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E nga mana, e nga reo, e te iwi o te motu, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.

In this great little country of ours we have 328,000 people of working age receiving a benefit – that’s around 12 per cent of the entire working age population.

More than half of these people have been on welfare for most of the past decade. We have 222,000 children being brought up in homes where the main income is the benefit.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment

Friday 16 September 2011; 10am

I couldn’t be prouder to be here today.

This is an historic day – a powerful moment in our shared histories when a statement is being made about the state of our lives.

This is a day when together  - Te Kawerau a Maki, Ngati Whatua and Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi have stood tall. 

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

Twenty five years ago Te Whakaruruhau was established as the first Maori Women’s Refuge in Aotearoa.  

Ever since those early days, Te Whakaruruhau has been known as breaking new ground, providing the leadership and the inspiration for working with whanau in a way which would best result in wellness and wellbeing.

And so I am absolutely delighted, having shared the journey over the years, to now be here with you all, celebrating the opening of your new safe-house.

I have to say, I have a special fondness for Whakaruruhau. 

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

Whoever it was that coined the phrase, ‘A good man is hard to find’ clearly had not met Gregory Fortuin and Kim Workman.

Today we are here to celebrate two very good men – men who have lived their lives in a way which is inspirational to us all.

Last night I released a pack of resources around whanau wellbeing including a set on becoming a Dad.   The key messages we were promoting are that becoming a father is easy, being a Dad isn’t.  

A good dad is someone who speaks openly and honestly with compassion. 

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

One of the greatest sources of celebration, of unity, of togetherness that we share, as peoples of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, is the gift of song.

And so when I think of the concept of ‘E Tu’ to stand tall, I am inevitably drawn to the words of a waiata that our children are brought up on

E tu kahikatea , hei whakapae ururoa
Awhi mai awhi atu, tatou, tatou e.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

There are thousands of New Zealand children growing up in state care.

Around four and a half thousand at any one time.

But thankfully, there are also thousands of people in this country who care enough to

care for and foster these children.

About 4,200 children were in the care of caregivers and foster parents in 2010.

Without these outstanding New Zealanders, Child Youth and Family residences would be the only option for our children in care.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment

Welfare reform is a controversial subject.

I think we can all agree on that.

Often controversy stems from emotive arguments from different sides of the debate.

So let’s meet in the middle with the facts.

The fact is that the current welfare system was designed in the 1930s.

It’s been tinkered and toyed with and is now a conglomeration of add-ons.

It’s a mess quite frankly and it’s time we had a really good look at tidying it up.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment

If you were to explain the concept of ‘care’ to someone who had English as a second language, it would no doubt create confusion.

It could imply the practice of care as a noun – such as healthcare, or childcare.

It might denote that sense of responsibility associated with the duty of care – like a child in the care of the state; or in your care.

Or it might be care as in the verb to care, to look after, to be concerned about someone’s wellbeing.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

I firstly acknowledge Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau – those iwi and hapu who have spiritual, ancestral, cultural, customary and historical interests within Tāmaki Makaurau.

I think particularly of the peoples associated to Ngati Whatua, Te Kawerau ā Maki; Ngāti Te Ata; Ngāti Tamaoho; Te Ākitai; Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki; Ngāti Pāoa; Ngāti Maru; Ngāti Whanaunga; and Ngāti Tamaterā.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

It is only fitting that when we celebrate the work of Family Start Manukau, we celebrate Dame June Jackson – and we celebrate with her the rich diversity of the community embraced within your service.

Today is a day to recognise the hard work, inspiration and commitment of so many people who have made Family Start Manukau what it is today.

In particular I want to acknowledge the three founding organisations who have invested so much in this group– Te Hononga o Tamaki me Hoturoa PHO; Ta Pasefika Health Care Trust; and the Plunket Society.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

I am really pleased to be here, at this important stakeholder event; to hear at first hand, the enterprises and employment experiences that distinguish Whanganui, Taranaki, the Rangitikei and the K

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

Last year, at the festival of world music and Dance, WOMAD, local Taranaki health providers, Manaaki Oranga in collaboration with local Taranaki weavers, Maata Wharehoka and Edith Tito, showcased t

  • Tariana Turia
  • Community and Voluntary Sector
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Whanau Ora

It is an honour and a privilege to speak to leaders of such influence.

I stand here knowing I'm surrounded by the combined wisdom of many years.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs

Today I'm announcing an important initiative that endeavours to help some very important New Zealanders.

They are the children in care, who don't have a permanent home to go to.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs

Three weeks ago I was with a group of women who had come together to make change happen in their lives. 

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

Talofa lava, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Kia Orana, Taloha Ni, Malo e Lelei, Fakalofa lahi atu, tena koutou and warm Pacific greetings.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

The goal of Whanau Ora is very clear: transformation.

But of course, transformation is not something that one person can do for somebody else.  

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Whanau Ora

Once upon a time, there was an old man walking along the foreshore.  

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

On this day, the 10th June in 1886, Mount Tarawera erupted, killing 153 people and destroying the famous silica hot springs known as the pink and white terraces - once considered one of

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

You stand before me as a group of people who unquestionably play a vital role in New Zealand society. 

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs

E nga mana, e nga reo, tena koutou, tena koutou. 

E nga iwi e huihui nei ki te whakanui i te kaupapa o te ra, tena koutou katoa.

 

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

In the context of this legislation, my focus is on the future...the future of New Zealand, the future of the welfare system, the future of individuals, families and children...

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment

E nga mana, e nga reo, tena koutou, tena koutou. 

E nga iwi e huihui nei ki te whakanui i te kaupapa o te ra, tena koutou katoa.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment

E nga mana, e nga reo, tena koutou, tena koutou. 

E nga iwi e huihui nei ki te whakanui i te kaupapa o te ra, tena koutou katoa.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Social Development and Employment