Latest news with #AlanDuff
Scoop
02-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Duffy Books In Homes Celebrates 15 Million Books Delivered
Duffy Books in Homes (DBIH) has reached a significant milestone, with 15 million books delivered into the hands of Kiwi kids since its founding in 1994. Each year, nearly 100,000 'Duffy Kids' across the country receive six brand-new books to own and cherish, thanks to the ongoing support of more than 200 funding partners, donors, and supporters. Founded by author Alan Duff, the programme aims to break the cycle of 'booklessness' and promote literacy by fostering a love of reading from an early age. 'This was what I dreamt of more than 30 years ago when I founded Duffy Books in Homes,' said Duff. 'It has been a privilege to see how DBIH has helped promote literacy, instil a love of books, and give children a real sense of ownership over their learning. We couldn't have done this without our amazing team, in-school coordinators, role models, and especially our funding partners and supporters. A huge thank you to all who have been involved over the last 30 years.' The Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) study, highlights this significance with the study, which tracked over 6,000 children, finding that homes filled with books has a positive impact on how often children read and how much they enjoyed it. Literacy rates can be a strong predictor of the economic and career prospects of young people when leaving school. Regardless of what job or career children aspire to do, they need to be literate. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading DBIH General Manager, Linda Vagana says that ' We're proud that our programme has been able to deliver 15 million books to kids (and counting). Recent research suggests that children who love reading often develop stronger comprehension and writing skills, greater general knowledge, and positive attitudes toward learning. These foundational skills and attitudes are essential for lifelong learning and personal growth.' The recent transition from the decile system to the Equity Index (EQI), has made 160 more schools eligible to join our programme – which is a lot of children without access to books. Our supporters help us deliver brand new books into nearly 100,000 Kiwi kids hands through their school. Books which they themselves choose and are theirs to keep for life. Ms Vagana adds, ' The support the programme has received in the past 31 years, means that hundreds of thousands of Kiwi children have been able to increase their literacy which has had a positive outcome on their lives. These children have become adults who inspire a love of reading and can continue this positive cycle for generations to come. Our mission remains focused on inspiring and empowering a nation of successful tamariki through a love of reading and book ownership. With rising costs and increasing demand, we're calling on new funding partners and donors to come on board. Now, more than ever, their support is crucial to keeping the programme thriving.' Prospective partners and supporters are encouraged to visit to learn how they can support the DBIH mission. About Duffy Books in Homes Duffy Books in Homes is a not-for-profit organisation working with over 550 schools and more than 260 early childhood centres around Aotearoa New Zealand. The organisation was created in 1994 and aims to inspire a love of books in children, so they become adults who inspire a love of reading. They do this through their literacy programme where schools in priority communities are given the option to become a 'Duffy school'. Students at Duffy schools receive 6 books per year to take home and own. Duffy Books in Homes has a small team in Auckland, with over 200 funding partners and supporters across New Zealand. The programme has been so successful, it has inspired offshoot programmes in Australia and the USA.
NZ Herald
24-04-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Fordlands stream restoration offers jobs, community benefits in Rotorua
Local jobseekers have been hired to clear the streambank and replant it with native plants along the stretch from behind the Huia Lyons Skate Park and Reserve to Harold Cres. Two teams of five workers will complete the job in two 12-week stages, over six months. The first stage is about halfway through. Fordlands was the inspiration for the slum-like Pine Block in author Alan Duff 's novel-turned-movie Once Were Warriors. It has made a few headlines over the years for its high economic deprivation and youth crime. Pomana, who worked at the community centre for four years before becoming manager a year ago, said she wanted to see her community make the news in a good light. The men hired for Hutia te Rito were enrolled in the community centre's employment service, which aimed to 'break the cycle of poverty' by helping people prepare for and find jobs. 'Employment changes families,' she said. The project would give the 10 workers job skills and experience, as well as beautifying the neighbourhood with native fauna to create a safer space for the community, particularly its youngest members. It was also allowing the men to be 'role models for the next generation' by being seen 'cleaning up our neighbourhood' and contributing positively to the community and environment, she said. The project was 'bringing our vision into reality'. 'It has caused a lot of interest from other young men asking about jobs and opportunities.' The project would clear the bank on one side of the stream but, ideally, it would extend to both sides, Pomana said. Alex Wilson, Rotorua Lakes Council's group manager community experience, said there had already been positive feedback about the project, which in turn helped inspire enthusiasm among the trainees. 'It's fantastic to work with an enthusiastic community that is keen to contribute to beautifying their spaces for their neighbourhood to enjoy.' The district council helped with planning Hutia te Rito and provided access to reserve land for trainees to gain skills in activities such as tree work, planting and vegetation control. The regional council provided 3000 native plants for the project and helped with planning, equipment and herbicide, Rotorua catchments manager Helen Creagh said. Its initial funding was $15,900 over two financial years. Creagh said the project would create a safe and beautiful space for the Fordlands community, while improving the stream habitat and empowering locals with job skills. She also hoped it would lead to less vandalism and rubbish dum p ing. Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner Jacob Davies said helping people find employment was a focus for the ministry. 'Supporting people to develop the skills through work on this project is an important part of us helping improve their employment prospects.' The ministry was subsidising the workers' wages through its Flexi-Wage Project in the Community initiative, and was providing funding for extra training in areas including agrichemical use, first aid and chainsaw safety. This helped beneficiaries gain job skills and prepare them for the labour market, and supported employers to hire staff by providing support and training to help candidates meet entry-level requirements. For projects to qualify for Flexi-Wage, they must benefit the community or environment, and this project achieved both those outcomes, Davies said. The ministry said details of the budget to support the project would require an Official Information Act request.
