Service through swimming: Officer to attempt Cook Strait crossing

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Service through swimming: Officer to attempt Cook Strait crossing


Location:

National News

A Taranaki Police Officer is facing her toughest test yet by attempting to swim the Cook Strait this weekend.

Senior Sergeant Karley Hunt from New Plymouth has been training for months to become the first serving Police Officer to complete the gruelling ocean swim.

Her mission is to raise funds for her local Blue Light charity, which creates opportunities for at-risk youth.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush says Karley’s decision to swim the Strait for Blue Light is inspirational.


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New Zealand report to UN committee on International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Geneva, 22 March 2018

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New Zealand report to UN committee on International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Geneva, 22 March 2018

[CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY]
Good afternoon, 
At the outset I would like to express New Zealand’s full support for the independence and work of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and his Office. We greatly appreciate the tireless, patient, and courageous work in promoting and protecting the enjoyment and full realization by all people, of all rights. Preventing human rights violations, securing respect for all human rights, and promoting international cooperation to protect human rights are all critical to sustaining the human rights pillar of the UN.
70 years on from the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is timely to reaffirm New Zealand’s commitment to universality of human rights; to implementing our human rights obligations domestically and promoting human rights internationally. The Universal Declaration makes no distinction between different categories of rights – civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights are of equal importance and none can be enjoyed without the others. My government remains firmly committed to this approach. We also continue to support the right to development, as elaborated in the 1986 Declaration on the Right to Development, with the individual as “the central subject …the active participant and beneficiary”.
2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. A core component of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action is that: “Democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing”. Like others, we are seriously concerned at the global erosion of hard-won gains on democracy, human rights and respect for the rule of law. 
The international community does not lack for appropriate norms and standards – only the political will to implement. The global gap between the obligations and commitments and the implementation at country level is extremely concerning. Sustainable peace and development in some cases requires the full and equal enjoyment of human rights by all. Human rights violations and abuses are often root causes of conflicts and can act as early warnings of impending disasters. We look to the Human Rights Council to more fully implement its mandate in preventing human rights emergencies and responding to early warnings in the years to come. 
The international human rights framework must be upheld, defended, and progressively developed. Human rights defenders play a critical role in supporting this architecture, and in holding governments to account on their human rights obligations and commitments. A vibrant civil society is a cornerstone of a legitimate and flourishing democracy. We are alarmed by international reports of reprisals against human rights defenders and their families, especially as a result of cooperation with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms. New Zealand fully supports the on-going work by Assistant Secretary General Gilmour to strengthen the consequences against governments who commit reprisals.
As High Commissioner Zeid has said, “Upholding human rights is intrinsic to the obligations of sovereignty, and constitutes the fundamental basis for a healthy State”. In this regard, the global abolition of the death penalty, in law and in practice, is one of our top international human rights concerns. New Zealand regards the imposition of a death sentence or the use of the death penalty as running afoul of the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Sovereignty cannot justify torture. 
In the Human Rights Council we are proud to lead a resolution on ‘preventable maternal mortality and morbidity’, in partnership with Colombia and Burkina Faso. Globally, 800 women and girls die from pregnancy or childbirth every day. High rates of maternal mortality and morbidity is a tragic consequence of depriving women and girls of their human rights, including the right to the highest attainable standards of sexual and reproductive health. Women must have their right to decide if, when and how often to reproduce, free of discrimination, coercion and violence, fully respected and fulfilled.    
We recognise that particular civil and political rights and freedoms may be of little value to someone suffering from extreme poverty, hunger, or a lack of access to universal health-care. When the Universal Declaration on Human Rights was being negotiated, New Zealand’s delegate stated “Experience in New Zealand has taught us that the assertion of the right of personal freedom is incomplete unless it is related to the social and economic rights of the common man.  
In New Zealand, the new government has prioritised:
reducing child poverty; we have:
introduced a Winter Energy Payment to ensure families are warm during winter,
introduced a Best Start tax credit for all families with a new born child that guarantees a weekly payment for one year and for some up to three years;

Increased access to free tertiary education:
From this year onwards first year tertiary students pay no fees and this will increase to the first three years by 2024.

Increased minimum wage;
Overhauling the mental health system starting with a comprehensive review of our mental health system, which will deal with some of the challenging elements of the Convention of the Committee’s jurisprudence.
Overhauling the education system so it achieves greater levels of success and improves results for the 20% of children for whom the system is failing
Making a significant new investment in our regional economy to increase employment opportunities and better work
Taking immediate measures to address the housing crisis with an ambitious programme to build an additional 100,000 houses (a 5% increase) over 10 years, including affordable homes, social housing and emergency housing.
Later this week I will lead New Zealand’s delegation for our review by the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights. We greatly value the work of the human rights treaty bodies, as we strive for the highest standards of implementation of all the conventions to which we are a State party. We are proud to have a New Zealander, Robert Martin, serve on the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Our ongoing work on the rights of persons with disabilities in the Human Rights Council and in the Third Committee in New York is matched by our commitment to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.   
The rights of indigenous peoples will always be a priority issue for New Zealand. In 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British Crown and around 540 Maori chiefs. In 1975 the Waitangi Tribunal was established as a commission of inquiry to settle alleged breaches of the Treaty by the Crown. As the Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister, I aim to complete the settlement of historical treaty claims as expeditiously as possible. 
At the international level, we support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and look forward to constructive engagement with the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, with their recently strengthened mandate focused more squarely on the Declaration.
New Zealand has a long history of constructive and principled engagement on human rights. This year we are celebrating the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand – we were the first country in the world where women gained the right to vote. This history must inspire us to remain vigilant and redouble our efforts in domestic implementation of all civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights for all New Zealanders.  We look forward to our Universal Periodic review in January 2019, when we can benefit from the collective experience and wisdom of the international community and receive your recommendations on how to improve the human rights situation in New Zealand.  
Our commitments to strengthening human rights generally in New Zealand is reflected in the recent commitment the government made to confirm in statute the right of domestic courts to declare laws to be inconsistent with our legislation that sets out our fundamental human rights, the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act.  Not only will the courts have the right to declare an inconsistency, but any such declaration will require Parliament to respond by affirming, amending or repealing the offending law.
A state’s commitment to, and upholding human rights is vital in order to allow every person to enjoy the full benefits of citizenship equally.  The proper observance of individual human rights is the basis of identity, freedom and prosperity.   
Āpiti hono tātai hono, rātou te hunga mate ki a rātou 
Tātou te hunga ora ki a tātou 
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa 

Police seeking Sean Nicholas

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Police seeking Sean Nicholas


Location:

Waitemata

Police are looking to locate Sean Nicholas who is wanted for arrest.

Nicholas was last seen on Wednesday 21 March at around 8pm when he was dropped off in New Lynn. It is believed Nicholas was wearing black trousers and a brown jumper when he was last seen. 

Nicholas has a physical disability and uses a wheelchair and Police want to urgently locate him as he poses a significant risk to himself.  Nicholas it thought to be using public transport and he may be staying in temporary accommodation or sleeping rough in the New Lynn area.


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National supports social obligations for offenders

Source: National Party – Headline: National supports social obligations for offenders

National is seeking Government support for a law change that would see benefits cut to offenders who don’t comply with court-ordered community service, MP Brett Hudson says.

Mr Hudson currently has a Private Member’s Bill in front of the Social Services and Community Select Committee that seeks to provide the Department of Corrections with the option to request an offender on community service have their benefit reduced for non-compliance.

“We’re very surprised NZ First isn’t backing this Bill,” Mr Hudson says.

“New Zealanders expect people to comply with their sentences and it’s right that they would expect Parliament to support that.

“It’s disappointing that Government members cannot see the benefit in having a way to respond to a person’s failure to meet those obligations other than locking them up.

“Community sentences offer opportunities to offenders other than jail time.  With those opportunities come responsibilities.

National Party Social Development Spokesperson Louise Upston says the Bill offers a very simple measure to ensure offenders comply with their community sentence.

“It’s consistent with the previous National led Government approach to welfare reforms, which places social obligations on those being supported by hard working taxpayers.

“It’s effectively another tool in the toolbox for Corrections. By offering an alternative management tool, this Bill would mean not subjecting offenders to the stigma of further prosecution.

“Community sentences are an important part of the justice system, however there is an expectation from the public that those who are sentenced, they will serve their sentence,” Ms Upston says. 

Nominations open for Minister of Health Volunteer Awards

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Nominations open for Minister of Health Volunteer Awards

Minister of Health Dr David Clark is encouraging nominations for the 2018 Minister of Health Volunteer Awards to recognise our country’s unsung heroes who support health and disability services. 
“I’m pleased to announce that nominations have opened today for these awards, which are a great opportunity to publicly celebrate some of the thousands of volunteers who generously give their time and energy to make our health and disability service better, whether in our hospitals or our communities,” Minister of Health Dr David Clark said. 
“From helping people to navigate their way around hospitals and health services to providing community or at home support and assistance for people who need it, health volunteers make a real difference for New Zealanders in many ways, often without seeking any recognition.
“Nominations can be for a volunteer’s long-term commitment and achievement, an outstanding success, or action above and beyond the call of duty. They come from all walks of life and of all ages. Last year’s recipients ranged from school students to older New Zealanders in their retirement years.
“One of my priorities is tackling inequity in New Zealand’s health and disability services, and I know there are many volunteers who are doing excellent work in this area.”
Last year’s overall Health Volunteer of the Year was Wellington Hospital’s Volunteer Service, established in 2005. This team of around 450 volunteers collectively puts in more than 12,000 volunteer hours each year helping patients and visitors, and providing general assistance. Last year, they produced about 9,000 garments for babies, children and older patients, and contributed greatly to fundraising.
“If you or your organisation knows an individual or team of volunteers who deserve to be recognised, I encourage you to nominate them for one of these awards,” David Clark said.
For more information about nominations, see http://volunteerawards.health.govt.nz/
Nominations close on 18 May 2018. The awards will be presented during National Volunteer Week, 17 – 23 June.

Targeted housing support for Mangere

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Targeted housing support for Mangere

 
A new public housing development opens in Mangere today, providing warm, dry and safe homes for five families just in time for winter, Associate Housing and Urban Development Minister Jenny Salesa says.
“While this project was initiated under the previous government, the current government welcomes its opening. More public housing means less families in desperate living conditions.
“The five homes in this development will cater to mainly Maori and Pacific families. The social housing register shows that by the end of 2017, there were over 3,200 Auckland households on the register, most of them Maori and Pacific.
“While five new houses for five families may seem like a drop in the bucket, these houses have two or five bedrooms, which means big families can be housed,” Jenny Salesa said. 
The development was funded by Te Taha Maori Property Trust, and will receive on-going support from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). The building of the development has been project managed by Airedale Property Trust.   
Airedele Trust’s Chief Executive Officer Bruce Stone acknowledged the role of Te Taha Maori Property Trust, in getting the houses built. 
“This project would not have been possible without that Trust financing the development. It shows their commitment to providing public housing to families in need,” he said.
The development on Massey Road is one of two Mangere properties Airdale Property Trust is involved with in partnership with MSD.  The other development, a joint project with Lotofale’ia Tongan Methodist Parish’s Matanikolo Housing Project is expected to open later this year.
“This Government is committed to increasing the supply of long-term public housing to support the needs of low income people and families,” Jenny Salesa said.

Missing Auckland man found deceased

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Missing Auckland man found deceased


Location:

Waitemata

Police searching for missing Auckland man David Benney located his body last night in the Waitakere Ranges.

His death is not being treated as suspicious and the matter has been referred to the Coroner.

Police’s sympathies are with Mr Benney’s family and friends.

ENDS

Nick Baker/NZ Police

Serious crash in Selwyn, Christchurch

Source: New Zealand Police –

Headline: Serious crash in Selwyn, Christchurch


Location:

Canterbury

Police are in attendance at a serious crash at the intersection of Springs Road and Hodgens Road in Selwyn this morning.

Police were called to the two vehicle crash at 6:37am  One person has serious injuries.

The intersection is blocked and diversions will be in place while the Serious Crash Unit attends. 

Motorists are asked to avoid the area.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

NZ part of global exercise explosion

Source: MakeLemonade.nz

Headline: NZ part of global exercise explosion

San Diego – New Zealand is about to see an explosion in the number of people taking up yoga, 24/7 gyms, boutique studios, boot camps and mobile trainers, a leading exercise expert says. Exercise NZ chief executive Richard Beddie says a quarter of all gyms and fitness clubs in the country are now open around the…

The post NZ part of global exercise explosion appeared first on Make Lemonade NZ.

Women Need To Know Risks of Abortion – Study

Source: Family First – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Women Need To Know Risks of Abortion – Study

Media Release 23 March 2018
A research paper for health professionals which reviews international evidence to date about the relationship between abortion and the physical and mental health of women says that abortion is associated with a wide range of adverse physical and psychological outcomes, and it is essential that women are made fully aware of all the risks.

Abortion and the Physical and Mental Health of Women – A review of the evidence for health professionals” is written by bioethicist Dr Gregory Pike, and summarises the considerable international research undertaken on the physical and psychological impact on women, and also on the circumstances surrounding the decision-making process. It concludes that while studies on abortion have sometimes yielded inconsistent results, there is a clear correlation between abortion and adverse psychological outcomes.

Other conclusions based on the research analysis include:

  • Intimate partner violence (IPV) is strongly correlated with abortion, with some research showing a 6-fold increase of IPV in women undergoing abortion compared to those in antenatal care. Abortion has also been linked to international trafficking and slavery of women. Presentation for abortion may be an opportunity to address the risk of coercion and intimate partner violence.
  • Ambivalence to abortion is common and is linked to some adverse post-abortion outcomes.
  • The prevalence of foetal abnormalities has increased in many countries and women commonly report a lack of information provided to them about the child’s condition, and the options open to them. (an example was recently covered in the NZ media)
  • The physical effects of abortion include an increased risk of premature delivery in subsequent pregnancies, and this appears to be related to surgical abortion but not medical abortion.
  • Significant inconsistencies exist in research about a possible link between abortion and the risk of breast cancer, yet there is evidence showing that carrying a pregnancy to term is protective against breast cancer.

In one significant finding, the research suggests that medical abortions outstrip surgical ones by a factor of at least four when it comes to the overall incidence of complications. A Finnish study of almost 43,000 women found that “the incidence of adverse events was 4 times higher in medical versus surgical abortion (20% v 5.6%). Moreover, haemorrhage in medical versus surgical abortions was significantly higher at 15.6% compared with 2.1%, as was incomplete abortion (6.7% v 1.6%).”

“This is concerning given that the Abortion Supervisory Committee has recently told politicians that it would be safer for women having a medical abortion to take the medicine at home. In fact, the Scottish government guidance says a woman must have another adult with her and the pill must only be taken up to ten weeks gestation, indicating that it’s not a straightforward procedure,” says Marina Young, spokesperson for Family First NZ, which commissioned the research.

The research paper also includes NZ-based studies including the University of Otago study in 2008 which found that women who had an abortion faced a 30% increase in the risk of developing common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. And a research paper entitled “Does abortion reduce the mental health risks of unwanted or unintended pregnancy? A re-appraisal of the evidence” by Professor David Fergusson, John Horwood, and Joseph Boden which was published in the 2013 edition of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry concluded that the evidence shows that abortion was not associated with a reduction in rates of mental health problems, but was associated with increases in risks of anxiety, alcohol and drug misuse, and suicidal behavior. They state: There is no available evidence to suggest that abortion has therapeutic effects in reducing the mental health risks of unwanted or unintended pregnancy. There is suggestive evidence that abortion may be associated with small to moderate increases in risks of some mental health problems.”

“New Zealanders want women to make an informed decision. In a poll of NZ’ers in 2011, the majority of New Zealanders (64%) said that women considering abortion have the right to be fully informed of the medical risks of abortion – and the alternatives. And a 2016 survey asked respondents whether they agreed with the following statement: “Women who have abortions risk harming their mental health as a result of the abortion.” Overall, 46% agreed with the statement, 21% were unsure or didn’t say, and only 33% disagreed. Significantly, strongest agreement with the statement came from the younger 18-40 age bracket (50%),” says Mrs Young.

“We highly recommend this paper to all health professionals who believe that women should be fully informed of the choices they may make.”

READ THE FULL REPORT

ENDS