Hone Harawira
MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau

8th November 2012

Feed the Kids Bill Drawn from Ballot Box

“I think every New Zealander would agree that government’s first priority should always be our children,” said MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau Hone Harawira, “so I’m really glad that my Feed the Kids Bill was drawn in today’s ballot”.

Harawira said that his Education (Breakfast and Lunch Programmes in School) Amendment Bill would provide free breakfast and lunches for all children in decile 1 and 2 schools in New Zealand.

“Since I put my bill into the ballot back in August, Labour has come out in support, Campbell Live has given a lot of profile to the issue, the Children’s Commissioner’s Expert Advisory Group on Child Poverty has recommended food in schools as an immediate solution to escalating child poverty and I got a nice email of congratulations from the Greens today as well.”

“Providing meals to children at school has also been strongly supported by groups like the Child Poverty Action Group and school principals and teachers around the country.”

“This Feed the Kids Bill is a simple solution to a real problem and I’d support it regardless of whose bill it was,” said Harawira.

“I look forward to working with my parliamentary colleagues from right across the House to make this bill a reality.”

ENDS

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