NZ CharitiesNew Zealand Charities Community House

Festival of sailing in full swing

The Auckland Festival of Sailing has gotten off to a great start, with the Omega Auckland Match Racing Regatta proving to be fantastic spectacle featuring past, present and future yachting stars battling it out on the Waitemata. There’s plenty more action to come, with two further prestigious international sailing events to look forward to this month during the Auckland Festival of Sailing.The Louis Vuitton Trophy kicks off today, followed by the BMW Sailing Cup World Final, which begins on 22 March.All Aucklanders can experience the thrill of this exciting festival – the biggest sailing event since Auckland hosted the America’s Cup in 2003. Get down to Market Square in the Viaduct Harbour during the next few weeks as the festival comes to life on shore at the Louis Vuitton Trophy event village, in a spectacle of colour and entertainment.Every day in the village, a jumbo video screen will display live TV, plus 3-D Virtual Eye tracking from the race course, along with expert commentary and analysis. There will be grinder winches like those on the Cup boats for visitors to test their strength and grinding technique, as well as knot tying demonstrations, face painting, teams information, a results board, plus the latest results from on the water.See the big boats up close as they dock right outside O’Hagans bar each night after a hectic day on the harbour, and mix and meet some of the world’s best sailors and take part in the daily press conference each evening after the racing finishes.More maritime-themed entertainment, activities and attractions will pack out the space during the weekend of the 13 and 14 March, including Cirque de Salon, featuring live performance art for the public, in sailing theme.Other key Festival of Sailing activities include:

• • • Free public spectator boat trips running during the two key weekends of the Auckland Festival of Sailing on 13 and 14 and 20 and 21 March, courtesy of Auckland City Council. This once in a lifetime opportunity is limited to the first 120 people per sailing, with two sailings on each day at 9.30am and 1.30pm. Registrations for a place onboard Olympic Spirit are first come, first served, and open one hour before each sailing time at the departure location, in front of Kermadec bar and restaurant, Viaduct Harbour. Conditions apply.
    • The Auckland International Boat Show at the Viaduct Harbour from this Thursday to Sunday, 11 to 14 March. Come down and see why Auckland’s marine industry is world-renowned.
    • A special offer at the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum where, for the month of March, Auckland region residents can visit the museum galleries for just $5 per adult, with free admission for accompanying children aged 14 years or under. (Proof  of Auckland residency required). Discover how our region’s love affair with sailing began.

Auckland Festival of Sailing is sponsored by Auckland City Council, Tourism Auckland and AucklandPlus. Tune into the racing action live on 103FM.

Teen Parent Programme celebrates Women’s Day

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 teen parenting unit is a five day a week school where parents under 18 can continue their education and learn more about parenting.Attached to the unit is an early childhood centre and a daily bus helps get the young parents and their children to and from the school with students coming from as far as Wainuiomata.”This programme is helping to develop some very proud and confident young mothers who are determined to better their future and their children’s future.”"Working alongside them is a very supportive team of professional women passing on their wisdom and guidance,” said Minister Turia.”This programme is a wonderful example of women of all ages including the young women’s whanau sharing their knowledge alongside our future generations.”"The girls here have every opportunity to do whatever they want with their lives and this programme has provided them with choices and a chance to continue their education.”"There is nothing more inspiring than seeing a mother and her baby thriving in a healthy and supportive environment; creating the foundation for success in many spheres - academically, socially, physically and spiritually.”

Minister accepts Eisenhower Fellowship

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announces she has accepted an Eisenhower Fellowship for the Women’s Leadership Programme 2010.

The prestigious six week Fellowship was awarded to only 20 women around the world who were identified as outstanding leaders.

Ms Bennett has chosen to study successful US examples of the social corporate responsibility model while in America.

An individually tailored programme will grant exceptional access to leading business people, high level politicians and successful community leaders.

“I believe New Zealand has much to learn from the way the US harnesses the innovations and entrepreneurship of corporate leaders to work with communities and Government to create real gains for the social sector.”I want to identify what works and bring those ideas home,” says Ms Bennett.

Prime Minister John Key fully supported Ms Bennett’s fellowship nomination and is pleased with her successful placement.

Former Eisenhower Fellow and chair of the New Zealand nominating committee, Susan Baragwanath won a placement in 1994, returning to open a special school in Wellington.

“The Fellowship experience was instrumental in the formation of He Huarahi Tamariki and other teen parent units. It is simply a once in a lifetime opportunity,” says Mrs Baragwanath.

Selection criteria includes the candidates leadership achievements to date, potential for future impact and plans for real, tangible outcomes from the trip.

The programme commences in October.

Note: Since its inception in 1953 only 16 New Zealanders have become Fellows. Paula Bennett will be the 17th to gain a place.

Korea - the Land of Morning Calm - Announcing the launch of the new ArtLounge at the LibraryAnnouncing the launch of the new ArtLounge at the Library with a small but splendid display of Korean artifacts from the 5th century AD Three Kingdoms Period to the demise of the Chosun Dynasty a century ago in 1910.A cyclical - 2 monthly display celebrating each of the community pou at the Library entrance curated by the art museum.Enjoy your coffee - free museum publications and exhibitions in the quietude of the ArtLounge in the front area of the Whangarei Library facing the carved pou ihi. For further information, please click here

 Celebrating a gathering of cultures, this eight-day festival brings the diverse cultures of Hamilton to life with a range of events from a variety of key venues throughout Hamilton including Garden Place, Wintec’s The Hub, Hamilton Gardens, and the Waikato Migrant Resource Centre.Highlights include a Street Parade from Victoria to Knox St on Sunday 14 March, Business Before 8 on the 18 March, Tūrangawaewae Regatta in Ngāruawāhia on Saturday 20, and a Gathering of Cultures at the Gardens on Sunday 21 to celebrate International Race Relations Day.Delhi Streets Exhibition at Cafe Agora (Kent St). With 50c per coffee brought throughout the month of March going towards the Waikato Migrant Resource Centre to encourage the involvement of migrant and refugee youth in the arts.Film Festival and Community Activities throughout the week. For more information visit: http://www.indigofestival.org.nz/page/indigofe_5.phpOr contact us for a full programme: phone (07) 853 2192Email events.wmrc@xtra.co.nz