Harawira Urges Key to Back Feed the Kids Bill

MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau Hone Harawira
8 May 2013

Hone Harawira has today written to Prime Minister John Key to again ask for the government’s support for his Feed the Kids Bill when it comes up for first reading in Parliament next month.

“Over the last few years John Key has not only supported the idea of food in schools, he’s actively pushed it as a practical solution to the very real problem of kids going to school hungry”, said Hone Harawira, MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau.

“His argument was a simple one - hungry kids don’t learn - and his proposal was for a government-funded food programme in low-decile schools to address the problem and help raise our nation’s literacy and numeracy levels. It’s an argument that I am in full agreement with.

“The purpose of my letter was to remind him of his position and to point out that in fact more children than ever are living in poverty and going to school hungry and unable to learn.

“I’ve asked him again for the government’s support for my Feed the Kids Bill so the issue of food in schools can be properly looked at by a Parliamentary select committee.

“I also wanted to make it clear that I am happy to consider any changes to the Bill that might help the select committee in their work, such as widening the scope of the bill to include decile 3-4 schools, allowing any school to opt in, using the programme to develop sustainable community food hubs, and even allowing businesses to become partners in the scheme.

“Basically I’m open to any changes that will see hungry kids get fed. In fact, I’d be happy to withdraw my Bill if the government tabled a comprehensive food in schools programme of its own.

“I’m really hoping they’ll do the right thing and at least let the issue be considered at select committee.

ENDS

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