Lotu-Iiga Sam: General DebateText is subject to correctionLotu-Iiga Sam: General Debate[Sitting date: 17 June 2015. Volume:706;Page:4494. Text is subject to correction.]Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (Minister for Pacific Peoples):It is an honour and a privilege to speak in this general debate this afternoon. It follows from a morning that I spent out in Porirua with thousands of other supporters of rugby and supporters of Jerry Collins and the Madill family to celebrate a rugby legend—to celebrate a young boy from Porirua who made good. We were there to celebrate certainly a gift from Porirua to our nation and that was Jerry Collins.We all know that Jerry Collins was brutal tough and uncompromising on the rugby field but we also know that off the rugby field he was humble he had a sense of fun he was loyal and he was a family man. He represented this country with great ability and achievement in 48 tests over his career.Tim Macindoe: And a proud Samoan.Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA: Yes he was a proud Samoan too Mr Macindoe. The Pacific community revered him upheld him and uplifted this man who did a lot particularly for young Pacific males to look up and dream and aspire to just like Jerry had done over those 34 years of his life.La’auli Michael Jones another legend talked about him as being unique and as being spontaneous. His sister Brenda spoke of Jerry who had big heart as we all know. He had a lot of support and our prayers and our thoughts continue to go out to Ayla the child of Alana and Jerry—both of whom sadly passed away 12 days ago—as she recovers in a hospital in France.We remember Jerry. We remember Alana. May I say to Jerry ia manuia lau malaga. Our thoughts prayers and sympathies go to his family and to her family.Today as Jerry Collins demonstrated with his ability and his leadership on the rugby paddock the Hon Jonathan Coleman demonstrated his leadership in the health portfolio by making the difficult decision to replace the board of the Southern District Health Board and appoint a commissioner Kathy Grant. She will take up that role in order to bring this institution back in line and bring it back from the financial distress it is currently under and to provide the quality health services that the people of Southland and the people of the southern districts demand.I was in Invercargill last week and though I was dealing with matters around the Department of Corrections disability care and ethnic communities the subject of the local district health board did come up. People were showing some concern about that and they have shown concern for a great period of time. Today’s decision I think brings some of those concerns and those apprehensions to an end and puts in place a process and a team. Alongside Kathy Grant will be Graham Crombie and Richard Thomson as deputies and a third deputy with a strong clinical background is expected to be announced later this month. That team will lead the Southern District Health Board back into the black back into surplus and back to delivering the quality services that we expect—not just those people in the south but all New Zealanders. So today is about taking over the improvement of that district health board.Health is very important to New Zealanders. Health is one of those fundamental portfolios alongside education law and order and jobs that New Zealanders demand and expect from their Government. They expect services and they expect leadership and that is why as an Associate Minister of Health I welcome the decision that the Hon Jonathan Coleman has made. It is an important decision to take a step forward with this district health board having taken several steps backwards over the years. So although it is disappointing that the district health board failed in its duties we are confident that the commissioners who are going to take over the operations and the governance of this district health board will do the job we expect them to do.