Prime Minister John Key will attend the final of the Cricket World Cup in Melbourne this weekend.
“I am delighted to be attending the final between New Zealand and Australia,” says Mr Key.
“Our two countries have a special rivalry. Over the years we have been treated to some truly exceptional sporting clashes and I expect this one will be no different. I wish Brendon McCullum and the Black Caps all the very best.”
Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Korea opens a new chapter in the two countries’ relationship.
Mr Key and President Park Geun-hye of Korea witnessed the signing of the Agreement by Trade Ministers Tim Groser and Yoon Sang-jick in Seoul today.
“The Agreement shows the strength of the relationship between New Zealand and Korea. It symbolises our countries’ commitment to economic openness and market integration in the Asia-Pacific region,” says Mr Key.
Prime Minister John Key has expressed his sincere condolences to the people of Singapore following the death of the nation’s first Prime Minster, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
“Mr Lee made an extraordinary contribution to Singapore, both as it found its way to independence in 1965 and in the 50 years since then,” said Mr Key.
“A man of rare qualities, Mr Lee’s courage, determination, commitment, character and ability made him a formidable leader who held the respect of Singaporeans and the international community alike.”
Prime Minister John Key has today acknowledged the passing of former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser.
“Mr Fraser served Australia with distinction over his many years in office and made a significant contribution to the strengthening of the Australia-New Zealand relationship,” says Mr Key.
“The bonds between our two countries that exist today were forged by past Prime Ministers whose commitment and vision for our two nations, and for the prosperity, security and advancement of our region, rested in part on working more closely together.
New Zealand and Viet Nam have agreed an ambitious target of doubling two-way goods and service trade to around $2.2 billion by 2020, Prime Minister John Key has announced.
The target was confirmed in today’s bi-lateral meeting between Mr Key and Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, as well as senior ministers from both countries.
Also signed was a cooperation arrangement on food safety and an air services agreement which will provide greater choices for New Zealanders flying to Viet Nam.
Prime Minister John Key is to lead a New Zealand delegation at the centenary commemorations of the ANZAC landings in Gallipoli, Turkey.
“On 25 April 2015, we mark 100 years since the first New Zealand troops came ashore at Gallipoli,” says Mr Key.
Gallipoli was the first major combat role for New Zealand forces in the First World War and was where 2721 New Zealanders were killed, representing a quarter of the total New Zealand forces sent to the peninsula.
Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the news of a planned official visit to New Zealand by Prince Harry, the grandson and fourth-in-line to Queen Elizabeth II.
“I am thrilled New Zealand will have the opportunity to welcome the Prince, who today confirmed he will visit New Zealand in May, after a four-week secondment with the Australian Defence Force,” says Mr Key.
“This is Prince Harry’s first visit to New Zealand and we are very keen to show him as much of the country as possible.”
Prime Minister John Key has announced a two-day visit to New Zealand by Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
Prime Minister Dung and a delegation of more than 100 senior ministers and business leaders will arrive in Auckland on Thursday for events including a bi-lateral meeting with Mr Key and senior ministers as well as meetings with New Zealand business leaders.
“Prime Minister Dung’s visit is an important opportunity to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Viet Nam which we celebrate in 2015,” says Mr Key.
Prime Minister John Key will visit Korea next week to mark the signing of the New Zealand-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Prime Minister Key and President Park Geun-hye of Korea will witness the signing of the agreement on March 23 by Trade Ministers in Seoul.
“The signing of the FTA represents a historic milestone in New Zealand’s relationship with Korea,” says Mr Key.
Prime Minister John Key today announced an overhaul of the Remuneration Authority Act, tying MP salaries to those of the wider public sector, which will be passed under urgency.
Mr Key says the decision was made after the Remuneration Authority’s latest determination which saw the total remuneration received by MPs increased by about 3.5 per cent.
“That increase was neither necessary nor justified at a time when inflation is at 0.8 per cent,” says Mr Key.
Prime Minister John Key met with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Auckland today for their annual Leaders’ Talks.
“Prime Minister Abbott and I had an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues and to reflect on the areas where we might be able to do more,” says Mr Key.
“Australia remains New Zealand’s closest bilateral partner. We enjoy close ties in all areas of our relationship, including in the trade, economic, defence, people-to-people and sporting areas.
Prime Minister the Hon Tony Abbott MP and Prime Minister the Rt Hon John Key met in Auckland on 28 February 2015 for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting.
Prime Minister Key warmly welcomed Prime Minister Abbott and Mrs Abbott to New Zealand. The visit has enabled wide-ranging and substantive discussion that has underlined the strength, value, diversity and warmth of our trans-Tasman relationship.
Prime Minister John Key has expressed his disappointment at the Remuneration Authority’s decision to increase MP remuneration.
“I wrote to the Authority expressing my view that there should be no increase,” says Mr Key.
“My view was that, given New Zealand is set to enjoy a low inflation environment for some time into the future, an increase in remuneration was neither appropriate nor necessary.”
Prime Minister John Key today expressed his sadness at the passing of Dame Thea Muldoon.
Mr Key says he met Dame Thea on a number of occasions.
“She made a significant contribution to her community and the country – something she was recognised for when she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and awarded the Queen’s Service Order for Community Service.
Prime Minister John Key today announced a Government decision to deploy a military training mission to Iraq as part of New Zealand’s overall contribution to the international coalition against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
New Zealand’s military personnel will fulfil a non-combat, behind the wire mission to train Iraqi Security Forces so they are better prepared to fight ISIL.
“ISIL’s ability to motivate Islamist radicals make it a threat not only to stability in the Middle East, but regionally and locally too,” Mr Key says.
Prime Minister John Key welcomes this week’s first official visit to New Zealand by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
“I am very pleased to be able to welcome Prime Minister Abbott to New Zealand. His visit will continue a long-standing tradition of regular and substantive contact between the Prime Ministers of our two countries,” says Mr Key.
Prime Minister John Key has announced a week of Anzac commemoration events in Wellington marking the centenary of the First World War Gallipoli landings.
“In the last decade, the number of New Zealanders attending Anzac Day services has risen significantly and this year holds a special significance,” Mr Key said.
Centenary commemorations begin with the official opening of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park on Saturday April 18.
Mr Key said Pukeahu belonged to all New Zealanders and recognises service in all conflicts.
Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has announced that further funding is now available for the improvement of New Zealand’s Great Rides.
Applications are now being accepted for the second round of funding available through the Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund - a government initiative to maintain and enhance the Great Rides of Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail.
Prime Minister John Key today announced the date for the by-election in Northland will be Saturday the 28th of March.
“This date gives parties sufficient time to prepare, while allowing the process to move ahead.”
Today’s announcement was made after the Prime Minister considered advice from the Electoral Commission.
The by-election Writ day will be Monday 23 February and the deadline for candidate nominations to be received will be midday on Tuesday 3 March.
The last day for the return of the Writ will be Tuesday 14 April.
Prime Minister John Key today acknowledged the resignation of Northland MP Mike Sabin for personal reasons.
Mr Key also acknowledged Mr Sabin’s service as an MP since he was elected in 2011.
The Prime Minister is taking advice on the possible date for a by-election.
