Displaying 1 - 24 of 31 results.

Prime Minister John Key says the latest Indicators and Progress Report for the Government’s Methamphetamine Action Plan shows more prisoners are completing drug treatment programmes.

The report released today shows more than 1000 prisoners a year are starting programmes in a drug treatment unit – more than double the number in 2008/2009. Over three-quarters of prisoners successfully complete their programme.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key says the New Zealand Government is currently monitoring the situation in Sydney as events continue to unfold.

“Our hearts go out to those involved and our thoughts are very much with them and their families,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key contacted Prime Minister Tony Abbott directly to offer a message of support, shortly after the siege got underway today.

Currently, agencies are unable to confirm the nationalities of those involved, including whether any New Zealanders have been caught up in this situation.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has welcomed Air New Zealand’s announcement today that they are opening up a new route to South America.

Air New Zealand will start flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina three days a week from December 2015. The service is Air New Zealand’s first to South America.

“South America offers significant potential for the New Zealand tourism industry so I am pleased Air New Zealand has decided to start flying there,” says Mr Key.

  • John Key
  • Tourism
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the passing of the Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill in Parliament tonight.

The legislation was passed with the support of the Labour Party, Act and United Future.

The Bill responds to the rapidly evolving threat posed by the issue of foreign terrorist fighters and growing international terrorism, and will enhance the safety and security of New Zealand.

“The threats faced by New Zealand have grown and it is important that we have the ability to respond to that,” says Mr Key.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key says the Government’s investment in tourism is paying off with New Zealand voted the top country in the 2014 Telegraph Travel Awards, for the third year in a row.

Almost 90,000 people responded to the survey, making it the biggest survey of its kind.  New Zealand headed off the Maldives and South Africa to win the “favourite country” category. New Zealand also won the category in 2012 and 2013.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key today announced the Government is investing nearly $1 million in thirteen projects to help maintain the quality of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Mr Key says $970,000 will go towards maintaining and enhancing cycle trails from Northland to Southland to ensure they continue to generate economic benefit to regional communities.

“The New Zealand Cycle Trail attracts high-value visitors and helps New Zealand stay on the international map as a top tourist destination.

  • John Key
  • Tourism
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the report back of the Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill, which has been strengthened by the select committee process.

“I’d like to thank all of the members of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee for their hard work on the Bill,” Mr Key says.

“The Bill has been significantly improved because of their efforts and because of the efforts of submitters.

“A number of changes have been agreed, particularly in areas where submissions had raised concerns.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister
  • National Security and Intelligence

Prime Minister John Key has today released the findings of the Government Inquiry into allegations regarding Judith Collins and a former Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Adam Feeley.

“I would like to thank former High Court Judge, Hon Lester Chisholm, for his work on this inquiry,” says Mr Key.

“I received the report yesterday and wanted to get it out at the earliest opportunity.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the report of Cheryl Gwyn, Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, into issues around the release of information by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).

“This is the first inquiry by the Inspector-General under the new oversight regime that my Government passed into law last year,” Mr Key says.

“I said at the time oversight was being significantly strengthened and today’s thorough report is a clear demonstration of that.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister
  • National Security and Intelligence



Prime Minister John Key today released the final draft of legislation which addresses the rising threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters.



The final draft of the Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill contains proposals previously announced by Mr Key in a major national security speech earlier this month.



“Following a narrow and tightly focused review of our settings in relation to foreign terrorist fighters, Cabinet has signed off on proposals that will strengthen our ability to deal with the evolving threat we are seeing,” Mr Key says.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister
  • National Security and Intelligence

At the invitation of Governor-General Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae and Prime Minister The Rt Hon John Key of New Zealand, President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China made a state visit to New Zealand from 19 to 21 November 2014.

During his visit, President Xi Jinping met with Governor-General Jerry Mateparae, and held talks with Prime Minister John Key. The leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of common interest.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key held successful talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wellington today.

“This is President Xi’s third official visit to New Zealand, but his first as President, so it’s a very significant occasion.  I’m delighted that the First Lady, Madame Peng, has also joined him on this trip,” says Mr Key.

“Our relationship with China has never been in better shape. China is now New Zealand’s largest trading partner and we have strong links in a number of areas including business, tourism and education.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key today announced that New Zealand and the Republic of Korea have completed Free Trade Agreement negotiations.

“Korea is New Zealand’s sixth largest export destination for goods and services and eighth largest import source of goods and services, with total two-way trade of $4 billion in the year ending June 2014,” says Mr Key.

“The FTA will put New Zealand exporters back on a level playing field with competitors from Korea’s other FTA partners, such as the United States, Chile and the European Union.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

In our meeting today in Auckland we reaffirmed the close and long-standing relations between our two countries, building on the 60 years of diplomatic relations which we celebrated just last year.

Our partnership is defined by shared fundamental values, vibrant political, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation, as well as very strong people-to-people links. 

We took stock of the excellent state of play of our bilateral relationship and the value we accord to our close cooperation in a range of international fora. 

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key is attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit as an invited guest and will travel to Brisbane tomorrow.

“It’s an honour to have been invited as a guest of Australia and I’m proud New Zealand will be represented alongside the G20 nations,” says Mr Key

Finance Minister Bill English has also been invited to participate and will attend the B20 summit involving Finance Ministers from the G20 nations.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key today announced that New Zealand has upgraded its diplomatic mission in Yangon, Myanmar to a full Embassy.

“Our relationship with Myanmar has been developing quickly in response to the political and economic reforms initiated there in 2011,” Mr Key says.

“New Zealand opened an Embassy office in late 2013, and the decision to upgrade to a full Embassy reflects the strong and growing relationship.

“The current Chargé d’Affaires Bruce Shepherd will now become our first resident Ambassador to Myanmar.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key today opened the New Zealand Consulate-General in the Western Chinese city of Chengdu.

“New Zealand is among the first group of countries in the world to open a diplomatic post in Chengdu,” Mr Key says.

“This is a natural continuation of our expanding and increasingly close relationship with China.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today announced the Government is co-investing in two new projects as part of the Tourism Growth Partnership.

The Tourism Growth Partnership is a $32 million contestable Government fund which aims to support innovation and productivity in the tourism sector. For each project approved for investment, the Government provides up to 50 per cent of the required funding.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

The President of the People’s Republic of China, HE Xi Jinping, is to make an extended visit to New Zealand following the G20 meeting of world leaders in Australia next week.

Prime Minister John Key announced today that President Xi, along with a large delegation, will make a state visit to New Zealand from 19 November to 21 November.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key has announced Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will make an official visit to New Zealand next week.

The Rt Hon Stephen Harper, the first Canadian leader to visit here in almost 20 years, will be in Auckland for official talks and engagements on Friday 14 November, prior to his travel to the G20 meeting in Australia.

“New Zealand and Canada have a longstanding and warm relationship which has seen us work closely together over many years,” says Mr Key.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key has announced German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit New Zealand next week ahead of the G20 meeting of world leaders in Australia.

The visit on Friday November 14 will be the first to New Zealand by a German Chancellor since Helmut Kohl’s in 1997.

“I am delighted Chancellor Merkel is visiting New Zealand. This is a significant visit by the leader of one of our closest partners in Europe,” says Mr Key.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key has announced the Government’s response to threats against New Zealand’s national security posed by growing international terrorism.

“I have a responsibility as Prime Minister to protect New Zealanders at home and abroad and I take that responsibility very seriously,” says Mr Key.

“New Zealand's risk and threat profile is changing and while I do not wish to overstate the risk, I do think we need to acknowledge the facts.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister
  • National Security and Intelligence

Prime Minister John Key will travel to China and Myanmar next week to attend the APEC Leaders’ meeting and the East Asia Summit.

Mr Key is one of 21 political leaders attending this year’s APEC meeting, which is being hosted by China, in Beijing from November 10-11.

“This year’s APEC is focusing of advancing regional economic cooperation and promoting innovative development, economic reform and growth, which fit well with New Zealand’s own economic priorities,” says Mr Key.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key today announced that Jacqui Dean and Melissa Lee will be continuing in their roles as Parliamentary Private Secretaries.

Jacqui Dean is Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Minister of Tourism and the Minister of Local Government.

Melissa Lee is Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities.

Both Jacqui Dean and Melissa Lee are also chairs of select committees Justice and Electoral, and Commerce, respectively.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister