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The more than 800kg of tobacco and cigarettes left at the border since 1 November is a further step towards reducing the damage caused by smoking, say Customs Minister Nicky Wagner and Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has announced that full audit reports for all rest homes will be published online from today in a more reader-friendly format.

This follows a year long trial in which 574 full audits were published on the Ministry of Health website.

“The trial has shown the benefit of having the full reports available and publishing will now continue in an improved format,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga. “I am delighted that we have been able to achieve our aim of having these comprehensive reports available by the end of 2014.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed the announcement of successful applicants to deliver Pacific programmes for TVNZ.

TVNZ today named its preferred independent companies to produce Māori and Pacific programmes. These include a new company employing current TVNZ staff as the preferred applicant for long-running Tagata Pasifika and Tiki Lounge for Fresh.

“I congratulate the successful bidders who have taken this opportunity to showcase Pacific talent,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.

Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has congratulated a group of young ethnic New Zealanders who have completed a programme aimed at building future public sector leaders.

Fifty-five young people from 24 different ethnic groups completed the Young Leaders Programme this year and many have already gained jobs in government departments.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says the 10 year anniversary of the passing of the Smoke-free Environments Act is a good opportunity to look forward to further gains in tobacco control.

Mr Lotu-Iiga will today host an event in Parliament to mark the 10th anniversary of the law which bans smoking in bars, clubs, casinos, restaurants, and school buildings and grounds. It also banned the display of tobacco products at point of sale and increased the power of judges to punish retailers caught repeatedly selling tobacco to minors.

Five outstanding young Pacific New Zealanders have taken out this year’s Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards, which is an initiative recognising high achievement among young leaders.

“I congratulate all the winners of the Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards,” says Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga. “These hugely talented young people have the potential to contribute significantly to the future of our nation.”

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga say a collection of short films will help raise awareness about rheumatic fever.

“Rheumatic fever is a serious disease which starts with a sore throat and can lead to lifelong heart, joint, skin and nerve problems,” says Dr Coleman.

“The Government has set a target of reducing the rates of rheumatic fever by two-thirds by 2017. To achieve this we have invested more than $65 million over six years to fight the disease.

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga welcomed the passing of a Bill which will help protect New Zealanders from sexual and violent offenders in the community who are at high risk of re-offending.

The Parole (Extended Supervision Orders) Amendment Bill had its third and final reading in Parliament today and passed with unanimous support from all political parties.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga welcomes a health report which shows more smokers have quit and fewer people have started smoking.

The New Zealand Health Survey: 2012/2013 Tobacco Use report showed smoking had declined from 1996/97 when 25% of the adult population were smokers to 18% by 2012/13.

The largest decrease was for 15-19 year olds. For this age group, smoking decreased by 36% between 2006/07 and 2012/13.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga and Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner today congratulated the winners of the Attitude Awards, being held on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Mr Lotu-Iiga will present the Attitude ACC Supreme Award at the ceremony in Auckland tonight.

The Attitude Awards recognise the huge number of New Zealanders who live with disabilities, including those with intellectual, physical and mental health disabilities.

Minister of Corrections Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today challenged NZ First on accountability and said the primary focus for him as Minister of Corrections is the security and safety of the public.

“Under the previous Labour-NZ First Government, there were 15 breaches from temporary release between 2005 and 2008.  That compares to just four under National since 2008,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“I didn’t see NZ First MP Ron Mark complaining at the time, when New Zealand had on average five people a year absconding under his Government’s watch.

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today acknowledged the release of the Department of Corrections’ Chief Custodial Officer’s Review of the Failure to Return from Temporary Release of Phillip John Smith.

“This review shows there were a number of failings within Corrections regarding the management of the prisoner in the lead-up to his absconding,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.

“The main issue was that the plan to manage the prisoner was misinformed.”

Police Minister Michael Woodhouse and Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga say agencies are working together to urgently review how a prisoner on temporary release was able to leave the country. 

“The circumstances leading to Phillip John Smith (Traynor) obtaining a passport and later absconding are the subject of multiple investigations involving Police, Corrections and the Department of Internal Affairs,” says Police Minister Michael Woodhouse.

The amazing range of Pacific arts in New Zealand was celebrated tonight at an award ceremony in Wellington.

Minister for Pacific Peoples Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga congratulated all the winners of the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards 2014.

“These awards acknowledge the excellence and innovation in Pacific arts in New Zealand,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga. “They are the only national awards to recognise Pacific artists across a range of art forms.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed news that Pacific women are benefiting from the strengthening economy.

The latest Household Labour Force Survey shows the unemployment rate for Pacific women fell 6.2 percentage points in the last year, down from 20.5 per cent to 14.3 per cent.

This means 3,700 fewer Pacific women are now unemployed than at the same time last year (down to 8,300 from 12,000).

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has presented Corrections’ inaugural Partner of the Year award to Housing New Zealand.

The award recognises the joint initiative which sees prisoners at Spring Hill Corrections Facility and Rolleston Prison work to refurbish houses for Housing NZ.

“The innovative partnership between Corrections and Housing NZ is a ‘win win’ for both agencies,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga. “Offenders gain valuable skills, qualifications and work experience, while Housing NZ has its houses repaired and refurbished.

Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga hosted the Prime Minister, Members of Parliament and representatives of the Indian community this evening in Parliament’s Grand Hall to celebrate Diwali.

“Diwali is a time of festivity and goodwill and is the most important festival of the year for many Hindus around the world.  Tonight’s event demonstrates how New Zealand embraces our wider Indian community and culture,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says staff and prisoner safety in prisons will be boosted by the wider use of on body cameras in sites around the country.

“Frontline Corrections officers are well trained and resourced to deal with difficult situations in our prisons, but we remain focused on continually improving the safety of our staff and prisoners.  These cameras will be another measure to de-escalate what can often be highly tense situations.” Mr Lotu-Iiga said.

Minister for Pacific Peoples, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is encouraging New Zealanders to celebrate and participate in this week’s Niuean Language Week.

The theme this year is Fakaako, Fakaaoga, Fakamau ki a Mauokafua e Vagahau Niue: Learn, Use, Retain, Maintain our Language Vagahau Niue.

“This week is about finding opportunities to maintain and grow the recognition, learning and use of the Niuean language in our homes, work places and communities,” Mr Lotu-liga says.

Applications for the 2014 Prime Minister's Pacific Youth Awards open today, offering the chance to highlight the success of young Pacific peoples in New Zealand.

The program is now in its sixth year and recognises the achievements and potential of our future Pacific leaders.

“Our Government recognises that the Pacific community is one of the largest and youngest populations in New Zealand.  Ensuring that our young people thrive is crucial for the entire economic and cultural outlook of New Zealand.