STUART SMITH MP for Kaikōura stuart.smithmp@parliament.govt.nz 0800 STUART
Wednesday 5 March 2025
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Funded by the Parliamentary Service. Authorised by Stuart Smith MP, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.
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Bohally Intermediate students, from left, Tamati MacDonald, Freddie Heagney, Izzy Borosova-Bradley, Skyla Large, Myles Grinter from Aotea Electrical, Matt Ker from Aotea Electrical, Lilly Page, Marsha Okhrimenko, Ryan Batty and Kobe Stewart-Smith. Photo: Paula Hulburt.
Amping up sports in schools WILLIAM WOODWORTH Marlborough’s up and coming sports stars have been given a helping hand, thanks to a bright idea from a Blenheim business. Bohally Intermediate School, Blenheim School and Mayfield School are the 2024 recipients of the Aotea Electric and Air Conditioning’s Kids in Sport project. The schools received thousands
of dollars in contributions from Aotea Electric and their customers to put towards new sporting equipment. The little donations add up to make a big difference. Aotea Electric’s Matt Ker says staff are proud to know their contributions help lift barriers to sport. “Alongside our direct support of Marlborough netball, squash and
athletics, five percent of every service job and heat pump invoice we do go towards the school of the customer’s choosing.” Paid as a lump sum, the money goes towards sports uniforms, equipment or subs, he says. Delivering donations to the schools on Friday, Matt was welcomed by excited pupils. The move makes sense, Matt explains, with sports key to helping
Blenheim’s only locally owned & operated
children strike a balance. “Aside from the obvious physical benefits, sports develop essential skills for success like discipline, resilience and adaptability, provide a healthy outlet for stress, boost confidence, and foster lasting friendships. “Social media and video games provide instant dopamine hits, making it harder for kids to focus, handle challenges, and build
real-world relationships, and sports counteract these effects by encouraging face-to-face interaction, teamwork, and problem-solving”. Mayfield School principal David Nott says their share will be used to directly subsidise school-based involvement into sport. “Our tamariki get involved in a
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