15 October 2013
Media statement
For immediate release

The New Zealand Coalition to End Homelessness (NZCEH) re-elected Dr Shiloh Groot as the Tangata Whenua Co-Chair and welcomed back Corie Haddock as Tangata Tiriti Co-Chair after one year’s absence, at its Annual General Meeting held in Wellington on World Homeless Day.

‘The Coalition sees 2014 as a very critical year in its fight towards ending homelessness by 2020’, stated Corie Haddock. We will be calling for all political parties to include combating homelessness in their party manifesto for the upcoming general election. ‘It is time that government needed to seriously address this issue and the Coalition supports Labour and Green Parties call for a cross party approach. ‘Homelessness has increased over several years and successive governments have contributed to this increase. Therefore existing and future governments should focus on combating its growth and ending it permanently.’

Dr Shiloh Groot stated that the Coalition will complete its work on the development of a national strategy to end homelessness which will be launched in 2014. The draft strategy will be available for consultation early in the new year. ‘New Zealand as a nation can address this issue. Excellent work is already underway in Auckland and Wellington aimed at ending homelessness,’ she said. ‘However, every major city and government agency needs to be focused on how we can stop this epidemic.’

At the Annual General Meeting, tributes were paid to three retiring members of the Komiti Whakahaere, which included the outgoing Tangata Tiriti Co- Chair Stephanie McIntyre. Thanks were also expressed to the organisations who have supported the Coalition members in kind contribution over the past year.

‘It is extremely hard to work on a huge undertaking such as ending homelessness by 2020 on a voluntary part time basis,’ said Corie Haddock, ‘without the support of these organisations our Coalition could not exist’.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Trial Over 'Anonymous' Donations: John Banks Resigns As Minister

ACT Leader John Banks today confirmed that he has stood down from his Ministerial positions following today’s decision at the Auckland District Court.

“Last week I indicated to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff that I would offer my resignation should the matter relating to my 2010 Mayoral Electoral return be committed to trial,” Mr Banks said...

“I intend to continue in my role as ACT Leader and MP for Epsom, and ACT will continue to support National on matters of confidence and supply. More>>