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I want to thank Nikora Lanifole and the roopu from Hato Petera who have welcomed us here today who provided a perfect foundation from which to launch this report.

Thank you also to Stevie Davis-Tana, for your fine work in hosting this hui today.

Kiwi Health Jobs, a national job website advertising vacancies in public hospitals, has reached another milestone with over 650,000 visits since its launch in 2011.

Kiwi Health Jobs currently advertises clinical and non-clinical jobs for all district health boards (DHBs) and the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS).

“70 per cent of the 650,000 visits were from New Zealanders, with the remainder international visitors largely from the UK, Australia and the US,” says Mr Ryall.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says revised clinical guidelines released today will make it easier for New Zealanders to find out if they are at risk of developing heart disease or diabetes.

“Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes, are the leading cause of death in New Zealand. And diabetes is one of the fastest growing long-term conditions in the country,” says Mr Ryall.

“The earlier heart disease, pre-diabetes or diabetes are detected, the sooner that people can make healthy changes to their lifestyles.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced that the Government has passed new regulations on hand-held high-power laser pointers.

“High-power laser pointers can cause eye injuries, even blindness, and skin burns. ACC accepts around 10 claims a year for these injuries,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“They can also cause temporary flash blindness, which poses a serious risk if the person affected is a pilot or in charge of a vehicle or equipment. The Civil Aviation Authority reports around 100 laser strike incidents on planes each year.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of general practice teams, more New Zealanders are getting checks for diabetes and heart disease, more babies are being immunised, and more people are getting help to quit smoking.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says the latest national primary health care target results released today, show general practice teams are focused on improving the health of New Zealanders.

“28 out of 36 Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) have achieved or exceed the new immunisation target of 90 per cent,” says Mr Ryall.

I would like to acknowledge all the dignitaries from your communities tonight. I would also like to mihi to Ben Makisi and to my friend Arthur Anae and to Carmel Sepuloni. To the Director of Health from Fiji, Hilda Fa’asalele and to Cathy O’Malley. Also to the wonderful band.

Thank you to Fuimaono Karl for your warm welcome tonight.   I have to say, I have always liked your style. I am not really known for my style. Style is what tonight is all about.

Health Minister Tony Ryall was today joined by Prime Minister John Key to announce the main construction contract for Burwood Hospital’s multi-million dollar redevelopment has been signed today and construction will start in the New Year.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Amy Adams and Christchurch MP Nicky Wagner were also at today’s signing of the construction contract.

Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia announced today that the Smoke-free Environments (Tobacco Products and Packaging) Amendment Bill has been lodged with the Clerk of the House, ready for a first reading soon after Parliament resumes in the new year.

“I look forward to taking the legislation through its Parliamentary stages in 2014.  That will include a select committee phase and the opportunity for people to make submissions on the bill,” says Minister Turia.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced that a vaccine for rotavirus will be added to the National Immunisation Schedule.

“Rotavirus is a gastric infection which mainly affects children. It causes illness and diarrhoea that can lead to hospital admission. In severe cases, the infection can be fatal,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“It is estimated that by funding this vaccine up to 1200 hospital admissions could be avoided each year.

The Government is calling for submissions to update and help shape its National Drug Policy, Associate Minister of Health Todd McClay announced today.

The National Drug Policy aims to minimise the harm caused by tobacco, alcohol, illegal and other drugs by setting out coordinated and consistent action for government agencies and community groups to address the harm these substances can cause.

Record numbers of kiwi kids received a free B4 School Check (B4SC) from July to November this year – over 2700 more children than over the same period last year.

“More children than ever before are now receiving B4SCs to help identify any health or learning difficulties before  they start school,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the findings from recent health research that hazardous drinking among young people is on the decrease.

The figures, contained in data released by the Ministry of Health from the New Zealand Health Survey 2012/13, showed a reduction in hazardous drinking by young people from 35 per cent in 2006/07 to 25 per cent in 2011/12.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has today announced the government is investing more funding into an initiative to ensure young people with cancer get the support and care they need.

“The Government has allocated an extra $650,000 over two years to help improve adolescent and young adult cancer services,” says Mr Ryall.

“Young people in the 12 to 24 year age group have unique cancer treatment needs. Evidence shows that when young people receive care that is delivered in a way that’s age appropriate, they do much better.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has welcomed the release of the independent review into residential disability providers’ performance and monitoring.

The review was overseen by an independent review panel chaired by consumer advocate David Russell. Disability Persons Assembly president Beverly Grammer, and management consultant Karen Van Eden were also on the panel.

Mr Ryall called for the independent review following concerns raised this year about some residential disability providers.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today commended DHBs for their dedication to patient safety.

“The Quality and Safety Markers released today show progress is being made in the use of interventions and practices known to reduce patient harm caused through falls, healthcare associated infections and surgery,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Baseline data was released in June 2013 by the Health Quality & Safety Commission, and this is the first quarterly report against those data.”

Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia is extremely pleased at the 2013 Census results that show that the number of smokers in New Zealand has dropped by nearly a quarter since the 2006 Census. Statistics New Zealand released the results today which also show that smoking prevalence amongst Maori has dropped from 42.2% in 2006 to 32.7% in 2013.

The total number of adults smokers in New Zealand numbers 463,000 representing a drop of 23% from 598,000 at Census 2006. There are now 702,000 people who say they have given up smoking.

A new cardiac procedure for people whose blood pressure remains high even when on blood pressure lowering medicines will be part of a $1.2 million two year trial starting early next year.

“The trial uses renal denervation, a half-hour procedure that ‘zaps’ the nerves to the kidney to reduce blood pressure,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

“While this new treatment is still in its very early stages, it shows considerable promise for lowering blood pressure and in turn lowering the risk of heart attacks, heart disease and stroke.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today, on Safe Sleep Day, welcomed a decline in sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).

“In 2012 there were 36 SUDI cases, down from 55 in 2008,” says Mrs Goodhew. The last decade has seen a significant decline in the rate of SUDI.

“Research has found the risk of SUDI can be decreased with safe sleep practices. This includes putting babies to sleep on their back, keeping bedding away from their face and making sure their rooms are smokefree.

I want to thank Dr Debbie Ryan for extending the welcome for me to be here - and acknowledge Hilda Fa’asalele for her kind introduction.

It is a pleasure to be here with you all on the verges of the rippling waters of Te Whanganui-a-Tara.   It was an inspired choice to hold this event at Te Wharewaka o Poneke.

Firstly, we acknowledge the significance of this place, once the harbour frontage of Te Aro Pa, kainga of one of the largest Maori communities in Wellington up until the 1880s.

It is my pleasure to be here today to launch the Porirua Social Sector Trial and I want to congratulate those involved on the action plan we have before us.

As most of you here will know, this plan aims to reduce the number of Porirua people needing to use the Wellington Hospital Emergency Department and also the number of people being admitted to hospital for conditions that could have been avoided.

Health Minister Tony Ryall today launched a new Social Sector Trial action plan in Porirua focused on reducing avoidable hospital and emergency department admissions.

“There are now 16 Social Sector Trials throughout the country. The majority of these are focused on improving things such as truancy rates and youth crime. The Porirua Trial is applying this successful model towards achieving better health outcomes for the local community,” says Mr Ryall.

An embarrassing middle-aged Dad trying to impress his teenager’s friends by supplying them alcohol features in a new publicity campaign to remind people of new laws about supplying alcohol to under-18 year olds.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the campaign, developed by the Health Promotion Agency (HPA), relates to law changes this month around social supply of alcohol to under-18s.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has today announced the chairs and deputy chairs of the 20 district health boards (DHBs).

“14 chairs and 13 deputy chairs are continuing in their roles,” says Mr Ryall.

“To encourage greater regional collaboration in the planning and delivery of health services, there are seven chair and deputy chair cross-appointments.

“For example, there are multiple cross-appointments of chairs and deputies in the four Northern region boards and the three boards in the Greater Wellington region.

Good afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you at your annual conference this afternoon. This is my fifth time in six years.

My speech today is in four parts, and covers the major objectives of the Government’s health plan: helping families stay healthy, better performance, best use of every dollar, and a strong and trusted workforce.