Search

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew today announced that Massey University will host the new Food Safety Science and Research Centre.

The Centre will promote, co-ordinate, and deliver food safety science and research for New Zealand. It was a key recommendation from the Government Inquiry into the Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) Contamination Incident.

Auckland Council are welcome to have a debate about future transport infrastructure investment plans, but the Government remains sceptical about the options being presented, Transport Minister Simon Bridges said today in response to the release of ‘Funding Auckland’s Transport Future’, a report commissioned by the Auckland Council.

“We agree that Auckland must have a transport system that meets the demands of its growing population and we are committed to working with the Auckland Council to help make sure Auckland succeeds. 

Revenue Minister Todd McClay today announced New Zealand’s timetable for participation in a global automatic exchange of information aimed at cracking down on tax evasion.

G20 leaders announced the initiative in September 2013 -  and in May 2014, New Zealand, along with all OECD countries, joined in the general declaration of support for the move. Australia, holding the G20 Presidency this year, announced their implementation timetable last month.

Cabinet has agreed on the details of the flag referendum process and every political party represented in Parliament has been invited to take part, say Prime Minister John Key and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English.

“Our flag is the most important symbol of our national identity and I believe that this is the right time for New Zealanders to consider changing the design to one that better reflects our status as a modern, independent nation,” Mr Key says.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today acknowledged the enormous contribution teachers across the country are making every day to ensure all children are successful in education.

Ms Parata says New Zealand Teachers’ Day, which is marked today, is an opportunity to thank teachers for the work they do to raise the educational achievement of students.

“Teachers do an incredible job helping our children and young people to be the very best they can be in life – it’s important to celebrate the magic that they create across our country every day.

Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga hosted the Prime Minister, Members of Parliament and representatives of the Indian community this evening in Parliament’s Grand Hall to celebrate Diwali.

“Diwali is a time of festivity and goodwill and is the most important festival of the year for many Hindus around the world.  Tonight’s event demonstrates how New Zealand embraces our wider Indian community and culture,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the National Depression Initiative has won two major advertising awards at the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) Effectiveness awards in London.

“It is great to see New Zealand’s National Depression Initiative gain international recognition at the IPA awards,” says Dr Coleman.

“It is a tribute to the work of Sir John Kirwan, FCB New Zealand, the Ministry of Health and the Health Promotion Agency who co-manage the programme. The National Depression initiative has been highly successful.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says three people entering New Zealand were identified for self-monitoring as healthcare workers helping in the response in West Africa, and all have now been cleared.

“Since border screening for Ebola was introduced in New Zealand on 10 August, 74 people have been flagged,” says Dr Coleman.

“A traveller is flagged if they have been in an Ebola affected country within the last 30 days.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today announced applications are open for the third round of funding in the Tourism Growth Partnership.

The $32 million contestable Government fund aims to boost 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.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says the Government’s 3K to Christchurch scheme is a winner with 633 unemployed people taking up the offer.

“Since the scheme began in July a total of 523 men and 110 women have received the $3,000 payment as an incentive to move off benefit to Christchurch for a fulltime job.  204 of these are aged between 16 and 24 years.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley today announced that Jo-anne Wilkinson has been appointed as interim Families Commissioner and Chair of the Families Commission Board.

“I’m delighted that Ms Wilkinson has agreed to take on the role while we look for a permanent appointment. 

“As co-founder and former Chief Executive of the Foundation for Youth Development (previously known as the Project K Trust), Ms Wilkinson brings a wealth of experience of the youth and NGO sectors.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes the ICC Cricket World Cup’s decision to appoint the Cancer Society as its official NZ charity partner.

“It is great to see the Cancer Society join up with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015,” says Dr Coleman.

“The Cricket World Cup is one of the biggest international sporting events, and the ICC’s partnership in New Zealand with the Cancer Society is an excellent opportunity to promote the work of the Cancer Society to a large audience.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today announced the Government will invest more than $15 million over a maximum of seven years to support four research partnerships that will benefit New Zealand’s primary industries. 

“These investments will enhance industry involvement and collaboration on strategic research, and improve the performance of key parts of our primary industries leading to increased exports,” Mr Joyce says.

Education Minister Hekia Parata today launched the 2015 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards.

Ms Parata says the awards recognise and celebrate excellence in teaching, leadership, community engagement and governance.

“The inaugural awards were held this year and were a great celebration of work being done across our education system.

“They give us an opportunity to acknowledge some remarkable people and the work being done to deliver better educational outcomes for our children and young people.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has appointed diplomat James Kember as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to France.

“New Zealand’s relationship with France is one of our most long-standing and vibrant, and it remains an important partner within the European Union,” Mr McCully says.

“The next four years will see us jointly commemorating both the 100^th anniversary of the First World War, and the death of thousands of New Zealand soldiers on French soil.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Woodhouse today refutes Labour MP Andrew Little’s claims that the Employment Relations Amendment Bill is ‘mean-spirited and unfair’.

“Mr Little’s claims that the Bill will see the end of smoko breaks is nothing but a cynical dog whistle used by Labour to create a climate of fear,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Trade Minister Tim Groser will depart today for Sydney to join Ministers from countries participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for the next round of negotiations.

“Negotiations are entering a crucial stage, with some of the most difficult issues remaining to be addressed in the negotiations such as agricultural market access, intellectual property and disciplines on state-owned enterprises,” Mr Groser says.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today seen first-hand Wairarapa DHB’s innovative approach to streamlining the region’s needs assessments.

“We want New Zealanders to live healthier lives away from hospitals,” says Dr Coleman.

“To ensure people have the independence they want, it is important they are getting the appropriate integrated needs assessments and support services.”

The Government’s family justice reforms are proving highly successful, with almost 75 percent of parenting disputes referred to mediation being completely resolved without the need to go to court.

The Family Justice reforms, which went live on 31 March, place out-of-court community-based resolution services at the heart of a new system to resolve family disputes about the care of children.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges is encouraging road users to keep safe as they travel on the roads over Labour Weekend.

“Many people take advantage of the long weekend to see family and friends, or to get out on their motorcycle or bike, so roads can be busier than usual,” Mr Bridges says.

“Taking the time to make sure that you and your vehicle are in good nick before you get on the road, sticking to the road rules and being considerate of other road users all combine to make journeys safer.”

Prime Minister John Key today announced the appointments of Chris Hodson QC as the chair of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security’s Advisory Panel and Angela Foulkes ONZM as a member of the Panel.

The appointments were made by the Governor General and each is for a term of two years.

“These are the first appointments to the Advisory Panel, which was newly created with amendments to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996 in September last year,” says Mr Key.   

A Queenstown Lakes Housing Accord has been signed between Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Mayor Vanessa van Uden to provide an additional 1300 homes over the next three years.

“The Queenstown Lakes District is one of the five least affordable housing areas in New Zealand, with a median house price of $664,000. The Accord agreed today aims to deliver a 20 per cent increase on the number of houses that have been built in the area in the past, and accordingly it will improve both supply and affordability in the region,” Dr Smith says.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today visited Capital and Coast DHB which has made good progress on the government’s shorter stays in emergency department target.

“Staff from across Capital and Coast DHB including clinicians and administrators have worked together to make significant progress on the shorter stays in emergency department target,” says Dr Coleman.

Fletcher Residential has been chosen as the Government’s private sector partner for a new affordable housing project on an 11.5-hectare Crown-owned site in Christchurch, Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today.