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All Corrections-run prisons are now either working prisons or well on their way to reaching that status, with the aim of helping prisoners lead crime-free lives on release.

In working prisons, all eligible prisoners are engaged in industry, learning and/or rehabilitation activities for 40 hours a week.

“Working prisons help prisoners develop skills, experience and behaviour that will help them to find jobs and stability following release,” says Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

A fast-growing Fijian population in New Zealand means it is critical the Fijian language is preserved, Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

Fiji Language Week begins today, with the theme “Noqu vosa, noqu iyau talei – My language, my treasure”.

“The Fijian language is a central strand in the Fijian culture and it is important that Fijians in New Zealand treasure their heritage and their culture,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Justice Minister Amy Adams and Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga have responded to the independent inquiry into matters surrounding the escape of Phillip Smith/Traynor.

The inquiry noted that while Mr Smith’s escape did not indicate fundamental problems with the overall system, it did find there were shortcomings in various agencies’ systems and processes.

The Government accepts, or accepts in principle, 34 of the 39 recommendations. The remaining five recommendations raise wider issues which the Government will consider as part of this work.

Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed new statistics which show New Zealand will become more ethnically diverse in the future.

Figures released by Statistics New Zealand today show that across New Zealand, ethnic diversity is projected to increase over the next two decades.

“New Zealand prides itself on being a welcoming and ethnically harmonious country. We have a high standard of living and we offer a safe haven for those fleeing conflict elsewhere in the world.

Not-for-profit organisations working directly with refugees and recent migrants can apply for Settling In funding from today, Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has announced.

The Settling In fund is a contestable funding round administered by the Office of Ethnic Communities to help local communities support the successful integration and participation of people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. 

The search is underway to find some of the country’s highest achieving Pacific young people.

The 2015 Prime Minister's Pacific Youth Awards offer the chance to highlight the success of young Pacific people in New Zealand.

“Our government recognises that the Pacific community are one of the largest and youngest populations in New Zealand. Making sure they thrive is crucial for the country’s economic and cultural future,” says Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

The importance of keeping our Pacific languages alive will be highlighted during Tuvalu Language Week, Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

The theme of Tuvalu Language Week, which begins today, is Tau gana ko tou Iloga – Language is your Identity.

“The idea of the theme is to empower and encourage the Tuvalu people to hold on to their language and culture,” Mr Lotu-liga says.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is challenging smokers to give up next month during ‘Stoptober’.

About 5000 people signed up to stop smoking last October and organisers of Stoptober are hoping to double that number this year.

This is the second year that the Stoptober programme has been run, with government support. Once participants sign up through the website, they are provided with support to become smokefree.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says he is pleased by a new report which shows most elderly people enjoy good relationships with friends and family and have someone to give them emotional support.

The report, by the University of Auckland, is one in a series commissioned by the Ministry of Health on the health and wellbeing of older people.

“It is important that people at this stage of their lives have a strong support network around them and maintain their relationships with friends and family,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has announced two new appointments to the board of the Pacific Business Trust.

Fa’amatuainu Tino Pereira has been appointed chairman of the six-strong board from October 1 for a three-year term.

Mr Pereira has sat on many government and private sector boards and has worked extensively in Pacific communities.

Rachel Afeaki Taumoepeau has also been appointed for the same term. She brings long experience in strategic business management.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has congratulated Tongan musician Bill Sevesi who is to be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame this evening.

Sevesi, 92, will be recognised at the 2015 Apra Silver Scroll Awards for his contribution to New Zealand and Pacific music with his mastery of the steel guitar.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga say prisoners are making furniture for Northland families to create healthier homes, and at the same time are learning new work skills.

Corrections will spend $8.63 million over three years to develop and deliver a drug and alcohol post-release programme to help offenders break their addictions and reduce reoffending, Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has announced.

“Drug and alcohol abuse is a major driver of crime. Two-thirds of prisoners have substance abuse problems and more than half of crimes are committed by people under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Often this is a major factor in their reoffending,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today officially opened the refurbished Whanganui Community Corrections site.

The $2.7 million refurbishment is part of a five-year nationwide renewal programme to make Community Corrections sites more secure and better equipped to support offenders to turn their lives around.

“If we are to reach our goal of reducing reoffending by 25 per cent by 2017, Corrections needs to create the best possible environment for offenders to make the changes in their lives that will allow them to live crime-free,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

A new report on the health of Pacific people shows good progress is being made in some areas, Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says.

The ‘Ala Mo’ui: Pathways to Pacific Health and Wellbeing 2014-2018 plan focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of Pacific people.

The plan allows the Ministry of Health to measure progress areas including oral health, mental health and addiction and quitting smoking rates.  

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed Tonga Language Week 2015.

Tongan language, culture and heritage have had a significant impact on New Zealand’s history and identity as a Pacific nation.

They will be celebrated all week with cultural events, including a function at Parliament tonight.

The theme of this year’s Tonga Language Week is Fakakoloa ‘o Aotearoa ‘aki ‘a e faiva ‘a e Tonga – Enriching Aotearoa with our Tongan Arts.

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today attended the launch of Secure Online Learning for prisoners at Rimutaka Prison.

Secure Online Learning (SOL) will be implemented nationwide after a successful six-month pilot with young prisoners at Christchurch Men’s Prison.

It allows carefully selected prisoners to securely access 12 educational websites. No other websites are available to them.

SOL will replace paper based-assessment and learning processes which are prone to inaccuracies.

Justice Minister Amy Adams and Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga have today released the draft Terms of Reference for the Government Inquiry into the handling of the Tony Robertson case.

The draft Terms of Reference focus on:

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed Cook Islands Language Week.

The theme is “to tatou reo tupuna e korona ia no to tatou matakeinanga” – our language is a crowning glory of our community.

The theme of the language week, which began yesterday, reflects the contribution the Cook Islands language and culture make to New Zealand’s society.

“When you are in the community you understand the Pacific influence in New Zealand’s culture,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has announced that an independent review will be carried out of Corrections’ monitoring of Tony Robertson following his release from prison in 2013.

“I have decided the family of Blessie Gotingco and the public need some independent assurance about Corrections’ part in the handling of the Robertson case,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says he supports Corrections’ decision to take over the management of Mt Eden Corrections Facility.  

“The safety and security of staff and prisoners is paramount,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“Following a new allegation yesterday, I am pleased that Corrections chief executive Ray Smith has made the decision that Corrections will take over the running of the facility for the immediate future. 

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga was this afternoon advised of fresh allegations involving Mt Eden Corrections Facility.

These allegations have been outlined in a media statement from the Department of Corrections.

“I expect to receive advice from Corrections Chief Executive Ray Smith about the options available to address the situation,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“I will not be making any further comment until I have received and considered this advice.” 

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today made it clear to Serco managers that he expects safety and security at Mt Eden Corrections Facility to be a top priority.

Mr Lotu-Iiga met Serco's director of operations Scott McNairn and managing director Paul Mahoney today to discuss recent incidents and allegations at Mt Eden Prison. 

“I have made my concerns clear to both Serco and the Department of Corrections, and have laid out my expectations going forward,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga and his Australian state and territory counterparts have agreed to develop better processes for sharing Corrections information across borders about deported offenders.

The issue of deported offenders was discussed at the recent Corrective Services Ministers conference held in Darwin.