ComVoices Daily Media Alert

Emma.McCleary — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:39:23 +1300

Friday 12 March 2010

Raising Awareness

Kidney Health New Zealand mark World Kidney Day

Staff from Kidney Health New Zealand marked World Kidney Day yesterday with a successful event giving free kidney health checks, advice and information in Cannons Creek, Porirua. The effort is in response to significantly higher rates of diabetes and related kidney disease among Maori, Asian and Pacific peoples, compared to other New Zealanders.

Similar free services will be available at other events, such as an upcoming Pacific festival in Auckland. To boost awareness of the rapid growth in kidney disease, especially among Maori and Pacific populations, KHNZ will offer similar checks to MPs and staff at Parliament on 16 March. Kidney Health New Zealand is supported in these efforts by Diabetes New Zealand.

One man, one road, one cycle for asthma control

Roger Honeybun is cycling more than 1,000 kilometres from Christchurch to Auckland to raise awareness of poor asthma control in New Zealand. Roger's great nephew, Sean Hedley, tragically died from an exacerbation of asthma at just nine years old.

Tobacco industry needs to be honest

"The tobacco industry should support an effective tobacco licensing system and stop proposing largely meaningless changes to the existing rules which are very ineffective," says the Asthma Foundation's Chief Executive, Jane Patterson.

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An independent network of leading national community and voluntary organisations.

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Promote and make visible the enormous contribution of the community and voluntary sector to New Zealand society.

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ComVoices Daily Media Alert

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

Emma.McCleary — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:53:08 +1300

Thursday 11 March 2010

Politics

UN Commission opportunity to express women's needs

The National Council of Women of New Zealand congratulates the Minister of Women's Affairs, Hon Pansy Wong, for her statement to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York last week.

Health

World Kidney Day 11 March 2010

Tunstall Healthcare supports World Kidney Day on 11 March 2010 by creating a solution that can support people living with chronic kidney disease.

Politics

Council takes no action on Liquor Stores

Auckland City Council's City Development Committee today voted to delay developing Council policy which would prevent liquor stores opening up near local schools and community facilities says Councillor Glenda Fryer.

Super city among top 10 race relations issues 2010

Ensuring an effective voice for Māori, Pacific and ethnic communities in the Auckland super city is one of the top 10 race relations priorities for 2010, according to the Human Rights Commission's annual review of race relations published today.

Parliament

Higher travel costs signalled for the elderly

The review of the SuperGold Card scheme signals cuts to travel subsidies for the elderly, Labour's Transport spokesperson Darren Hughes said today.

New $21 million food innovation network

The government will spend up to $21 million to establish a network of open-access food development facilities across the country, Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee announced today.

Crackdown on Loan Sharks will protect vulnerable

"Protecting out most vulnerable New Zealanders and their families is at the heart of my campaign to crackdown on Loan Sharks", Labour's Spokesperson for Consumer Affairs said today

We are-

An independent network of leading national community and voluntary organisations.

What we do-

Promote and make visible the enormous contribution of the community and voluntary sector to New Zealand society.

Our reputation-

A powerful and collaborative voice in the community and at Government level.

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We welcome enquiries from national organisations in the community & voluntary sector.

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

Emma.McCleary — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:19:04 +1300

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Politics

Hey Labour, why not support GST off food?

Labour Party MPs are currently touring the country in the "Axe the Tax" bus opposing the National government's plans to raise GST from 12.5% to 15%.

Leaders in field to speak on social policy

On Monday 15 January, the first of a series of regional seminars on the proposed Auckland Social Policy Forum will be held on the North Shore.

PSA concerned about cuts at Ministry of Education

The Public Service Association is concerned about the impact that cuts at the Ministry of Education will have on the delivery of education services.

Community Sector News

A dynamic new research centre for the social service sector!

A new research centre that works with social service and wider not-for-profit sector to help answer the question 'what difference are we making?' is being launched on Thursday 11 March

See attached

Health

Govt must take action to prevent tobacco-related death in Maori

The Heart Foundation is calling for the government to take bold action to prevent Maori dying prematurely from tobacco related illnesses. The call comes as submissions on the Maori Affairs Inquiry into the Tobacco Industry in Aotearoa and the Consequences of Tobacco Use for Maori are being heard this week. Heart Foundation Medical Director Professor Norman Sharpe says life expectancy for Maori is on average ten years less than Pakeha.

Smoking a key risk factor for Maori oral health - Dental Association

Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of oral cancer and the demand for oral health care, and Maori are among the worst hit, says the New Zealand Dental Association. Associate Director Graeme Ting said the increased need for health care has a flow on effect for smokers, a great proportion of whom are Maori, and that higher demands for general health care, had an economic impact on both smokers and the health system.

We are-

An independent network of leading national community and voluntary organisations.

What we do-

Promote and make visible the enormous contribution of the community and voluntary sector to New Zealand society.

Our reputation-

A powerful and collaborative voice in the community and at Government level.

Join us!

We welcome enquiries from national organisations in the community & voluntary sector.

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

Emma.McCleary — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:34:22 +1300

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Sector News

Have you thought about joining the ComVoices Working Group?

We're an independent network of leading national community and voluntary organisations set up to promote and make visible the enormous contribution of the community and voluntary sector to New Zealand society. We aim to ensure that our sector has a powerful and collaborative voice in the community and at Government level, as well as to raise the community & voluntary sector's profile.

The coalition is made up of national organisations that reach across all New Zealand society, and the individual organisations all communicate their views and issues to the group. We work together through reflecting and promoting the value and common concerns of the sector through information, advocacy and dialogue as well as encouraging regional, national and cross-sector networking and information sharing.

ComVoices is made up of 26 national organisations and welcomes enquiries from national organisations to join the group.

Policy

Policy Watch e-news letter out now

Welcome to POLICY WATCH, the fortnightly e-newsletter from the NZ Council of Christian Social Services. POLICY WATCH provides a smorgasbord of the latest news, research reports and policy developments relevant to the core of work of NZCCSS. We endeavour to highlight issues that affect our mission "to work for a just and compassionate society in Aoteoroa New Zealand".

Fundraising and Awareness

Victim Support volunteers to hit the streets

Local Victim Support volunteers will be hitting the streets on Friday 12th March during their 'Show YOU Care' annual appeal. Collectors have been recruited from local business and community groups according to local event co-ordinator Ke'ala Campton-Baker "We're delighted by the support the local people like The Blues have given to help make the appeal a success" says Ms Campton-Baker.

BNI members raise $107,000 for hospices around New Zealand

From a wardrobe clearing day in Dunedin, a golf day in Rotorua, a quiz night in the Hawkes Bay and a 'funny money' Los Vegas night in Franklin, BNI chapters around New Zealand joined together to raise more than $107,000 for Hospice this financial year.

TVNZ Joins Up With TrustPower Community Awards

TVNZ 6 is delighted to be partnering with the TrustPower Community Awards in 2010 to bring remarkable stories of volunteers all over the country to our screens. TVNZ 6 has started production onVolunteer Power, presented by Julia Wright and Jim Mora. The series will tell the stories of visionary and award-winning projects operating in kiwi communities for the proven benefit of kiwi communities - fuelled by the boundless energy of community volunteers.

Women

Women students demand action on gender pay gap

Women students are expressing concern over research released today by the Ministry of Women's Affairs that shows female students face a gender pay gap just one year after entering employment, and are calling on the Minister of Women's Affairs, Hon Pansy Wong, to take action.

We are-

An independent network of leading national community and voluntary organisations.

What we do-

Promote and make visible the enormous contribution of the community and voluntary sector to New Zealand society.

Our reputation-

A powerful and collaborative voice in the community and at Government level.

Join us!

We welcome enquiries from national organisations in the community & voluntary sector.

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

Emma.McCleary — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:28:15 +1300

Monday 8 March 2010

March 8 - International Women's Day

Minister needs to deliver for NZ women too

The Council of Trade Unions wants the Minister of Women's Affairs to mark International Women's Day by paying more attention to working women in New Zealand. "We are deeply concerned about the current attacks on workers' rights that will badly impact on women," said CTU President Helen Kelly.

Equal rights, equal opportunities for all

A recent study by the Ministry of Women's Affairs has revealed that only one year after entering employment an income gap of up to six percent develops between men and women with a bachelor's qualification or above.

Education

Students welcome community support for campaign

As orientation weeks around the country wrap up this week, tertiary students can take heart that the wider community supports strong student services and maintaining their quality of education.

We are-

An independent network of leading national community and voluntary organisations.

What we do-

Promote and make visible the enormous contribution of the community and voluntary sector to New Zealand society.

Our reputation-

A powerful and collaborative voice in the community and at Government level.

Join us!

We welcome enquiries from national organisations in the community & voluntary sector.

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

Emma.McCleary — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:59:04 +1300

Friday 5 March 2010

Children

Celebrating Children In Style

Waikato Hospital is getting in early to celebrate Children's Day with its paediatric patients and their families. Children's Day, celebrated nationally on Sunday 7 March, is being brought forward to today (Friday 5 March) at Waikato Hospital.

Fundraising

Blooming Bulbs Ltd FUNDRAISER

Arthritis New Zealand is raising money in a simple, easy way by selling spring-flowering Bulbs (See attachment).

Animates Giving Trees Raise Over $50,000 For SPCA

The second annual Animates Giving Trees fundraiser captured the hearts of shoppers throughout the country, whose generosity helped to raise over $50,000 for the SPCA. During the months of November and December, Animates provided pet-lovers nationwide with the opportunity to make a small donation to the SPCA, in return for a decoration to trim one of their special Giving Trees.

We are-
An independent network of leading national community and voluntary organisations.

What we do-
Promote and make visible the enormous contribution of the community and voluntary sector to New Zealand society.

Our reputation-
A powerful and collaborative voice in the community and at Government level.

Join us!
We welcome enquiries from national organisations in the community & voluntary sector.

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

Emma.McCleary — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:28:35 +1300

Thursday 4 March 2010

Fundraising

Auckland Women Invited to Swap Suits for Good Will

Auckland women are being invited to clean out their closets of quality work clothes to donate to not for profit organisation, Dress for Success Auckland, as part of Botany Town Centre and LynnMall Shopping Centre's annual suit drive.

Campaigns

Survive and Thrive in Wellington

A new edition of Wellington's best loved guide for finding services and cheaper ways to live life has just been released (See attachment). The Survival Guide to Wellington - Living in Wellington on a low income was produced by Downtown Community Ministry with generous support by Wellington City Council.

Help At Hand For Projects Focussed On New Zealand's Biggest Disability

A call is going out for people needing funding for research and other projects to help with New Zealand's number one disability - hearing impairment - to apply to the Oticon Foundation now. The Oticon Foundation in New Zealand is seeking applications for funding for projects to help the hearing impaired. The deadline is Wednesday 31 March 2010.

Children and Families

Presbyterian Church marks Children's Day with parenting booklets

The Presbyterian Church is to mark the theme of Children's Day 2010, 'Praise and Encouragement', by sending every one of its 416 churches a specially written parenting booklet aimed at encouraging churches to run parenting courses for their communities, and support parents to be the best they can be.

Health

Gisborne's draft liquor policy out for review

Creating a safe drinking environment for Gisborne district residents and visitors is what the Council's draft Sale of Liquor Policy is all about. Adopted in 2002, it is now up for review. The draft policy highlights a number of changes including the hours licensed premises can open, aligning club trading hours to the activities of the club and ensuring at least three choices of food are available when liquor is served.

Women

Minister lobbies for streamlined UN gender entity

New Zealand's support for the formation of a streamlined United Nations' (UN) gender entity is a central lobbying point for Minister Pansy Wong's visit to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York this week.

Politics

Widow Welcomes Focus On Repeat Drink Drive Offenders

A road safety lobby group welcomes the introduction of Ignition Interlocks for repeat drunk drivers as part of its bid to lower the road toll. Bikers Against Drunk Driving (BADD) said it welcomed the introduction of ignition interlocks as part of a wider solution to drink driving, in the safer journeys ten year road safety strategy announced yesterday.

We are-
An independent network of leading national community and voluntary organisations.

What we do-
Promote and make visible the enormous contribution of the community and voluntary sector to New Zealand society.

Our reputation-
A powerful and collaborative voice in the community and at Government level.

Join us!
We welcome enquiries from national organisations in the community & voluntary sector.

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

ComVoices Daily Media Alert

Emma.McCleary — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:44:29 +1300

Wednesday 3 March 2010

Maori

Exciting Times For Te Reo As The Channel Turns Two

As Te Reo heads towards its second birthday, the 100 per cent Maori language channel - for fluent reo speakers - is proud to announce a fantastic line-up of new programmes in 2010.

Raising Awareness

Who is watching your relationship?

Parents and caregivers have far more influence than they might think on how young people develop and conduct their relationships, according to a research study released today.

Health and Safety

Benefit of price discounts on healthy foods

New Zealand study proves benefit of price discounts on healthy foods. Price discounts are more effective than nutrition education in encouraging people to buy healthier foods, according to New Zealand research that is the first of its kind internationally.

NZTA welcomes Safer Journeys strategy

The NZ Transport Agency says today's release of the Safer Journeys road safety strategy is an important step forward in the effort to reduce deaths and injuries on New Zealand roads over the next ten years.

Not lowering BAC missed opportunity to save lives

Alcohol Healthwatch says the failure of New Zealand's new Road Safety Strategy to promptly lower the adult blood alcohol concentration limit (BAC) is a missed opportunity to save lives.

Events

Growing the events industry in Wellington

Event Management is a multi-million dollar industry which is growing at a rapid pace in New Zealand. Wellington is a significant player on the national stage, playing host to major international events such as the World of Wearable Arts, the International Rugby Sevens and the International Festival of the Arts.

Newsletters

OCVS newsletter

The Latest OCVS newsletter is now online, articles include: American community development executive explores opportunities for social lending in NZ, OCVS Senior Analyst to join Emerging Pacific Leaders Dialogue and What happens when the money runs out?

Auctions

YMCA auction their prized photocopier on TradeMe

YMCA New Zealand National Office based in Lower Hutt, Wellington are auctioning their SHARP AR - C26OM photocopier/color printer/scanner this month. The machine was purchased in October 2005 and is in good working order, the auction ends Monday 8 March at 3.44pm and viewings can be arranged.

We are-
An independent network of leading national community and voluntary organisations.

What we do-
Promote and make visible the enormous contribution of the community and voluntary sector to New Zealand society.

Our reputation-
A powerful and collaborative voice in the community and at Government level.

Join us!
We welcome enquiries from national organisations in the community & voluntary sector.