Herald: Overwhelming majority of MPs either voting YES or abstaining

August 2, 2009

The New Zealand Herald’s Political Editor Claire Trevett reports on how MPs will be voting in the referendum.  The overwhelming majority of MPs will either vote YES or abstain, and only five said they would be voting no.

Of particular interest is Chester Borrows, who “had supported the petition to force the referendum before the compromise law was passed in 2007 – said he would not vote and did not believe the law should be changed.”

VOTING YES
Labour: Steve Chadwick, Charles Chauvel, Kelvin Davis, Darien Fenton, Parekura Horomia, Moana Mackey, Su’a William Sio, Maryan Street. Progressives: Jim Anderton.

United Future: Peter Dunne.

Green Party: Sue Bradford, Keith Locke, Kennedy Graham, Metiria Turei, Russel Norman, Jeanette Fitzsimons, Sue Kedgley, Kevin Hague, Catherine Delahunty.

Maori Party: Te Ururoa Flavell (if votes), Hone Harawira, Rahui Katene.

NOT/ PROBABLY NOT VOTING
National: David Bennett, Jackie Blue, Chester Borrows, David Carter, Judith Collins, Chris Finlayson, Tim Groser, Nathan Guy, Tau Henare, Steven Joyce, Nikki Kaye, John Key, Todd McClay, Tony Ryall, Katrina Shanks, Nick Smith, Anne Tolley, Chris Tremain, Louise Upston, Michael Woodhouse.

Maori Party: Tariana Turia.

Labour: Phil Goff, Annette King, Trevor Mallard, Damien O’Connor.

* Spoiling ballot paper: Clayton Cosgrove, Rajen Prasad.

VOTING NO
National: Cam Calder, Tim Macindoe.

Act: John Boscawen, David Garrett, Heather Roy.

Positive Parenting mosaic launch on 21 May

May 15, 2009

WHAT:

A giant beautifully crafted tile mosaic will be unveiled at Johnsonville Shopping Centre to celebrate families parenting positively without the use of physical punishment. The mosaic was created during a positive parenting course run with local parents by Childspace Early Childhood Institute.
WHERE:

Countdown Entrance
Johnsonville Shopping Centre
Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville
WELLINGTON

WHEN:  7pm on Thursday 21 May, 2009.

WHO:

Peter Dunne, MP for Ohariu / Leader of United Future
Toni Christie, Childspace Director
Course participants
Project sponsor representatives Save the Children and Strategies with
Kids Information for Parents – SKIP

VISUALS:

There will be a photographic opportunity at the launch and photographs
are available on request

CONTACT:

Toni Christie
Childspace Early Childhood Institute Director
Ph 04 478 5220

Paula Bennett on Christine Rankin: That’s politics!

May 13, 2009

Radio New Zealand’s Parliamentary Chief Reporter Jane Patterson covered the controversy surrounding Christine Rankin’s appointment as a Family Commissioner on Morning Report today, available for your listening pleasure below:

The report includes comments from Phil Goff, Tariana Turia, Peter Dunne, and Jan Pryor.

We think that the responsible minister, Paula Bennett sums it up best in her own words: “Hey, that’s politics!”