Launch of Taking Action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: 2016-2019. Parliament Buildings, Wellington 5.00pm Tuesday 16 August 2016 Good evening. It is a privilege to be here tonight for this important event, launching Taking Action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: 2016-2019. I would like to start by thanking you all for joining…
UnitedFuture is embracing the recently launched Covenant for Children. We recognise that governments must deliver a better deal for future generations, starting with today’s children. This is a mission that will continue to be our key focus as a party. Ensuring that, no matter their origins or circumstances, every child has the chance to get the best start in…
Many of the 60,000 new New Zealanders each year deserve a better deal. Numbers of them are forced to live in difficult circumstances; they are unable to fend for themselves, and no-one speaks up for them. Some are abused, others are assaulted or otherwise degraded. All are potentially vulnerable and we need to do better for…
The average house price in Auckland is now in excess of $1,000,000 and in that environment what does affordable housing mean? In excess of $650,000 apparently. This is still way out of reach for the majority of Kiwis and the impact of that is an ever downward spiral of and exodus of people seeking their…
We’re fast approaching the local body elections and our thoughts are turning to who we want to lead our cities and regions. At the same time, we’re looking to our own leadership – last week we called for nominations for the board and party president. We’ve got three vacancies on the board and for the…
Since coming to power in 2008, the current government has almost obsessively tinkered with the Acts that provide the legislative direction to Local Government. To date, successive amendment bills (by my reckoning about 11) have progressively limited the scope of Councils’ work, reduced the requirements to consult with our ratepayers, changed the basis for Councils…
Last week, a group led by Judge Carolyn and Sir Mark Solomon launched a Covenant for Children, to focus on ensuring that every child in New Zealand is treasured and respected, and has the opportunity to enjoy a good life. About 60,000 children are born in New Zealand each year, and nearly a quarter of…
UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has given his support to the Children’s Covenant launched today by Aotearoa New Zealand MMXVII. The Covenant recognises that children should be at the centre of all-policy making, and that all children should be protected from violence, abuse and neglect, and are entitled to a decent standard of living. “The Children’s…
Launch of name and identity of Archive Exhibition Project He Tohu National Library, Wellington 10.00am Wednesday 10 August 2016 Tēnā koutou katoa I would like to acknowledge and welcome all guests here today, to celebrate this important milestone in our journey to launch an exciting new exhibition of three of our treasured taonga that shape…
One hundred and forty years ago, in 1876, New Zealand abolished provincial government. From 1852, New Zealand had been governed through six Provincial Councils, similar to the Australian states of today, with the central government in Wellington having a much lesser role. However, while provincial government was abolished all those years ago in favour of…