Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says the preliminary results of the first referendum to decide on the future of the New Zealand flag show strong public interest.

The first of the two postal referendums closed today and the Electoral Commission has indicated the Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) flag by designer Kyle Lockwood as the preliminary winner.

The Commission says a total of 1,527,042 votes were cast, with voter turnout of 48 per cent.

The Government is making good progress in providing better social services by publically releasing data which will assist its agencies – and the social sector - understand the needs of the most vulnerable New Zealanders, Finance Minister Bill English says.

“Reducing misery, rather than servicing it, requires a deep understanding of drivers of social dysfunction. Good information will enable the Government to better help vulnerable people make positive changes to their lives and become more independent.”

Catherine Savage has been named as the Chair of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation Board, replacing current Chair Gavin Walker, who has resigned, Finance Minister Bill English has announced.

Ms Savage begins her tenure as Chair on 1 January 2016 for a term of just over three years, while Mr Walker’s term will end on 31 December 2015.

“I’d like to thank Gavin for his strong professional and personal leadership during his tenure,” Mr English says.

New Zealand has formally became a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Finance Minister Bill English says.

Ratification by members with 50 percent of the capital of the AIIB is needed for it to establish operations. New Zealand’s ratification will contribute to the organisation reaching the 50 percent threshold needed for the AIIB to establish operations.  This is expected to take place by mid-December.

This follows the passage of the International Financial Agreement Amendment Act here in New Zealand in November.

Data released today by Treasury and Figure.NZ makes is even easier for the public to dig into the Crown’s books for details on its spending and revenue, Finance Minister Bill English says.

Finance Minister Bill English says the release of two reports today on its investment practices and the performance of its major investment projects provide an overview to the public for the first time.

The annual report Managing Government Investment Projects 2014-15 - the first of its kind – provides a snapshot of the Government’s overall investment programme and the recently implemented changes to the way it is managed.

The Minister Responsible for Housing New Zealand, Bill English, along with Social Housing Minister, Paula Bennett, are welcoming news that the massive programme to repair 5000 earthquake-damaged social housing stock in Christchurch has been reached ahead of schedule.

The 2010 and 2011 earthquakes damaged 95 percent of Housing New Zealand’s properties, affecting about 20,000 tenants across greater Christchurch.

Ministers Bill English and Paula Bennett are pleased to announce the Government is now taking Expressions of Interest from Community Housing Providers (CHPs) to transfer social housing in Invercargill and Tauranga.

As announced by the Prime Minister in January, the Government’s Social Housing Reform Programme includes plans to transfer 1,000 to 2,000 Housing New Zealand Corporation houses and tenancies to registered CHPs over the next year.

Deputy Prime Minister, Bill English, is encouraging Kiwis to have their say on what New Zealand’s flag should look like.

The first postal referendum, which will give New Zealanders the first ever opportunity to vote on the flag that best represents them, begins today and runs until 11 December.

Mr English says voters should take advantage of the opportunity to rank the five alternative designs selected by the Flag Consideration Panel.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  

Finance Minister Bill English today welcomed the passing of the International Finance Agreements Amendment Bill, which enables New Zealand to become a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

The Bank is a China-led initiative which is being established to address a gap in new infrastructure across Asia. Its purpose is to foster sustainable economic development and to promote regional co-operation and partnership.

Executive Director of the Auckland Investment Office John Duncan has been appointed Deputy Chair of the Housing New Zealand Board, Housing New Zealand Minister Bill English announced today.

“Mr Duncan brings financial transaction and investment skills as well as a good understanding of the public sector environment at both a national and local level,” Mr English says.

Two additional new Housing New Zealand board members have also been appointed Managing Director of Castalia Michael Schur and Former National Party MP Tau Henare.

Finance Minister Bill English and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce have asked the Productivity Commission to review new and emerging models of tertiary education.

“The tertiary education sector has adapted to significant change over the past 20 years and is continuing to change all the time,” says Mr English.

The Government has asked the Productivity Commission to review urban planning rules and processes, and identify the most appropriate system for land use allocation, Finance Minister Bill English says.

“Urban planning in New Zealand not only underpins housing affordability but also the productivity of the wider economy,” Mr English says.

“Many parts of the regime are out-dated and unwieldy, having been developed over the years in a piecemeal fashion. International best practice has moved on and so must New Zealand.”

New Zealanders have beaten stiff competition from Australia, picking up multiple awards at a ceremony celebrating excellence in community housing this week.

Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) and VisionWest Chief Executive Officer Lisa Woolley were honoured at the Australasian Housing Institute’s 2015 Professional Excellence in Housing Awards held in Perth on Wednesday.

The proposed transfer of approximately 1,500 Housing NZ Corporation houses and tenancies in Tauranga and Invercargill to registered Community Housing Providers will shortly move to the next stage, Ministers Bill English and Paula Bennett say.

As announced by the Prime Minister in January, the Government’s Social Housing Reform Programme includes plans to transfer 1,000 to 2,000 Housing NZ Corporation houses and tenancies to registered Community Housing Providers over the next year.

Finance Minister Bill English will travel to Sydney tomorrow to meet with new Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison.

“The New Zealand and Australian economies have many similarities – our proximity to growth in Asia, our strength in commodity exports, and most recently our increased partnership through the TPP trade agreement,” Mr English says.

“Australia is our largest trading partner. When Australia does well, we do well – so it is important to understand the prospects for the Australian economy and the views of its policy makers.”

Finance Minister Bill English and Statistics Minister Craig Foss today named the working group responsible for leading the new Data Futures Partnership.

“The Data Futures Partnership is an exciting opportunity to potentially deliver economic and social value for New Zealand by solving issues that limit trusted data-use and innovation,” Mr English says.

“I’m confident this diverse group of people has the knowledge and experience necessary to understand the issues and look for innovative solutions.”

Slowing growth in the global economy highlights the need for ongoing fiscal restraint, Finance Minister Bill English said in a speech to the Trans-Tasman Business Circle in Wellington today.

“Reaching surplus was a significant milestone, and one the public service can be proud of. But the job is far from done – we now need to focus on getting debt down,” Mr English says.

The Government has reported an operating surplus in the fiscal year that ended on 30 June, meeting a target set in 2011 following the Canterbury earthquakes and the international financial crisis, says Finance Minister Bill English.

The OBEGAL surplus of $414 million in the year to 30 June 2015 is equal to 0.2 per cent of GDP and the Government’s operating balance inclusive of gains and losses was a surplus of $5.8 billion or equal to 2.4 percent of GDP.

The OECD last night released its final package of actions to address base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS). The Minister of Finance Bill English, and Minister of Revenue, Todd McClay say that the plan, representing two years of intensive work by the OECD and G20 nations will be a significant step forward in the fight against BEPS.

“BEPS behaviours can result in multinationals paying little or no tax anywhere in the world, so this announcement is a big step forward and the culmination of over two years’ work by the international community” Mr English says.

Minister of Finance Bill English and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced that six banks have been awarded contracts for the supply of All-of-Government (AOG) banking services, with Westpac to provide the Crown Transactional Banking services.

“It has been more than 25 years since government banking services have been put out to tender,” Mr English says. “Over this time there has been considerable evolution in the banking and financial services sector.

Finance Minister Bill English leaves for Mexico City tomorrow before carrying on to Lima ahead of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group’s annual meetings in his capacity as a Governor of both institutions. 

The annual meetings bring together finance ministers, central bankers, private sector executives, civil society and academics to assess global economic and financial issues.