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Social Development Minister Anne Tolley today launched a new episode of the innovative online drama Common Ground, part of the Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project.

Written by Go-Girls writer Sam Shore, Common Ground is designed to encourage conversations about key issues affecting young people’s wellbeing.

The latest episode, In Memory, features Sophie, a young girl struggling to cope with the loss of her mum, and her family who are trying to support her.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Social Development

Visible rebuild progress in Christchurch is helping to boost people’s quality of life, says Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Nicky Wagner.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority’s fifth Wellbeing Survey has found overall quality of life in Greater Christchurch continues to improve, and for some, tangible signs of progress and access to new and repaired recreational facilities is a part of this.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

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

The Government has welcomed the final report from the independent inquiry into last year’s whey protein concentrate (WPC) incident, and will be accepting all of its recommendations.

“The rigour and conclusions of the report, as well as the actions of key players since the incident, should further strengthen confidence in New Zealand’s world class food safety system,” says Mr Guy.

  • Nathan Guy
  • Jo Goodhew
  • Primary Industries

Police Minister Michael Woodhouse today opened the Mobility Innovation Lab and Experience Centre which will help Police, government and business develop mobile tools and technology that benefit New Zealand.
 
“This Mobility Innovation Lab and Experience Centre will bring together stakeholders from the public and private sectors to focus on ideas that will make a difference to all New Zealanders,” Mr Woodhouse says.
 
“It will help foster innovation and encourage rapid deployment of ideas and tools.
 

  • Michael Woodhouse
  • Police

Education Minister Hekia Parata has approved the first communities of schools, saying they are a big win for thousands of New Zealand kids.

Ms Parata says the first 11 communities will begin from term one of next year as part of the Government’s $359 million Investing in Educational Success initiative to lift educational achievement.

“We’ve had 71 expressions of interest so far, and today I’ve approved the first communities of schools which together have nearly 38 thousand students.”

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says young people are now able to access specialist help for alcohol and drug problems more quickly.

“The most recent data from DHBs shows that 81 per cent of youth aged 19 or under were seen within three weeks of contacting a youth alcohol and drug service – that’s an eight per cent lift compared to 2012,” says Dr Coleman.

“This means the sector is currently exceeding the target of 80 per cent set for mid-2015.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Health

Māori Development Minister, Te Ururoa Flavell acknowledges the need for Māori wardens to find a durable solution to the complex set of issues facing the organisation in its management and administration.

The Waitangi Tribunal released a 600 page report today on the Crown's review of the Māori Community Development Act 1962 and the role of the Māori wardens.

  • Te Ururoa Flavell
  • Maori Development

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says 82 New Zealanders have registered their interest in joining the international fight against Ebola.

“There has been a very high level of response from New Zealanders who are keen to support the Australian-flagged mission to Sierra Leone to operate a 100-bed Ebola treatment centre,” says Dr Coleman.

“People with a range of skills have registered, including nurses, GPs, pharmacists, and administrators.”

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Health

Climate Change Minister Tim Groser will tomorrow travel to Lima, Peru to take part in a key meeting on climate change which will pave the way for a binding climate change agreement in Paris at the end of next year.

“The meeting at Lima is critical to success at Paris next December where world leaders will agree a new binding Climate Change agreement that includes contributions from all major emitting countries for the first time,” says Mr Groser.

  • Tim Groser
  • Climate Change Issues

Associate Trade Minister Todd McClay will address the New Zealand Honorary Consul Conference of the Western USA and Hawaii in Los Angeles on Monday.

The opening address is one of a number of visits and meetings in his Revenue, Associate Trade and Associate Foreign Affairs portfolios.

Mr McClay will also visit the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Global Access Programme.

  • Todd McClay
  • Trade
  • Revenue
  • Foreign Affairs

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne will represent New Zealand at the inaugural meeting of the D5 Digital Leaders’ Summit in London 9-10 December 2014.

The D5 is a grouping of five nations– United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Korea, Estonia and Israel – considered amongst the most advanced in the provision of on-line government services. Its establishment is a British Government initiative and next week will be the first time the five nations have met together.

  • Peter Dunne
  • Internal Affairs

The Government will finalise an options document on the future of Environment Canterbury (ECAN) for public discussion in the new year, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Associate Minister of Local Government Louise Upston said following their attendance at today’s Canterbury Mayoral Forum.

  • Louise Upston
  • Nick Smith
  • Local Government
  • Environment

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry today unveils a public sculpture in Napier called “The Gold of the Kowhai”.

The gilded work, by New Zealand sculptor Paul Dibble, stands close to four metres high and is cast in bronze with 24-carat gold leaf.

“This is a resplendent representation of New Zealand’s unofficial national flower, by one of our leading sculptors. It has found an ideal home outside MTG Hawke’s Bay,” says Ms Barry. 

  • Maggie Barry
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga say a collection of short films will help raise awareness about rheumatic fever.

“Rheumatic fever is a serious disease which starts with a sore throat and can lead to lifelong heart, joint, skin and nerve problems,” says Dr Coleman.

“The Government has set a target of reducing the rates of rheumatic fever by two-thirds by 2017. To achieve this we have invested more than $65 million over six years to fight the disease.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Pacific Peoples
  • Health

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne says more than 300,000 people have now renewed their passports online in the two years since the launch of adult passport renewals in November 2012.

“Online adult passport renewals are a part of a drive by the Government to change the way New Zealanders deal with government departments. The Passports Online Renewal Service is a great example of what we can achieve with successful IT projects,” says Mr Dunne.

  • Peter Dunne
  • Internal Affairs

Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today welcomed the signing of a contract between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and information technology company Unisys to build a new system that will enable landlords to lodge tenancy bonds online.

  • Nick Smith
  • Building and Housing

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss says support for New Zealand veterans is about to change for the better.

“Now, perhaps more than ever, the contribution our service people have made and continue to make to protect our way of life is being considered, recognised and honoured,” Mr Foss says.

The Veterans’ Support Act, which comes into force on December 7, gives Veterans’ Affairs the ability to introduce new types of entitlements and support for veterans and their families.

  • Craig Foss
  • Veterans’ Affairs

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

Minister for Women Louise Upston today recognises women around the country for the hours they contribute to their communities.

“With today being International Volunteers Day I want to acknowledge the thousands of New Zealand women who on average spend over four hours a day completing unpaid work.

“These women give up their time to volunteer in their communities in places such as sports clubs, on their marae, in education, social services and in faith communities.

  • Louise Upston
  • Women

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee is today making his first visit to the home of the Royal New Zealand Navy and welcoming the Navy’s newest recruits into New Zealand’s armed forces.

Mr Brownlee will be Reviewing Officer for a combined graduation parade of 89 junior officers and trainee sailors at the Devonport Naval Base.  The largest graduation of the year will include weapons handling and ceremonial drill displays, attended by family, friends and the wider Navy community. 

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Defence

Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Revenue Minister Todd McClay today welcomed the next important step in the Government’s HomeStart package for first home buyers with the first reading of the Taxation (KiwiSaver HomeStart and Remedial Matters) Bill.

  • Todd McClay
  • Nick Smith
  • Revenue
  • Building and Housing

An auction of new radio spectrum licences has fetched almost $17.4 million says Communications and Broadcasting Minister Amy Adams.

Yesterday was the final day of the week-long auction where 126 AM and FM radio licences were sold across the country.

“The success of this auction and record return highlights that the radio broadcasting industry still has an important part to play in the New Zealand economy,” says Ms Adams.

  • Amy Adams
  • Communications
  • Broadcasting

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga welcomed the passing of a Bill which will help protect New Zealanders from sexual and violent offenders in the community who are at high risk of re-offending.

The Parole (Extended Supervision Orders) Amendment Bill had its third and final reading in Parliament today and passed with unanimous support from all political parties.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Corrections