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Dear John, Welcome to my August Newsletter
Education is the big news this August and in an electorate like Ilam, where education is our largest employer, these reforms will have a meaningful impact.
The Government has announced major changes to NCEA, now open for public consultation until 15 September. Consultation on proposal to replace NCEA - Ministry of Education Final decisions will be made by Cabinet before the end of 2025. Under the proposed changes:
Year 11 students will focus on foundational skills, with English and Mathematics becoming compulsory. A new Foundational Skills Award will formally recognise students’ literacy and numeracy achievements.
Years 12 and 13 will focus on new national qualifications - the New Zealand Certificate of Education (NZCE) in Year 12 and the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education (NZACE) in Year 13. To pass, students will need to take five subjects and achieve passes in at least four.
The current standards-based assessment system will be replaced with a structured, subject-based model, supporting more coherent programmes of learning. Instead of accumulating isolated standards, students will be assessed on more integrated knowledge, with achievement reported via letter grades (A–E) and marks out of 100 making outcomes clearer and easier to understand.
New subjects and standards are being introduced to build stronger vocational pathways, co-designed with industry leaders in key sectors like construction, automotive, and hospitality helping prepare students more directly for the workforce. As a father, I welcome reforms that simplify the system and bring more clarity for both students and parents. These changes will help our young people focus their learning and better prepare for life beyond school, whether that’s further study, training, or employment. Last weekend, I attended a very energising National Party Conference here in Christchurch. There’s growing optimism across the country with the South Island leading the economic recovery. Inflation is sitting within the Reserve Bank’s target range, the Official Cash Rate remains stable at 3.25%, and mortgage interest rates are now lower than they were a year ago. Tourism has made a strong comeback, employment is trending upward, and business confidence is clearly rising especially the further south you go. Careful, considered economic management is easing cost-of-living pressures and laying the foundations for long-term growth across our regions. July’s highlights
As always, I got along to Orientation week at the start of the second semester at Canterbury University. In the latest edition of the QS World University Rankings, UC is ranked #261 out of over 1,500 of the world's top universities.
I recently accompanied the team in the Riccarton Community Patrol Car area on their patrol in Ilam. As volunteers, they do an amazing job working closely with the police, and are the extra ears and eyes in our community. This government is restoring law and order by introducing stronger police laws. Violent crime, total victimizations, assaults, and serious assaults have all fallen under our government - as well as a massive reduction in ram raids. We have more police back out on the beat and new tools enabling Police to crack down on gangs have proved their worth.
MP Vanessa Weenink and I toured the Air Force Museum with Director Brett Marshall, including boarding NZ7001—one of the first three C-130H Hercules aircraft to arrive at RNZAF Base Whenuapai in 1965. The fleet soon supported New Zealand’s efforts in the Vietnam War, transporting 161 Battery personnel and delivering humanitarian aid. This plane has also been involved in recovering remains from the Erebus disaster and was one of the first planes to bring search and rescue teams into Christchurch following the earthquakes. I enjoyed meeting the new Principal of Yaldhurst School, Gretchen Cocks. Yaldhurst School has classes in years 1 to 8 with a current roll of 153 students. What’s coming up
· I will be joining the Japanese Consul General Mr Ken Nakamura, on August 10th to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki · On Friday 29 August from 10am I’ll be collecting for the Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day, outside Fendalton Fresh Choice (by my office). If this sounds like something you’d like to do, they are always looking for volunteers Volunteer - Canterbury · Orana Park is located within the Ilam electorate so I will be visiting it to see how it’s going · I’m joining the Campbell&Co pub quiz team at Bishop Bros, Bishopdale. · I’m looking forward to visiting the residents of Elmswood Retirement Home 2025 Local Government Elections These are conducted by postal vote. For the 2025 election, voting documents will be delivered between 9 September and 22 September, and voting closes at noon on 11 October. Each council library will have a ‘vote bin’ there for the voting period, from 9 September to noon on Saturday 11 October. Final results announced by October 19 If you have any questions, please contact the deputy electoral officer at: [email protected] click here.
Senior’s morning tea Invitation
Recent Key Announcements: Strengthening primary care to better meet patient needs: The Government is taking further action to ensure Kiwis can see a doctor, focusing on improved funding for rural practices, faster access to primary care, and a stronger pipeline of locally trained GPs (Beehive PR)
Overseas products to make it cheaper to build: Building products including plasterboard, cladding systems, external doors, and windows will all be easier to use in construction sites across New Zealand (Beehive PR)
Scrapped surcharges a win for New Zealanders: Surcharges will be axed to put money back in Kiwis’ pockets (Beehive PR)
More classrooms for state-integrated schools: The Government is ensuring more parents have choice with their child’s education, delivering a $30 million investment package to deliver roll growth classrooms across the state-integrated school network (Beehive PR)
Regional governance will return to ten polytechnics: Ten polytechnics will be re-established from 1 January 2026, restoring regional decision-making that supports strong communities and economic growth (Beehive PR)
The Ilam office is open Mon-Fri from 9am – 3pm and you are welcome to pop in. To make an appointment to meet with me, call Leanne 03 3593665 or email [email protected] Weekly JP Clinic is on Thursdays between 12-1pm in the Ilam office. Call first 03 3593665. Please Share the News! Feel free to share this email with friends and family who might like to stay in touch and connected with the community.
Kind regards
Hamish Campbell |
 41 Pipitea Street Authorised by Hamish Campbell, Parliament Buildings, Wellington |
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