Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz

Last Friday, I was in the Rangitikei electorate with local MP Ian McKelvie. This included a briefing from FarmSafe and getting some practical experience in safe quad bike riding practices.

I then spent the weekend in Reefton, to celebrate 125 years since the town became the first in the Southern Hemisphere to receive publically-supplied electricity. It was great to meet some of the local people who are involved in a bid to restore the powerhouse and make it into a tourist attraction.

Earlier this week, I attended a dinner with the Prime Minister and the Honourable Peter O'Neill, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. These types of functions are important for maintaining bilateral relationships and offer an opportunity to discuss matters in a more informal and relaxed setting.

I also hosted a group from Otumoetai College who were down in Wellington to learn about parliament. I always enjoy being able to talk to students about my job as an MP and answer any questions they have.

Opening up the digital world for schools

Education is a passport to a better life, and National is taking steps to make sure every New Zealand child has access to an effective, efficient, modern learning environment.

National is investing $211 million in a managed network for New Zealand Schools. The Crown-owned company, Network for Learning has signed a contract with Telecom to provide quality, fast connections, and uncapped data to enhance learning.

N4L will also provide an online portal to give schools better access to more quality learning resources, allowing a collaborative space where teachers and students can access and share learning resources.

Priority is being given to delivering language and special education services, and to reducing repetitive administrative activities. This will be available for all schools in early 2014.

Modern technologies, like video-conferencing, will be able to connect teachers and students, the length and breadth of the country.

The first schools will be connected to N4L's managed network by the end of this year. More than 700 schools will be connected by the end of 2014, and all schools will be invited to connect by 2016.

Our goal is that all schools have access to affordable, secure, fast internet connections, as well as rich, educational content and services. We want schools, students, and teachers to be more connected to each other to better share ideas.

The managed network connects schools via a secure data network. It will be run through the best mix of ultra-fast, rural, and remote broadband available in New Zealand. Schools will enjoy increased internet speed and quality, and reduced ICT complexity and costs.

National believes providing modern infrastructure in our schools, and giving them better connectivity, is important to build a more competitive and productive economy, and deliver better public services – two of our priorities this term.

I believe every parent wants the best education possible for their child. National is providing greater access to learning opportunities to prepare our students for living and working in the 21st Century.

Schools can register their interest in connection to N4Ls through the website: www.n4l.co.nz.