Minister Turia To Discuss Health & Social Issues On W. Coast

MEDIA RELEASE – 28 February 2013

Minister Turia To Discuss Health And Social Issue On West Coast

West Coast health workers and those working in social services and community NGOs will have a chance to engage directly with the Minister for Whanau Ora on health and social issues when Hon Tariana Turia visits Hokitika and Greymouth on Tuesday 5 March 2013.

Minister Turia (who is also Associate Minister of Health) will attend a powhiri at Arahura Marae in the morning, where she will talk to an audience of local iwi, health professionals, social service providers and representatives of the Maori community about her vision for Whanau Ora, disability issues and smoke-free initiatives.

At Greymouth she’ll lunch with a small number of invited guests from the community before speaking to a larger invited audience similar to that of the morning.

The West Coast District Health Board is hosting the visit which was originally scheduled for October last year but had to be postponed.

Programme Director Michael Frampton says it’s a great opportunity for the Minister to share her vision for whanau ora and smoke free Aotearoa on the West Coast, but also hear back from those at the coalface about the unique issues Coasters face.

“We don’t often get an opportunity to discuss these issues with a Minister on site, so I know that the health and social services communities are looking forward to this visit.”

ENDS

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