The Government is investing $837,132 in nine new projects for the upkeep of the New Zealand Cycle Trail, Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key announced today.
The investment comes from the fifth round of the Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund, which aims to ensure New Zealand’s premier rides are maintained to their current world class standard.
Prime Minister John Key has advised the Governor-General and his Cabinet and caucus colleagues that will he will resign as Prime Minister on December 12.
Mr Key’s expectation is that the National Party caucus will hold a special meeting on December 12 to select a new leader. After that he will travel to Government House to resign as Prime Minister. Mr Key expects that the Governor-General will appoint the new Prime Minister soon after.
Prime Minister John Key today announced the launch of negotiations to upgrade the New Zealand - China Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The announcement followed a meeting this morning with Trade Minister Todd McClay and Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng at the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru. Mr Key and President Xi welcomed the commitment to an upgrade at the APEC Leaders’ retreat today.
Prime Minister John Key departs for Peru this afternoon to attend the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ meeting from November 19-20.
“This year’s APEC is focused on improving growth and living standards through initiatives such as more effective trade in services and trade liberalisation,” Mr Key says.
His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan will make an official visit to New Zealand from November 28-30, Prime Minister John Key announced today.
“I am pleased to welcome King Abdullah’s reciprocal visit to New Zealand, which follows the 2013 visit to Jordan by our previous Governor General,” says Mr Key.
“New Zealand and Jordan have a strong bilateral relationship, one which has grown even closer through our time serving together on the Security Council last year.
Prime Minister John Key has today postponed his trip to Argentina, but intends to travel to Peru later this week to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting from November 19-20 if circumstances permit.
Mr Key was scheduled to depart tomorrow for Buenos Aires, Argentina for a series of meetings aimed at strengthening New Zealand’s trade, economic and political ties with the region, before travelling to Lima to attend APEC.
As a result of last night’s earthquake, Mr Key has made the decision to postpone his visit to Argentina.
Prime Minister John Key tonight congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on his victory in the US Presidential election.
“The American people have spoken and I congratulate Mr Trump on his victory after a long campaign,” Mr Key says.
“I will be writing to Mr Trump to offer my personal congratulations shortly.
“Our two countries share a strong relationship and I look forward to that continuing. Over the coming months we will be looking to build close ties with the incoming Trump Administration.”
Prime Minister John Key today announced that Dame Patsy Reddy will be sworn in as Governor-General on Parliament's forecourt at 11.45am on Wednesday 28 September.
“I am delighted to welcome Dame Patsy Reddy to the position of Governor-General,” says Mr Key. “Dame Patsy will become New Zealand’s 21st Governor-General, and the third woman to hold the position.”
Prime Minister John Key has today urged United Nations Security Council members to show greater leadership over the crisis in Syria.
New Zealand is currently the President of the Security Council and convened a high level meeting on Syria in New York today during UN Leaders’ week.
Mr Key told the Security Council members that no other issue demands the attention of world leaders more urgently than the need to end the Syrian conflict.
Prime Minister John Key used his speech to the United Nations General Assembly today to urge the Security Council to meet its responsibilities, address the Syria crisis and commit to a united stand against North Korea.
Mr Key told the General Assembly that the Security Council has shortcomings which risk undermining its relevance and standing in world affairs.
Prime Minister John Key has reinforced the benefits of the Trans Pacific Partnership in a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York today.
Mr Key told the Council he welcomes the priority that the US Administration has placed on TPP’s passage through Congress this year.
Prime Minister John Key has today announced Sri Lanka Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, will visit New Zealand from 1-3 October.
“I am very pleased to welcome Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to New Zealand,” Mr Key says.
“This will be the first time a Sri Lankan Prime Minister has undertaken a bilateral visit to New Zealand, and is an important step in the growing relationship between our two countries.
Prime Minister John Key has today announced an overhaul of New Zealand’s family violence laws which will see more support for victims and new offences introduced.
“The Government is committed to doing all we can to ensure New Zealanders are protected from family violence,” says Mr Key.
“New Zealand’s rate of family violence is unacceptable. Police currently respond to 110,000 family violence call-outs a year. Children are present at nearly two-thirds of these incidents.
Prime Minister John Key has announced a $10 million Pacific Sporting Partnerships programme aimed at getting more children in Pacific countries playing sports and making them healthier.
“Sport plays an important role in New Zealand and in the Pacific, and our region is known for producing world class sportspeople,” Mr Key says.
“Playing sport not only provides opportunities for young people, but it teaches them the importance of things like team work, hard work and fair play, and it means they are more healthy."
Prime Minister John Key has announced a new package of support for renewable energy projects in the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands and Palau.
“New Zealand is committed to boosting the supply of renewable energy across the Pacific in order to help Pacific nations build resilience, and reduce both emissions and dependence on imported diesel,” Mr Key says.
“So I’m pleased to announce today that we will be investing $5 million in renewable energy projects in Micronesia.
New Zealand has today been updating Pacific Leaders on our support for regional fisheries management, noting strong progress in combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Pacific.
“The Pacific’s tuna fishery is the region’s greatest natural asset and is currently valued at more than $3.2 billion,” says Prime Minister John Key.
New Zealand will provide up to NZ$11.5 million in support for clearing Viet Nam War-era unexploded munitions in Laos, Prime Minister John Key announced today.
The funding will include trialling innovative New Zealand technology which destroys unexploded ordnance (UXO) by melting casings without having to dig up or explode each piece, making it safer and easier to clear, particularly in densely populated or built up areas.
Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key today announced the opening of the fifth funding round of the Tourism Growth Partnership.
“Through the Tourism Growth Partnership, the Government is making $8 million a year available to boost innovation and productivity, and the lift the value of international tourism,” Mr Key says.
“Half of this funding will now be tagged for projects that grow tourism in the regions and create tourism-related jobs, through the new Regional Stream.
Prime Minister John Key today said Civil Defence, ACC, and Youth Minister Nikki Kaye will be taking leave from her Ministerial portfolios to deal with a health issue.
Ms Kaye was diagnosed with breast cancer on Friday and will shortly begin undergoing treatment.
“I have spoken with Nikki and assured her she has the full support of her colleagues and I as she deals with this difficult diagnosis,” Mr Key said.
Prime Minister John Key has acknowledged the passing of businessman and philanthropist Sir Graeme Douglas.
“I first met Sir Graeme when I became the candidate for Helensville and came to know him well as a polite, generous and insightful man.
“He was an incredibly successful businessman and generous philanthropist and many New Zealanders benefited from his vision and generosity,” Mr Key says.
