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Community and Voluntary Sector Minister, Tariana Turia, has congratulated the 2011 recipients of the Dynamic Community Learning Awards, who received their awards today at Putiki Marae in Whanganui.

“I am so proud of the amazing contribution so many groups make to enhancing our communities”.

“These awards are a way of ‘giving back’ to these people – recognising the generosity of spirit that characterises their commitment to community”.

The five communities pioneering the community-led development initiative have been making good progress Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Tariana Turia said today. The five communities are: Whirinaki (South Hokianga); Mt Roskill (Auckland); Mangakino (Central North Island); Porirua East/Cannons Creek and North East Valley (Dunedin).

As I was driving into town today I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be great to see a ‘Welcome to Te Kuiti’ sign based on the statement on the inside cover of the Te Kuiti Action Plan.

Just imagine if every bus, every car, every motorbike, every truck that roared into town was greeted by the words; “Welcome to a vibrant, inclusive, unifed community that young people are proud to be part of and contribute to”.

Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Tariana Turia is pleased to support Random Acts of Kindness Day again in 2012.

Your Excellencies, the Governor General of New Zealand, the Right Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand, and Lady Susan Satyanand, members of the Trust Board, Chief Executive Brendan Boyle, Fellows and welcomed guests.

This is a very special event for us all today – to acknowledge and honour the achievements of the twenty-three Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellows, who completed their Fellowships in 2009 and 2010.

I want to firstly acknowledge the presence of

• Heitia Hiha (Ngati Matepu); 
• Her honour the Mayor of Napier, Barbara Arnott; 
• members and tenants of the Napier Community House Trust;
• and the wider community who are so central to this place.

When I opened my diary and saw that I was going to a fifth birthday celebration I had to say I was quite excited.

I was even more pleased when I saw that the celebration was in Ikaroa Rawhiti – specifically the Hawkes Bay. 

Rangitane o Manawatu, tena koutou.
E nga mana o tenei whenua, mihi mai, mihi mai.
Ko te awa o Whanganui tenei e mihi atu
No reira, e nga iwi, e nga reo, tena koutou katoa

I want to acknowledge and pay tribute to
• Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor;
• Manawatu District Mayor Ian McKelvie,
• present and past city councillors and former Mayor Jill White

All of you have played a significant role in supporting this very distinctive development - this wonderful building in front of us.

Monday, 1 August, will mark an important milestone in work being progressed to build stronger relationships between communities and government.

Prime Minister, John Key, and Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Tariana Turia, will join with a wide variety of community and government representatives, Ministers and MPs in Parliament’s Grand Hall to sign and celebrate the Kia Tūtahi Standing Together Relationship Accord.

I am so thrilled to be here, in heartland Nelson, within the warmth of Te Tau Ihu.

And I want to thank the Forum Steering Group – Victory Village, Inspiring Communities and the Families Commission – for making this day possible.

It is wonderful to see you all, and I want to particularly acknowledge the mana whenua; Carl Davidson, the Chief Families Commissioner; my fellow member of parliament, Hon Maryan Street; my former Parliamentary colleague Judy Turner, and all of those here today from my home town of Whanganui!

I want to thank Chris Worsley, your School Principal, and members of the Board of Trustees whom we have been told have been supportive of the programme.

It is, most appropriate, that we are here today, in Maori Language Week, considering the theme of manaakitanga.

Manaakitanga – literally the mana of the people – is a concept which is just as applicable to Computers in Homes as any event in our life, in that it relates to the concept of working together, sharing and learning from one another.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia has announced three appointments to the Board of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, each for a period of six years from 1 July 2011.

"I am delighted with the calibre of the appointees, who each bring unique skills which will strengthen the Board membership" said Minister Turia. "I know that the Trust members look forward to welcoming Fiona Tregonning and Len Cook to the Board, and to benefit from the continuing expertise of Bruce Robertson".

I was delighted to accept the invitation of Di Das from Computers in Homes and your school principal, Philip Benson, and to join with the community of Tui Glen in celebrating this very important event.

It is particularly pleasing to have the support of Te Turuma Koraunui marae, and the representation of Hutt City councilors, Gwen McDonald and Angus Finlayson.

I have to admit to an ulterior motive for coming here today.

It is my first trip to a Dream Centre.

Lately I’ve been having a lot of dreams about flying.

Apparently, according to one interpretation that means I have gained a new and different perspective on life – I have risen above a challenge - bringing with it a sense of exhilaration, a new energy.

A strengthened relationship between government and the community is the aim of a document to be signed at Parliament on 1 August.

The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Tariana Turia, said the Kia Tutahi Standing Together Relationship Accord sets clear expectations about how government agencies and communities will work together.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is today announcing that she has secured additional funding of $3.3 million over three years for community-based initiatives to increase digital literacy and connection.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia today announced a new initiative to support community-led development.

The announcement was made on Radio Waatea this morning.

“Community-led development puts communities at the centre of funding decisions and it allows the Government opportunity to invest in communities in a holistic way, rather than merely funding individual organisations and projects. It empowers local communities to generate local solutions to local problems.

Your Excellencies, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, Governor-General of New Zealand and Lady Susan Satyanand;

The Trustees and staff of Wellington Community Trust; our wonderful community leaders, and their equally remarkable families and friends.

I have the great honour of speaking on behalf of the judging panel.

And before I do so, I want to warmly acknowledge my fellow judges;

Thank you, Martyn ('Bomber' Bradbury), for your introduction.

I was told that the Listener once described you as a political provocateur, a “stinger”, and possibly New Zealand’s most opinionated man. I’ve met quite a few men in my time that might have challenged you for that description so I must admit it was one of the reasons I’ve been looking forward to tonight.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is congratulating the Maori Wardens for all the work they have done in Christchurch since the February 22 earthquake.

Maori Wardens who have travelled from outside Christchurch to assist with the response to the earthquake will now be returning home.

“Watene Maori (Maori Wardens) travelled from throughout New Zealand to assist in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake and are just some of the many unsung heroes who helped to alleviate the pain of those who were suffering.

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.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is inviting New Zealanders wishing to undertake research overseas to apply for a fellowship from the New Zealand Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

“Churchill Fellowships enable New Zealanders to benefit their communities by undertaking research overseas and bringing that international knowledge back home,” says Mrs Turia.

“I am particularly keen to see more Maori and Pasifika people apply.”

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.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is congratulating the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust on winning the Supreme Award at the TrustPower National Community Awards.

The awards were held on Saturday night in Tauranga.

The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust has restored and operates a vintage steam railway experience between Kawakawa and Opua in Northland.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is wishing all the TrustPower National Community Award Regional Supreme winners good luck as they compete for the National Supreme winner title this week.

The 2010 TrustPower National Community Awards are being held in Tauranga from 18 - 20 March 2011.