From 1 July, people seeking telephone advice on parenting and related issues for
children under five are being asked to call PlunketLine only.
Ring PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 if you have child health and parenting
questions or queries. For example, if you have questions about such issues
as parenting, crying, sleeping, your child’s growth, development, behaviour,
immunisation, breastfeeding, nutrition, oral health, safety or want to know
more about the Well Child/Tamariki Ora programme.
Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 if you need advice about a child of any age
who is unwell or hurt, or has any symptoms of sickness. Healthline also
provides a full range of telephone triage and health advice for children over
five and adults.
Both services are available 24 hours and are free to callers, including from a
mobile phone.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
NZ 2020 Smokefree vision - NZ Youth Parliament
Young people lead the way
The Cancer Society of New Zealand congratulates members of the New Zealand Youth Parliament for
their active and open approach to tobacco control, and commitment to New Zealand’s 2020 Smokefree
vision.
New Zealand Youth Parliament, which is co-ordinated by the Ministry of Youth Development every three
years, gives young people, who are selected by members of Parliament, an opportunity to take part in
debates held in Chamber and hold youth select committee meetings. The select committees conduct
inquiries on issues that affect young people in New Zealand.
The Health Select Committee of this year’s Youth Parliament (6 and 7 July) is going to debate smoking
and address an inquiry into creating a Smokefree generation of young New Zealanders by 2020.
Today young people are definitely at the forefront of the battle against smoking and recognising this, the
Cancer Society of New Zealand started working with young people back in 2006/07. The Smokefree Youth
Ambassador project empowers young people to take action and raise awareness, especially in regard to
tobacco displays which are a potent promotional tool for tobacco companies. The Smokefree Youth
Ambassador project is still going strong and young people are aware, more than ever, of the harms of
smoking.
And the best news is - the rates of smoking among young people are lower than at any other time in
recent history. The New Zealand Youth 2000 and Youth 2007 studies (Adolescent Health Research Group
2003 - 2008) of over 8,000 secondary students identified that 92% were smoke-free and only 8% of
students reported smoking cigarettes weekly, or more often, in 2007, compared to 16% in 2001. Fewer
students had tried smoking cigarettes - down from 52% in 2001, to 32% in 2007.
Last week a group of young people presented very strongly and passionately to the Māori Affairs Select
Committee inquiry into the tobacco industry in Aotearoa and the consequences of tobacco use for Māori.
They talked about the personal impact their parents and grandparents’ smoking had on their whanau.
The young people said that non-smoking has become the norm in their schools and they want our
politicians and communities to hear their voices and take strong action against this deadly poison.
It is certain our young people have taken this battle very seriously and with their awareness and actions a
Smokefree New Zealand, in the near future, doesn’t seems out of reach anymore.
For further information: Lynne St.Clair Chapman
National Communications Manager 04 4947195 or mob 027 4444 150
The Cancer Society of New Zealand congratulates members of the New Zealand Youth Parliament for
their active and open approach to tobacco control, and commitment to New Zealand’s 2020 Smokefree
vision.
New Zealand Youth Parliament, which is co-ordinated by the Ministry of Youth Development every three
years, gives young people, who are selected by members of Parliament, an opportunity to take part in
debates held in Chamber and hold youth select committee meetings. The select committees conduct
inquiries on issues that affect young people in New Zealand.
The Health Select Committee of this year’s Youth Parliament (6 and 7 July) is going to debate smoking
and address an inquiry into creating a Smokefree generation of young New Zealanders by 2020.
Today young people are definitely at the forefront of the battle against smoking and recognising this, the
Cancer Society of New Zealand started working with young people back in 2006/07. The Smokefree Youth
Ambassador project empowers young people to take action and raise awareness, especially in regard to
tobacco displays which are a potent promotional tool for tobacco companies. The Smokefree Youth
Ambassador project is still going strong and young people are aware, more than ever, of the harms of
smoking.
And the best news is - the rates of smoking among young people are lower than at any other time in
recent history. The New Zealand Youth 2000 and Youth 2007 studies (Adolescent Health Research Group
2003 - 2008) of over 8,000 secondary students identified that 92% were smoke-free and only 8% of
students reported smoking cigarettes weekly, or more often, in 2007, compared to 16% in 2001. Fewer
students had tried smoking cigarettes - down from 52% in 2001, to 32% in 2007.
Last week a group of young people presented very strongly and passionately to the Māori Affairs Select
Committee inquiry into the tobacco industry in Aotearoa and the consequences of tobacco use for Māori.
They talked about the personal impact their parents and grandparents’ smoking had on their whanau.
The young people said that non-smoking has become the norm in their schools and they want our
politicians and communities to hear their voices and take strong action against this deadly poison.
It is certain our young people have taken this battle very seriously and with their awareness and actions a
Smokefree New Zealand, in the near future, doesn’t seems out of reach anymore.
For further information: Lynne St.Clair Chapman
National Communications Manager 04 4947195 or mob 027 4444 150
Friday, July 2, 2010
New Zealand first to wipe out the ‘Aussie mozzie’
Health Minister Tony Ryall and Biosecurity Minister David Carter say officials have today declared New Zealand free of the Southern Saltmarsh Mosquito, the first country in the world to wipe out the ‘Aussie mozzie’.
The mosquito, a vicious day-time biter capable of carrying Ross River Virus, has been successfully eradicated following an 11-year programme. The last mosquito larvae were found in December 2008.
“Ross River Virus can be very debilitating and it is a huge achievement for New Zealand to be the first country in the world, we are advised, to successfully wipe out this saltmarsh mosquito,” says Mr Ryall.
Responsibility for the eradication programme was handed over by the Ministry of Health to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand in 2006.
“The economic impact of this mosquito establishing permanently was estimated at around $120 million for direct health costs alone, let alone lost productivity, the likely impacts on tourism and the costs of mosquito control” says Mr Carter.
From today MAF takes over responsibility from the Ministry of Health for the surveillance of mosquitoes that may be found in salt marshes around New Zealand. Health will continue mosquito surveillance at the country’s ports and airports.
The mosquito, a vicious day-time biter capable of carrying Ross River Virus, has been successfully eradicated following an 11-year programme. The last mosquito larvae were found in December 2008.
“Ross River Virus can be very debilitating and it is a huge achievement for New Zealand to be the first country in the world, we are advised, to successfully wipe out this saltmarsh mosquito,” says Mr Ryall.
Responsibility for the eradication programme was handed over by the Ministry of Health to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand in 2006.
“The economic impact of this mosquito establishing permanently was estimated at around $120 million for direct health costs alone, let alone lost productivity, the likely impacts on tourism and the costs of mosquito control” says Mr Carter.
From today MAF takes over responsibility from the Ministry of Health for the surveillance of mosquitoes that may be found in salt marshes around New Zealand. Health will continue mosquito surveillance at the country’s ports and airports.
NIWA's National Climate Centre has just released its latest seasonal outlook.
* Temperatures are likely to be above average for the rest of winter and into early spring across much of the country. However, short-term cold snaps and frosty periods typical of winter will still occur.
* The equatorial Pacific is now in a neutral state, but is bordering on a La Niña. La Niña conditions are expected to develop fully by early spring.
* Normal or below normal rainfalls are likely in the North Island, with near-normal rainfalls expected over much of the South Island. The west and south of the South Island is likely to experience normal or above normal rainfalls.
* Soil moisture levels and stream flows are predicted to be normal or below normal in the north and east of the North Island, normal or above normal in the western South Island, and near normal in other regions.
* Mean sea level pressures are likely to be above normal over the North Island and to the north of the country, with stronger than average westerly wind flow over the South Island and south of the country, for July-September as a whole.
* The equatorial Pacific is now in a neutral state, but is bordering on a La Niña. La Niña conditions are expected to develop fully by early spring.
* Normal or below normal rainfalls are likely in the North Island, with near-normal rainfalls expected over much of the South Island. The west and south of the South Island is likely to experience normal or above normal rainfalls.
* Soil moisture levels and stream flows are predicted to be normal or below normal in the north and east of the North Island, normal or above normal in the western South Island, and near normal in other regions.
* Mean sea level pressures are likely to be above normal over the North Island and to the north of the country, with stronger than average westerly wind flow over the South Island and south of the country, for July-September as a whole.
Animal welfare bill passes into law
Agriculture Minister David Carter has welcomed the unanimous passing today of legislation that significantly raises penalties for cruelty to animals.
The Animal Welfare Amendment Act will increase the maximum sentences and fines for animal ill-treatment and neglect, and redefine the way some offences are described.
“This legislation sends a clear message that serious offending against animals will not be tolerated,” says Mr Carter.
“The unanimous support it received in Parliament reflects the fact that New Zealanders want strong laws to protect animals from harm.”
The Act expands the threshold for the offence of wilful ill-treatment – the most serious animal welfare offence – and it adds a new offence of reckless ill-treatment.
The maximum sentence for wilful ill-treatment of an animal increases from three to five years and the maximum fine will double to $100,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a body corporate.
Penalties also increase for a range of other neglect and ill-treatment offences and the Act expands the law relating to forfeiture of animals and disqualification from having custody of animals.
The Animal Welfare Amendment Act will increase the maximum sentences and fines for animal ill-treatment and neglect, and redefine the way some offences are described.
“This legislation sends a clear message that serious offending against animals will not be tolerated,” says Mr Carter.
“The unanimous support it received in Parliament reflects the fact that New Zealanders want strong laws to protect animals from harm.”
The Act expands the threshold for the offence of wilful ill-treatment – the most serious animal welfare offence – and it adds a new offence of reckless ill-treatment.
The maximum sentence for wilful ill-treatment of an animal increases from three to five years and the maximum fine will double to $100,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a body corporate.
Penalties also increase for a range of other neglect and ill-treatment offences and the Act expands the law relating to forfeiture of animals and disqualification from having custody of animals.
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