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Latest News From the Beehive

Speech to Local Government New Zealand

The relationship between central government and local government is one of partnership. We rely on each other to make good choices for our fellow New Zealanders.

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Local regulations go under microscope

The Government says it is accepting nearly all of the recommendations the Productivity Commission has made on ways to improve local regulations.

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Asian markets driving growth for NZ food & beverage exports

Consumer demand in East and South East Asia for high value foods and beverages is driving export growth and diversification, a new Government report shows.

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Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships awarded

Thirteen senior executives and business owners have been given the opportunity to attend the world’s most prestigious business schools after receiving Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships.

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Labour makes desperate sop to the regions

The Labour Party's regional announcement today is a desperate bid to distract people from Labour’s own internal problems, including how their regionally based candidates and MPs are deserting them, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

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Campaign to boost engineering study at polytechs

The Government is sponsoring a big push for more enrolments in Level 6 and 7 engineering courses in the country’s institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs), Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce says.

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Strong gains in student achievement

Education Minister Hekia Parata says the latest achievement information shows children throughout the country are doing better across the education system.

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Extraordinary Care Fund open for applications

Extraordinary Care Fund grants to help children being raised by their grandparents or extended family open for application soon, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett confirmed today.

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Tūhoe Claims Settlement and Te Urewera bills passed

The House sat under extended hours this morning to pass the third readings of the Tūhoe Claims Settlement Bill and the Te Urewera Bill, which together settle the historical grievances of Ngāi Tūhoe and establish legal identity and new governance arrangements for Te Urewera.

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Board appointed for new era for Te Urewera

The Crown and Ngāi Tuhoe have announced the appointment of the inaugural members of Te Urewera Board, which will be the primary decision maker for Te Urewera under legislation passed in the House today.

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Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill passed

The House sat under extended hours today for the third and final reading of the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill, which recognises the historical claims of 13 iwi and hapū over their shared interests in the Auckland area, including 14 of the region’s maunga (volcanic cones), and motu (islands).

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NZ to assist with MH17 Disaster Victim Identification

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that a team of three New Zealand Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) experts are due to depart for the Netherlands as part of international efforts to identify all 298 victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

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First rebuilt homes completed by offenders

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith have welcomed the completed refurbishment of the first four earthquake-damaged red zone houses in Christchurch, undertaken as part of a joint initiative between the Department of Corrections and Housing New Zealand (HNZ) and officially opened today by the Prime Minister.

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Labour’s ICT policy underwhelming

Labour’s ICT policy to carry out review after review instead of focussing on actually connecting New Zealanders to faster broadband would increase the digital divide, Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams says.

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Credit union rules to change

Commerce Minister Craig Foss says changes are underway to give credit unions improved legal status and promote innovation, efficiency and accountability in the industry.

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Platinum permits awarded in South Island

Five exploration permits have been awarded in the South Island to a new international minerals exploration company as a result of the New Zealand Platinum Tender 2013.

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Further restrictions to dangerous laser pointers welcomed

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed a bill which will make possession of a high-power laser pointer in public, without a reasonable excuse, an offence.

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Appointments to Public Trust Board

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new members to the Board of Public Trust.

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NZ congratulates Indonesian President elect

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today congratulated Joko Widodo on winning the Indonesian Presidential election.

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Trainee teachers to benefit from education portal

Teacher-training institutions can now access a digital resource that enables schools to share learning resources and best practices, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says.

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Foss announces commerce reappointments

Commerce Minister Craig Foss today announced four reappointments to various independent Crown entities and statutory bodies.

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New drug analyser to save time and money

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says the introduction of a new state of the art drug analyser will free up hundreds of hours a year for more enforcement work at the border.

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Taskforce to tackle loopy rules and regulations

Local Government Minister Paula Bennett today announced the establishment of a new Taskforce to rid New Zealand of loopy rules and regulations.

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Boost for horticulture and viticulture industry

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse have announced plans for a new programme aimed at getting more Kiwis into seasonal work, alongside an increase to the annual RSE cap.

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Joint Statement with General Fan Changlong

Joint statement on the meeting between Minister of Defence, Jonathan Coleman and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China, General Fan Changlong.

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Pork industry joins GIA biosecurity agreement

The Government and the commercial pork industry have committed to a partnership to strengthen biosecurity, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

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Standards and Accreditation Bill introduced

Commerce Minister Craig Foss today welcomed the introduction of a Bill to strengthen the development and delivery of New Zealand Standards.

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NZ Pacific encouraged for new Seasonal Worker Scheme

Domestic Pacific workers can be as successful as overseas Pacific workers in the horticulture and viticulture industries says Pacific Island Affairs Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

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Māori Language Bill Passes First Reading

Māori Affairs Minister, Hon Dr Pita Sharples, says he is pleased that the Māori Language Bill passed its first reading this afternoon with the support of the majority of the House.

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International Money transfers made easier by RealMe online identity verification service

Minister of Internal Affairs Peter Dunne welcomed the announcement by NZForex that it will use the RealMe service as a further endorsement of this increasingly successful government service. NZForex said that RealMe will improve the speed and convenience of making international money transfers.

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