Michael Woodhouse MP: Protecting our children

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Protecting our children

National is serious about addressing New Zealand's high child abuse rates. This week Police and Child Youth and Family signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which will ensure a close working relationship in particularly critical cases.

We know that no single agency or organisation can tackle child abuse alone. It is a problem that requires the expertise, knowledge and resources of a wide range of agencies, organisations, individuals, and the community.

The memorandum is part of a wider Government programme. Measures include partnering with NGOs through the First Response pilot, extra social workers in hospitals, multi agency discharge meetings, positive parenting classes, respite holiday programmes, and the ‘Never Shake a Baby’ campaign.

Police and CYF are two of the frontline agencies who deal with the terrible results of child abuse every day. This memorandum shows their commitment to tackling child abuse.

More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/police+and+cyf+sign+child+protection+mou

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Background:

I was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Hospital Dunedin, a position I held for 7 ½ years. Previous to that I held senior management positions with ACC, where I was instrumental in implementing ACC’s Elective Services Contracting framework and at Dunedin Hospital in change management, revenue and planning roles.

I was educated at St Pauls High School (now Kavanagh College) and graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I am a Chartered Accountant and also have a Master of Health Administration from the University of New South Wales.

I was also the President of the NZ Private Surgical Hospitals Association and have also been the Vice President of the NZ Private Hospitals Association, a larger organisation which included the private aged care sector. I am also a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

I have been a Rotarian since 2001 and am active in community and voluntary work in the region. I am an avid rugby fan, having played age group representative rugby for Otago and South Island teams and am a premier grade referee as well as a “fair weather” runner. My wife Amanda and I and our three daughters have a crib in Cromwell and in our spare time enjoy the great outdoors of Central Otago.

Responsibilities:

I am a member of the Health Select Committee, and of the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee.

I am also a member of the National Party’s Economic and Commerce Caucus Committee.

My Commitment as Your MP:

I firmly believe in the values that underpin the National Party – loyalty, security, equity of opportunity, freedom and choice, limited Government, strong families, caring communities and a sustainable environment.

I commit to maintaining those values and working on your behalf to ensure that these important principles are upheld. Although not an electorate MP, I believe all MPs have a responsibility to represent and advocate for the people in their communities.