David finally arrived following high jinks in the sky (thunder and lightning). He meaningfully spoke of how grateful he was of Rotary’s engagement with polio immunisation and eradiation. His late mother contracted polio as 6-month-old baby following a polio vaccination. She did recover, became a Pharmacist and a pro-vaccine supporter. David presented two topics - Charter Schools and Assisted Dying (Euthanasia) Bill. 
 
David spoke of his passion for Charter Schools and said that following the end of schooling 1 in 4 students are not in employment and pointed out with no education, there are no jobs.  David said New Zealand has the best and worst education system in the OECD. In his view, ACT bought about Charter Schools also termed Partnership Schools. Those currently operating span from a military academy, to project-based inquiry learning, to Steiner and to Maori.  Partnership Schools Policy allows communities, iwi, philanthropists and business organisations to partner with educators to open new innovative schools.  These schools are highly accountable as they contract with the Government to meet specified, rigorous educational standards in return for the freedom to innovate. David mentioned such a school in Albany with small class sizes of 15 students and providing good teacher salaries. It is one of the top ten schools achieving Level 2 NCEA.
 
David then went on to talk to about the Assisted Dying (Euthanasia) Bill.  He had read the book on Lecretia Seales and believes as a society we’re failing about 25% of the time and said the motivation for this Bill is compassion. It’s about the significant minority of people with terminal illness or who are grievously and irremediably ill, as they anticipate the prospect of intolerable suffering and the indignity of the final few days and weeks of their lives.
 
It allows people who so choose and are eligible under this Bill to end their life in peace and dignity, surrounded by loved ones. The terminal person - as judged by two doctors - is of sound mind and either the person or doctor can administer medication to end the person’s life. As the law stands it is illegal to assist another person in their death.  He said it is evident from polls that a substantial majority of the public want Parliamentarians to consider assisted dying legislation.
 
David is a passionate, quirky speaker with the ability to communicate of the cuff with ease.  He ended with his own ‘advertorial’ to vote for ACT – choose me…but if you don’t, no hard feelings…