Latest content updates

Address to the Nikkei Forum, Tokyo

Beehive — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:15:00 +0000

Simon Bridges | Energy and Resources

Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I thank the Nikkei Forum for their invitation - it is great to be part of such a wide-ranging discussion on the future of Asia. And it is a special pleasure to be back in Japan at this particular time. It is almost three years since my last visit. A lot has changed. Japan, like my own country, has suffered a huge natural disaster but is now well into the recovery phase. Japan has a new government. And the Nikkei Index is back to its pre-crash level. But I want to start with the Trans-Pacific Partnership. ...

Ikaroa Rawhiti Maori Regional Housing Forum & Te Matapihi He Tirohanga Mo Te iwi Maori Housing Hui , Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Gisborne

Beehive — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:05:00 +0000

Tariana Turia | Housing

E nga iwi o Ikaroa Rawhiti ara ko Ngati Porou, ko Te Aitanga a Mahaki, ko Rongowhakaata, ko Ngai Tamanuhiri, ko Ngati Kahungunu, koutou katoa kua tae mai ki tenei huihuinga e pa ana ki nga take whai whare noho, tena ra koutou katoa. Thank you for inviting me to speak here today at your forum. I want to acknowledge Tiopira Rauna and to commend you for the significant role that the Ikaroa Rawhiti Maori Housing Forum has played over the last seven years, in supporting Māori housing in this role. ...

Minister encourages participation in Samoan Language Week

Beehive — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:28:00 +0000

Hekia Parata | Pacific Island Affairs

Talofa lava. Malo le soifua maua. Malo le lagi e mama. Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata encourages all New Zealanders to participate in the upcoming Samoan Language Week which starts in the weekend on 26 May – 1 June. “It is fitting that Samoan language week sets the tone for the biggest celebration of Pacific language ever seen in New Zealand with seven Pacific language weeks taking place across the country this year,” says Ms Parata. ...

Groser to attend annual OECD meeting

Beehive — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:26:00 +0000

Tim Groser | Trade

Trade Minister Tim Groser will represent New Zealand at the OECD’s annual Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) and Forum in Paris from 27 to 30 May. “The theme for this year’s meeting is ‘It’s all about people: Jobs, Equality and Trust’,” says Mr Groser. ...

Speech to the Early Childhood Council’s Annual Conference, Rotorua

Beehive — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:20:00 +0000

Hekia Parata | Education

Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. I’m really pleased to be able to join you all again at your annual conference. I’d like to thank your President Maria Johnson, and Chief Executive Peter Reynolds for their welcome. I would like to start by thanking you all for the work you do. Children are our most important investment. The work you do in nurturing their development represents an invaluable contribution to New Zealand’s future wealth, health and happiness. ...

Family Violence coordination gets support

Admin — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:08:00 +0000

Paula Bennett | Housing

The Government is extending the funding for Family Violence Response Coordination (FVRC) says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett. “We’ve decided to extend the funding for a further two years from 2013/14 to 2014/15 as existing funding of $2.8m per year was time-limited and due to end at the end of 2012/13,” says Mrs Bennett. FVRC funds more than 30 local family violence networks, working with more than 1,000 local agencies to undertake family violence prevention activities. ...

Address to Ethnic People In Commerce (EPIC) NZ

Admin — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:38:00 +0000

Judith Collins | Ethnic Affairs

Good afternoon It’s a pleasure to be here today to officially open the Ethnic People In Commerce Conference for 2013. It’s fantastic to see so many of you turn out to support today’s event! And it’s great to see so many familiar faces. For those who attended last year’s conference, I’m sure you’ll agree EPIC NZ is a wonderful networking opportunity for all New Zealand’s ethnic and mainstream business leaders. ...

Collins announces Language Line expansion

Admin — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:34:00 +0000

Judith Collins | Ethnic Affairs

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins has today announced the Government’s plan to extend the Office of Ethnic Affairs’ Language Line telephone interpreting service to private sector organisations. Language Line currently offers immediate access to interpreters speaking 44 languages to help people who speak little or no English communicate with government agencies. ...

Govt releases PwC report on Pay Period 4

Admin — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:25:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Education

Minister Responsible for Novopay Steven Joyce today released the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report on complaints and notifications in regards to Pay Period 4 of the schools’ payroll. Pay Period 4, which was paid on the morning of 15 May, paid 84,577 people a total of $162.29 million. The PwC report shows that complaints and notifications were received regarding 0.42 per cent of staff across the country, 36 staff were notified as not paid, 122 were overpaid, and 195 underpaid. Affected staff were from 247 schools or 10.1 per cent of schools in the payroll system. ...

Causeway Upgrade Project begins

Admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:59:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Transport

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says the formal start of construction today of the NZ Transport Agency’s Causeway Upgrade Project on Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway marks a significant milestone in completing the Western Ring Route Road of National Significance (RoNS). The project is a critical part of the RoNS and the Government’s strategy to improve transport connections for both Auckland and neighbouring regions to the north and south of the city. ...

Minister welcomes Rotorua education initiative

Admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:37:00 +0000

Hekia Parata | Education

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Rotorua MP Todd McClay have announced a major initiative aimed at improving the educational success of Rotorua’s children and young people. Ms Parata says the new education-focused initiative is all about growing healthy, safe, well-educated children and young people in Rotorua. ...

Resolution of New Zealand meat exports to China

Beehive — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:46:00 +0000

Nathan Guy | Primary Industries

A resolution has been agreed which should see authorities clearing New Zealand meat exports to China from next week, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced. "Chinese authorities have agreed they will begin releasing consignments under the name of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority. "Officials are working around the clock to reissue certificates for all the meat consignments that are held up at ports or on the water. "This is positive news for farmers and exporters after what has been a frustrating time. ...

More children getting help to see

Beehive — Thu, 23 May 2013 03:31:00 +0000

Tony Ryall | Health

More young New Zealanders in need of glasses to correct their vision have received free spectacles through a Government-funded subsidy. “More than 28,000 children aged 15 years or under had their eyes tested and were given glasses if required last financial year – over 10,000 more than in 2008,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall. “Over three quarters of the children who had their eyes tested required new frames, new lenses or repairs to their current glasses. ...

Denniston mine decision good news for jobs & growth

Admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 01:46:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The decision today by Conservation Minister Nick Smith to approve the access agreement for Bathurst Resources’ Escarpment Mine near Westport is good news for jobs and economic growth on the West Coast, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges say. The announcement follows an interim decision by the Environment Court in March that it was likely to grant resource consent to the open-cast mine subject to appropriate conditions being agreed. ...

Dunne: legal highs bill to be even faster-tracked

Admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 01:17:00 +0000

Peter Dunne | Health

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne wants to push the Psychoactive Substances Bill through Parliament faster than planned when it returns from the select committee in mid-June, with the aim of having the legislation in place in July. “As I have said, we need to get this law right. It is about the health of young New Zealanders using legal highs, and it is world-leading legislation. No one else has done anything like it,” Mr Dunne said. ...

Meth plan continues to show results

Admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 01:07:00 +0000

John Key | Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key today released the latest Indicators and Progress Report for the Government’s Tackling Methamphetamine Action Plan, and says while the picture of methamphetamine (P) supply in New Zealand remains a complex one, the efforts of law enforcement agencies are continuing to produce positive signs. “When the Government began this plan in 2009, New Zealand had one of the highest prevalence rates of P use in the world, with 2.1 per cent of the population using the drug. The latest data shows this rate has more than halved to 0.9 per cent. ...

Playground honours Margaret Mahy ONZ

Admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:52:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

A playground based on author Margaret Mahy’s work has taken out one of the top prizes in the BNZ Amazing Place playground design competition run by the Christchurch Central Development Unit, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced. “I’m also pleased to announce the playground based on the inspiration of Christchurch school children will also bear Margaret Mahy’s name,” Mr Brownlee says. ...

Denniston coal mine gains access approval

Beehive — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:32:00 +0000

Nick Smith | Conservation

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith today announced his approval under the Crown Minerals Act for an access agreement for Bathurst Resources for its Escarpment Mining Project on the Denniston Plateau, near Westport. ...

Consultation begins on mining safety regulations

Admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:07:00 +0000

Simon Bridges | Energy and Resources

The Government has further progressed the Pike River Implementation Plan with the release of a discussion document on a new regulatory regime for the mining sector. Labour and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says the discussion document proposes significant changes to health and safety regulation in New Zealand’s mining industry. ...

Rural Women NZ conference dinner

Admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:32:00 +0000

Jo Goodhew | Health

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou. Thank you Liz and Noeline for your kind welcome and for inviting me to open the Rural Women New Zealand 2013 Conference this evening. It is my pleasure to be here today to celebrate your achievements as enterprising women, and as entrepreneurs and business owners. ...

Christchurch CBD construction ramps up

Admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:32:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today taken Prime Minister John Key on a whistle-stop tour to check progress on three major construction sites in the Christchurch CBD. “These three buildings will be worth about $100 million once completed and will employ a total of around 500 during the construction phase,” Mr Brownlee said. “Today we saw these projects were progressing well, with two of them expected to be completed in the next six months and the other within the next 12 months. ...

Government sets $55.3m problem gambling strategy

Admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:17:00 +0000

Chris Tremain | Health

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain and Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne today released details of the Government’s $55.3 million, three-year gambling harm strategy to be funded and implemented by the Health Ministry, and recouped from the gambling industry through the problem gambling levy. “Essentially the problem gambling levy is a mechanism to recover the costs from the gambling industry as part of the Government’s continuing commitment to addressing the important issue of gambling harm,” Mr Tremain says. ...

Ambassador to Afghanistan appointed

Admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:24:00 +0000

Murray McCully | Foreign Affairs

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced the appointment of career diplomat John Mataira as Ambassador to Afghanistan. “New Zealand has made a significant commitment to Afghanistan over the last 10 years, and while our Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) has now left Bamyan, that commitment will continue through our development projects and military personnel based in Kabul,” Mr McCully says. ...

Statement on the Honourable Justice Robert Chambers

Beehive — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:12:00 +0000

Christopher Finlayson | Attorney-General

Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson has expressed his shock and sorrow at the death of Supreme Court Judge, the Honourable Justice Robert Chambers. “Justice Chambers had an outstanding career as a servant of the law, ultimately appointed to the nation’s highest court,” Mr Finlayson said. “I was devastated to learn of his untimely death.” ...

Statement on the loss of Honourable Justice Robert Chambers

Beehive — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:10:00 +0000

Judith Collins | Justice

Justice Minister Judith Collins has expressed her sadness at the sudden loss of Supreme Court Judge, the Honourable Justice Robert Chambers. “I am extremely sad to learn of the sudden death of Justice Robert Chambers. “He was renowned across the profession as one of New Zealand’s greatest legal brains. His sudden death at such a young age is a significant loss to the legal community. ...

Interim decisions for five Aranui schools

Beehive — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:55:00 +0000

Hekia Parata | Education

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today announced the interim decisions for the five Aranui schools in greater Christchurch affected by the Government’s Education Renewal Plans. ...

Budget 2013

Beehive — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:39:00 +0000

John Key | Budget 2013

Budget 2013 Post Budget Announcements ...

Select Committee reports back on Financial Reporting Bill

Admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:28:00 +0000

Craig Foss | Commerce

Commerce Minister Craig Foss has welcomed the Commerce Select Committee report on a bill to cut the financial reporting burden for smaller companies. The Financial Reporting Bill removes the requirement for smaller companies to produce complex financial statements. It allows shareholders of small and medium sized companies to decide whether the company must prepare financial statements. ...

Budget 2013: $14.5m boost for online identity verification

Admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:15:00 +0000

Chris Tremain | Budget 2013

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain says $14.5 million in new funding for igovt services in 2013/14 demonstrates the commitment to improving New Zealanders’ online interactions with government. The igovt services have two components: ...

Trade Minister to visit Colombia

Admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:13:00 +0000

Tim Groser | Trade

Trade Minister Tim Groser will attend the Pacific Alliance Ministerial Meeting and Head of State Summit in Cali, Colombia on 22 and 23 May. “This is the first meeting New Zealand has attended since being granted observer status to the fast-growing Latin America economic bloc known as the Pacific Alliance, which includes Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru,” says Mr Groser. “As an observer, New Zealand will be better placed to build on our existing relationships, and to share experiences and learning on integration within the Asia-Pacific region. ...