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I am delighted to be in the company of the three wise women of the South – our kuia from Oraka Aparima, Jane Davis; Elizabeth Cunningham, the interim Chair of this inaugural wanaka, and representative of Manawhenua ki Waitaha; and Lisa Tumahai – the funding portfolio holder for Maori – deputy chair of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and Canterbury DHB.

When we are talking about Maori leadership within Te Waipounamu, these three wahine represent between them, the range of responsibilities and relationships that are so critical to the health and wellbeing of our whanau.

Associate Minister of Health, Hon Tariana Turia, has cautioned against complacency as New Zealand marks World AIDS Day (today 1 December).

“I want to acknowledge the commitment of a passionate and professional NGO and DHB workforce who have worked hard to improve service coverage for people living with HIV/AIDS” said Mrs Turia.

“The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is ‘Getting to Zero’ – zero new HIV infections; zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths’.

Associate Health Minister, Tariana Turia, commends the brave initiative of the Australian Federal Government who have passed plain packaging laws for cigarettes through both houses of Parliament.

The legislation has got through all stages, now meaning Australia is the first country in the world to introduce plain packaging of tobacco.

I’d like to thank Mauri Ora Associates for organising this hui and providing us all with a vital opportunity to extend our thinking and our actions around cultural competency in delivering health services.

And I have to say I am really excited by the wide range of specialist areas represented in those attending today’s hui. It is so important that we make the connections and learn from each other in applying our understandings around cultural competence.

Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia, has confirmed today that a contract was awarded in September 2011 to Korokoro Ora Manawa Ora (MOKO) to start throat swabbing services in Kaitaia.

“Some confusion has emerged publicly suggesting the Ministry of Health has not funded Rheumatic Fever checks in Northland. I believe it is important that clear information is provided to those who may be concerned.

Thank you to Professor Smith, and our kaumatua, Beau Haereroa, for laying out the whariki by which our korero today can be held.

This is an extremely important forum and I want to acknowledge the commitment of the Maori Health Committee of the Health Research Council, in hosting this hui; and in providing us all with an opportunity to map health research to Maori health gains.

I am so pleased to be here today, to celebrate your success in receiving the Te Wana quality accreditation for service delivery.

Exactly two years ago, this marae achieved nationwide acclaim when your story featured on Maori Television’s DIY Marae series.

On 8th November 2009 the story of Wairoa Marae screened on the channel, showing some 150 people who got together over four days to lay concrete, bang in nails, pull up the asphalt and lay out a beautiful lawn and gardens.

Delivered by Te Ururoa Flavell, MP for Waiariki on behalf of Minister Turia

I am delighted to be here tonight at these 13th Annual Provider Awards to acknowledge and celebrate each and every one of the network that comes together under the kaupapa of the Poutiri Trust.

I want to firstly acknowledge the Poutiri Trust chairperson; George Skudder for the invitation to be here tonight; and to also pay tribute to our special guest speaker, Reverend Tom Poata from St Faiths.

The Poutiri Trust is founded on the vision of these words:

The Associate Minister of Health and Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia today announced the launch of the Choice in Community Living programme in the Auckland and Waikato regions.

Choice in Community Living is about supporting disabled people who want to move from residential services, where they live in a house owned or rented by their support provider, to a home of their own.

The programme aims to assist disabled people to build a life like other New Zealanders through connection to natural supports and the wider community.

Thank you to Mr Murray Kendrik, the Principal, Strathmore School, for your welcome to me this morning.

I acknowledge His Worship the Mayor; Neil Sinclair, and my colleague, Louise Upston, the MP for Taupo. And I am delighted to see such a large crowd here today, whanau, parents, health providers, local organisations – all here for such an important kaupapa.

I want to firstly acknowledge Dr Amritha Sobrun-Maharaj, the Director of the Centre for Asian and Ethnic Minority Health Research, for the opportunity – and the honour – of being invited to launch a centre of such significance.

It is fitting that this event, which is both a rebranding and a relaunching, is located here at the School of Population Health at the Tamaki Innovation Campus.

Associate health minister Tariana Turia presented four awards in two categories which honour the legacy of trailblazing leadership in Māori health.

Every year, a select group of applicants to the Ministry of Health’s Hauora Māori scholarship programme are awarded a John McLeod Scholarship or a Te Apa Māreikura Award.

Ibrahim Walter Soloman and Caroline Blucher are the recipients of John McLeod Scholarships while Michelle Turrall and Paula Moyle are Te Apa Māreikura award recipients.

I am so proud to be here; to be able to bask in the collective satisfaction that comes with the ethos of success that we are celebrating tonight.

There is nothing quite as uplifting as the sensation of achievement.

Tonight we are gathered to pay tribute to outstanding accomplishments of our students who are receiving honours in the John McLeod Awards and the Te Apa Mareikura category.

But before I talk about these students, I want to acknowledge the High Five who provided the inspiration and the foundation for this award ceremony tonight.

A funding boost for weight-loss surgery is producing results, with Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia announcing an increase in the number of procedures nationwide in the first year.

E nga mana, e nga reo, tena koutou. Ngati Toa Rangatira, Ngati Raukawa, Te Atiawa, tena koutou.

This morning at 5am, there was the most brilliant full moon. It was one of those sights that make you think everything is fine with the world.

The perfectly formed moon shimmering on still waters – the first light of day breaking through, the quiet calling of the birds reminding us that we share our universe with others.

I am so pleased to be here at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o te Rangianiwaniwa surrounded by the wonder of all of our tamariki and mokopuna, to launch this aptly named initiative : MOKO – Manawa Ora, Korokoro Ora – a healthy heart, a healthy throat.

Today is about all our mokopuna - our heart and soul.

I have always liked the whakatauaki – kia tötöia ngä waewae o taku mokopuna hai whai tako: let the legs of my grandchild be massaged so that he may be supple and agile.

There have been a number of reported cases of meningitis throughout the country and Associate Health Minister, Tariana Turia, is encouraging families, especially those with babies, young children and teenagers, to be especially vigilant.

“It’s important that if you think you or someone else you are close to may be at risk, don’t wait, take action! Ring a doctor or medical centre straight away or even the hospital if you have too. Meningitis is serious if left untreated” Mrs Turia said.

School children at six Flaxmere schools will continue to have their throats swabbed whenever they get a sore throat as part of an extra $12 million of government funding to combat rheumatic fever.

The Hawkes Bay 'Say Ahh' programme is the first of eight newly funded services around the country which detect and prevent rheumatic fever.

It is a great pleasure to be in the company of a group of people dedicated to improving Maori health.

And it is both a credit to this organisation, and the initiatives you have pioneered, that I am told there are now over 250 Maori students and medical practitioners currently registered with Te Ora.

That’s 250 guardians to advance outcomes for whanau, hapu and iwi!

It also means we have 250 champions to pursue article 24 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People: that is,

Minister for Disability Issues, Hon. Tariana Turia, has welcomed the New Model for Supporting Disabled People launched today in Tauranga.

“The overwhelming priority for me as Minister has been to support disabled people and their whanau with greater choice and control over the supports they receive” said Minister Turia.  “I have been determined to act on the aspirations  disabled people have shared with me, to identify and achieve what represents a good life for them.  

I have been looking forward to being here with you today; to be joining you in the pathway forward – He ara whakamua.

I have to share with you, that in all honesty, sometimes I attend hui and without realizing it I am scanning the room for a Maori face; searching out that connection, Maori mai, Maori atu.

Today as I look around me, I see in this hui connections which link me through whakapapa and the most precious ties of whanau. I see hauora Maori providers; whanau with diabetes; Maori nurses; I see me.

A review of the National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) has recognised its success in reducing cervical cancer, while suggesting areas that could be strengthened to ensure the programme’s continued effectiveness.

The screening programme, which is credited with preventing 750 cervical cancers and saving 100 lives a year, is reviewed every three years.

World Hepatitis Day

I want to thank John Hornell, the Chief Executive of the Hepatitis Foundation, for the invitation to join with you all today, on a most auspicious occasion.    I am pleased to welcome to you all to your place.

This Parliamentary Breakfast has been called to mark the first ever World Hepatitis Day.  The World Health Organisation has officially recognised 28 July 2011 as World Hepatitis Day to draw global attention to the need to be aware of hepatitis.

I was delighted to be invited to the Big Latch on 2011.

It is a wonderful thought that today we are part of a global campaign to celebrate breastfeeding.  

I will be carefully watching the clock to ensure that all of us that can are all set to go to contribute to the world record for the most women breastfeeding simultaneously at 10.30am today!