Rt Hon John Key
Prime Minister
6 February 2012 Media Statement

PM marks beginning of Diamond Jubilee year

At Waitangi today to commemorate the 172nd anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Prime Minister John Key paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, whose Diamond Jubilee year also commences today.

“The Queen took the throne on 6 February 1952,” says Mr Key. “She has reigned for 60 years, and hers has been a reign of commitment and service to her realms and territories, including New Zealand.

“On behalf of all New Zealanders, I would like to thank the Queen for her dedication. We wish her well in this Diamond Jubilee year, which begins on the same day as we commemorate the signing of our nation’s founding document.”

As part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, New Zealand will host the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall later this year.

“I can now confirm this visit will take place in November,” says Mr Key. “I look forward to joining with all New Zealanders in welcoming the Prince and the Duchess to mark this important occasion.”

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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>>