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Associate Minister Primary Industries Jo Goodhew is urging Northlanders to take extreme care when clearing windthrown trees, and to get in touch with the Ministry if they need safety tips.

The warning follows days of torrential rain and gale force winds, which have battered the region. The storm has impacted around 80% of the primary sector, and as a result has been declared a medium-scale adverse event.

“As the clean-up gets underway, there are widespread reports of uprooted or toppled trees,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has announced that the seasonal influenza immunisation programme will be extended to the end of August.

“The vaccine was due to be funded until 31 July, but our surveillance shows that winter flu cases are rising and have not yet peaked,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“As the peak is still to come hospitals are likely to see more people with the illness, so it is worthwhile to extend the funded vaccination season.”

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew and Statistics Minister Nicky Wagner are welcoming Statistics New Zealand’s decision to update its official measure of the not-for-profit sector.

“Community groups are the backbone of our sports and social groups, emergency service organisations, conservation, and the arts and cultural sector. These institutions, and the people who are part of them, make a significant contribution to New Zealand society and the economy,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says despite a drop in the number of whooping cough cases being reported, it is still a threat to babies.

“Whooping cough is a serious infectious disease that affects all age groups and is most often severe in very young children,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Whooping cough often occurs in epidemic cycles lasting two to five years. The current epidemic in New Zealand began in August 2011.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew is reminding people eligible for a free flu vaccine to get in before the annual immunisation programme ends on 31 July.

“The number of flu cases reported by GPs and in hospitals has already starting to climb and we’re expecting this to continue,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Influenza puts hundreds of New Zealanders in hospital every year, and keeps many more off work and school. For example, pregnant women are 18 times more likely to be hospitalised with the flu than women who are not pregnant.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good morning everyone and thanks for inviting me to address you today.

First, I want to acknowledge the institute, a professional body with a long and distinguished history.

I was interested to learn that the NZIF was founded in 1927, as this country’s first tree planting boom really took off.

I would like to acknowledge Bob Pocknall, from PF Olsen and Co, this year’s conference organising committee chair.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today welcomed new data showing DHBs are making good progress with taking steps to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs).

“SSIs are uncommon but can cause emotional and financial stress, serious illness, longer hospital stays, long-term disabilities and even death,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says a spate of new measles cases dotted around the North Island highlights the need for people to check if they have been immunised.

Over the last week new measles cases have been confirmed in Hawkes Bay, Taranaki and the Bay of Plenty.

“Measles is a serious and highly-infectious disease, and this flurry of new cases shows just how easily it can spread,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says work is underway to ensure the most up-to-date practices are being used in our screening programmes.

“New Zealand has first class screening programmes and to ensure they stay that way it’s important that we’re proactively looking for new advances in screening technology and practices,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“For that reason the Ministry of Health’s National Screening Unit (NSU) is exploring options that might enhance our antenatal, newborn and cervical screening.”

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew is calling on business leaders to focus on creating pathways to leadership for more women in New Zealand.

“Gender balance in our organisations is vital for building and sustaining our competitive and innovative edge in an increasingly challenging and volatile global market,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Business leaders need to acknowledge the advantage of gender balance – including better productivity and improved business performance.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew is welcoming the introduction of free rotavirus vaccination from today.

“The vaccine, which is given orally rather than an injection, will be part of babies’ standard immunisations at ages six weeks, three months and five months,” says Mrs Goodhew. 

“Usually with childhood vaccines, if you’re late you can catch up. But for rotavirus, babies must have the first of three doses before they are 15 weeks old. If they’re too late, then babies will miss out,” says Mrs Goodhew. 

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew today announced additional investment of $18 million to further improve the care of rest home residents throughout the country.

The funding will support the rollout of regular comprehensive clinical assessments of each of the 32,000 older New Zealanders living in rest homes.

“The Government is making available up to an extra $18 million over four years to provide ongoing support and training for nurses and rest homes from July 2015, as agreed during recent aged care contract negotiations,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew is encouraging anyone who has not yet been immunised against influenza to do so before the winter season peaks in late July to early August.

“The vaccine takes up to two weeks to take effect, so now is the time to take action to avoid catching and spreading influenza,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Every year in New Zealand people are hospitalised with influenza. It can cause serious complications and death, even in previously healthy people.”

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew has launched an information campaign encouraging people to protect their futures by setting up an enduring power of attorney (EPA).

“The review of the 2007 amendments to the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act found there is a need for clearer information about EPAs, which we’re addressing with a widespread public information campaign,” says Mrs Goodhew.

New data shows that more than 160 people who have taken part in the Waitemata bowel screening programme have been found to have cancer.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says the data for the first two years helps build a picture of how New Zealand could run a national bowel screening programme, and what would need to be in place to do that safely and to a high standard.

“Provisional results for the first two years of the programme show that most of the cancers were found at an early stage, when they can often be cured,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew is inviting applications for the 2015 Community Internship Programme (CIP).

“This programme provides a chance for experienced professionals to contribute to a community organisation and to increase understanding and co-operation between the private, public and community sectors,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“It funds hapū, iwi or community groups with clearly identified needs to employ skilled professionals as interns for 12 months part-time or three to six months full-time.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew is urging families to make sure they're immunised against measles before heading away for the school holidays.

Since December 2013 there have been more than 200 cases of measles in New Zealand.  The majority of recent cases have been in children and teenagers aged 10 to 19 years in the Waikato region.

“Measles is highly preventable with immunisation, so it would be a great shame for children or their caregivers to end up catching it during the holidays,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed updated advice about healthy weight gain during pregnancy.

“Guidance for Healthy Weight Gain in Pregnancy” has been developed for health practitioners caring for pregnant women.

“Healthy eating and activity during pregnancy supports optimal fetal growth and development,” says Mrs Goodhew.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you Amy and David for the warm introduction and thank you to Volunteer Wellington for inviting me to speak about tonight’s awards.

I am delighted to be a part of this wonderful new event.

As most of you will know, this week is National Volunteer Week.

Around the country, we have a full calendar of events, activities and celebrations designed to promote and recognise the dedication and achievements of volunteers. 

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has today encouraged New Zealanders to take part in National Volunteer Week.

“This is a week, co-ordinated annually by Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ), which is set aside to celebrate the contribution volunteers make in their communities,” says Mrs Goodhew.

This year’s theme is “Naku te rourou nau te rourou ka ora ai te tangata.” Translated as “With your contribution and my contribution the people will live.”

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew is again urging people to check whether they and their children are fully immunised against measles.

In recent weeks, 56 cases have been reported in Waikato, of which a significant number are associated with Fraser High School.

Between December 2013 and 13 June 2014, there have been 190 measles cases reported in New Zealand. Approximately one in five of these people have needed hospital treatment.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew is looking at simplifying the process and reducing the barriers to setting up enduring powers of attorney (EPA).

“A review of the 2007 amendments to the EPA has found there’s room for improvement, and work is now underway to address the issues highlighted,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“An EPA gives a person or people of your choice the right to make decisions about your property, care and welfare if you lose the ability to do so yourself.

Older people are entitled to feel safe and live free of fear, says Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew.

Each year approximately 2,000 older people are referred to Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention (EANP) services across the country.

“Elder abuse can take many forms and includes behaviours or neglect which causes physical, psychological, financial or sexual harm to an older person,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has acknowledged the high volume of traffic to the new ‘rural’ section on the National Depression Initiative (NDI) website.

Farmers’ stories about overcoming depression were added to the NDI website in April to encourage rural people to recognise and seek help for depression.

“There’s clearly an appetite for this information. Since the videos and written stories were added nearly 12,200 people have visited the website,” says Mrs Goodhew.