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Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced approval of $7.9 million in subsidies to help small communities establish or improve their drinking-water supplies.

“These subsidies will help council and community water suppliers provide safer drinking-water to approximately 22,000 people,” Mrs Goodhew said.

Subsidies have been approved for projects in 21 communities in the 2012/13 Drinking-Water Subsidy Scheme funding round.  The subsidy covers up to 85 per cent of total project costs.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today marked World Breastfeeding Week by visiting a Big Latch On event at the Timaru Women’s Community Centre.

“Breastfeeding provides babies with the optimum nutrition for the beginning of their lives, protects against infectious diseases and assists with physical and emotional development,” Mrs Goodhew told attendees at the event. 

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced that eight new community development projects around the country will be supported with over $1.9 million of funding from the Community Development Scheme. 

“The Community Development Scheme supports communities which are working to generate their own solutions to local issues, and aspiring to become more self-reliant and resilient,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says Opposition Health spokesperson Annette King has got herself involved in what appears to be a mysterious and incompetent attempt to smear the record of South Canterbury DHB.

“In making claims about the DHB’s waiting times for colonoscopies, Mrs King has got her numbers completely wrong,” Mrs Goodhew says.

“She has double and triple counted hundreds of people to try and claim South Canterbury DHB has far more people waiting for non- urgent colonoscopy tests than they actually do.

\Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew is delighted that the SuperGold programme has surpassed 10,000 business outlets.

“In the last 18 months the number of SuperGold participating businesses has nearly quadrupled,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“The continued growth and success of this programme means that older people can continue to get real value from the SuperGold programme.

Associate Primary Industries Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed the announcement of a government and industry research study that could rejuvenate New Zealand’s forestry industry.

The 14-month project will study the feasibility of making biofuel from the waste product of forestry harvesting and processing. Material including sawdust, bark and harvest residue currently has little or no value, but could be a valuable new revenue stream if it can be commercially converted into biofuels.

The Government is investing $2.28 million to help mums and their families make better food choices for themselves and their babies.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says the Government is investing in a new workforce development programme for health professionals who care for pregnant women and babies.

“The new training programme will give front-line health workers the latest evidence-based research into how pregnancy and early life events can influence long term health outcomes,” Mr Ryall says.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has today congratulated the winners of the inaugural Women in Governance Awards.

“These awards are an important initiative to help promote greater gender diversity at senior management and board level in the private sector,” Mrs Goodhew said.

“I was delighted to attend the awards ceremony in Auckland last night. I congratulate Supreme Award winner Alison Paterson and acknowledge all the winners for their contributions to New Zealand companies and organisations.”

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

Good evening everyone.  Thank you for your kind words of welcome Brigid.  Thanks also to Women on Boards New Zealand for inviting me to launch the inaugural Women in Governance Awards this evening.  I particularly thank Lesley Whyte and Dr Rosanne Hawarden, co-founders of Women on Boards New Zealand, and NEXT magazine for hosting this wonderful event.

Good morning everyone and thanks to NZPork for inviting me to address you today.  I’d like to start by acknowledging Chairman Ian Carter, and other local and overseas industry representatives present here today.

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

My thanks to College President Tim Malloy for inviting me to join you today, to open what I know will be a successful and stimulating conference.

I would like to start by acknowledging Dr Mark Peterson, College Board Member and Chair of the Programme Committee, his fellow Board members, and your MC for today Dr Lincoln Nicholls.

Associate Minister Jo Goodhew has congratulated 16 health professionals who have won scholarships to take part in the Health Quality & Safety Commission’s improvement advisor professional development programme.

“This is the first time the improvement advisor programme has been held in New Zealand, and it reflects this Government’s commitment to investing and building capability in DHBs,” Mrs Goodhew said.

The Government has today announced it will continue funding for Computers in Homes for the next financial year.

Education Minister Hekia Parata says this is possible through moving up to $1.6 million of funding from Vote Education to the Department of Internal Affairs for the purposes of digital literacy.

“Computers in Homes connects families and communities with education and technology that’s why there are three of us making this announcement today,’’ Ms Parata says.

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

Good morning everyone and thank you for inviting me to speak to you today.

I would like to begin by acknowledging NZIF President Dr Andrew McEwan, the NZIF Council, and conference organiser John Schrider. I’d also like to acknowledge the students here today from the University of Canterbury’s School of Forestry and the Wairiki Institute of Technology, as well as my fellow speakers.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today welcomed the first publication of DHB performance data against the new Health Quality and Safety Markers.

“The baseline data published by the Health Quality & Safety Commission today shows some excellent achievements but also areas where more work is needed,” said Mrs Goodhew.

“The Quality and Safety Markers aim to encourage DHBs to improve their performance at reducing patient harm caused by falls, healthcare associated infections and surgery.” 

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has announced the new appointment of Michael Barnett and the reappointment of Susan Peterson as members of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW) for terms of three years beginning 1 July 2013.

NACEW provides independent advice to the Minister of Women’s Affairs on matters related to women’s employment.

Delivered on behalf by Tim Macindoe, MP for Hamilton West.

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

Thank you for inviting me to be part of this wonderful event. I am delighted to be here to speak briefly about the value of the volunteer community to New Zealand and to assist in presenting this evening’s awards.

Delivered on behalf by Hon Todd McClay, Associate Minister of Health.

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

Good afternoon everyone. Thank you, Jan [Adams], for your kind introduction. It gives me great pleasure to be in Hamilton today at the opening of the new Older Persons and Rehabilitation building.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has congratulated South Canterbury District Health Board (DHB) for pledging support for New Zealand’s national patient safety campaign.

The DHB today formally pledged its support for the Open for better care campaign, which was launched by Minister Goodhew on 17 May 2013.

Mrs Goodhew said she was particularly pleased to see the campaign support from South Canterbury DHB, which is in her Rangitata electorate.

Applications for the Community Internship Programme are now being accepted, says Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew.

“This programme funds hapū, iwi or community groups with clearly identified needs to employ skilled professionals as interns for three to six months,” says Mrs Goodhew.

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

I am very pleased to be here with you all this morning.

Before I begin I would like to thank Barry Foster and the Executive Council of the National Beekeepers Association for the opportunity to speak at this year’s conference. I would also like to take the time to thank the hosts and organisers, the Canterbury branch of the NBA, and Conference Secretary Linda Bray.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew has announced the opening of consultation on the second Carers’ Strategy Action Plan.

“The New Zealand Carers’ Strategy was launched in 2008 with an Action Plan covering 2008 to 2012. The Action Plan is now in the process of being renewed for the five years covering 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2018,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“The Strategy acknowledges that improving support for informal carers is important for developing strong healthy families and meeting future challenges of providing care.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today called on New Zealanders to take part in New Zealand’s largest celebration of volunteering and civic participation - National Volunteer Week, Te Wiki Tūao a Motu.

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

Kia ora, Talofa lava, Kia orana, Malo e lelei, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Taloha ni, Bula vinaka and Namaste.

Thank you, Susana, for your warm welcome and for inviting me to share two very important events with you – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the Launch of the first Pacific SeniorNet. 

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge your General Manager Malia Hamani, the board, staff and members of TOA Pacific.  It has been one year since my last visit and once again I am struck by the vibrancy and passion of your organisation.