Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi referred to the society in a speech on June 13.

Speaking about the Government’s decision to scrap NCEA fees, announced in May, Mr Faafoi said “it’s the little things that mean a lot to a family that is struggling to make ends meet. That is certainly the case when it comes to my electorate (Mana), around NCEA fees”.

He then referred to a letter he received from Margaret Baker on behalf of a Society of St Vincent de Paul group in his electorate. He read the letter out loud to the house.

It read: “Dear Mr Faafoi — as the branch of the Society of St Vincent de Paul based at St Theresa’s Church in Plimmerton, we are writing to say that we applaud your Government’s decision to scrap exam fees for students at secondary schools in the upcoming round of NCEA exams. We deal all the time with families who are struggling in the Porirua basin and know that this
will be one area which will make a big difference to both pupils and parents. Could you please convey our thoughts to your colleagues.”

According to the NZQA website, the decision means schools no longer need to collect fees from around 168,000 New Zealand domestic students, or students from the Cook Islands and Niue, who are entering for NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship.

Any fees already collected from these students for 2019 will be refunded by schools.

Fees still have to be paid by international students.

Entry fees were reportedly $76.70 for all NCEA standards, with $30 extra for each NZ Scholarship subject on top. Fees were capped at $200 per student.

Previously, Community Services card holders and parents receiving a Work and Income or Studylink benefit could apply for assistance to reduce the fee to $20, or for families with two or more children who are NCEA candidates, a maximum of $30 per family.

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Dear fellow Christians and Church leaders,
A wonderfully successful inter-denominational prayer vigil was held in the grounds of Parliament on the evening of March 27, 2013, in relation to the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Bill. It coincided with the committee stage of the Bill, which was debated in Parliament that night.
The committee voted by majority to pass the Bill without amendment and refer if back to the House for its third and final reading, which is scheduled for April 17. Thereafter, if passed, the Bill will become law.
The time is short, but we think the Lord is calling his people to replicate the call to prayer, following the model of the prayer vigil at Parliament, in every community and every electorate nationwide, before the third reading.
Specifically we are suggesting that, working with other local churches or with your own church, by denominational streams or otherwise, prayer vigils be organised for Sunday (afternoon or evening) April 14, 2013; just three days before the Bill has its final reading.
We suggest that the vigils be held outdoors in parks, near war memorials or even in church grounds, so that a public witness of our deep concern for the future of our nation is given from one end of the country to the other.
With that in mind, we offer a complete “resource kit” which can be downloaded and used as a template for the vigils.
It includes:
A slightly modified version of the programme that was used so successfully at Parliament.
Some general background comments.
Our statement of purpose.
A transcript of the reflection on marriage given by Archbishop John Dew.
A transcript of the definition of marriage given by Pastor Rasik Ranchord.
The text of the readings from the Song of Songs showing the words of the bride and the bridegroom and a short introduction. This is to be read by a married or engaged couple.
All of this information can be downloaded and printed from our website at the following link: http://www.newzealandersformarriage.org.nz
We hope you will respond to this initiative, which we believe the Lord is calling us to at this critical time in our nation’s history.
May his Holy Spirit be with you, strengthen and guide you, as you consider this call that he has placed in our hearts.

Sincerely in Christ Jesus our Lord,

New Zealanders’ For Marriage
http://www.newzealandersformarriage.org.nz

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