Latest news with #CarlBates
NZ Herald
11-07-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Whanganui Youth MP Taiko Edwards-Haruru delivers mental health speech in Parliament
Whanganui's Youth MP Taiko Edwards-Haruru (right) at the 2025 Youth Parliament event with Whanganui MP Carl Bates (left) and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Whanganui's 2025 Youth MP Taiko Edwards-Haruru has had a busy few months, with his most recent achievement being attending Youth Parliament. The Youth MP programme is a triennial event in which every MP selects someone aged 16 to 18, who gets the opportunity to connect with their MP, engage with
Scoop
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Have Your Say On Harms Youth Encounter Online, And What The Government, Business, And Society Should Do To Tackle These
The Education and Workforce Committee has opened an inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders encounter online, and the roles that the Government, business, and society should play in addressing those harms. Deputy Chair, Carl Bates, says 'The Select Committee members are working collaboratively to progress the inquiry. We will hear from invited parties and receive written submissions from the public.' We are interested in hearing about individual's experiences as young internet users, and as the parents and carers of young New Zealanders. The committee is also keen to receive submissions from organisations and experts, particularly in the fields of education, health, and technology.' The committee is aiming to understand the harm young New Zealanders encounter online and identify potential solutions. The Select Committee will report to the House of Representatives on its findings. It intends to hold hearings initially in August by invitation only. Make a submission on the inquiry by midnight on 30 July 2025. For more details about the inquiry:
NZ Herald
20-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Budget 2025: Hāwera, Pātea to benefit from rural urgent healthcare expansion
The comprehensive primary care package included more clinical placements for overseas-trained doctors, more training places for nurses and doctors, and better access to 24/7 digital services. The announcement follows health care funding cuts and stalls in the Whanganui, Ruapehu and South Taranaki districts, including the end of funding for Whanganui's Fit for Surgery programme, delays in the rebuild of the Seddon St health facility in Raetihi, and cutting vulnerable patient helpers in South Taranaki and Whanganui. Whanganui MP Carl Bates said Pātea had been identified for improved rural and remote urgent care, whereas Hāwera was selected for an extended after-hours service. ' Budget 2025 invests $164m over four years to expand urgent and after-hours services across the country. In our region, that includes extended after-hours services in Hāwera, with new weekend availability to support local families and reduce pressure on our hospitals,' Bates said. 'Better urgent care is also coming to rural and remote communities like Pātea and Stratford, with improved access to tests and checks, locally available medicines, and 24/7 on-call in-person clinical support.' Service providers, opening hours, delivery arrangements and delivery timelines are yet to be confirmed but are being worked through by Health New Zealand with providers. All upgrades in the urgent and after-hours healthcare plan are expected to be rolled out within the next two years. It includes new 24-hour urgent care services for larger centres, including Palmerston North, which Brown said would create more availability in hospitals. 'Expanding community-based urgent care will help ease pressure on hospitals and keep emergency departments' wait times down for those with the most serious conditions,' he said. 'It also gives people more choice, particularly in rural and remote areas where options have been limited.' Bates said the funding boost would improve local access to 'timely, quality urgent care', especially for more rural parts of the region. 'This is a major step toward a healthcare system that works for everyone,' he said. 'These are practical, on-the-ground changes that make a real difference. For parents with sick kids late at night, or older residents managing long-term conditions, knowing care is available locally and outside 9-to-5 hours is a big deal.'
