26 August, 2008
Walking Access Bill Second Reading speech
Madam Speaker, I wish to move that the Walking Access Bill now be read a second time.
Read full speech >>Rural Affairs
Associated Ministers
- Damien O'Connor - Minister
26 August, 2008
Minister welcomes Walking Access Bill back from select committee
A Bill securing public access to New Zealand’s outdoors had its second reading in Parliament today.
Read full release >>26 August, 2008
Delivery of rural broadband stepped up
The government’s commitment of $75 million for rural projects aimed at extending the reach of broadband is great news for people living in remote areas
Read full release >>5 June, 2008
LEARN Scholarships announced
The Government is to offer up to nine scholarships for scientists from developing countries working in animal greenhouse gas emissions research to work in New Zealand, Acting Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said today.
Read full release >>9 May, 2008
Rural power supply required to continue after 2013
The supply of electricity to consumers in remote rural areas will continue to be protected by the Electricity Act beyond 2013, Energy Minister David Parker and Rural Affairs Minister Damien O’Connor announced today.
Read full release >>15 April, 2008
Bill to establish Walking Access Commission gets first reading
Securing public access to New Zealand’s great outdoors is the object of a Bill introduced into Parliament today by Rural Affairs Minister Damien O’Connor.
Read full release >>5 March, 2008
Blackhead Beach access issue a classic example
The issue of access to Blackhead beach in Hawke’s Bay is an example of an issue that the government’s proposed Walking Access Commission would help resolve.
Read full release >>14 December, 2007
New agency to advise on rural walking access
A new government agency to advise on and implement walking access policies will be established next year, Rural Affairs Minister Damien O’Connor said today.
Read full release >>15 November, 2007
Protection of lakeside landscapes good news for rural New Zealand
Minister welcomes new measures to provide some flexibility on key issues affecting high country Crown pastoral leaseholders.
Read full release >>17 October, 2007
Minister appoints walking access advisory board
A board which will provide advice to the government on walking access in New Zealand was appointed by Rural Affairs Minister Damien O’Connor today.
Read full release >>10 October, 2007
Nats spreading unnecessary alarm in rural communities
Ministers express concern at the apparent campaign by the National Party to spread alarm in the rural community about the driving hours requirements that came into effect on 1 October
Read full release >>27 August, 2007
Negotiation and agreement the way forward on walking access
The Government has accepted the recommendations of an independent panel which was set up to address walking access issues, Rural Affairs Minister Damien O'Connor said today.
Read full release >>20 August, 2007
Feedback urged from rural and tourism sectors on future of broadband
Rural Affairs and Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor welcomed the release today of a discussion document for a review of the Telecommunications Service Obligation (TSO) regulatory framework.
Read full release >>15 August, 2007
Rural people urged to stand for district health boards
Rural Affairs Minister Damien O'Connor says few rural New Zealanders have so far put up their hands for election to local district health boards.
Read full release >>18 July, 2007
John Key's idle musings on the rural sector
The National Party has shown again that its cupboard is bare when it comes to ideas to move New Zealand forward, Acting Agriculture and Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor said today.
Read full release >>18 July, 2007
O'Connor welcomes additional flexibility in rural road funding
Rural Affairs Minister Damien O’Connor today welcomed changes to regionally distributed (R) funding for land transport.
Read full release >>6 July, 2007
First ever Rural Medical Immersion Programme
The purpose of this pilot is to encourage medical students to work in rural areas of the country.
Read full speech >>6 July, 2007
Government encourages young doctors to work in rural areas
The first ever rural medical immersion programme for New Zealand medical students was officially launched today by Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor
Read full release >>18 May, 2007
Budget 07 recognises vital role of New Zealand's
Budget 07 continues the Labour-led Government's ongoing commitment to rural New Zealand, Rural Affairs Minister Damien O'Connor said today.
Read full release >>18 May, 2007
Relaxing farm petrol-handling rules a good decision – O'Connor
An Environmental Risk Management Authority decision to relax controls on how petrol is handled on farms shows the Government is listening to the concerns of the rural community, Rural Affairs Minister Damien O'Connor says.
Read full release >>2 May, 2007
Better TV reception for rural New Zealanders
Rural Affairs Minister Damien O'Connor applauded the launch today of digital television by Freeview, which allows rural New Zealanders to tune in to digital quality free-to-air TV for the first time.
Read full release >>26 March, 2007
Walking Access speech at South Island High Country Committee of Federated at Farmers Field Day
I believe the work of the panel gives us the foundation to get on with the job of securing free, permanent public access for New Zealanders.
Read full speech >>26 March, 2007
A Sustainable Future for the South Island High Country - speech at South Island High Country Committee of Federated at Farmer…
The key approach of this government is one based around sustainability. We really have no option – living as we do, far from the marketplace, in a world where climate change awareness will dictate trade and livelihoods.
Read full speech >>7 March, 2007
Walking access report offers way forward
A new report on walking access offers a way forward on a longstanding complex issue
Read full release >>18 January, 2007
Rural health projects get government funding
The Rural Innovations Fund encourages development of bold, creative and innovative approaches to care in rural health.
Read full release >>4 December, 2006
Funding boost for rural midwives
New Zealand's rural midwifery workforce gets a $2 million per year funding boost.
Read full release >>1 December, 2006
Rural GP research outdated - O'Connor
Minister for Rural Affairs and Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor says a study of the workings of a rural general practice is too old and narrow to be useful to current debate.
Read full release >>30 October, 2006
Nursing scholarships for rural & primary health care
The Government is again offering scholarships to develop capacity and skills in rural and primary health care
Read full release >>24 August, 2006
O'Connor applauds cooperative approach on varroa
The joint approach between beekeepers and Biosecurity New Zealand to dramatically reduce levels of varroa bee mite in Nelson would maximise the effectiveness of controls, Minister for Rural Affairs Damien O'Connor said.
Read full release >>27 July, 2006
Government grants recognise key role of rural trusts
Two rural trusts in the lower North Island are to receive government grants recognising their ongoing support of rural families, Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton and Rural Affairs Minister Damien O'Connor announced today.
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