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Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is encouraging Pacific students to apply for Toloa Scholarships and to take up science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at tertiary level.

“Pacific youth need to be armed with skills, knowledge and confidence in STEM subjects so they can take part in an innovation based economy. Those skills are essential for much of the workforce,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today welcomed the release of dual language resources for Pasifika new entrant students.

The resources comprise 100 dual-language flip books, audio and online resources in five Pasifika languages – Samoan, Tongan, Tokelauan, Cook Islands Māori and Niuean – and English, as well as supporting materials for teachers and parents.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Local Government
  • Education
  • Pacific Peoples

The success of young Pacific New Zealanders has been celebrated at the 2016 Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards held at Parliament this evening.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says the awards recognise excellence and achievement in commerce, the arts, sports, community and leadership.

“The nine inspiring winners have been recognised for their impressive contributions to New Zealand’s economic, social and cultural life, “ Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Pacific People's Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has expressed his condolences to the families of the men who died in the boating tragedy on the Kaipara Harbour this weekend.

"Everyone on board, apart from the skipper, was of pacific descent. The men were from the Tongan, Cook Islands and Samoan communities here in New Zealand. Their loss will be felt by their families and communities both here and in the Pacific,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has condemned anti-Semitic speeches by an Auckland Muslim cleric and says there is no place in New Zealand for such intolerance.

“Anti-Semitic attacks of the kind made by Shaykh Dr Mohammad Anwar Sahib at an Auckland mosque, and online, are offensive and insulting. The comments are way out of step with New Zealand’s egalitarian values,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Ethnic Communities

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has launched Tuvalu Language Week which starts today.

“The Tuvaluan community in New Zealand is thriving. Although small in number they are active and resourceful, with churches, playgroups and radio shows dedicated to preserving the rich culture,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says. 

“This year’s theme is Ulu kite fatu e malu ei koe, which focuses on the mui (rock) as the spiritual source of family, language, culture and identity.”

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

The Minister of Local Government Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has asked the Select Committee to extend the report back date for the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill (No 2).

“This will enable more rigorous analysis of submissions and more constructive dialogue with the local government sector,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“There were nearly 200 submissions on the Bill. Many contain details which need to be worked through with officials to ensure they will work.”

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Local Government

Following a successful pilot, Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has today launched Pacific Employment Support Services (PESS) at an event in Manukau.

PESS will help young pacific people in Auckland find sustainable employment, education or training opportunities. 

“More than 1,400 young pacific people have benefitted from the service since it started, and 81.5% (1,160) of those taking part in the pilot were placed into work or training’” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed Chinese Language week, which starts today.

“China is one of New Zealand’s largest trading partners.  Our trade relationship with China has nearly tripled over the past decade to $23 million in the June 2016 year,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“In order to build relationships with trading partners it is important that we better understand the culture and language. It is also important when you are trying to build social and political ties.”

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Ethnic Communities

The Bill standardising the packaging of tobacco products has passed its third reading in Parliament today.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga guided the Smoke-free Environments (Tobacco Standardised Packaging) Amendment Bill through its final reading with a vote of 108 in favour to 13 against.

“Around 13 people died prematurely every day from smoking related illnesses. That is nearly 5,000 people each year. We want smokers to quit and we want to stop other people from ever starting,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Health

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga say a new report shows more Pacific children are getting the B4 School Checks and referrals they need.

“The free B4 School Check is vital to ensure that children get the best start at school by identifying and addressing any health or developmental problems at an early stage,” says Dr Coleman.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Health
  • Pacific Peoples

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says there are just 7 days left to help shape the new Health of Older People (HOP) Strategy.

“The first HOP Strategy was released 14 years ago and needs a refresh.   Workshops around the country have finished but there is still the opportunity to submit online,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“I see older people ageing well and being healthy, connected, and respected.”

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Health

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed the ‘Improving Outcomes in Aged Care’ report which was released today.

The report finds changes to audit processes for rest homes have contributed to better quality care for residents.

“As the number of older New Zealanders grows, it is vital that aged residential care facilities are providing safe and healthy environments for residents,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Health

Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today welcomed the Auditor General’s report on how Auckland Council responds to complaints.

“The public needs to know that they can make complaints to public organisations such as Auckland Council and trust those complaints will be dealt with fairly and effectively,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“The report is generally positive about the Council’s complaints processes. Overall, the number of complaints has fallen.”

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Local Government

Minister of Education Hekia Parata and Associate Minister of Health Peseta Sam Lotu-liga today welcomed the release of the 2016 edition of the New Zealand Autism Spectrum Guideline.

The Guideline, launched at the Autism New Zealand Conference held in Wellington, is based on the most up-to-date information available and aims to improve the health, education and social outcomes for people with autism.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Hekia Parata
  • Health
  • Education

Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today announced the appointment of Geoff Dangerfield as a temporary member of the Local Government Commission (LGC).

“The appointment of Mr Dangerfield will help the Commission consider reorganisation applications within Auckland. He has extensive public sector governance experience and a strong understanding of local government,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says. 

Mr Dangerfield is a former chief executive of both the New Zealand Transport Agency and the Ministry of Economic Development. 

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Local Government

Minister for Ethnic Communities Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has announced the opening of the funding round for the new Ethnic Communities Development Fund (ECDF).

“The new contestable fund provides $520,000 annually to enable ethnic communities to be stronger, more cohesive and resilient. It is important that all ethnic people have a sense of belonging and participation in New Zealand,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

The priorities of the fund are to support leadership development, social cohesion and cultural events.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Ethnic Communities

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says there is now easier access to the latest and best approaches for building safe, secure, and stimulating care homes for people with dementia.

“Older people with dementia need close and continued contact with the real world. Things that enrich their lives such as plants and animals. At the same time they need to be monitored and protected all the time,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Health

Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is encouraging those thinking about standing in this year’s local elections to get their nominations in on time.

Nominations close in 24 hours, at midday tomorrow.

“Councils manage more than $96 billion in fixed assets and contribute more than $8 billion to New Zealand’s GDP each year. Good local governance is at the heart of the prosperity of local communities and growth at a national level,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Local Government

Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says Language Line has logged more than half a million calls to its telephone interpreting service.

“This is a significant milestone for the service.  Since it began in 2003 Language Line has helped more than half a million people with little or no english get access to essential services,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Language line is funded by the Immigration levy and costs just over $800,000 a year to operate.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Ethnic Communities

The Minister for Pacific Peoples Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has offered his condolences to the families and co-workers of five Tongan men killed in an accident near Katikati.

“This is a tragedy for everyone concerned. My prayers and sympathies are with the families and friends of these five men and we offer any support we can at this difficult time,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“Four of these men were here in New Zealand as part of the Recognised Seasonal Workers (RSE) programme.  They were all here working hard to support their families back home.”

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-liga has released a consultation document today which proposes change to the legal status of e-cigarettes.

“Currently the sale and supply of e-cigarettes containing nicotine is prohibited in New Zealand. However people are buying them online and importing directly for personal use,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“The proposal is to make the sale and supply of all e-cigarettes lawful in New Zealand with appropriate controls.”

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Health

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has joined Cook Islands communities across New Zealand to celebrate Cook Islands Language Week 2016.

Cook Islands Language Week runs from Sunday 31 July to Saturday 6 August this year. The Ministry for Pacific Peoples works closely with Cook Islands community groups supporting and promoting the heritage and language through the week’s events.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

The Government is considering ways to improve the management of freedom camping which could include widening councils’ infringement powers, says local government Minister Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

Minister Lotu-Iiga is responding to reports that Christchurch City Council is consulting on a blanket ban on freedom camping in vehicles without self-contained toilet facilities.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Local Government