Dunedin South Labour MP Clare Curran today accused Associate Social Development Minister Tariana Turia of hypocrisy and a lack of consistency in supporting a North Island teen parenting programme, while not supporting the sole Dunedin programme which now faces closure.

Land and water are being poisoned by 1080 and the Government needs to seriously consider running a large scale trapping programme as an alternative, says the Maori Party.

The Hutt Valley Teen Parent Programme is a wonderful example of women empowering women to better themselves, says Minister Tariana Turia.

This morning the Minister visited the teen parent unit at Heretaunga College to celebrate International Women's Day with students.

The Maori Party says it takes a village to raise a child and it is encouraging whanau throughout Aotearoa today, on National Children's Day, to take time out to praise their children, mokopuna, nieces and nephews.

Today's announcement of the successful recipients of the Family Violence Whanau Ora Fund is another step towards keeping our whanau safe, strong and free from violence, says Minister Tariana Turia.

The Government will inject an extra $7 million immediately and another $20 million over the next two years to reduce waiting times and meet spiralling costs for equipment and modification services for disabled people.

Disabilities Issues Minister Tariana Turia is encouraging people to don a bow tie this week in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's awareness campaign.

Maori (and only Maori) have been offered no deposit home loans as New Zealanders have been told to save for a deposit. It may look like I am discriminating with that comment as aren’t we all New Zealanders but I ask you, who is doing the discriminating?

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The Government's handling of Whanau Ora is getting more ridiculous by the day and the Prime Minister needs to front up and explain what exactly is going on, says Labour Social Development spokesperson Annette King.

The Maori Party's submitting and subsequent withdrawing of a member's bill to entrench the Maori seats in Parliament once again highlights just how hamstrung it is by its relationship with National, says Labour MP Mita Ririrui.