Jaqueline (Jaqs) Wilton from English Language Partners Porirua.
Jaqueline (Jaqs) Wilton heads English Language Partners Porirua. Jaqs has an impressive background in ESOL (English as a second language) and working in developing countries.
ELPP is one of several organisations around the country whose mission is to teach English to refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers. They also provide social support to speed the settlement of the arrivals into the community.
New arrivals who have no or little English face huge challenges and can become marginalised or isolated. Refugees, defined as those who are fleeing persecution in their own countries, tend to arrive with few possessions and little education, but they are energetic and resilient.
The ELPP Trust is a registered primary training organisation currently working with 170 refugees and 120 migrants, coming from 41 ethnic backgrounds. They have 24 staff and 60 volunteers.
There are multiple threads to ELPP’s training which cater for different levels of accomplishment and the circumstances of the refugees.
NZ Certificates in English Language are offered, which can lead into tertiary studies or the workplace. At the beginner level there are ‘mums and tots’ groups, and home tutor volunteers who visit 70+ families for a couple of hours each week.
New Zealand has a commitment to accept refugees, and a less formal obligation to help them settle and become productive. The ELPP is working at the sharp end of this task, going about its business quietly and effectively.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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0% Yes
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0% No
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0% Other - I'll share below
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.1% Yes
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15.1% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below
New World Khandallah parking warning and appeal to nearby business owners
For very valid reasons (local commuters abuse) the New World has allowed the draconian Smartcomply company to police their carpark on their behalf.
Smartcomply will hit you with an $85 'fine' if you stay one second beyond the 60 minutes allowed.
Can I appeal to all nearby business's (especially eateries) to display a clearly visible "ARE YOU PARKED IN THE NEW WORD CARPARK' notice so customers can be warned about the possibility of an unpleasant post dining experience surprise.
A local eatery, and New World itself, could lose future custom due Smartcomply's excessive actions, as is likely our case.
Indeed I would urge any business local to a Smartcomply operation to implement a "ARE YOU PARKED IN ..........." notice if they wanted to avoid a lose in trade.
Here is the link to their Terms and Conditions that all entrants to a carpark under their control are expected to notice and read.
smartcomply.co.nz...