PM thanks Prince William and Catherine Middleton for support

Prime Minister John Key today thanked Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton for their generous support for Christchurch and the West Coast following the tragic events in those areas.

"Prince William's visit to New Zealand to meet with the families of those lost in November's Pike River Mine tragedy, and to attend the Christchurch Earthquake Memorial Service, is hugely appreciated by New Zealanders.

"The Prince's support for New Zealand at this time underscores his commitment to the country and I am very pleased to be hosting him for his visit."

Mr Key also welcomed the news of the Prince's and Catherine Middleton's decision to nominate the Government's Christchurch Earthquake Appeal as one of a small group of charities to be included in their Royal Wedding charity gift fund.

"Prince William and Miss Middleton have chosen charities focusing on issues which matter deeply to them and, in the case of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, a charity which reflects the couple's close ties to and affection for New Zealand," says Mr Key.

Prince William and Miss Middleton have asked that anyone wishing to give the couple a wedding gift consider instead donating to one of the nominated charities.

"I believe it's a mark of great respect for New Zealand that the couple have nominated the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal as one of those charities," says Mr Key.

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>