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The Government has decided to reorganise a portion of its current funding for family violence into five initiatives to strengthen support for families.

Making the announcement today, Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, Tariana Turia, said $11.035 million of the $62.4 million Government currently invests each year in contracted family violence services will be re-channelled into the following five initiatives:

The Associate Minister of Health, Hon Tariana Turia, today launched a framework to guide future research on Maori disability.

“Research should enable the voices of Maori living with a disability and their whanau to be heard. We hope that with the Maori Disability Research Agenda, research about Maori living with a disability will increase,” Mrs Tariana Turia said.

Tariana Turia says she will miss working with Peter Hughes – the chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development and Employment who will be departing the position soon.

In Steven Covey’s best-seller, the seven Habits of Highly Effective Families he refers to a speech given by former first lady Barbara Bush to a group of graduating students. She said:

“As important as your obligations as a doctor, lawyer, or business leader will be, you are a human being first, and those human connections – with spouses, with children, with friends – are the most important investments you will ever make.

Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia is welcoming New Zealand’s first report to the United Nations on implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“The report illustrates that New Zealand is relatively advanced in its implementation of the Convention and considerable work has been achieved across all articles,” says Mrs Turia.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is inviting New Zealanders wishing to undertake research overseas to apply for a fellowship from the New Zealand Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

“Churchill Fellowships enable New Zealanders to benefit their communities by undertaking research overseas and bringing that international knowledge back home,” says Mrs Turia.

“I am particularly keen to see more Maori and Pasifika people apply.”

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is congratulating the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust on winning the Supreme Award at the TrustPower National Community Awards.

The awards were held on Saturday night in Tauranga.

The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust has restored and operates a vintage steam railway experience between Kawakawa and Opua in Northland.

Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia is encouraging Maori students to apply for Hauora Maori Scholarships to help them start or finish their studies in health related courses. 

“These scholarships are about supporting students in their studies, and recognising their contribution to their community.

“This year a new category has been included for Community Health Workers and I would encourage students to apply,” says Mrs Turia.

The government’s full response to the recommendations of the Maori Affairs Committee Report, following an inquiry into the tobacco industry and the effects of tobacco use among Maori, was tabled in parliament today.

“This is a landmark moment in the history of New Zealand,” says Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is wishing all the TrustPower National Community Award Regional Supreme winners good luck as they compete for the National Supreme winner title this week.

The 2010 TrustPower National Community Awards are being held in Tauranga from 18 - 20 March 2011.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is thanking the many individual volunteers and communities that have assisted with the response to the Christchurch earthquake.

“I have been so impressed with the way New Zealanders have come together to help each others in such trying circumstances including the many non-government agencies, fire, police, defence, local and international search and rescue personnel who have all been working together for the common good.

Changing attitudes is the key to ensuring people with disabilities are treated equally, says Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia.

Mrs Turia says she is deeply disappointed and saddened by recent comments from a media commentator criticising disabled sportspeople.

“Disabled people should not have to put up with such derogatory comments"

“We should be enabling people to participate in all aspects of life rather than marginalising them because they have a disability,” says Mrs Turia.

Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia is welcoming the historic delivery of the Treaty of Waitangi Day celebrations in New Zealand’s three official languages –te reo Maori, English and New Zealand Sign Language.

“Waitangi Day is a very important day in New Zealand for the very first time more than 7,000 deaf New Zealanders will be able to follow and understand the proceedings in New Zealand Sign Language.”

Minister for the Community and Voluntary Tariana Turia has congratulated the recipients of the New Zealander of the Year awards.

520 people and organisations were nominated across the five award categories by individuals or groups who value their outstanding contribution to our country.

“All of the nominees and winners are wonderful ambassadors for New Zealand,” says Mrs Turia.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is welcoming the move of the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector into the Department of Internal Affairs from today.

The Community and Voluntary Sector portfolio has previously been split between Department of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Social Development.

“This move aims to simplify access to government for the relevant community groups and provide a clear point of contact,” says Mrs Turia.

Nominations for committee members to sit on their local Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) have opened today, says Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia.

“This is a great opportunity to represent your community’s needs and aspirations and contribute to local COGS funding decisions.

“COGS support is often the lifeblood of many community organisations in New Zealand. Last year more than $14 million was distributed to more than 4,000 non-profit and voluntary groups,” says Mrs Turia.

A bill tightening up tobacco controls has passed its first reading in Parliament today and will now go to select committee for public submissions.

Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia says the introduction of the Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Bill is a further signal that this Government is serious about reducing the harm caused by smoking.

The Bill proposes banning tobacco retail displays and retailers from using tobacco trading names to advertise tobacco and stricter restrictions on selling tobacco to minors.

Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia is welcoming the release of a report on the human rights of disabled people in New Zealand.

The report, Disability Rights in Aotearoa New Zealand, was written by the Convention Coalition, which is a collaboration of New Zealand’s disabled peoples’ organisations.

The Coalition comprises the Disabled Persons Assembly, Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand Inc, Deaf Aotearoa NZ, Ngati Kapo, Nga Hau E Wha and People First New Zealand.

Legislation to discourage smoking by removing displays of tobacco products in dairies and other retail outlets was introduced in Parliament today by Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia.

“This Government is serious about reducing the harm caused by smoking and it is vital that we do more to help people quit smoking and stop young people from being tempted to take up the habit.

“The evidence shows that most people who smoke want to quit. It’s harder to quit when you walk into a shop and are confronted with the instant temptation of tobacco on display.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is urging New Zealanders to celebrate the outstanding contribution volunteers make to their communities.

This Sunday is International Volunteer Day and today Mrs Turia released the latest Quarterly Generosity Indicators Update June 2010.

“Everyday of the week volunteers are helping in their communities whether it’s saving lives or just ensuring life is a little more comfortable.

Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia has welcomed a photographic exhibition in Parliament showing the experiences of disabled people and their families in other countries.

The Access for All exhibition will be on display in Parliament’s foyer until Monday December 13 and has been organised by CBM, an international disability and development organisation working to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia is urging New Zealanders to treat people living with HIV and AIDS with dignity and respect.

Today is World AIDS Day and the theme is Universal Access and Human Rights.

“HIV and AIDS can affect anyone at anytime and it is important to remember that this disease knows no social, ethnic or economic barriers,” says Mrs Turia.

“By promoting individual human rights new infections can be prevented and people with HIV and AIDS can live free of discrimination.”

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Hon Tariana Turia today announced the recipients of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships for 2011.

“The Churchill Fellows will enrich New Zealand by applying lessons learned from their global counterparts,” says Mrs Turia.

“Our communities will benefit from the diverse international knowledge these Fellows will bring home.”

For 2011, the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust has awarded $74,000 to 15 people. The average grant is $5000.

Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia today announced the three Te Apa Mareikura Award recipients and two John McLeod Scholarship recipients.

Hori Barsdell, Phillip Tane, Matiu Julian, Pirihia Roberts and Harata Te-Amo Simeon have been acknowledged for their exceptional academic and community achievements in Maori health.

"These wonderful recipients have made an indelible mark in shaping the nature of the communities around them.