The NZ Compare Awards are back for 2022 - Who are the best broadband, power and mobile companies?
The NZ Compare Awards are back... and we have introduced MOBILE Awards for the first time returning as an in-person celebration with a Gala Awards night hosted by Mike McRoberts in Auckland on December 1st 2022.
Recognising excellence, leadership and innovation in the New Zealand utility sectors, the NZ Compare Awards are back for the 6th year and in response to consumer demand, we have introduced MOBILE Awards for the first time.
As the boundaries between the utility industries continue to blur the organisers have responded to growing demand to increase the categories and industries celebrated by the NZ Compare Awards and will now recognise excellence and achievement within New Zealand’s BROADBAND, ENERGY and MOBILE sectors for the first time.
Award categories are consumer driven and informed by the 300,000 Kiwis who use NZ Compare websites each month. Winning carries real gravitas with the Kiwi consumer and the awards represent an opportunity to be confident in the talent and vision your company has worked so hard towards. This significant event will recognise the companies that provide New Zealanders with the very best products and services across these essential industries.
The NZ Compare Awards are supported by a wide range of companies including Movinghub, Vector Metering, Chorus, realestate.co.nz and Neighbourly. The prestigious awards will recognise the companies that provide New Zealanders with the very best products and services in their industries. With a range of different categories including best home and mobile provider, best customer support, fastest service, best rural provider and best broadband innovation.
Winning an NZ Compare Award depends on a combination of criteria. These include consumer surveys and reviews on the NZ Compare websites and decisions from our expert judging panel.
"Judged by an independent panel of New Zealand experts and presented at our gala awards event, the NZ Compare Awards provide a unique stage on which we recognize and reward the achievements of the New Zealand utility sectors." said Gavin Male, CEO of NZ Compare.
So what do you think? Give a shout out to your favourite utility provider here - not just for doing their job... we want to hear about those that go above and beyond! Who should be a winner?
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Education changes: Area schools ‘copping it from all directions’
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury principal says area schools are ‘‘copping it from all directions’’ with Government changes to education.
Amuri Area School principal Matt Barlow has written to Education Minister Erica Stanford to ask whether the pace of change can be slowed down.
Area schools cover all year levels from new entrants to year 13, tend to be smaller and are based in rural areas, meaning they face pressures to implement curriculum changes across the board.
‘‘Schools like Rangiora High School don’t have to worry about year 1 to 3 literacy and numeracy, and primary schools don’t have to worry about changes to NCEA.
‘‘We are a bit of an afterthought. Area schools are like an airport and principals are like air traffic controllers, with planes coming from all directions.’’
While some rural school rolls are falling, Amuri Area School is managing a growing roll.
The roll has jumped from 335 to 380 students since the start of 2023, which includes its largest roll of year 7s (50) and year 13s (22).
Barlow said the school is working with the Ministry of Education to design a new building for science, technology and arts classes.
No budget or timeframe has been decided.
Amuri Area School is in Culverden, on the way to Hanmer Springs, and the relative isolation adds to the challenges.
The relief teacher pool is limited, meaning Barlow and his two deputy principals have had to step into the classroom several times this year.
Roger Hornblow became principal at Cheviot Area School in term four last year, having been a long serving primary school principal.
‘‘Area schools are very complex and I don’t think it is appreciated by everybody.
‘‘We are dealing with the NCEA changes and the year 0 to 8 changes. It is really complex.
‘‘But that is part and parcel of the beast and we need to make sure we do it in a way which give students the best outcomes.’’
It means professional development is constant, and Hornblow is pleased with how his staff are stepping up.
He would like to see ‘‘a unified education policy’’ which did not change every time there is a change of Government.
The New Zealand Education Institute Te Riu Roa and the New Zealand Principals' Federation also called on the Government last week to slow down the implementation of new structured math and English curriculum.
New NCEA literacy and numeracy online tests have also come under fire from secondary school principals around the country.
Education Minister Erica Stanford said extra support is being provided to area schools in North Canterbury, with curriculum advisors visiting schools, assisting with teacher only days and providing webinars.
The schools also have the support of the ministry's area school leadership advisor Stephen Beck, who is taking a year out from his role as principal at Hurunui College.
"Support will be ongoing as the local team looks to ensure our rural area schools have the assistance they require to implement and embed these changes."
But she said introducing structured literacy and numeracy will take time, especially for schools teaching it for the first time.
"Embedding a curriculum refresh, running professional development and responding to our sector feedback are things we will work on together over the coming years."
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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