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Associate Social Development Minister Tariana Turia today announced that 63 community projects aimed at preventing bullying will receive grants under the first round of the Te Punanga Haumaru fund.

A panel of young people met over two days to consider the 185 applications received. All panel members had previously taken part in Ministry of Youth Development training on providing input into government decisions that affect them.

Yesterday we were full of anger.

Yesterday we were full of despair.

The Te Ohonga Ake report told us absolutely definitively that each year 120 New Zealand children die of poverty.

It told us that this year, 120 children will not wake up on Christmas morning: because they are dead.

That is three buses full of children – gone.

Three ghost buses of Maori, Pasifika, Pakeha and Asian children driven over a cliff of disinterest, neglect, abuse and mere poverty.

“It’s unacceptable to see that despite the work and investment being undertaken in health to reduce disparities between Maori and non-Maori, our Maori tamariki are still dying and suffering from diseases at a higher rate than others in this country.”

Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia commented today on the release of the second of three reports in the Ministry of Health’s Te Ohonga Ake series on Maori child health. This second report focuses on the health status of Maori children and young people. 

E ngā iwi e tau mai nei i tēnei pō ki te whakanui i ēnei tohu hauora, tēnā rā koutou katoa.

It is with great pleasure that I stand and speak at these awards tonight.

Tonight the recipients of these awards will pick up the mantle of those kaumātua and kuia – some of our most passionate health leaders who have since passed on. And it is into these very big shoes our scholars step today - and in stepping into these shoes our scholars are stepping into health environments and communities that need them as much today as ever before.

I am well used to attending formal signings – but the majority of these are between two parties; the Crown and iwi.

This event today, is remarkable for the scale of collaboration it represents, and I want to formally acknowledge all those parties who have put their hand up, to take ownership and drive leadership of the Taranaki Disability Strategy.

I therefore commend the initiative of the mayors of the

• South Taranaki District Council;
• Stratford District Council;
• New Plymouth District Council;

I want to firstly acknowledge our impressive MCs - Ruth Jones, Kanohi ki te Kanohi Consultancy and Duncan Armstrong, from People First. There are also some key movers and shakers who should be recognised upfront on this important day:

• Paul Gibson, our Disability Rights Commissioner
• Dame Beverley Wakem, Ombudsman
• and Rachel Noble, Chair, Convention Coalition of Disabled People’s Organisations.

I was delighted to receive the invitation from David Matthews, your Chief Executive; and Kim Willetts, your National President to attend ‘the Gathering’ with I was told over 150 people from right across the disability sector.

The concept of the Gathering has a particularly unique meaning for Aotearoa.

The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine
Australian Human Rights Commissioner; Graeme Innes
David Rutherford;  Human Rights Commissioner
Paralympians; Award Finalists, Distinguished guests; family and friends.

Yesterday the red carpet was laid out in Wellington.   But tonight, here at the Viaduct Events Centre, we have our own extravaganza of excellence – a room filled with superstars, with champions; with heroes and trail-blazers.

Te Raukura – Te Wharewaka o Poneke – Wellington

“Working together to give a voice to whānau experiences”

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

I want to thank Community Research and in particular the tangata whenua committee, for inviting me to this special event today, to launch the Whanau Ora Research Website.

This is the third of three fabulous days that I have had, in which we have been immersed in the spirit of transformation we know to be Whanau Ora.

Te Raukura - Te Wharewaka o Pōneke, Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington

Thursday 22 November 2012; 10am

Tēnā tātou katoa. Talofa lava, kia orana, malo e lelei, fakaalofa lahi atu, bula vinaka, taloha ni, fakatalofa atu, tēnā tātou katoa.

It is great to have you here, Pa Ariki and I want to mihi to Ta Meihana (Durie) for his absolute vision and commitment to Whānau Ora. It is a dream that all of us have had that he was able to make a reality.

Novotel Hotel, Tutanekai Street, Rotorua

[Delivered on behalf of the Minister by Te Orohi Paul]

“Kia Takoto Te Manuka” – Is Whānau Ora Working for you?”

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā tini karangatanga ki runga i a koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

Te tuatahi. E koro, e te matua, Rawiri Te Whare, kua takahia te ara whānui a Tāne. Haere, haere, haere atu rā e koro, okioki ai ki waenga i ngā matua tipuna.

E te hunga ora, tēnā anō koutou katoa.

Banquet Hall; Parliament, Wellington,
[delivered on her behalf by Skye Kimura]

Tena koutou katoa

I would like to welcome you all here to parliament. We have spent the day reflecting on the journey towards becoming a smoke free nation. Today, we have shared new ideas and fresh stories, we have brought in new perspectives and expertise, and we have recalled the work that each of us has done.

I have been greatly looking forward to this biennial tobacco control conference.

And I want to thank the Health Promotion Agency, and the National Tobacco Control Working Group, for holding us all to account in an issue of such significance.

It is a real pleasure, to also share the stage as we open this conference, with Professor Robert Beaglehole and Ben Youdan who have both contributed enormously to the wider gameplan for tobacco reform.

I can hardly believe the progress we have witnessed since we were last together in November 2010.

West Plaza Hotel, Wellington

“Going Forward”

[delivered on her behalf by Dr Jan Scown]

I want to firstly acknowledge your patron, Rob Hamill; your President, Peter Campbell, your Chief Executive Anne Wilkinson; your board and the membership represented at this forum today, or at home.

I am disappointed that I am unable to be with you at such an important event in your annual calendar.

I had one message in mind.

Tēnā koutou.  Tēnā koutou ki te hau kāinga, otira, ki a tātou katoa.

Auckland, 27th October 2012

Tēnā koutou.  Tēnā koutou ki te hau kāinga, otira, ki a tātou katoa.

Thank you for inviting me to speak at your graduation ceremony tonight.  Today I have travelled from Greytown in the Wairarapa to be with you. 

The journey to be here tonight has meant long hours of travel for me, but let me acknowledge straight off the journey that each of you has taken to be here.

I move, That the seven bills divided from the Customs and Excise (Tobacco Products—Budget Measures) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.

First, I would like to thank my ministerial colleagues particularly Hon Chester Borrows, for their assistance in the second reading and committee stages of this Bill.   And I want to again mention the professional commitment and passion, way beyond the call of duty, of the health officials who champion tobacco reform.

I’ve always been one that loves a good challenge.

Hon Tariana Turia, Associate Minister of Housing, has today announced the Government has made changes to the Kainga Whenua loan scheme which will enable houses to be built on multiply owned Maori land.  The expanded policy will provide an opportunity to advance housing aspirations for whanau, hapu, Maori Land Trusts and individuals and will start rolling out on 1 December 2012 for individuals and in 2013 for trusts.

Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, Auckland
Workforce – Strengthening Strategies, Supporting Careers

Malo e lelei, Talofa lava; Fakalofa lahi atu, Aloha; Ni sa bula vinaka; Namaste; Fakatalofa atu, Noa'ia; Taloha ni, Halo olketa, Kia orana; Mauri, Tēnā koutou katoa

President Dr Kiki Maoate; Chief Executive Debbie Sorensen; Dr Joseph Williams, and the Executive Board of the Pasifika Medical Association – thank you for the honour of opening this conference session.

Wellington

[Delivered by Mary-Jane Rivers on behalf of the Minister]

I've always been one that loves a good challenge.

And so, I'm really disappointed that I can't be with you this morning in this 'at our table' event.

Because I know that I would be sitting in a room full of people who have dedicated themselves to the greatest challenge imaginable – the construction of a more inclusive society.

Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, Auckland

SUPPORTING PACIFIC WOMEN'S ASPIRATIONS
What a great way to start the day – attending a working breakfast with a room full of Pasifika women.

I had to chuckle at the title – heaven forbid that we should just enjoy each other's company and share kai together!

True to form, Pasifika women work at breakfast, lunch and tea – no surprises there.

Employers in both the state and private sectors have been recognised today for going the extra mile for staff with significant disabilities.

At today’s Mainstream Awards ceremony in Wellington, the New Zealand Police was named the 2012 employer of the year for providing high quality supported employment.

The awards ceremony – into its 13th year – acknowledges those employers who have created successful job placements for disabled people and encourages other employers to follow suit.

Thank you Debbie Power, for your introduction.

I have been greatly looking forward to this ceremony to recognise and celebrate the successes of employers and employment agents who are doing so much to create an enabling society.

The annual Mainstream Placement Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise excellence in supported employment practice.

Today we celebrate a group of businesses, people and whanau who are taking action to create a more inclusive society.