Peoples Times

Homosexuals, bisexuals and those who identify as heterosexual but who have had same-sex encounters are more likely to have experienced negative events in childhood, a new University of Otago, Christchurch, study shows.

The Mental Health Foundation - in association with the Foundation’s Out of the Blue depression awareness campaign and Like Minds, Like Mine - is now seeking applications for the 2010 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants.

New resources have been released to promote and support Māori language in the community, with the theme ‘Te Mahi Kai – The Language of Food’ for this year’s Māori Language Week (26 July to 1 August). Representatives from government, Māori business, research and academic communities will also gather this month to discuss the Māori food sector.

The Alternative Welfare Working Group (AWWG) held their first meeting this week, having been set up in response to concerns that the views of many community groups were not being heard by the government-sponsored Welfare Working Group.

Pat Hanley of Pukerua Bay in Porirua has been elected to the Board of CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation.

In addition to 17 regional hui, the Kia Tutahi-Standing Together steering group is now consulting with New Zealand communities online at: http://bangthetable.com/kiatutahi.

A new website named VolunteerNet has been launched to help connect volunteers with event-based volunteering opportunities, while at the same time providing a free online volunteer recruitment and management tool for event organisers.

New Zealand Girl Guides hope to stretch the world bra chain record of 166,000 bras end on end later this year.

Police say new powers that came into effect in July give them more opportunity to make a difference to families suffering violence.