It is with the greatest of pleasure that I greet Nga Tamariki o te Kohu, the children of the mist, here in the inner sanctum of Te Urewera.

It is only fitting that I bring with me the greetings of Nga Wairiki/Ngati Apa from within the Whangaehu Valley to greet your valleys of Ahikereru and Ruatahuna. And from the heights of Ruapehu we greet your sacred mountain, Maungapohatu. From the depths of the Whanganui River we pay our respects to Te Tamāhine-a-Hine-mataroa.

Thank you, Kevin (Haunui) for your kind introduction.

I want to welcome:

• my colleagues, Members of Parliament; Ministers and parliamentary staff;

• Dutch Ambassador; Arie van der Wiel

• the diverse range of voices gathered here today, all of you driven by your commitment to supporting communities to support themselves.

I am delighted to host this event and in doing so, to contribute to the discussion on the rights of vulnerable groups in our society.

I am so pleased to be here today, to join with and celebrate the collaboration that characterises the New Zealand Disability Support Network.

This is a very auspicious occasion – the first conference for this vital support network. You have embarked on a remarkable journey since you launched on the 14th April 2010, and I want to mihi to you as the Minister of Disability Issues, for the initiative you have taken.

It is a great honour to be here, at this national Kaumatua Service Providers Conference, as you come together to focus on Kaumatua Care : future pathways.

And I want to acknowledge the chairperson of the Rauawaawa Kaumatua Charitable Trust, Tonga Kelly, for your initiative in hosting this hui.

I have been privileged to attend other functions over the years, hosted by Rauawaawa Kaumatua, and I am, as ever, impressed by the vision you have demonstrated in caring for the wellbeing of your people.

I firstly acknowledge Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau – those iwi and hapu who have spiritual, ancestral, cultural, customary and historical interests within Tāmaki Makaurau.

I think particularly of the peoples associated to Ngati Whatua, Te Kawerau ā Maki; Ngāti Te Ata; Ngāti Tamaoho; Te Ākitai; Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki; Ngāti Pāoa; Ngāti Maru; Ngāti Whanaunga; and Ngāti Tamaterā.

I want to firstly congratulate and celebrate with you, each of the organisations who have taken up the challenge and the opportunity to be involved in Whanau Ora:
• Korowai Aroha
• Arohamai Cancer Care
• Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa
• Te Roopu a Iwi o Te Arawa
• Te Runanga o Ngati Pikiao
• Te Whare Hauora o Ngongotaha
• Te Kaahui Hauora Trust
• Te Utuhina Manaakitanga Trust
• Te Waiariki Purea Trust
• Tipu Ora Charitable Trust

I am very proud to be here today, in the company of
 

Thank you for the opportunity to be with you at this special event in honour of Waitangi Day 2011.

In politics, we are often told that it’s all about the timing.

And I can’t help but be impressed by your decision to hold this launch tonight; on the brink of such a significant event in our national calendar, as we honour the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi; the foundations of our land, Aotearoa.

The timing is even more interesting if we think about 24 hours in the life of the North.

Tena koutou katoa

Ki te maunga o Maungawhau, ki te waka o Maahuhu-ki-te-Rangi, ki te iwi o Ngati Whatua me nga mataawaka maha o roto o Tamaki Makaurau. Kei te rere te mihi.

Tena koutou i runga i tenei kaupapa whakahirahira, he kaupapa ataahua.

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.

The Mayor of Auckland Council; Len Brown; the Right Honourable Jim Bolger; Naida Glavish; my parliamentary colleagues, both past and present.

Distinguished guests, whanau, and nominees of the New Zealander of the Year Awards.

It gives me great pleasure to be here tonight to recognise all of you as nominees in the New Zealander of the Year Awards 2011.

As Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector I am very proud to support these awards and to acknowledge the incredible difference each of you make in so many different ways.

I often think I have the best job in the world, to be in the company of people who make every day special through their selfless dedication and commitment to their communities.

Firstly it is a privilege to join with you, in this twentieth year anniversary symposium of the international study of asthma and allergies in childhood and I thank you for the invitation.

It makes absolute sense to me, that in my first major speech of this year, it would be in the context of an issue which is so fundamental to the health and wellbeing of our nation – and in particular of our children.

I have been intrigued in listening to the state of the nation addresses presented by the leaders of the two largest political parties over these last two days.

Delivered by Louise Cole, DIA Regional Manager; on behalf of the Minister

Tena koutou nga mana whenua, nga iwi kainga, Ngati Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Rakaipaaka, Tuhoe Potiki ki Waikaremoana, Ngati Pahauwera; tena koutou katoa. Na koutou te whakaruruhau mo tenei hui.

Your honour the Mayor, Les Probert.

My parliamentary colleague, Chris Tremain.

E nga rangatira whakahaere i te hui, tena koutou.

Delivered by Hon Nathan Guy on behalf of the Minister

Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister of Internal Affairs)256GUY, Hon NATHAN21:59:32 I move, That the Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill be now read a first time.

At the appropriate time I intend to move that the bill be referred to the Health Committee for consideration and report back by 8 April 2011.