children fully immunized and free doctor’s visits and prescriptions for under-sixes $24 million to reduce rheumatic fever in vulnerable communities 135,000 privately-owned homes insulated, 50,000 state houses up- graded $145 million over four years to ensure 500,000 more children are enrolled at school in the Pacific Every New Zealander deserves the opportunity to succeed. We are working hard across the board to support Pasifika families. Melissa Lee MP Talofa lava, Kia orana, Malo ni, Bula vinaka, Fakalofa lahi atu, Malo e lelei, Taloha Mauri New Zealand is proudly a nation of the pacific. Many New Zealanders identify as Pacific, and Pacific culture plays a big role in New Zealand’s diversity. Auckland is the largest Polynesian city in the world and the vibrant colour and sounds of Pacific life can be found across New Zea- land. National is committed to supporting Pacific communities to get ahead in Mt Albert and New Zealand. We are working hard in a range of areas to deliver a brighter future that Pacific families, and all New Zea- landers deserve. National is achieving for Pacific families Over $110 million for more vulnerable children to attend early childhood education. National Standards in place at Pri- mary and Intermediate schools 67% of Pacific students leaving school with level two NCEA or higher $6million Pacific Innovation Fund to improve the health of Pacific people $6million Pacific Trades Training Initiative, for 300 fees free places in trades training for Pacific young people. 90% of eight-month old Pacific Wairere Ave residents would be happy with Local Board decision. At the February Albert-Eden local board meeting, the local board recommended that Watercare’s proposed Central Interceptor project at the Mt Albert War Memorial Reserve be moved to the lower car park area of the reserve. Last year, local residents contacted my office concerned after hearing that the project may be located in the green space of the reserve and in close proxim- ity to their houses. Watercare have submitted a new notice of requirement to designate land re- quired for the works in the revised location to Council. Council will formally notify adjacent landowners and occupiers and submis- sions could be made as part of the statu- tory process. I would like to hear your thoughts and feedback on the location change or any part of the next process. Please contact my office 09 8150278 or drop me an email [email protected]With Hon Hekia Parata, Na- tional MPs and Pacific Blue members at Pasifika 2013 A brighter future for Pasifika families INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Ethnic Update 2 Welfare Reform 2 Novopay Update 2 M-chat @ local cafe 3 Clamping down on Fraud 3 Autism Auckland 3 Pasifika & Ethnic snip- pets 4 Public meet- ing 4 Locals pleased CIP to be relocated PARLIAMENTARY SERVICE Mel in Mt ALBERT, March 2013 MARCH 2013, ISSUE 2 OUR PRIORITIES Responsibly managing the government’s finances Building a more competitive and productive economy Delivering bet- ter public ser- vices Rebuilding Christchurch
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Mel in Mt Albert - Newsletter from Melissa Lee MP - March 2013, Issue 2
Mel in Mt Albert - Newsletter from Melissa Lee MP - March 2013, Issue 2
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Ethnic Affairs Minister in Switzerland Justice and Ethnic Affairs
Minister Judith Collins recent-
ly returned from Switzerland
where she presented a report
on behalf of the New Zealand
Government on New Zea-
land’s progress in tackling
racial discrimination and ine-
quality
The United Nations Committee noted New Zealand’s efforts to combat racial discrimination represented many examples of best practice globally and that
these would be recommended to other countries.
The Committee specifically observed that New Zealand has put in place valuable pro-grammes such as Better Public Services, Addressing the Driv-ers of Crime, the Youth Em-ployment Package, the Alcohol and Other Drug Courts and the New Zealand Police ethnic strategy, aimed at improving ethnic relations and raising multi-cultural awareness.
As an active player in the UN system, we are committed to meeting our obligations under the human rights treaties we
are party to.
New Zealand values diversity and prides itself on being an inclusive society. The conven-tion mirrors the natural desire in every New Zealander to see that everyone is given a fair go.
The Committee’s full report is available at http://bit.ly/13yX94t
and the press release is availa-ble at http://bit.ly/13yX4gY.
issues have been frustrating
for Principals, teachers and
other staff in the school sec-
tor, and we thank all staff for
their patience and efforts.
Talent2 will release three
planned software upgrades
which are designed to address
the most significant bugs in
the system.
I have met with several school
principals to hear their con-
cerns and frustrations.
Hon Stephen Joyce releases a
weekly update and this infor-
mation is sent to all school
offices or the principals.
We appreciate the ongoing
My office will continue to
keep Principals up to date as
further information becomes
available.
If there is anyway I can help,
or you’d like to discuss partic-
ular issues at your school,
please get in touch.
background of abuse – we are doing something tangible to improve their chances. Without the right services these children grow up disadvantaged
and at greater risk.
We are determined these children get the services they need and deserve, we’ve gone ahead and direct-purchased health and educational services through
the Ministry of Social Development.
Almost 1,700 children in care have now been assessed, with an average of more
than 3 needs per child identified.
Gateway Assessments of these children
have found the following:
51 per cent emotional, behavioural or
mental health needs.
26 per cent dental issues
15 per cent developmental delay
14 per cent skin problems
13 per cent speech and language prob-
lems
25 per cent and alcohol problems with
parents
19 per cent mental health issues with
parents
Early data from teachers is showing us they found 25% of children have literacy problems, 24% have numeracy prob-lems,19% comprehension issues and 11% have a higher than average level of
school absence.
These issues are now all being ad-dressed, which shows why this is such a valuable investment for children who’ve
had a rough start to life.
Established in Budget 2011, Gateway Assessments assess the health, mental health and educational needs of children in state care and we are picking up issues, never before diagnosed and then ensuring the child gets the services they
need to address the issue.
About 230 children in care are receiving Early Childhood Education (ECE) as a result of this initiative and every district health board is now implementing the
Gateway Assessments.
There are more than 4,000 children in care at any one time and more than 2,000 children go into care every year – all are eligible for Gateway Assess-
ments.
Children in care have it tough enough before you add developmental delay, mental health and health problems to a
In February, Autism New Zea-land Inc opened its Mt Albert based Auckland branch. Mission Statement “To improve the quality of life for people with Autism, Asper-ger Syndrome, those with asso-ciated conditions, their family/whānau and those who support them.”
The Auckland Branch covers the area from Warkworth to Pokeno and provides the following services:
Outreach Service
5 Support Groups
Lending Library
Parent Information
Evenings
Extended family/
whanau evenings
Training programmes
– FANZ/Way To Play and Early Bird
Monthly Newsletter
2013 training dates FANZ – 8-9 July Way to Play – 18 March Early Bird – beginning in May and August
The Auckland Branch of Au-tism New Zealand Inc pro-vides support, training, re-sources and information on autism spectrum disorders to those with these conditions,
beneficiaries who are convicted of fraud.
Relationship offending last year cost
taxpayers more than $20 million, com-
prising one-third of welfare fraud prose-
cutions.
The second initiative introduces new
ways of working with beneficiaries who
have previously been dishonest with the
Ministry of Social Development
(MSD). These new measures include
greater verification of information and
less access to self-service transactions,
National promised to clamp down on
welfare fraud—and as part of our pro-
gramme to deliver better public services
to New Zealanders, we’re delivering on
that promise with three new initiatives to
prevent, detect and catch those ripping
off the welfare system. The vast majority
of beneficiaries are honest and do the
right thing, but a small group take ad-
vantage of the welfare system.
Our first initiative will create a new
offence targeting partners or spouses of
and will cover about 1000 beneficiaries
each year. This approach will give MSD a
package of tools which can be tailored to
target the way an individual has been
dishonest in the past
The third initiative will formalise infor-
mation-sharing links between ACC,
Inland Revenue, Housing New Zealand
Corporation, New Zealand Police, and
the MSD. Sharing information between
government agencies will allow us to
detect or catch welfare fraud soon-
I’m keen to hear your thoughts on
local issues in Mt Albert and na-
tional issues in government poli-
cies.
A group of ladies will arrange
which café each month, but for
most part I want to get out and
about the various suburbs in the
Mt Albert electorate to meet and
hear from constituents.
next “M-chat” café date
10am Mon 25 March
@ Lodge Café,
201 Carrington Road, Mt Albert
“M-chat” is a community chat
with me at a local café.
On the last Monday of each
month, I will “M-chat” at a local
café.
Each month “M-chat” will be held
at a different café and I will have
surprise guests and local commu-
nity speakers on the odd occasion.
Left to right
Rosemarie
Bailey,
Karen
Lonergan
(Manager)
and Jo Lloyd
“M-chat” @ local café
Clamping down on Welfare Fraud
“I want to get
out and about
the various
suburbs in the
Mt Albert
electorate to
meet and hear
from
constituents”
their family/whanau, caregiv-ers and professionals work-ing with them. Autism Auckland branch is based in Mt Albert. 642 New North Road Morningside Phone 09 846 0913 www.autismnz.org.nz
25 March “M-chat” @ 10am Lodge Café,201 Carrington Road, Mt Albert ph 09 8150278
Age Concern Auckland are looking for RELIABLE volunteers with good English. Needed, one hour a day, one day a week for ONE year. Please call 09 820 0184
Age Concern Auckland looking for someone to teach elderly to text and use a laptop or computer. Please call 09 820 0184
If you have any government issue I meet with constituents most Monday afternoons. Phone 09 8150278 to make an appoint-ment
World Autism Awareness Day, 10am Tuesday 2 April, Fickling Centre, Mt Roskill, co-hosted with Jackie Blue MP, special guests, Autism NZ Ltd Auckland branch and friends of Autism NZ
For more photos go to https://www.facebook.com/mpmelissalee
Below L-R Elizabeth McEwan, Jian Yang MP, Tau Henare MP, Hon Hekia Parata, Fia
Turner, Jules Lotu-Iiga, Alfred Ngaro MP, Sam Lotu-Iiga MP
Hon Hekia Parata at Prosper-
ity stage, Cooks Island village
Below Traditional
dancer,Rumi Sasaki at
Japan Day
Kenton Chambers Exec,
Ken Oh at Japan Day Above L-R Dr Anne Perera, Cherry Weir and Ranjith