnerships between young leaders from New Zealand and China who are interested in leadership, business, education, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship,” says Ms Kaye.

The theme of this year’s forum, which will take place in Christchurch in November, is ‘Innovation and Education’.

A ceremony at lunchtime today will usher in the construction phase of the $9 million redevelopment of Thorndon School in Wellington, says Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye.

“The designs for this project have now been finalised, and they show what a fantastic new facility this is going to be,” says Ms Kaye.

“I’m looking forward to joining the school for this ceremony. There will be a blessing, and a sod from the construction site will be removed and kept for returning to the earth once the project is complete.”

Soil turning ceremonies today will mark the start of two education construction projects in New Plymouth, at Spotswood College and the wharekura Te Pi’ipi’inga Kakano Mai Rangiatea, says Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye.

“Spotswood College is getting a new $2 million learning support centre for students with special education needs, while at Te Pi’ipi’inga Kakano Mai Rangiatea the $1.6 million project will deliver four extra classrooms to help meet roll growth, says Ms Kaye.

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye have welcomed the official opening of Lemonwood Grove School in Christchurch by the Prime Minister.

Around 80 students started Term 1 at the new school in Rolleston, which includes a library; technology spaces where children can do activities such as arts and crafts, messy play and cooking; outdoor teaching spaces and an adventure play area.

Around 2,000 young people nationwide will benefit from new youth development partnerships with Recreate New Zealand, who provide life-changing experiences for young people with disabilities, and UNICEF New Zealand, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“These investments are being made under the Partnership Fund, which sees the Government co-invest with business, philanthropic, iwi and other partners to grow youth development opportunities,” says Ms Kaye.

A new $150,000 partnership to help grow future Maori leaders from Northland and Auckland was announced today by Youth Minister Nikki Kaye.

“This investment will support the education organisation and social enterprise Te Whare Hukahuka to deliver their governance programme Ka Eke Poutama,” says Ms Kaye.

“Ka Eke Poutama is about growing the skills of young Maori leaders to prepare them for governance roles on the boards of organisations such as schools, councils, NGOs, iwi and community organisations and businesses.”

At least $13 million will be invested to redevelop the senior campus at Warkworth Primary School in Rodney, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“This project demonstrates the Government’s continuing momentum to address roll growth and modernise school infrastructure,” says Ms Kaye.

“Ten existing classrooms on the senior campus for years four to six will be demolished and replaced with 14 new classrooms, along with renewed administration, library and resource spaces.

TeenAg, an agriculture sector youth programme run by New Zealand Young Farmers, will receive $146,000 of support under a new partnership announced today by Youth Minister Nikki Kaye.

A funding boost to the Small Communities Youth Grant Fund means more young people living in offshore communities will benefit from youth development opportunities, including leadership programmes, mentoring and volunteering, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“This fund is for young people living in places such as Matakana, Great Barrier, Waiheke, Stewart and the Chatham Islands,” says Ms Kaye.

“The total funding available under the fund will increase to $150,000 over three years, up from $90,000 currently.

Around 200 more Christchurch secondary school and university students will have the opportunity to be part of local volunteer initiatives, with the Government investing alongside other funders to support the University of Canterbury Student Volunteer Army, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“This is about developing future leaders and supporting them to inspire their peers to make service part of the student lifestyle,” says Ms Kaye.

Around $3.8 million will be invested to build a new two-storey classroom block at Auckland’s Long Bay Primary School, says Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye.

The Prime Minister, the Right Hon Bill English, visited the school this morning to share the good news with the school and local community.

“Long Bay Primary School is situated in an area experiencing rapid population growth, and a large housing development is underway near the school,” says Ms Kaye.

Nominations are now open for the 2017 New Zealand Youth Awards, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“These awards recognise and celebrate young New Zealanders who have achieved outstanding results, as well as those who have made a significant contribution towards supporting young people in their communities,” says Ms Kaye.

Up to 50 people and organisations across eight different award categories will be recognised in 2017.

Around $800,000 will be invested to build two new classrooms at Te Anau Primary School, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“This investment will help the school cater for projected roll growth,” says Ms Kaye.

“Te Anau Primary School is the heart of its local community and embraces positive activity, with students making the most of its location to enjoy the nearby lake, forest and parks.

“There has been a steady increase in student numbers during the past few years and this is expected to continue.

Around $1.6 million will be invested to build four new classrooms at Te Wharekura o TeRau Aroha in the Waikato region, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“Te Wharekura o TeRau Aroha has experienced consistent roll growth in response to increased demand for Maori medium education,” says Ms Kaye.

“The kura was born in 2009 through the redevelopment of Narua Primary School. This involved a collaborative approach, with the integration of existing and new buildings to ensure the kura’s design reflected its vision.

Wanaka Primary School will receive four new teaching spaces to support its growing roll, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“This $1.4 million investment recognises that the school supports a burgeoning local community,” says Ms Kaye.

“Wanaka is a pivotal tourist destination and it continues to grow as a residential centre, as it attracts both tourism sector businesses and those wishing to enjoy the area’s stunning natural environment and other attractions.

Around $800,000 will be invested to build two new classrooms at Greenmeadows School in Hawke’s Bay, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“The roll at Greenmeadows School is projected to grow, so we’re investing in these extra classrooms to provide more capacity,” says Ms Kaye.

Around $1.1 million will be invested to build two new classrooms at Raroa Normal Intermediate School in Wellington, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“The school has an increasing roll so we’re investing in extra classrooms to expand capacity,” says Ms Kaye.

“These new teaching spaces will be modular buildings, which means they meet standards of modern, permanent structures but have the added advantage of being more adaptable.

Around 750 young people and the marine environment from Northland to Waikato will benefit from a new $475,000 partnership providing youth volunteering opportunities with the Sea Cleaners programme, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

The programme is run by the Sea Cleaners Trust, an organisation dedicated to removing rubbish from our oceans and harbours. Since it was established in 2002, it’s helped remove over 4.3 million litres of rubbish from the sea.

The number of youth development opportunities in New Zealand is growing by around 10,000 annually as a result of a new approach, which includes the Government co-investing in new opportunities with philanthropic, business, iwi and other partners, says Youth Minister Nikki Kaye.

“In July last year, the Government committed $1 million to seed a Partnership Fund, with the aim of attracting investments from other partners to help grow youth development opportunities,” says Ms Kaye.

A new partnership between the Government and Ngai Tahu will benefit young people living in rural and isolated areas of the South Island, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“As part of this partnership, around 250 young people will be supported to take part in mentoring and leadership programmes run by Ngai Tahu,” says Ms Kaye.

“An important aspect of the partnership is that it will reach out to those living in remote areas, where this type of opportunity isn’t normally available.”

InsideOUT Koaro and RainbowYOUTH will receive funding totalling $50,000 to expand the great work they’re doing to support LGBTI young people, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“InsideOUT Koaro will receive $30,000 over three years to help it deliver leadership workshops, while RainbowYOUTH will receive $20,000 this year to strengthen the support services it provides,” says Ms Kaye.

“The InsideOUT Koaro funding will help grow 120 young leaders, who can in turn support and mentor other LGBTI young people.

Around 1,700 young people in the Greater Wellington region will benefit from collaborative investments in new youth development opportunities totalling over $590,000, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“These opportunities will offer a range of experiences in the creative sector and sports, and will involve three separate initiatives, says Ms Kaye.

The investments are being made under the Partnership Fund which sees the Government co-invest with business, philanthropic, iwi and other partners to grow youth development opportunities.

More than 650 young people throughout the North Island will benefit from collaborative investments in new mentoring opportunities totalling around $435,000, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“Three separate initiatives will provide these new mentoring opportunities, delivered by youth and community focused organisations Zeal, the Moko Foundation and the Graeme Dingle Foundation,” says Ms Kaye.

An investment of over $270,000 in the technology mentoring programme Shadow Tech Days will help it inspire more young women into technology related careers, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“This programme, run by NZ Tech, connects participants with women working in the tech sector, as well as women studying technology at a tertiary level,” says Ms Kaye.

“By spending a day in the workforce, participants get to experience first-hand what it’s like to work in a technology role.