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Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says Labour’s Meka Whaitiri should understand the Local Government Act before leaping in to the Auckland governance debate.

“Ms Whaitiri should read the Act. If she did she would understand the Local Government Commission has statutory responsibility for reorganisation applications. As the Minister of Local Government, I cannot intervene in this process,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

The Associate Minister of Health Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says reducing the harm from tobacco is the key focus of international efforts spearheaded by the World Health Organisation.

Mr Lotu-Iiga held an event at Parliament this evening.

“This year World Smokefree Day focuses on standardised packaging of tobacco. Today I have released draft regulations and a consultation document which aims to standardise the look of cigarette packs”.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today released draft regulations and a consultation document which aims to standardise the look of cigarette packs.

“The design and appearance of cigarette packets are powerful marketing tools for vendors. The Government is proposing to use the standard brown-green packaging which is similar to what is used in Australia,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says today’s decision on Waiheke Island’s unitary authority proposal reinforces the need for local authority reforms.

The Local Government Commission announced today that the application to form a Waiheke Island unitary council would be treated as an alternative application to the process initiated by the North Rodney application to form a unitary authority. 

The Minister of Local Government Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says a roading and transport alliance in Northland is a step towards efficient shared services that will save ratepayers’ money.

The Chair of the Northland Mayoral Forum Sheryl Mai today announced the establishment of the Northland Transportation Alliance (NTA), a collaborative alliance for transportation and roading services in Northland. 

The Minister for Ethnic Communities, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, has remembered the special relationship between New Zealand and Nepal on the anniversary of the first ascent of Mt Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

“Today marks the 63rd anniversary of the ascent of Sagarmāthā (Mount Everest). Our two countries started on a special journey on 29 May 1953 when the two men famously, in the words of Sir Edmund, ‘knocked the bastard off’,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

More than 400 delegates from around New Zealand and overseas have gathered in Auckland for the 5th EPIC conference today.

“New Zealand’s economy is largely dependent on international trade.  Our increasing diversity brings significant benefits to our regional and economic growth with international connections, innovative thinking, and increased trade and investment,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

New Zealand is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world.   

The Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says the passing of a Bill to increase the tobacco excise will save lives and prevent young people taking up a deadly smoking habit.

The Customs and Excise (Tobacco Products-Budget Measures) Amendment Bill passed through all stages in Parliament today.

The Bill increases the excise tax on tobacco by 10 per cent per annum for the next four years, from 1 January 2017.

Budget 2016 will increase the tax on tobacco by 10 per cent on 1 January each year for the next four years, Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga and Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox say.

“Raising the price of tobacco is the single most powerful tool to reduce smoking.  All smokers will face the price rises. The more they smoke, the more they pay. The more they pay, the greater the incentive to quit,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Budget 2016 will allocate $6.4 million of new operating funding over four years for Pacific peoples initiatives, Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

Funding for Vote Pacific Peoples is at its highest level with $9.9 million allocated in 2016/17, up 25 per cent since 2008/09.

The largest funding increase, $4.6 million over four years, is being allocated to Pacific Employment Support Services (PESS) to help young Pacific people in Auckland find and keep a job or find education or training opportunities.

Budget 2016 contains new funding to help pacific youth find work or take up suitable training programmes, Pacific People’s Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

$4.6 million is being allocated over four years to the Pacific Employment Support Services (PESS) to help young pacific people in Auckland find work.

“The programme identifies young people who need help. Staff place them in training programmes, then in to work or further qualification-based training,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Two experienced Pacific leaders have been appointed to the Pacific Business Trust (PBT) Board, Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

PBT is a charitable trust helping Pacific people start businesses, grow jobs and increase economic development.

“I am pleased to announce Pelenato Sakalia and Tiumalu Peter Fa’afiu are joining the PBT board for the next three years, bringing with them valuable experience and expertise,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Samoa Language Week this year for the first time includes a new education resource to help people learn Gagana Samoa, the Minister for Pacific Peoples Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa: Samoan Language Week runs from Sunday May 29 until Saturday 4 June.

“The challenge for all of us during this language week is to find opportunities to use Gagana Samoa more in our community, churches and workplaces.  We also need to keep using the language for rest of the year,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Central and local government come together in Wellington today for the 22nd forum involving the two sectors Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

“The Forum provides the highest level of engagement between central and local government, and is highly valued. It will be jointly chaired by the Prime Minister and the President of Local Government New Zealand, Lawrence Yule,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

The Minister of Local Government Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says Maori involvement with local government is being actively discussed by iwi leaders and councils.

Minister Lotu-Iiga met with the Iwi Chairs Forum at Whakarewarewa yesterday to present his Better Local Services reforms package

“The BLS reforms preserve existing arrangements under Treaty settlements and those specifically established under legislation.  For example, they protect arrangements such as co-governance or co-management in respect of the Rotorua Lakes and the Waikato River.

The Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed a commitment from the Canterbury Mayoral Forum to develop more shared services aimed at positioning the region for long-term, sustainable economic and social development.

The Minister met with Mayors and Chief Executives from Christchurch City Council and 9 district councils from Waitaki to Kaikoura and Environment Canterbury on Friday.

The Canterbury Mayoral Forum presented the range of collaborative commitments for the 2013 – 16 Triennium and proposals for the future.

Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is meeting with the Filipino community in Winton today.

“The Filipino community is heavily involved in our dairy sector in the south. Forums like this give us an opportunity to talk about issues, opportunities and challenges,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“The Filipino community in Southland has expanded dramatically in the past decade.  From 57 people in 2006 to 582 people now.  That’s equivalent to 921.1% growth.

The Minister for Pacific Peoples, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, has expressed his condolences to the family of Pacific business leader Rob Neru, who died on Friday.

Mr Neru was the CEO of the Pacific Business Trust.  He collapsed and died at work on Friday.

“Rob was passionate about the work of the Trust and dedicated to helping more pacific people in to business.  His drive and warmth will be sadly missed,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Mr Neru was 46.

Local Government Minister Sam Lotu-Iiga says today’s decision on North Rodney’s unitary authority proposal highlights the need for local authority reforms.

The Local Government Commission announced today that all of the Auckland Council area is affected by the Northern Action Group’s application to form a North Rodney unitary authority.

“The Local Government Commission is constrained by its current legislation and had little choice but to reach the decision that it has.” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says council amalgamations are still possible under new local government reforms. 

The Wellington City Council last night stepped away from starting to evaluate a merger with Porirua city because it believed the new legislation would remove the requirement for a public poll on council-led amalgamations.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says more than 160 Pacific tertiary students will benefit this year from the Aniva Scholarships for health-related qualifications.

The Ministry of Health’s Aniva Scholarships aim is to strengthen the Pacific health workforce by providing financial assistance to Pacific students committed to improving the health of their communities.

Minister for Ethnic Communities Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga hopes to see an increase in language celebrations following the release today of Heritage and Community Language Celebration guidelines.

“The languages we speak link us to our culture and heritage.  Celebrating our language helps preserve our cultural links while also supporting our sense of belonging as a New Zealander,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says the ASB Polyfest, now underway in Auckland, is a wonderful reflection of New Zealand’s growing diversity.

Polyfest celebrates its 41st anniversary this week and is expected to attract around 9000 students and up to 100,000 spectators from around New Zealand.

“It is a highlight in the Pacific events calendar. This festival means a lot to Pacific families.  Families return each year to watch their young ones perform, just as they did when they were at high school,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today announced reforms to the local government sector to enable councils to deliver better services for ratepayers.

Current local government structures limit the ability of 78 councils and 66 water authorities to work together to provide services and critical infrastructure.