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Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today welcomed the July building consent figures from Statistics New Zealand that show the number of new dwelling consents is growing at record rates.

“These building consent figures show the Housing Accord in Auckland is delivering record residential building growth and that the Christchurch residential rebuild is progressing at pace,” Dr Smith says.

The National Science Challenge – New Zealand’s Biological Heritage Ngā Koiora Tuku Iho – is to receive funding of $25.8 million over five years for research to protect and manage the country’s biodiversity, improve our biosecurity, and enhance our resilience to harmful organisms.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says the Challenge spans a wide range of scientific disciplines and will include researchers from nearly all New Zealand’s relevant research institutions.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew welcomes Cervical Screening Awareness Month this September encouraging women to get up to date with their cervical smears.

“The theme of this year’s campaign is for women to think about how their health matters not just to them, but also to those they love,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“We know that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable of all cancers, but it’s all about early detection.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has given the go-ahead for the introduction of a single patient information system to all hospitals in the South Island.

“The South Island Patient Information Care System (SI PICS) will connect hospitals and health services in the South Island so health professionals can share information securely and provide patients with better care,” says Mr Ryall.

Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga hosted a function this evening in Parliament’s Grand Hall to celebrate the partnership between the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) and Pasifika Futures.

In March this year, Pasifika Futures was appointed as the new Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific communities in New Zealand. 

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that New Zealand will provide $500,000 to support humanitarian efforts by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Iraq.

“The situation in Iraq has worsened dramatically since the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) began their offensive,” Mr McCully says.

“ISIL’s actions deserve the strongest condemnation. We have been appalled by the loss of life, displacement of civilians and the widespread abuses of human rights.

If your doctor suspects you have cancer, the Government will ensure you see a cancer specialist and receive treatment faster than ever before.

Health Minister Tony Ryall announced a new faster cancer treatment target will be introduced from 1 October during a visit to the Cancer Society’s Domain Lodge this afternoon with Prime Minister John Key.

“The new target will extend the scope of the current health target so people with suspected cancer receive faster access to all services from diagnostic tests to surgery or other treatment,” says Mr Ryall.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has congratulated the winners of this year’s Diversity Awards.

The winners of the 17^th annual ANZ and Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Trust Diversity Awards were announced in Auckland last night.

“The Diversity Awards provides an opportunity for businesses across New Zealand to showcase their successful workplace diversity initiatives,” says Mrs Goodhew.

This year’s Supreme Award winner, Jacobs employs approximately 70,000 employees across a range of technical sectors.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew is encouraging those eligible for a free flu vaccine to get in quick, with the programme due to wrap-up on 31 August.

The seasonal flu jab is free for people aged 65 years and over, pregnant women, people with long term health conditions such as severe asthma, and children under five years who have been hospitalised for a respiratory illness. In Canterbury, it is also free for those aged under 18.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says New Zealand welcomes news that an indefinite ceasefire has been agreed by Israel and the Palestinians.

“New Zealanders have been greatly concerned, and justifiably outraged, by the number of civilian casualties in this conflict,” Mr McCully says.

“We urge both sides to ensure this current ceasefire holds and commend the efforts of Egypt, the United Nations, the United States and others to negotiate this ceasefire. 

Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner today announced $475,000 in funding for four Otago conservation projects.

Community Conservation Partnership Fund grants will be made to the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Landscape Connections Trust, Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group, and Herbert Heritage Group.

“The projects these groups are advancing align perfectly with the Department of Conservation’s goals of connecting more urban dwellers to conservation and working in partnership with others.

Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Associate Housing Minister Paula Bennett today released the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s estimates of the number of first home buyers in Canterbury who are to benefit from the Government’s new KiwiSaver HomeStart package.

The Government will invest $10 million over five years to increase the provision of Asian languages in schools, Education Minister Hekia Parata announced today.

The money will be used to create a contestable fund where schools can apply for funding to establish new Mandarin, Japanese or Korean language programmes, or expand or enhance existing Asian language programmes.

Trade Minister Tim Groser has welcomed the signing of a Protocol to amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA).

“The changes included in the Protocol will make AANZFTA more business-friendly, transparent and flexible,” Mr Groser says.

Mr Groser and other AANZFTA economic ministers signed the Protocol today at a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith today announced Wildbase Recovery Community Trust is to receive a $90,000 grant from the Department of Conservation to put towards a new state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility for birds and wildlife.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne is delighted the digital identity service RealMe last night won an international internet award saying it shows how highly the government service is rated.

“The win for RealMe in the Security & Online Safety category at the Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards held in Melbourne underscores the integrity of the RealMe service and the trust and confidence New Zealanders can place in the service.

New Zealand’s science and research collaboration with the United States has been further strengthened following joint talks in Auckland yesterday and today by senior New Zealand and US officials and researchers, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says.

Mr Joyce led the New Zealand delegation at the 4th meeting of the New Zealand/United States Joint Commission on Science and Technology Cooperation. The US delegation was led by Jonathan Margolis, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Science, Space and Health in the US Department of State.

Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today released the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment’s estimates of the number of first home buyers in provincial New Zealand who are to benefit from the Government’s new KiwiSaver HomeStart package in Palmerston North with local mayor Jono Naylor.

Commerce Minister Craig Foss today welcomed the launch of The Exchange website – a platform to support and deliver financial literacy programmes.

“The Exchange website allows community organisations, banks and others in the finance sector to work together to help Kiwis make better financial decisions,” Mr Foss says.

“By working together we will see more innovative and practical ideas reach the people who need it the most.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew is urging hospital patients to take part in a new survey asking them for feedback on their health care.  

“Invitations to take part in the first of a new series of surveys will be sent today to 7500 people across New Zealand who spent at least one night in hospital from 4 to17 August 2014,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“I encourage people to fill in the survey, which is an important way of improving the quality of hospital care and understanding how well health services are working for patients and their families.

Introduction

Good morning everyone.   It’s a pleasure to be here for the 2014 AusIMM New Zealand Annual Conference – my second since becoming Energy and Resources Minister.

The minerals industry plays a major role in New Zealand’s economy, contributing more than $1 billion to our GDP, producing vital inputs for industry, and adding significantly to our exports.

The Government is investing $11 million over 4 years to help support deaf children, their families and their schools, says Education Minister Hekia Parata. 

There are currently around 400 deaf children in New Zealand aged between 0 up to 5 years-old, and another 1400 aged between 5 and 18 years old.

The funding will primarily go towards two initiatives:

The Government is to provide a $208,000 Community Conservation Partnership Fund grant over three years to Project Tongariro to advance the restoration and preservation of the largest wetland in the Taupō basin, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today at a community event in Turangi.

Education Minister Hekia Parata says good progress continues to be made on the Government’s $359 million initiative to lift student achievement.

The Ministry of Education last week reached agreements with the PPTA, SPANZ and the New Zealand School Trustees Association, on how the new leadership and teaching roles will work as part of the Investing in Educational Success initiative.

The Ministry of Education has now started the process of calling for expressions of interest from all schools who want to work together as Communities of Schools.