Hamilton Grey Power September 2017

The Olympic Games held our attention
FROM THE DESK OF DAVID BENNETT
MP, Hamilton East Electorate
THIS HAS BEEN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR SPORTSMEN
AND SPORTSWOMEN TO TEST THEIR STRENGTH AND
ENDURANCE AGAINST THE BEST IN THE WORLD. OUR
ATHLETES HAD A GREAT OUTING AND DISPLAYED SOME
INSPIRING ETHICS OF FAIRNESS.
As a region, we are extremely
well represented
at the highest level of
international sport.
The Government’s recent regional
investment in our world
class athletes is exemplified
in the Avantidrome at Cambridge.
This $29 million project
has been crucial to building the
base of cycling for New Zealand.
The Waikato Regional
Council also needs to be hailed
for its wise support of this project
for the benefit of our region.
The Olympic Games are
a special occasion, as the best
from around the world come
together to compete.
The values of diversity and
Caring for our vulnerable children
FROM TIM MACINDOE
MP, Hamilton West Electorate
My deep concern about
the number of vulnerable
young New Zealanders
who are raised in
dysfunctional homes or
“fall through the cracks in
the system” was a primary
reason for my decision to
enter politics, and I am determined
to secure better
outcomes for them.
Too many children end up on
a benefit, or in prison, or with
few qualifications. This has to
stop. They deserve better than
this, which is why I am pleased
to support a new child-centred,
stand-alone ministry to focus
on the care and protection of
vulnerable children and young
people. The new operating
model will put the needs of
children first, above everything
else, with the aim of improving
their chances of leading happy
and successful lives.
The new department, named
the Ministry for Vulnerable
Children, Oranga Tamariki, will
begin operating by April 2017.
In this context Oranga Tamariki
means health or wellbeing of
children.
equality are universally accepted
in this sporting showcase. It
is a shame that world politics
cannot live up to these values;
instead, politics has been dominated
by debates over exclusion,
restrictions and a closed
approach to immigration and
trade.
A closed approach can never
work. Instead, using an approach
of openness and acceptance,
we become more
resilient and vibrant. Just like
athletes at the Olympics, the
approach of openness and
competition brings out the in
all people. Hamilton has shown
itself to be accepting of many
This is not a rebranding exercise.
Social Development Minister
Anne Tolley says the new
ministry, new name and completely
new operating model
reflect “our determination to
remain absolutely focused on
the individual needs of each
child”.
It is how this ministry performs,
rather than its name,
which will make a difference
for vulnerable young people.
It will also require strong leadership
to implement the major
changes required over the
next few years, and to embed
the necessary culture change
different cultures and nationalities.
Our citizenship ceremonies
are a great example of a welcoming
and open community.
When we welcome more than
one hundred new residents
each month to Hamilton, it is a
very special occasion for them
but also a time to celebrate our
city. Let the Olympics be an example
of what politics needs
to embrace, in having an open
and nurturing approach to immigration
and trade.
ELECTORATE OFFICE: 510
Grey Street, Hamilton East.
Phone 07 834 3407. Email
DavidBennettMP@parliament.govt.nz
within staff. This new ministry
will focus on five core services
– prevention, intensive intervention,
care support services,
transition support and a youth
justice service aimed at preventing
offending and reoffending.
It will have the ability
to purchase vital services such
as trauma counselling as soon
as they are needed by children.
I echo the minister’s concern
that for far too long, the
long-term outcomes for young
people in the current system
have been simply atrocious.
We have to do much better.
I wish those who will work in
this vital area, and all of the
young people with whom they
will be working, every success.
They will have my full support
at every step.
SUDOKU
Solution
26 Hamilton greypower Magazine – September 2016