Waitakere Hospital

It’s fantastic to see Waitakere Hospital expanding the services it offers locals. I was absolutely thrilled the first ever hip replacement operation was a success last week and the Hospital is now doing three ops every Monday. This elective surgery makes a huge difference to people’s mobility and as a result their day to day life. So far this is a pilot programme, but all things going well, it will become a permanent fixture.

The hard working doctors and nurses at Waitakere Hospital are doing a great job and have managed to do 12 percent more elective surgeries this year than last. I’ve been pushing really hard to get better services at the Hospital and I’m delighted to say with a major refurbishment now underway, we’re a step closer to having 24/7 care for the people of Waitakere.

Budget 2010: Investing in families

I can't say too much about the budget before it's released because it's not a good look to steal the Minister of Finance's thunder. What I can say is I'm really proud to announce the Government is putting more than $134 million over the next four years towards Whanau Ora, a policy I've been working closely with Hon Tariana Turia and the Maori Party on, in my role as Minister for Social Development.

This policy is designed to help families in need take control of their future. It is recognisably Maori, but will be available to all. At the moment, thousands of Kiwi families get support from many government agencies such as the Police, Work and Income, schools, or Child, Youth and Family. Too often this help isn’t getting the results these families need. We need to take a more coordinated approach and make better use of taxpayer money.

A Whanau Ora provider will work with a family as a whole, rather than with an individual and his or her problems. We know that with a bit of help, all families can take responsibility for themselves.

National is committed to better results for all families in need, value for taxpayer money, and strong accountability in the way Whanau Ora is run.

Budget 2010: Fighting bowel cancer

Funding of $24 million is to be put towards a bowel cancer screening pilot, in an effort to combat what is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand. In 2007 almost 3000 people were diagnosed with bowel cancer and 1252 people died from the disease.

A nationwide bowel cancer screening programme could ensure earlier treatment and reduce the death rate by more than a third, saving up to 270 lives each year. The four-year pilot is expected to start next year.

Three strikes law a step closer

Keeping the public of Waitakere safe is one of the most fundamental obligations I have as your elected MP and part of the National-lead government. This week we took another step to ensure the worst repeat serious violent offenders stay in prison for longer.

The Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill passed its second reading in Parliament, and should be in force by the end of the year. The bill will deny parole to repeat serious violent offenders and those who are guilty of the worst murders. It will impose maximum jail terms for those who continue to commit serious crime. This bill is specifically focused on those offenders who show no regard for victims, their families or the community, and who are repeatedly convicted for serious violent and sexual crimes.

Out and About in Waitakere

Over the last couple of weeks I've visited Waitakere School, Henderson Valley School and Prospect School, where I met with the Principals and some of the Senior Management team. I must say how impressed I am with the job these dedicated people are doing with shaping the hearts and minds of our kids.

I talked with the schools' leaders at length about what I could do to help the schools achieve their goals, along with issues confronting them where I could assist. I also paid a visit to the Glen Eden Community Centre where I saw the fantastic facilities they had on offer for after-school child care programmes.

Last week I held a constituency clinic in Piha, where the team at the Piha Surf Life Saving Club kindly hosted me and made a room available to see the local constituents. If only I could work there every day! The Surf Life Saving Club does a superb job of patrolling our beaches and keeping us safe in the sometimes treacherous swimming conditions. The next constituency clinic is going to be held at my office on 11 June from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Posted by admin in Local Article at 10:05

I have to say West Auckland - you are looking good!

As winter approaches our luscious Waitakere bush keeps our little patch of paradise a deep green while the rest of the country looks positively autumnal. And as summer retreats I find myself reminiscing about the fantastic hot, sunny summer we’ve just had.

For Westies, summer usually means weekends at Piha beach, enjoying the wild west coast. But you know, we can’t think of Piha without acknowledging the amazing job Piha’s Surf Lifesavers do, keeping an eye on all of us and coming to the rescue when things go wrong as they often do.

This summer surf lifesavers rescued 1,342 New Zealanders at hundreds of beaches around the country - 66 of those rescues happened at Piha. Actually, they did more rescues than at any other beach in New Zealand.

These men and women of all ages, give up their weekends and holidays to patrol the beach and man the inflatable rescue boats, keeping people safe and helping them when they get into trouble. 

They do an amazing job and I say go and tell em how proud we are of them next time you’re at the beach!

I’ve just held a constituents clinic at the clubhouse which was a real treat, I’m really grateful to the club for putting me up for the day so that locals could see their Waitakere MP at the beach – if only I could work there every day!

Waitakere put on a proud commemorative service for ANZAC day this year and I was privileged to be involved at Waikumete Cemetary for a beautifully respectful dawn service as well as an 11am service. I visited the Glen Eden RSA for breakfast and talked with the local servicemen who had plenty of good stories to tell.

At Swanson RSA, the march and commemorative service drew a record crowd and again it was humbling to see the way young people treated the day with absolute reverence. Clearly our young people respect the significance of this day for New Zealanders, for our service men and women who serve today and those who served in action.

Finally I visited Hobsonville RSA, where I met yet more colourful characters and found listening to the stories of some of our retired servicemen fascinating, they have so much to teach us about life, their experiences and knowledge enrich us. It is such a special day, I feel privileged to share it with such strong Kiwi characters with real Westie spirit. Hats off to you West Auckland!

Posted by admin in Local Article at 17:03

Media Statement: 21 April

Paula Bennett, MP for Waitakere

More than 1100 Waitakere homes have benefited from the Government’s Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme, a scheme to retrofit homes says Waitakere MP Paula Bennett MP.

“The Heat Smart scheme is changing the way Waitakere families live by making their homes warmer and drier, with 1118 homes upgraded with retrofitted insulation and clean heating so far,” says Ms Bennett.

Since the scheme began in July last year, 67 percent of the homes retrofitted have been low-income households owned or tenanted by Community Service Card holders. 

“The relatively simple act of retrofitting homes has enormous benefits for families in terms of health and wellbeing, by substantially improving living standards” says Ms Bennett.

Under the four-year scheme the Government plans to insulate at least 180,000 New Zealand homes, by providing grants of up to $1800 for houses built before the year 2000 that need ceiling and under-floor insulation or a clean heating device.

Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart is open to all New Zealanders with houses built before 2000.  For more information visit: www.energywise.govt.nz 

Posted by admin in Local Article at 00:00