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Latest Releases

28 July, 2014

Moon sighting signals beginning of Eid

Muslim New Zealanders will today celebrate the Islamic festival Eid-ul Fitr following the sighting of the new moon and will come together to celebrate at Parliament this week, Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins says.

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28 July, 2014

WW100 First World War Centenary Programme announced

New Zealand’s programme for commemorations for the 2014-2019 centenary of the First World War, WW100, has been launched today by Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson.

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28 July, 2014

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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28 July, 2014

Smith refutes Fish & Game meeting claims

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith has refuted claims made on Radio New Zealand this morning about a meeting he had with the New Zealand Fish & Game Council on 18 July.

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28 July, 2014

Youth Crime Action Plan on track as youth crime falls

Efforts to tackle youth offending are building momentum as communities and government agencies embrace the Youth Crime Action Plan (YCAP).

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27 July, 2014

Left in disarray over economy

There is more evidence today that the Labour-Greens coalition are in complete disarray over economic policy, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

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27 July, 2014

McCully to attend Pacific Islands Forum

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will lead the New Zealand delegation to the 45th Pacific Islands Forum in Palau on behalf of Prime Minister John Key this week.

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25 July, 2014

Videoconferencing improving patient care

Health Minister Tony Ryall has been given a first-hand demonstration of a video link that gives patients in the small central North Island community of Taumarunui access to medical expertise from specialists at Waikato Hospital.

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25 July, 2014

Applications for Waitangi Day Fund opened

Applications for the 2015 Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund are now open, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced today.

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25 July, 2014

Pay Period performance steady

Latest figures show the school payroll system maintained a steady performance for each of the last four pay periods.

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25 July, 2014

NZSAS training facility fit out contract signed

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the new battle training facility for the NZSAS has reached another significant milestone with the signing of a $16.2 million fit out contract with Cubic Range Design Systems.

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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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24 July, 2014

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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23 July, 2014

NZ congratulates Indonesian President elect

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

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23 July, 2014

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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23 July, 2014

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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23 July, 2014

Foss announces commerce reappointments

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

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23 July, 2014

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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