On Saturday night hundreds of Young Nats were joined by the Prime Minister Rt. Hon John Key, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon Dame Jenny Shipley, former National Party Leader Dr. Don Brash, Members of Parliament and businesses and community leaders, at the Auckland War Memorial Museum to celebrate the Young Nats 75th Anniversary.

“It was a terrific night to reflect and celebrate 75 years as New Zealand’s oldest political youth movement”, says Young Nats President Daniel Fielding.

“The Ball also gave us a unique opportunity to do something special and highlight the remarkable contribution young people make to our country.

“We held a charity auction to raise funds for the UC Student Volunteer Army in Christchurch to aid their rebuild effort.”

The charity auction raised over $10,000 for the UC Student Volunteer Army who will use these funds for their ongoing work in Canterbury.

“The choice to support the UC Student Volunteer Army was an easy one, it’s about young people backing each other. We couldn’t think of any greater way than to use our networks, ideas and abilities to support those in Christchurch who need our help most”, says Mr Fielding.

“I would like to thank everyone who has joined the Young Nats journey over the last 75 years, the team who put the Ball together, and especially to all those who gave generous support to the auction for the UC Student Volunteer Army.”

Join our Prime Minister, John Key and Party President, Peter Goodfellow along with young nats from past and present, friends and supporters of our party, for a memorable night celebrating 75 years of the National Party in New Zealand. Register online at www.75yearsyoung.org.nz

Young Nationals are standing up for students, parents and taxpayers as trade unions begin work to undermine core public services in New Zealand, such as Education.

Today students up and down the country were subjected to the start of the PPTA’s rolling attack on our nation’s education system after the PPTA refused to negotiate rewards for teachers.

Core public services such as education are being undermined by unions in order to advance the politically-motivated games of Kate Gainsford and other union leaders. This does not empower young New Zealanders to realise their dreams and goals and only leaves good teachers out in the cold.

Unions such as the PPTA lack the professionalism and focus to effectively negotiate rewards for top teachers who liberate students through providing these skills every day. “Education is a key investment. All students deserve a stable environment where they can develop internationally competitive and innovative skills” says Young Nationals Vice President, Zach Castles.

Young Nationals believe quality teachers deserve better representation.

“War with the public is not the answer. If Kate Gainsford really does care about education why hasn’t she talked to the students she is affecting face-to-face instead of hiding behind extravagant full-page letters to the herald?” says Castles.

“We are calling on the government to stand by its commitment to workplace reform and to explore a range of viable alternatives which protect students and reward top teachers. Individual contracts, Performance Based Pay and Bulk funding are only some of the initiatives that could be implemented if we are to give students and teachers the respect they deserve”.

Northern Young Nats want the label ‘Labour Party aligned’ used for members of the Labour Party.

Our North Harbour branch deputy chairman Joseph Bergin, 18, is an extremely positive and capable candidate for the Takapuna/Devonport local board.

Joe is a sterling contributor and respected leader in the Young Nats, he has demonstrated foresight and maturity in teaming up with Shore Voice – a strong, committed bipartisan ticket, proudly campaigning to serve the North Shore community.

Northern Young Nats Chairman Sean Topham says, “Politics aside, young candidates are refreshing and far more interesting than recycling the zombies of local government.”

“Trotting out lefty political labels on young centre-right candidates and their team mates is frustrating but we understand that old timers tend to get confused.”

“Mr Burns and Auckland’s centre-right ‘Justice League’ have spat the dummy over a few emails.”

“It’s probably in their best interests to leave Generation Y in charge of technology matters, we suggest they take on the noble challenge of a Sudoku or crossword.”

Northern Young Nats call on voters to mobilise, so get those ballots in the post before 6th October!

The New Zealand Young Nationals are concerned at PPTA President, Kate Gainsford’s latest threats of lockouts and strikes that seek to undermine the educational quality that our students deserve.

Announcements by Gainsford yesterday of the potential for lockouts in conjunction with eight planned strikes in term four will damage the achievement and opportunities of New Zealand students.

“The politically-motivated games being played by Kate Gainsford and the PPTA are a disgraceful attempt to undermine the government’s solutions to providing quality education for all students and must end”, says Young Nats Vice President, Zach Castles.

“It’s time for Gainsford and the PPTA to acknowledge that their agenda is putting the education of thousands of young New Zealanders at risk.”

We need to honour the work and energy that good teachers contribute to education which transforms and grows the minds of thousands of New Zealand students every day.

“We are appealing to the PPTA to acknowledge that all New Zealanders are behind them in providing quality education to students, we have a government that is willing and enthusiastic to work for an outcome that safeguards and protects the futures and opportunities of young New Zealanders”.

Young Nats call on NZUSA to stop the scaremongering
The New Zealand Young Nationals strongly endorse the Education and Science Select Committee’s recommendations on the Freedom of Association Amendment Bill.

“Respect for human rights and common sense has prevailed. The bill and the proposed amendments ensures that students will have a choice whether they want to join unions on campus” says Young Nats President Daniel Fielding.

“The NZUSA have outlandishly claimed that the bill will be the end of student unions and student life on campuses. The bill merely removes the compulsory element from student unions, and will ensure that unions are accountable to their members, offering services that are actually wanted by their membership.”

The Young Nats strongly support student associations at our tertiary institutions and encourage student involvement on our campuses. But being forced to join a union in order to enrol as a student is wrong.

“If University lecturers want to join unions then they can actively make that choice without being compelled to, same with public servants, manufacturers, and engineers. Like the rest of society students are smart enough to make that choice for themselves.

“This Bill will also go a long way to bring back financial accountability to student unions, so in the future those student who chose to join a union won’t have to experience what the students at Whitireia Polytechnic have recently endured.

“How can the NZUSA be against a Bill that upholds fundamental human rights, that will provide accountability and reduce the chance of students becoming victims of fraud from their own student unions?” says Daniel Fielding.

This Government is giving choice back to students, and for that it should be applauded.