Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
Minister for Community and Voluntary Sector
MP for Mana

17 November 2005 Media Statement

Building strong and sustainable communities

Strong, sustainable communities will be the central theme spearheading Luamanuvao Winnie Laban's approach to her new role as Minister for the Community and Voluntary sector.

Strong sustainable communities are an important building block for achieving positive social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes, she said.

"I have a long history with the community and voluntary sector – I understand and appreciate how the sector works. Community and voluntary groups provide an array of services and activities that are vital to achieving positive outcomes for our communities," says Winnie Laban.

The portfolio is supported by the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector within the Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Internal Affairs. Their Briefings to the Incoming Minister were released today.

"My agencies will work closely together to build relationships and support the whole sector to build confidence, capability, and knowledge."

The Minister said she intends to use her associate ministerial responsibilities in Economic Development, Social Development and Employment, and Pacific Island Affairs to broker positive relationships and outcomes for, and between, business, civil society and government.

"To build strong communities where people feel they are making valuable contributions to our communities, we need to work together, and not independently of one another," says Winnie Laban.

Key portfolio priorities for the next three years will be to bed-in the fledgling Charities Commission, enhance community IT capability, promote volunteering, and progress government's ongoing relationship with the sector.

"I look forward to the challenges and opportunities this portfolio presents, and more importantly I want positive tangible outcomes that benefit all New Zealanders," she said.

The Briefings are online at:

www.ocvs.govt.nz/publications/minister-briefing/index.html

and

http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/
Resource-material-Briefings-to-Incoming-Ministers-Index?OpenDocument

ENDS

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