MP true to word on empowering students

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye at Northland College with Rikki Korewha (Year 13) and Clay McQueen (Year 10). Photo / File

A Minister has kept her promise to return to Northland College and update students on progress in turning their ideas for improving school into reality.

Youth and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye visited the Kaikohe school in August to announce plans for a $14 million rebuild of its run-down classrooms.

She also met a group of 20 senior students to hear about the issues that concerned them and ask how she could help make school better.

One student said she was about to leave school but had no understanding of paying rent, credit cards or interest. She wanted more chances to learn real-world financial skills.

Ms Kaye returned to the college on Friday to announce the Commission for Financial Capability would invest more resources and work with the Young Enterprise Trust to help the college bring financial capability learning to the classroom.

"Financial capability is about having good financial awareness, so you can do everything from avoid getting into debt to maybe one day start your own business. A more financially capable society is important, because it can help create a more prosperous New Zealand," Ms Kaye said.

Financial capability would be taught at all year levels at the college starting next year. The initiative could be extended beyond the classroom to others in the Kaikohe community.

Ms Kaye also announced a one-off $15,000 grant from the Services for Young People Fund to allow a Venturer Scout Unit to be set up at Northland College.

The unit would help students develop self-confidence, leadership and team building. It could include chances to undertake the Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Awards and the Scouts Queen's Award.

Ms Kaye vowed to keep visiting Kaikohe.

"I've been really impressed by the students at Northland College. I know they'll make the most of these new opportunities, and I'm sure we'll see them go on to achieve some great things in the years ahead."

Ms Kaye was accompanied by Retirement Commissioner Diane Maxwell, who heads the Commission for Financial Capability.