Articles tagged with Family
Largest Ever 22% Drop in District Court Criminal Backlog Boosts Justice for Victims
1 week ago | 137 viewsCourts Minister Nicole McKee announced a 22 percent reduction in the District Court’s criminal backlog over the past year, equating to 1,562 fewer cases awaiting hearing, thanks to coordinated efforts across the justice sector. Key improvements include better judicial rostering, trial preparedness, fewer adjournments, enhanced performance reporting, and upcoming legislative reforms to further expedite justice. This progress significantly benefits victims by reducing delays, stress, and uncertainty, while the Family Court backlog also decreased by 9 percent during the same period.
Tags: Nicole McKee Courts Minister District Court judiciary justice sector criminal backlog Family Court Community Magistrates legislative reform victimsLargest Ever 22% Drop in District Court Backlog Boosts Justice for Victims
1 week ago | 115 viewsCourts Minister Nicole McKee announced a 22 percent reduction in the District Court’s criminal backlog over the past year, equating to 1,562 fewer cases waiting to be heard, reflecting a coordinated justice sector effort. Key improvements include better judicial rostering, trial preparedness, fewer adjournments, and enhanced performance reporting, resulting in faster justice and reduced stress for victims. Further reforms, such as expanding Community Magistrates' powers and promoting remote court participation, aim to continue this progress and improve court efficiency nationwide.
Tags: Nicole McKee District Court judiciary criminal backlog justice sector victims Family Court Community Magistrates legislative reform Auckland metro courtsNew Zealand Boosts Mental Health Support with Funding for Community Programs
1 month ago | 366 viewsNew Zealand’s Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced increased funding for four grassroots organisations to improve early access to mental health support, focusing on prevention and removing barriers. The funded projects include expanded early intervention, digital support services, workplace mental health programs, and culturally tailored assistance for Asian communities, collectively reaching thousands nationwide. This initiative, supported by the Mental Health Innovation Fund, aims to reduce wait times and ensure timely, appropriate mental health care across diverse communities.
Tags: Matt Doocey Hearts and Minds The Loft MATES in Construction Asian Family Services Mental Health Innovation Fund New Zealand Mental Health Minister community organisations mental health support2025 Parliamentary Highlights: Major Laws Passed to Boost NZ Economy & Society
2 months ago | 377 viewsIn 2025, the Government made significant legislative progress with 81 Government Bills becoming law, focusing on economic growth, law and order, and reducing living costs through key measures like the Investment Boost tax incentive and trade agreements. Notable achievements include the unanimous passage of the Parliament Bill, modernizing parliamentary governance, and streamlined processes for infrastructure and family support. The year also featured extensive parliamentary activity, including numerous bills introduced, readings, and questions, reflecting a busy and productive legislative session.
Tags: Chris Bishop Louise Upston New Zealand Parliament Government Bills Budget 2025 UAE Economic Partnership Resource Management Bill Public Works Bill Income Tax FamilyBoost 54th ParliamentJoin the Movement: End Violence Against Women This White Ribbon Day
3 months ago | 319 viewsToday is White Ribbon Day, a national event encouraging people to oppose violence against women and celebrate men who promote healthy relationships. The day marks the start of the ‘16 Days of Activism’ campaign, which raises awareness about gender-based violence and calls for an end to discriminatory attitudes. Government officials and high-profile women are collaborating with organizations like UN Women Aotearoa to share messages and resources aimed at creating safer communities and supporting victims.
Tags: Karen Chhour Nicola Grigg Cindy Kiro Alison Mau White Ribbon Day 16 Days of Activism UN Women Aotearoa Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence family violenceCelebrate World Children's Day by Supporting and Becoming a Caregiver in NZ
3 months ago | 311 viewsOn World Children's Day, Minister Karen Chhour highlights the vital role of over 2000 caregivers in New Zealand who provide stability and care for children in need. The government and community share responsibility in supporting diverse caregivers through training, guidance, and improved resources to meet various care needs. Individuals who are patient and committed are encouraged to consider becoming caregivers to help children feel secure, nurtured, and able to thrive.
Tags: World Children's Day caregivers New Zealand Karen Chhour Oranga Tamariki child care respite care transitional care family home caregivers community obligationCelebrate World Children's Day: Support and Become a Caregiver in New Zealand
3 months ago | 327 viewsOn World Children's Day, Minister Karen Chhour highlights the vital role of over 2000 caregivers in New Zealand who provide stability and care to children in need. Caregiving is a community responsibility requiring diverse individuals who are patient, kind, and committed, with Oranga Tamariki offering training and ongoing support. The need spans from short-term respite to permanent homes, encouraging more people to consider becoming caregivers to help children thrive.
Tags: World Children's Day caregivers New Zealand Karen Chhour Oranga Tamariki child care respite care transitional care family home caregivers community supportNew Zealand Government Strengthens Child Welfare on World’s Children Day 2024
3 months ago | 364 viewsThe New Zealand Government, on World’s Children Day, reaffirmed its commitment to improving the lives of young Kiwis through its Child and Youth Strategy, focusing on supporting early childhood, reducing child material hardship, and preventing harm. Key initiatives include tax relief for families, affordable early childhood care, targeted funding for parenting programs, and prioritizing children with complex needs through the Social Investment Fund. Additionally, the government has accepted all recommendations from the Dame Karen Poutasi Review, enhanced child protection systems, increased financial support for families, and invested in social housing and community food programs to address child poverty and safety.
Tags: Louise Upston Dame Karen Poutasi Child Poverty Reduction Minister New Zealand Government Child and Youth Strategy Social Investment Fund Budget 2025 FamilyBoost KidsCan Whānau MāoriTogether Against Family Violence: How Communities Can Support Healing and Safety
3 months ago | 381 viewsMinister Karen Chhour emphasizes the collective responsibility of individuals and communities to prevent and respond to family violence by recognizing signs, offering support, and encouraging those affected to seek help. While the government leads legal actions, community education and intervention are crucial for ensuring safety and healing. She highlights that help is available nationwide, urging people to overcome shame and access support services regardless of the abuse's severity or duration.
Tags: family violence Karen Chhour prevention support services community healing safety legal response education courageFamilyBoost Scheme Expands, Thousands of Households Benefit with $150+ Payments - Finance Minister Nicola Willis
3 months ago | 475 viewsThe FamilyBoost scheme has expanded, with over 11,500 households now receiving at least $150 a fortnight in payments. Families can claim larger rebates on early childhood education fees, leading to over 78,000 households benefiting from the program. The average payment for the September quarter is nearly $100 per fortnight, encouraging eligible households to apply through the IRD website.
Tags: FamilyBoost payments households scheme Finance Minister Nicola Willis rebates early childhood education New Zealanders young familiesNew Zealand Achieves Safer Communities Through Family and Sexual Violence Reduction Milestones
4 months ago | 457 viewsMinister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence highlights achievements in reducing family and sexual violence in New Zealand, emphasizing the interconnectedness needed for effective responses. The second Te Aorerekura Action Plan has been successfully implemented ahead of schedule, leading to safer communities. Notable accomplishments include improved multi-agency responses in various regions, expanded safety programs for victims, and the successful reduction of family violence homicides in Canterbury through the Integrated Safety Response approach.
Tags: family violence sexual violence Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Te Aorerekura Action Plan Minister Chhour community partnerships safety programmes Integrated Safety ResponseRemembering Jim Bolger: A Legacy of Family, Leadership, and National Identity
4 months ago | 404 viewsJim Bolger's passing is acknowledged with thoughts and condolences for his family. He was a proud Irish Catholic man who valued family and history. Bolger's political career, marked by serving as Prime Minister and advocating for national identity, is recognized.
Tags: Jim Bolger Joan Bolger family Prime Minister New Zealand Irish ancestry Te Kūiti farmer history democratic discussion MMP governmentAmendments to Policing Act: Enhancing Police Powers for Public Safety & Crime Prevention
4 months ago | 506 viewsThe Cabinet has decided to amend the Policing Act to clarify Police's authority to gather intelligence in public places and expand their powers to temporarily close areas in response to antisocial behavior or safety risks. Recent court decisions have raised uncertainty about Police's ability to record images in public spaces, prompting the proposed amendments to reaffirm their authority for lawful purposes. These changes aim to restore Police's crime prevention capabilities, support prosecutions, respond to evolving threats like organized crime, and enhance interventions for public safety, youth offending, and family harm.
Tags: Police Mark Mitchell Policing Act intelligence gathering crime prevention organised crime gang activity public safety youth offending family harmNew FamilyBoost Scheme Expands Eligibility and Refunds for Kiwi Families
5 months ago | 471 viewsThe Government has expanded the FamilyBoost scheme to provide more help with early childhood education (ECE) costs for Kiwi families, allowing households with incomes up to just under $230,000 to claim back 40% of their ECE costs, up to $300 a week. Finance Minister Nicola Willis encourages eligible families to check their eligibility on the Inland Revenue website and apply for the increased refunds. The Income Tax (FamilyBoost) Amendment Act increased the proportion of ECE fees families can claim, with an increase in the maximum amount families can claim per week and an expanded household income limit for eligibility.
Tags: Nicola Willis FamilyBoost ECE early childhood education Government Finance Minister households eligibility refunds Inland RevenueEnhanced FamilyBoost Program to Benefit Thousands of Households with Early Childhood Education Costs
5 months ago | 535 viewsStarting next month, tens of thousands of households will receive increased support for early childhood education through the expanded FamilyBoost scheme, as announced by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. The legislation for the expanded ECE support scheme has passed through Parliament, with Labour reversing its position to support the enhanced FamilyBoost. Changes include increasing the proportion of ECE fees families can claim from 25 to 40 percent, raising the household income limit for FamilyBoost, and making about 21,000 more households eligible for assistance.
Tags: Nicola Willis FamilyBoost ECE households Labour scheme entitlement Income Tax Act Inland Revenue