NZPPD member at regional male parliamentarians meeting on violence against women
NZPPD member Ashraf Choudhary recently participated in AFPPD’s Standing Committee of Male Parliamentarians on the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls held in Krabi, Thailand. Ten Parliamentarians from the Asia Pacific region attended the meeting which was co-hosted by UNFPA’s Asia Pacific Regional Office.
Mr Choudhary presented on the key concerns and actions being taken to address violence against women and girls in New Zealand and the Pacific region, and also hosted a session which identified key concerns for each of the three sub-regions: South Asia, South East Asia, and the Pacific. Each region then developed an action plan with the Pacific Region deciding to focus on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights for the next two years. The Standing Committee’s Vice Chair for the Pacific Region will be an NZPPD member.
The world at 7 billion
On Friday 28th October 2011 NZPPD member Sue Kedgley hosted an event at parliament, in association with Family Planning International, to mark the world’s population reaching 7 billion. The event saw Director of UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office, Dirk Jena, launch UNFPA’s '2011 State of the World Population report', and Sumi Subramaniam Director of Family Planning International launch FPI’s photo book 'Pacific Portraits: Rights, choices, opportunities'. The event highlighted the importance of realizing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all 7 billion people in the world.
NZPPD at the Meeting of the Standing Committee of Male Parliamentarians on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls in Australia
NZPPD member Su’a William Sio MP attended the Meeting of the Standing Committee of Male Parliamentarians on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls that took place in Port Macquarie, Australia on 18 December. The meeting was organised by AFPPD in cooperation with the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance. Mr Sio presented at the meeting on New Zealand’s efforts to involve men in the elimination of violence against women and called for the need to engage more Pacific parliamentarians on this issue.
Regional Ministers’ and Parliamentarians’ Workshop on Review of Parliamentarians’ Actions and Legislations on the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Two NZPPD members, Katrina Shanks MP and Sue Moroney MP attended the Regional Ministers’ and Parliamentarians’ Workshop on Review of Parliamentarians’ Actions and Legislations on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, on the 22-23 October 2010, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The workshop was organised by AFPPD in cooperation with the Indonesian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development and AusAID. It provided an opportunity for NZPPD to draw attention to the high levels of gender-based violence in the Pacific and the important need for parliamentarians in the region to address this issue.
NZPPD at Asian Parliamentarians’ meeting in Laos
NZPPD member, Dr. Rajen Prasad MP, attended the 26th Asian Parliamentarians’ Meeting on Population and Development in Vientiane, Laos, on the 25th and 26th April. The theme of this year’s meeting was Population and Adaptation to Climate Change and was organised by the Asian Population and Development Association and hosted by the Lao Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development. Dr. Prasad presented in a panel discussion at the meeting on Concrete Measures to Combat Climate Change, and was very active on the drafting committee for the meeting statement. The statement appealed to the leaders at this year’s G8 summit “to recognize that the poor – especially women and children – in developing countries, will suffer the most and first from climate change and have the least resources to deal with it. Universal access to reproductive health – including voluntary family planning – coupled with capacity-building and advancement, will aid their effort for climate change adaptation.”
NZPPD member presents at international meeting in Manila, Philippines
NZPPD member Charles Chauvel MP attended the Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar on "Indigenous Peoples, Climate Change and Rural Poverty: Promoting Innovative Approaches and Solutions" on the 25-26 March 2010 in Manila, Philippines, as a representative of NZPPD. The seminar was organised by the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) and the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD). At the seminar Mr. Chauvel spoke on Climate Change and its Impact on the Sustainability of Indigenous Livelihoods and Economies in the Pacific with a Focus on Food Security.
NZPPD Launches Report on Maternal Health in the Pacific
On 23. February the New Zealand Parliamentarians’ group on Population and Development (NZPPD) launched a report on maternal health in the Pacific, calling on the New Zealand, Australian and Pacific Island governments to take immediate action to improve the maternal health situation in the Pacific.
The report, Making Maternal Health Matter, is the result of the Open Hearing on Maternal Health in the Pacific held by NZPPD in September 2009. Making Maternal Health Matter, brings together the key messages from the Open Hearing, with recommendations from NZPPD on where urgent action is needed.
Dr. Sharon Camp, President and CEO of the U.S. based Guttmacher Institute, and Kathleen Gapirongo, President of the Solomon Islands Midwifery Society were invited to New Zealand to speak at the launch.
Download the report here. 
[2.52 MB]
NZPPD at PPAPD-FPOC Conference
From the 16th to the 20th November, Katrina Shanks MP attended a joint PPAPD-FPOC conference in Rarotonga. The meeting themes were on climate change, gender and legislation. PPAPD-FPOC is a combination of two different groups supporting parliamentarians: parliamentarians who support population and development issues; and Speakers and Clerks. Following the meeting, New Zealand and Australia now have a shared seat on the PPAPD-FPOC Executive Committee, enabling NZPPD to contribute much more to the development of the group. Secretariat support at the meeting was provided by Jackie Edmond of Family Planning International.
NZPPD Member Part of International Delegation of Parliamentarians in Hanoi
As a member of NZPPD, Lynne Pillay MP was part of an international delegation of eight parliamentarians that attended the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) Partners’ Forum in Hanoi, Viet Nam, from the 16th to the 20th November. GAVI invited parliamentarians from the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF) and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) to learn more about the GAVI Alliance’s work to increase access to immunisation in poor countries. Included in the programme was a mini field visit to a commune health centre and discussions on the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Secretariat support was provided by Angela Nielsen of Family Planning International.
NZPPD Presentation at 7th Asia-Pacific Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference
Nicky Wagner MP represented NZPPD at the 7th Asia-Pacific Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference on Parliamentarians’ Action for Gender Issues on 14th and 15th November in Kuala Lumpur, and presented on NZPPD’s successful Open Hearing process. The focus of this year’s conference was on how parliamentarians’ can take action to address gender issues, and the sessions addressed issues such as women and climate change, gender budgeting, and taking forward the Beijing agenda. Secretariat support was provided by Angela Nielsen of Family Planning International.
NZPPD Chair presented at High Level Meeting in Ethiopia
The Fourth International Parliamentarians' Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action (IPCI/ICPD IV) took place from 27th to 28th October in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following the High Level Meeting on Maternal Health held on the 26th October. Dr Jackie Blue MP, NZPPD Chair, and Hon Steve Chadwick MP, NZPPD Vice Chair attended both, meeting with parliamentarians from across the world to discuss sexual and reproductive health and rights. Dr Jackie Blue presented at the High Level Meeting on the situation in the Pacific, presenting about the NZPPD Open Hearing.The delegation highlighted that New Zealand co-sponsored the Human Rights Council resolution on Maternal Health and also ensured that civil society was mentioned as a key stakeholder in the Statement of Commitment. Secretariat support was provided by Liz Paton of Family Planning.
On 21st September 2009, NZPPD held an Open Hearing on maternal health in the Pacific at the New Zealand Parliament.
On 2 July 2008, the NZPPD celebrated its ten year anniversary with the launch of a celebratory report 'Taking Action: The New Zealand Parliamentarians' Group on Population and Development.� [789KB].
The report outlines the critical population and development situation in the Pacific and the role parliamentarians can play to address this. The report also includes highlights of the group's activities over the past ten years.
On 18 June 2008, the NZPPD Secretariat coordinated an information session for NZPPD members with New Zealand’s Overseas Aid and Development Agency (NZAID). NZAID briefed participants on what NZAID was doing in the focus areas of the group.
This provided an opportunity for NZPPD members to develop their understanding of NZAID and for both sides to discuss the relationship between parliamentarians and NZAID.
The NZPPD Secretariat coordinated the visit of Tangata Vainerere, Coordinator of the Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development (PPAPD), to New Zealand from 10 – 15 May.
A key outcome of the visit is that the NZPPD Secretariat has accepted an invitation to coordinate a workshop at the next PPAPD meeting in July 2008 in the Solomon Islands.
A further outcome of the visit is that the NZPPD Secretariat facilitated Mr Vainerere presenting a population and development focused submission to the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. The Committee are currently undertaking an Inquiry into New Zealand’s Relationships with South Pacific countries.
On 30 April 2008, the NZPPD Secretariat organised an information session for parliamentary staff on the NZPPD and the international debate on population and development.
Participants included representatives of the Inter-parliamentary Relations Secretariat and the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministerial Advisors, Executive Assistants and the Chief of Staff of the Maori Party.
The briefing highlighted the important role that parliamentary staff can have in addressing population and development issues.
NZPPD Chair presents at 'Population, Peak Oil, and Climate Change' Conference, Australia, 14 - 15 March 2008
Jill Pettis (MP and NZPPD Chair), was invited to present at the Sustainable Population Australia conference ' Population, Peak Oil and Climate Change, Their Impact on the Millennium Development Goals', on 14 - 15 August 2008.
5th Asian Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference, 27 – 28 November 2007
Jill Pettis (MP and NZPPD Chair), Sue Kedgley (MP and NZPPD Member), and Naomi Williams (NZPPD Secretariat), comprised the New Zealand delegation to the 5th Asian Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference on 27 – 28 November in Beijing, China.
The theme of the conference was ‘Educational Empowerment for Women and Girls – Critical to Social and Economic Development’.
Jill Pettis spoke on behalf of Hon Steve Chadwick in her role as Chair of the Standing Committee on Women of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development.
The participants recognised that education for women and girls is vital to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action. Participants agreed to prioritise related action in their home countries.
On 4 October 2007, the NZPPD Secretariat coordinated a briefing session at Parliament for the Executive Assistants and Private Secretaries of New Zealand MPs.
Cross-party participants were briefed on the work of the NZPPD and the international debate on population and development.
NZPPD delegation visits Australia, 14 – 15 August 2007
From 14 – 15 August 2007, a NZPPD delegation travelled to Australia to meet with parliamentary colleagues. The delegation comprised Hon Steve Chadwick (then NZPPD Chair), Moana Mackey (MP and NZPPD member), Naomi Williams (NZPPD Secretariat), and Samantha Hung (NZAID Gender Advisor).
The NZPPD developed plans for cooperation with their Australian equivalent: the Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (PGPD).
The delegation also met with representatives from the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and AusAID.
On 10 July 2008, the NZPPD Secretariat facilitated a workshop on the NZPPD and population and development with the Pacific Observers to the 2007 Youth Parliament. Representatives from Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Burma and New Caledonia participated.
On 27 June 2007, the NZPPD hosted the New Zealand launch of the UNFPA 2007 State of the World Population Report, "Unleashing the Potential of Urban Growth".
The event raised awareness of population and development issues, with MPs, Ministerial representatives, NGOs and the media attending.
UNFPA Pacific Office Representative Najib Assifi, presented the report to Honourable David Parker, New Zealand's Minister of Energy, Land information and responsible for Climate Change.
NZPPD member visits Papua New Guinea, 25 June 2007
Tim Barnett (MP NZPPD member) visited Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on 25 June 2007. The aim of the visit was to meet with relevant agencies, government representatives and local partners to get an update on developments since he visited the country on an NZPPD Study Tour in April 2006.
Tim Barnett's programme included meetings with Sir Peter Barter: Minister for Health and Bougainville Affairs, Dame Carol Kidu MP, and a roundtable meeting with UN agencies.
New Zealand delegation attends Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development, Samoa, 21 – 24 May 2007
Hon Steve Chadwick (former NZPPD Chair), Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban (MP and NZPPD member), and Naomi Williams (NZPPD Secretariat), attended the 2nd General Assembly and Conference of the Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development (PPAPD) on 21 – 24 May 2007 in Samoa.
The theme of the conference was "Safeguarding Pacific Youth: Accelerating Actions through Partnership with Pacific Parliamentarians".
Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban provided the keynote address and Hon Steve Chadwick presented the recent NZPPD report, "Youth Sexual Health, Our Health, Our Issue". This was welcomed as an example of how parliamentarians can actively engage on population and development issues.
Steve then presented for a second time in her capacity as Chairperson of the AFPPD Standing Committee on Women, and called for Pacific women parliamentarians to be supported in their work and have the opportunity to participate in such forums.
On 3 April 2006, the NZPPD report Youth Sexual Health: "Our Health, Our Issue" was launched at the New Zealand Parliament. The report makes several recommendations as a result of a 2006 NZPPD Open Hearing on youth sexual and reproductive health.
The report calls for a cross-government approach to improving youth sexual and reproductive health. The launch received wide media coverage and a formal response from the Minister of Health.
The process has contributed to raising awareness and action on youth sexual and reproductive health in New Zealand.
The report has been shared with other parliamentarians from the Pacific region as a model of how to engage and take action on population and development issues.
In December 2006, the NZPPD Secretariat organised an Open Hearing on youth sexual and reproductive health in New Zealand.
The aims of the hearing were:
- to inform parliamentarians on the issues for young New Zealanders surrounding their sexual and reproductive health;
- to make recommendations for action;
- and to gather lessons learned to share with parliamentarians internationally.
The event provided an opportunity for key government agencies, NGOs and other individual experts to make presentations. Anne Weyman, Chief Executive of the UK Family Planning Association, attended the Hearing and shared the UK experience.
On 7 March 2005, the NZPPD held an Open Hearing into the prevention of violence against women and children in New Zealand.
Funded by the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development, the hearing gave civil society representatives and government agencies the opportunity to speak freely and frankly on the issues.
The resulting report Creating a Culture of Non Violence, provides a summary of the situation presented to parliamentarians at the Hearing, and makes recommendations for ensuring the New Zealand government fulfils its domestic commitments to eliminating ongoing violence against women and children.
Following the hearing, Hon Steve Chadwick, the then NZPPD Chair, was invited to sit on the Joint Ministerial Taskforce on Family Violence. The Taskforce has received updates from government departments that there has been progress on all the recommendations contained in the report.
The Government referred to the Open Hearing report in the Sixth Report (2006) on New Zealand’s Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
The Open Hearing report was also distributed regionally as an example of in-country action and follow-up on commitments made at international parliamentary conferences.