South Auckland Children’s Health Can Be Fixed - The answers are there but we are just not using them. Former Children’s
Commissioner Ian Hassel says the problems of poor health in south Auckland can still be solved. A Counties Manukau
Health Council report shows south Auckland children are suffering from high rates of disease, poor nutrition and low
immunisation rates. The former commissioner says the answers are not out of reach. He says just last week the Health
Funding Authority was not going to fund an immunisation register. That kind of system would make a huge difference in
New Zealand. He says the Prime Minister’s comments about parents taking more responsibility are not only ignorant, but
shuffle aside her own responsibility.
Real Estate Agents Pocket Millions From State Sales - Anger from Labour over revelations real estate agents have
pocketed nearly $8 million in the past year in commissions through the continued sell off of state houses. Labour’s
Graham Kelly says it is shameful that the Government continues to sell off state houses without acquiring new houses in
areas where they are badly needed. He says the commission payments come on top of other money which is poured into
private hands through the accommodation supplement. We are seeing, Mr Kelly says, large chunks of state houses
disappearing from many suburbs throughout New Zealand. It is a social disaster waiting to happen, he says.