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Air links between New Zealand and the Philippines are set to improve with the signing today of an air services arrangement, says Transport Minister Simon Bridges.

The arrangement signed today by Transport Minister Simon Bridges and the Philippines Ambassador, Virginia Benavidez, amends the 2007 Air Services Agreement between New Zealand and the Philippines.

The new arrangement allows Air New Zealand to begin its plans to code-share to the Philippines with Singapore Airlines from January 2015.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne said today the Department of Internal Affairs has recalled the passport of prisoner Phillip John Smith, issued in the name of Phillip John Traynor, under S.10 of the Passport Act 1992.

“This means that for all practical purposes, his recently renewed passport is no longer a valid travel document and this recall allows the New Zealand authorities to formally advise international policing agencies that Phillip Traynor has a warrant for arrest in New Zealand and is the passport he is using is invalid”, said Mr Dunne.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the recipient of the first repayable grant through Callaghan Innovation’s expanded business incubator network.

Tiro Lifesciences, an early-stage medical diagnostic company focusing initially on the development of technology for the detection of breast cancer in dense tissue, has been granted up to $450,000 over two years to develop a pain and radiation-free medical-imaging tool.

Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew has today welcomed the signing of a Food Safety Arrangement between New Zealand and Indonesia.

“Signing of the Food Safety Arrangement demonstrates the commitment of New Zealand and Indonesia to further develop our bilateral relationship,” says Mrs Goodhew, who met with Indonesian delegates earlier today.

“The areas of cooperation range from food safety risk assessments through to formal post graduate education programmes in food safety and technology.” 

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced that applications have opened for the new $10 million Teacher-led Innovation Fund.

The fund is part of the Government’s $359 million Investing in Educational Success (IES) initiative to help raise students’ educational achievement. 

Ms Parata says the fund will allow great ideas to be put into practice and shared across schools.

“The heart of IES is about teachers learning from each other and schools working closely together, and this fund really supports that kind of collaborative approach.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has visited hail-affected orchards in the Tasman region and says growers are coping well despite the damage caused last week.

“The massive hailstorm last Tuesday has caused a range of damage to approximately 40 apple and kiwifruit orchards around Motueka, Riwaka and lower Moutere,” Mr Guy says.

Statistics Minister Craig Foss today commemorated Armistice Day with the launch of a WW100 infographic.

“The First World War was a significant event in New Zealand’s history — it helped define us as a nation and it continues to have a lasting impact,” Mr Foss says.

“I am proud to be able to tell the story of this important event through statistics.”

The First World War - Changing the Fabric of our Nation infographic has been developed by Statistics New Zealand in partnership with the WW100 Programme Office.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says new Health Workforce New Zealand reports show New Zealand has a sound strategy in place on workforce planning.

“We have a good system in place for identifying and addressing workforce issues, and it is paying dividends despite the global workforce challenges,” says Dr Coleman.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced that 14 recipients have been awarded Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships for 2015. 

“This year’s Fellows represent a diverse range of sectors, ages, and backgrounds- they are examples of typical New Zealanders studying extraordinary things,” Mrs Goodhew said.

“The chosen fields of study for the 2015 Fellows include poverty, youth suicide prevention, hospice and palliative care, and provincial economic development,” Mrs Goodhew said.

Police Minister Michael Woodhouse and Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga say agencies are working together to urgently review how a prisoner on temporary release was able to leave the country. 

“The circumstances leading to Phillip John Smith (Traynor) obtaining a passport and later absconding are the subject of multiple investigations involving Police, Corrections and the Department of Internal Affairs,” says Police Minister Michael Woodhouse.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has offered her best wishes to the 143,000 students sitting NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship examinations.

“This is an exciting time because it’s the culmination of many months of hard work and study, but it can also be stressful and demanding.

“I congratulate these students for all their work so far and wish them all the very best over the next three weeks.

“I know that parents will be doing everything they can to support their kids over the coming days, just as they have done throughout their lives.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today officially opened the New Zealand Blood Service’s new state-of-the-art Christchurch Blood Centre.

“This modern facility in Addington is essential in maintaining New Zealand’s self-sufficiency in blood and blood products, and it is another important step in restoring Christchurch’s infrastructure,” says Dr Coleman.

The $26 million centre will process all the blood collected in the South Island and replaces the Riccarton Road facility which is no longer fit for purpose.

In her first official overseas visit new Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister, and lead Minister for New Zealand’s WW100 programme, Maggie Barry will attend the 96th anniversary commemorations of Armistice Day in Europe.

Ms Barry will be supporting the All Blacks when they play England at Twickenham, where poppies will be worn on the player’s uniforms and a moment’s silence will be observed as a mark of respect.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman today saw physical activity and nutrition programme Project Energize in action at Manaia View School in Northland.

“New Zealand has a growing obesity problem and projects like Project Energize can make a big difference,” says Dr Coleman

“We know that sport and good nutrition helps to keep kids healthy, and it helps them do better in the classroom. Project Energize wraps up all these factors in one package and it is delivering great results.

The Minister for Māori Development is committed to progressing the Māori Language (Te Reo Maori) Bill and the establishment of a new entity Te Mātāwai to lead the revitalisation of te reo Māori.

“I support the principle of the legislation that iwi and Māori should lead the revitalisation of te reo Māori. We must have whānau, hapū and iwi at the helm if we are to hear and see our language thriving again,” says Hon Te Ururoa Flavell.

The Justice Sector has continued to make progress against its Better Public Service targets with further decreases to the total crime rate and youth crime in the latest quarter, Justice Minister Amy Adams said today.

Since June 2011, the total crime rate has dropped 17 percent (1 percent reduction in the June quarter) and the youth crime rate has dropped 33 percent (4 percent reduction in the June quarter).

“Over the past three years, violent and youth crime have continued to fall dramatically, with crime at a 35-year low,” says Ms Adams.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne, in marking National Oral Health Day today, says additional investment in child dental services has seen a major improvement in our children’s oral health, but there is more to do.

“More children are now benefiting from the free services provided by our Community Oral Health Service, with an encouraging decline in tooth decay which brings lifetime benefits.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley today presented awards honouring ten foster care families at Government House in Wellington.

“These awards recognise the hard work and selfless commitment foster carers make to some of our most vulnerable children in need of a stable home,” Mrs Tolley says.

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.

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye today announced the opening of a Financial Literacy Fund to support organisations to deliver financial literacy skills to young people.

“The fund will prioritise initiatives focused on assisting disadvantaged youth. In Budget 2014, Government announced $2.5 million of new funding over the next three years for youth enterprise initiatives,” Ms Kaye says.

“The funding will support young people to learn financial literacy and business enterprise skills, as well as get opportunities to develop social-enterprise projects. 

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today opened the Jim Carney Cancer Treatment Centre in Whangarei. 

“The Government is focused on ensuring New Zealanders have timely access to the best possible cancer care close to home,” says Dr Coleman.

“The new Jim Carney Cancer Treatment Centre means that Northlanders will now be able to receive more complex treatments by local clinicians in one purpose built facility.

The Crown accounts for the first three months of the current financial year are broadly consistent with forecasts, but at the same time highlight the challenge of returning to surplus, Finance Minister Bill English says.

For the three months ended September 30, the operating balance before gains and losses (OBEGAL) deficit was $725 million – $79 million more than forecast in Budget 2014.

Associate Tourism Minister Paula Bennett and Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse say Indian nationals travelling to New Zealand on business will now find it easier and faster to get a visa.

Visitors travelling for recognised business events, like conferences, meetings or exhibitions, will now benefit from faster visa processing times and reduced paperwork requirements.

The new arrangements were formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Mumbai overnight between Immigration New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand and six approved travel agents.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes the first reading of legislation to make sunbeds R18 and improve the management of serious infectious diseases.

“The Health (Protection) Amendment Bill brings together two separate but equally important sets of changes which will protect New Zealanders from these preventable harms,” says Dr Coleman.

If passed, the Bill will stop the harm caused to people aged under 18 years by artificial (UV) tanning machines.