Articles tagged with Children

Successful Military-Style Academy Pilot Transforms Young Lives, Reducing Youth Offending

3 days ago | 130 views

A 12-month Military-Style Academy pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga in Palmerston North has successfully supported youth offenders and their families, resulting in improved behavior and reduced re-offending rates. Minister for Children Karen Chhour received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the pilot's outcomes, with many participants showing promise and making positive life changes. The government's initiatives, including the pilot program, have contributed to a significant reduction in serious and persistent youth offending, leading to safer communities and increased opportunities for at-risk youth.

Tags: Karen Chhour Minister for Children Youth Justice Social Workers Te Au rere a te Tonga Palmerston North Youth Offenders Support Services Community Safety

New Zealand Supports Samoa in Dengue Outbreak: Providing Medical Assistance and Supplies

5 days ago | 235 views

New Zealand is supporting Samoa in addressing a severe dengue outbreak that has resulted in the deaths of five children, demonstrating the special relationship between the two countries. New Zealand plans to send a clinical team to Apia, provide medical supplies worth $300,000, and offer additional assistance as needed. Travellers to Samoa are advised to take precautions against mosquito bites and refer to the SafeTravel website for Dengue Fever prevention advice.

Tags: New Zealand Samoa dengue outbreak children Mr Peters clinical assistance medical supplies public health officials travellers Dengue Fever prevention.

Dr. Ang Jury Appointed Chair of Independent Children’s Monitor Board: Enhancing Oversight for Vulnerable Kiwi Kids

1 week ago | 279 views

Dr Ang Jury, ONZM has been appointed as the Chair of the new Board for the Independent Children’s Monitor, a key oversight body for the Oranga Tamariki system. This appointment is a significant step towards fulfilling commitments to vulnerable children, as highlighted by Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston. Dr Jury's expertise in the social and Oranga Tamariki sectors will be instrumental in establishing the new Board, with her five-year term beginning on August 1, 2025.

Tags: Dr Ang Jury ONZM Louise Upston Women's Refuge Arran Jones Oranga Tamariki Independent Children’s Monitor Children’s Commissioner Ombudsman vulnerable children

Boosting Sign Language in New Zealand: Funding for Families of Deaf Children

3 weeks ago | 331 views

The New Zealand government is funding 11 community projects, totaling nearly $250,000, to support and promote the use of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) among families of Deaf children and teenagers. Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston highlights the importance of these initiatives, including NZSL classes, community events, a directory website in NZSL, a code of ethics review, and skills development programs for interpreters. The NZSL Board, which advocates for NZSL use, invests approximately $1 million annually to enhance NZSL initiatives and projects.

Tags: Deaf children teenagers community projects sign language New Zealand Louise Upston NZSL Board Deaf community interpreter workforce Deaf clubs

Childhood Immunisation Rates Continue to Soar, Reflecting Government Commitment to Kiwi Health

4 weeks ago | 251 views

Childhood immunisation rates in New Zealand have increased to 79.3% at 24 months, reflecting the government's commitment to improving health outcomes for children. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes the importance of protecting children from preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough. Progress has been seen nationwide, with districts such as Auckland and South Canterbury showing significant improvements in immunisation coverage.

Tags: childhood immunisation health minister Simeon Brown measles whooping cough vaccination GPs Government Kiwi children health outcomes

Simplified Process: New Reforms Make Opening Bank Accounts for Children Easier

1 month ago | 558 views

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee is making changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act that will make it easier for parents to open bank accounts for their children. “Opening a bank account for children should be a simple and positive step toward teaching them the value of saving. Unfortunately, regulations designed to prevent serious crimes can make the process unnecessarily difficult,” says Mrs McKee.

Tags: Nicole McKee Minister bank accounts children regulations reforms banks New Zealanders red tape

Boosting Professionalisation in Residential Workforce for Safer Care Environments: Minister for Children Announces $41 Million Investment

1 month ago | 374 views

Minister for Children Karen Chhour has announced that the residential workforce is being boosted by an investment in their professionalisation. Secure residences provide care for children and young people, placed there for either care and protection or youth justice reasons. They often have complex needs and can be highly vulnerable.

Tags: Minister for Children Karen Chhour residential workforce professionalisation children young people

New Sir Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre Construction Begins in Lower Hutt: Transforming Mental Health Services in Wellington Region

1 month ago | 570 views

Health Minister Simeon Brown and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey have today marked the beginning of construction on the new Sir Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre in Lower Hutt. Joined by Hutt South MP Chris Bishop, the Ministers took part in a sod-turning ceremony to celebrate the start of a project that will transform mental health services across the Wellington region. “Today, I’m proud to announce the Government is investing $38 million in the construction of this world-class facility – alongside an extraordinary $50 million donation from Sir Mark Dunajtschik, who also generously donated $50 million towards the new Wellington Children’s Hospital in 2017,” Mr Brown says.

Tags: Chris bishop Health centre Hutt south Lower hutt Mark dunajtschi Mark dunajtschik Matt doocey New zealand Simeon brown Wellington Wellington children ’ s hospital Zealand

New day stay unit at Starship Children’s Hospital will increase capacity

1 month ago | 503 views

Health Minister Simeon Brown today officially opened the new Athlae Lyon Day Stay Unit at Starship Children’s Hospital, marking a major milestone in the ongoing redevelopment of New Zealand’s largest children’s hospital. “Starship plays a critical role in caring for our most vulnerable children, not just from Auckland but from right across New Zealand. It provides lifesaving care and specialist services that families depend on during some of the most challenging times they will face,” Mr Brown says.

Tags: “ starship Athlae lyon day stay unit Auckland New zealand Simeon brown Starship children ’ s hospital