12. Senior Citizens—World Elder Abuse Awareness DayPAUL FOSTER-BELL (National) to the Minister for SeniorsSenior Citizens—World Elder Abuse Awareness Day12. PAUL FOSTER-BELL (National) to the Minister for Seniors: How has World Elder Abuse Awareness Day drawn attention to the problem of elder abuse and social isolation in New Zealand?Hon MAGGIE BARRY (Minister for Seniors): Yesterday's World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the week that it commemorates is an opportunity for all New Zealanders to show that all older people need to be respected and valued. There are more than 2000 reported cases of elder abuse and neglect a year. The majority of them—[Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am afraid that a fair amount of conversation has broken out which makes it difficult for the—[Interruption] The member might expect the same respect one day himself. Hon MAGGIE BARRY: Shall I repeat the answer?Mr SPEAKER: The Minister can. [Interruption] Order! I have given permission for the Minister to start the answer again. I do not want interjection to start from a particular quarter I am looking at. Hon MAGGIE BARRY: Thank you Mr Speaker. It is important to respect our elders and that is one of the points of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the week that follows it. Social isolation and loneliness among our seniors is particularly concerning as it increases people's vulnerability to elder abuse. There are more than 2000 cases reported in New Zealand each year and that is about neglect as well. The majority of them are caused by family members and can take the form of emotional and financial abuse as well as physical. That is why as the Minister for Seniors I have championed initiatives like Community Connects which is a particular programme that is leading towards age-friendly communities of which there are three being piloted in New Zealand. Paul Foster-Bell: What new initiatives has she announced regarding positive role models for seniors?Hon MAGGIE BARRY: Unlike some members of this House there are many seniors who are worthy of respect and are super seniors" in their form. I announced three new champions yesterday: Dame Malvina Major the Hon Margaret Austin and the actor Peter Hayden. They join the Champions programme launched a few months ago with Precious McKenzie Dame Kate Harcourt and Lance Girling-Butcher. These are inspirational role models who provide a voice for seniors about the issues that matter to seniors. Their advocacy insight and enthusiasm are vital to making sure seniors' voices are heard. Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I seek leave to table the recent Trans Tasman report about how weak this Minister is.Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat immediately. That is not a point of order. Paul Foster-Bell: What reports has she seen on attitudes towards older people?Hon MAGGIE BARRY: A new survey that was commissioned by the Office for Seniors called Attitudes Towards Ageing which I launched yesterday reveals that a large number of New Zealanders respect and value older people but there are problems that remain in tackling social isolation which is one of the key factors in elder abuse. Positive attitudes towards older people—despite the fact that there are some very badly behaved older people not too far from where I am standing—are vital for the well-being and self-esteem of seniors. On a more serious note the survey showed that 10 percent of people aged over 50 felt excluded and isolated because of their age. Most seniors deserve a lot of respect and they have earned it and they have made this great country the country it is today. I respect them if others in this Chamber do not."