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Latest News From the Beehive

Centenary of New Zealand entering the First World War

I move, that this House recognise that on the 4th of August 2014, we will mark the centenary of New Zealand entering the First World War.

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Data Futures Forum delivers final report

The Data Futures Forum has delivered a range of thought-provoking recommendations on the use of data in New Zealand, Finance Minister Bill English and Statistics Minister Nicky Wagner say.

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Bill lowering drink-drive limits passes

Legislation that will lower the adult drink-driving limits from 1 December 2014 has passed its third and final reading in Parliament today says Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee.

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First chance to help shape red zone’s future

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says he expects huge participation in the public engagement process to determine the future use of the Waimakariri District’s residential red zones.

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Road use surge reflects economic recovery

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says increases in vehicle travel and vehicle registrations reflect New Zealand’s economic recovery and growing population.

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Government-owned company to take over school payroll

New Zealand's school payroll service will come under Government management in October of this year.

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ACC cover to extend to child victims of sexual grooming

ACC Minister Judith Collins today announced an addition to the Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill that would extend ACC sensitive claims cover to children or young people who are victims of sexual grooming or indecent communications.

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Call for innovative health IT ideas

Health Minister Tony Ryall is encouraging health professionals to take part in the annual Clinicians’ Challenge by submitting their IT solutions to improve health services.

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More scholarships for nurse graduates

The government is investing an extra $1.5 million to give 25 graduate nurses scholarships to work in general practices in some of New Zealand’s higher need communities next year.

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Report on Education Regulations released

A report looking at how improved legislation and regulation could free-up schools to focus more on raising student achievement has been welcomed by Education Minister Hekia Parata.

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Minister welcomes parental engagement report

A report recommending ways to encourage more parents to get involved in their children’s education has been welcomed by Education Minister Hekia Parata.

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Labour shows true colours on screen industry

Labour has shown its true colours by promising to undermine the progress of New Zealand’s screen sector and reintroduce uncertainty into screen contracts for the benefit of Australian-run unions, Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson said today.

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3K to Christchurch working for Jobseekers

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says 157 people across the country have so far taken up the Government’s 3K to Christchurch scheme.

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Match-fixing Bill passes first reading

Sport and Recreation Minister Murray McCully today welcomed the first reading of the Crimes (Match-fixing) Amendment Bill.

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Kaikōura Marine Management Bill passes third reading

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith has welcomed Parliament’s passage of the Kaikōura (Te Tai o Marokura) Marine Management Bill today.

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Fisheries (Foreign Charter Vessels and Other Matters) Amendment Bill passes third reading

A bill to strengthen the regulation of foreign-owned commercial fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters has passed its third and final reading in Parliament today.

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Foss welcomes first crowd-funding licence

Commerce Minister Craig Foss today welcomed New Zealand’s first equity crowd-funding and peer-to-peer lending licences.

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Manuka honey labelling guide a positive step for NZ

The Interim Labelling Guide for Manuka Honey released today by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is a positive step for the New Zealand industry, Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye says.

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Changes to East Coast erosion grant scheme

Associate Primary Industries Minister Jo Goodhew has announced changes to the funding programme supporting East Coast landowners with erosion issues.

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Supported bail to help change young offenders

Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows has welcomed the expansion of supported bail for young offenders as an important step to reducing reoffending.

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Bill to improve the coronial system introduced

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today introduced a Coroners Amendment Bill to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the coronial system.

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200 more training places for graduate nurses

Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the government will fund up to 200 additional training places for nurse graduates next year.

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Minister welcomes new Tūhoronuku trustees

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson has welcomed the announcement today of the 22 trustees of the Tūhoronuku Independent Mandated Authority (TIMA), which will negotiate the settlement of Ngapuhi’s historical Treaty claims with the Crown.

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NZ welcomes landmark agreement with the EU

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on the Partnership Agreement on Relations and Cooperation (PARC) between New Zealand and the European Union.

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NZ support for upgrade of Pacific navigation charts

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that New Zealand will lead a new regional programme to improve Pacific navigation charts.

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NZ support for the Pacific’s ‘Blue Economy’

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed the Oceans theme of the 2014 Pacific Islands Forum and announced new support for efforts to monitor illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

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MOU signed to improve agency cooperation

Police Minister Anne Tolley and Commerce Minister Craig Foss today welcomed an updated memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

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High house build rate welcomed

The 23,370 new houses consented in the last year is a further sign the Government's housing reforms are working, Housing Minister Dr Smith said today in welcoming the latest figures from Statistics New Zealand.

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Greens’ dolphin plan does not make sense

The Green Party’s dolphin plan to prohibit any new oil and gas developments off the North Island’s West Coast and to ban fishing in areas where there is no record of the Maui’s dolphin does not make sense, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith said today.

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Govt releases review of waste disposal levy

Environment Minister Amy Adams has released a review into the effectiveness of the waste disposal levy, which makes recommendations to improve fairness in the way the levy is applied and to increase the amount of information available about waste and recycling in New Zealand.

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Labour announces unemployment policy

Labour’s intention to increase the minimum wage to two-thirds of the average wage would hurt business, cost jobs and reduce growth, Labour Minister Simon Bridges says.

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Veterans’ Support Bill passes third reading

A Bill to improve support provided to veterans has unanimously passed its third reading in Parliament, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse says.

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$9.3 million to improve drinking water in small communities

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced approval of $9.3 million in subsidies to help small communities establish or improve their drinking-water supplies.

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Local Government Amendment Bill passes third reading

The Local Government Act Amendment Bill (No 3) passed its third and final reading in parliament tonight. It paves the way for improved housing affordability and more effective local government says Associate Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-liga.

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Better government digital services on the way as plan approved

All government agencies now have a shared plan to deliver more and better digital public services. Eight agencies have been working together to implement Better Public Services Result 10 - making it easier for people to do business with government in the digital environment. Cabinet has now expanded that work to cover the whole State services and endorsed a Blueprint for the work as government policy.

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