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Police Minister Michael Woodhouse will travel to Monaco tomorrow to represent the New Zealand Government at the INTERPOL Ministerial Meeting on 3 – 4 November.

The INTERPOL Ministerial meeting will be held concurrently with the INTERPOL 83rd General Assembly which marks a century since the concept was proposed at the first International Police Congress held in Monaco in 1914. The 83rd General Assembly is themed ‘Turn Back Crime: 100 years of International police cooperation.’

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes the establishment of a new research health fellowship at Waikato DHB which will look at rehabilitation.

“We want those who need rehabilitation following a stroke or an accident to get the care and support they need so they can live longer healthier lives away from hospitals,” says Dr Coleman.

A significant milestone in the Government’s commitment to the Christchurch rebuild has been achieved, says Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett.

Today marks the half-way point in a comprehensive repair of earthquake-damaged Housing New Zealand (HNZ) properties, with the 2500^th home repair completed ahead of schedule.  

“HNZ has undertaken a large scale repair and rebuild programme that when completed by the end of 2015 will see 5000 damaged homes repaired and 700 new homes built,” Mrs Bennett says. 

Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today welcomed the latest figures from Statistics New Zealand that show strong annual growth in the number of building consents.

"There were 24,046 building consents issued across the country in the year to September 2014. This is a six-year high, and reflects an increase of 22 per cent on the same period last year," Dr Smith says.

"The rate of building consents in Auckland, meanwhile, are at an eight-year high, with 7320 consents issued in the year to September 2014 - 30 per cent more than the previous year.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse welcomed the recommendations of the Independent Forestry Safety Review and outlined the Government’s initial response.

“The Government supports the findings of this review and acknowledges everyone who played a role in this critically important work. The safety record of the forestry sector is not acceptable and Government agencies are committed to working in partnership with industry to build a safe, sustainable and professional forestry sector,” Mr Woodhouse says.

State Services Minister Paula Bennett is pleased to announce that today New Zealand formally became a member of the Open Government Partnership, with the publication of New Zealand’s Open Government Partnership (OGP) Action Plan. 

The OGP was established in 2011 and is an international partnership of countries aiming to foster openness, transparency and accountability to their citizens.

“The OGP Action Plan, published today, outlines our commitment to the Partnership, and to ensuring open and transparent government,” Mrs Bennett says. 

Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Michael Woodhouse has welcomed the passage of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill through Parliament.

“The Government campaigned on our commitment to continue to improve employment law, particularly in relation to fairness, flexibility and choice in the labour market,” Mr Woodhouse says.

“The passing of this Bill delivers on that commitment and will improve New Zealand’s employment relations framework by creating a fair and more flexible system for both employers and employees.

The Accounting Infrastructure Reform Bill, which passed its third reading in Parliament today, will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the accounting and audit industries, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

Mr Goldsmith says the Bill is part of a package of improvements made as part of the Government’s Business Growth Agenda including the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 and the Financial Reporting Act 2013.

Justice Minister Amy Adams has welcomed the Law Commission’s latest report Pecuniary Penalties – Guidance for Legislative Design tabled in Parliament today.

The Report sets out the Commission’s view on the laws relating to pecuniary penalties, considers the circumstances in which they should be used and the legal framework underpinning them.

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.

Associate Conservation Minister Peter Dunne welcomes today’s joint announcement by the Game Animal Council and the Te Urewera Trust Board regarding access to the land previously known as Te Urewera National Park.

Last year’s Deed of Settlement between the Crown and Ngai Tuhoe created a new legal identity for Te Urewera and the land is now co-governed by Crown and Tuhoe representatives, the Te Urewera Trust Board. This was given effect by the Te Urewera Act 2014 and creates a framework that has no precedent in New Zealand.

A multi-million dollar upgrade has been confirmed for The Gardens School in Manurewa by Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye.

Ms Parata says the redevelopment is expected to cost up to $22 million and is a significant commitment to the school and its community.

“This will help ensure The Gardens is a school where the kids from the local community can continue to get a great education.

The Minister of Defence Gerry Brownlee leaves for Australia today for the annual Australia-New Zealand Defence Ministers’ Meeting, and to participate in the Albany Convoy Commemorative Event.

The event marks the 100^th anniversary of the Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Expeditionary Force troopships meeting then departing together to sail for Egypt.  Many of the soldiers on that voyage would be sent to Turkey to fight in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss will travel to Western Australia today to attend the Albany Convoy Commemorative Event (ACCE), marking 100 years since the first wave of Anzac troops set sail for the battlefields of World War One.

The ACCE, commemorating the troops’ departure from the port town of Albany on 1 November 1914, includes a troop march down the main street, the official dedication and opening of Australia’s National Anzac Centre, a re-enactment of the troopships’ departure and a commemorative service at Albany Peace Park.

Prime Minister John Key will join Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Albany, Western Australia this weekend to mark the 100^th anniversary of ANZAC troops departing for World War One.

“New Zealand and Australia share a unique and close heritage.  We have stood together in times of war and helped each other in times of disaster,” says Mr Key.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today turned the first sod at the site of the new $15.3 million national youth forensic mental health unit in Wellington.

“The Government recognised the need to improve specialist youth forensic mental health and addiction services in New Zealand,” says Dr Coleman.

“We realised there was a need to invest in the bricks and mortar and the staff and services available to our vulnerable youth.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat Gabrielle Rush as New Zealand’s new Consul-General in Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong is a dynamic city and is an important commercial and investment market for New Zealand companies,” Mr McCully says.

“With two-way goods trade of over $900 million a year it is an important gateway to mainland China for New Zealand firms. Since 2011 the New Zealand-Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership has secured duty-free access for New Zealand goods into Hong Kong and improved business flows.

Auckland Queen’s Counsel Matthew Muir has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Muir graduated with an LLB (Hons) from Auckland University in 1981 and became a staff solicitor with Holmden Horrocks & Co in Auckland.  In 1984 he took leave from Holmden Horrocks for postgraduate studies at the University of Virginia, graduating with an LLM.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has today welcomed the launch of New Zealand’s first region-wide wood energy heat hub that will help fuel the Southland economy.

Wood Energy South is a joint initiative between the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and Venture Southland that will partner with local businesses, schools and healthcare facilities to help them convert to cleaner, renewable wood burning technology. 

Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today welcomed the findings of the second National Construction Pipeline report, which confirms building and construction activity in New Zealand is expected to reach unprecedented levels by 2017.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Trade Minister Tim Groser today welcomed the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) decision on the terms for New Zealand’s accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) in Geneva.

“A positive decision on the terms of New Zealand’s accession has been reached with GPA parties in Geneva overnight (NZ time), following two years of negotiations,” Mr Joyce says.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has announced the formation of a new steering group to explore optimising the role pharmacists play in community health care.

“Pharmacists are highly skilled and I want to ensure we are realising their potential as we move towards a more integrated health service,” says Dr Coleman.

The Pharmacy Steering Group will help develop clear priorities for pharmacy and provide advice to the Ministry of Health on how the role of pharmacists can be maximised.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith today outlined his commitment to completing and bedding in a suite of legislative and regulatory reforms to make it easier for consumers, investors and businesses to transact with confidence.

“In the coming months I will focus on progressing several key pieces of work which will help support fair, efficient and transparent markets and promote competition, consumer choice and protection.

An Innovation Hub to support new and emerging businesses is the latest addition to the Christchurch Innovation Precinct, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says.

A joint partnership between Canterbury Development Corporation and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Hub will support early stage entrepreneurs by providing the necessary technological and social infrastructure required by start-up and early-stage firms to grow.