Search

Prime Minister John Key has expressed his deepest sympathies to those affected by this morning’s events in Canada.

“The reasons behind the fatal shooting in Ottawa this morning are not yet known, but it is clearly a senseless act of violence,” says John Key.

“I wish to extend New Zealand’s sincere condolences to the people of Canada who will be shaken by this violent act.”

“I will personally extend those thoughts and wishes to Prime Minister Harper.

Police Minister Michael Woodhouse today officially launched the national roll-out of the Booze Bus Biometrics (BBB) system.

The BBB system will enable Police to confirm within minutes, the identities of people in the system that they intend to charge with drink-driving offences, by electronically scanning fingerprints, taking digital photographs and comparing the data to existing Police records.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the annual report on Implementing the New Zealand Health Strategy 2014 shows that public health and disability services continue to offer better access to safe and effective care.

“Waiting times are reducing, and services are increasingly being planned, managed, funded, and delivered in a sustainable way,” says Dr Coleman.

The report from the Health Minister shows the public health service continues to perform well against the Government’s Health Targets, and further deliver improvements in priority areas.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has congratulated New Zealand’s TIN 100 companies on reaching $7.6 billion in annual turnover, a $1 billion increase over the last five years.

The annual TIN 100 report released last night in Auckland shows the turnover of New Zealand’s top 100 technology companies grew 3.6 per cent over the 2013/14 year, while exports grew 2.3 per cent to $5.6 billion.

The rollout of fast internet to schools continues to exceed expectations with the connection by Network for Learning (N4L) of the 1000th school to the Government’s Managed Network, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says.

“I am delighted to be able to today visit Stanley Avenue School in the Waikato town of Te Aroha, the 1000th school to be connected. This means that 40 per cent of New Zealand schools are now connected to the Managed Network.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says government agencies remain prepared to deal with any potential Ebola cases in New Zealand.

“While the risk to New Zealand remains low, we are taking every precaution to deal with the threat of Ebola,” says Dr Coleman.

“I am receiving daily updates on the situation both here in New Zealand and overseas, and officials are constantly updating the comprehensive measures we have in place as part of the international response to the threat of Ebola.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman extends his congratulations to the athletes and sports officials who have been awarded Prime Minister’s Sport Scholarships.

“The Prime Minister’s Sport Scholarships are an important boost for outstanding athletes, coaches, officials and support team members as they juggle the demands of sports and study,” says Dr Coleman.

The Government has announced that a series of job fairs will be held in capital cities across Australia to encourage more Kiwis to return home and Australians to settle here to help fill emerging skills gaps and support thriving New Zealand-based businesses.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, together with international employment event organiser Working In, will be hosting the first two expos in Perth on 22-23 November and Sydney on the 29-30 November. Further events will follow in Melbourne and Brisbane in the first quarter of next year.

Minister for ACC Nikki Kaye today welcomed the release of the Accident Compensation Corporation’s Annual Report, which shows its financial performance is improving.

ACC has achieved a surplus of $2.1billion - $300 million ahead of budget.

Levies will be reduced in 2015, and more reductions are expected from 2016, as the three levy accounts are now fully funded.

“I have written to the ACC Board to acknowledge this result. The Annual Report shows ACC is making good progress.

Successful applicants of the Gallipoli 2015 ballot have just four days left to accept their place at next year’s Anzac Day commemorations, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss says.

The deadline for accepting passes and completing travel details is Saturday 25 October.

“Nearly 300 people have not yet accepted the offer of two passes to the commemoration services at Gallipoli.  If the offers are not accepted by midnight Saturday, with travel details, the passes will be reallocated to those on the waiting list,” Mr Foss says.

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says staff and prisoner safety in prisons will be boosted by the wider use of on body cameras in sites around the country.

“Frontline Corrections officers are well trained and resourced to deal with difficult situations in our prisons, but we remain focused on continually improving the safety of our staff and prisoners.  These cameras will be another measure to de-escalate what can often be highly tense situations.” Mr Lotu-Iiga said.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that Shane Jones will serve as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Nauru, Mauritius and the Seychelles in addition to his role as Pacific Economic Development Ambassador.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has travelled to Jakarta to attend the inauguration ceremony for the Indonesian President-elect Joko Widodo.

“Indonesia is one of the world’s largest democracies, a major player in ASEAN, and one of New Zealand’s most important political and trading partners in the South East Asia region,” Mr McCully says.

“Indonesia is projected to be the world’s seventh largest economy by 2030, and with a population of close to 250 million people, it is an important destination for New Zealand exports.

Local Government Minister Paula Bennett has today launched the Rules Reduction initiative, opening the way for people to submit examples of property regulations and local rules that don’t make sense.

“People can now head to www.govt.nz/rulesreduction, to start telling us what bugs them when it comes to loopy rules and regulations,” says Mrs Bennett. 

Associate Finance Minister Paula Bennett leaves Monday for Beijing where she will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) annual meeting of Finance Ministers.

The meeting, on 22 October, will consider the current economic situation and outlook in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as discussing co-operation on infrastructure investment and financing, among other issues. The meeting will be preceded by a ministers’ retreat on Tuesday.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today seen first-hand how Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital is well prepared to treat any suspected Ebola patients.

“While the risk to New Zealand remains low, we cannot guarantee that we won’t get a suspected case here,” says Dr Coleman.

“Middlemore Hospital is one of four major hospitals across New Zealand which are most likely to treat any suspected Ebola patients. Their new infectious diseases Biocontainment Unit is able to assess and manage patients with suspected highly infectious diseases.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley welcomes the latest release of benefit figures showing the number of people on welfare for the September quarter is the lowest since 2008, with sole parents leading the impressive results.

Today’s release of the September quarter benefit factsheets shows year-on-year benefit numbers continue to track downwards.

“There are over 10,000 fewer people on welfare compared to September 2013, and more than 70 per cent of these are sole parents,” says Mrs Tolley.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says an agreement signed between the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and one of New Zealand’s largest trucking companies is a significant milestone for the Heavy Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Programme.

“EECA has been working with industry groups since 2012 to increase awareness of the potential for fuel efficiency and I am delighted the HW Richardson Group is now on board, with 800 trucks in 30 fleets nationwide consuming 19 million litres of fuel per year.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges wants boat users to make safety the top priority, as New Zealand’s first Safer Boating Week begins today.

“Safer Boating Week is an excellent initiative that raises the awareness of boat safety, and what risks are out there on the water.  We have seen in the last few days the tragic consequences when something goes wrong,” Mr Bridges says.

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed New Zealand securing a place on the United Nations Security Council for the 2015-16 term.

“New Zealand’s success in gaining a place on the Security Council is a victory for the small states that make up over half the United Nations membership,” Mr Key says.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a new campaign to help New Zealanders recognise the signs of a stroke is being launched in Waikato today.

“Every day around 24 New Zealanders have a stroke, and a quarter occur in people under 65. High blood pressure and smoking put people at higher risk, but early detection and effective control of risk factors can greatly reduce the chance of a stroke,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says new technology being used at Auckland City Hospital will enable more precise and faster radiotherapy treatment for people with cancer.

“Improvements in technology means less time in hospital for patients, and allows clinicians to focus radiotherapy precisely on the cancerous tissue,” says Dr Coleman.

The commitment and sacrifice of thousands of New Zealanders in the war to end all wars is brought to life in a compelling new exhibition at the National Library, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Peter Dunne announced today.

“World War One – A Contemporary Conversation marks the centenary of World War One and explores the relevance of war and conflict in today’s world,” says Mr Dunne.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has congratulated Precision Seafood Harvesting (PSH) for winning the Innovation in Sustainability & Clean Tech award and the Supreme Innovator award at the New Zealand Innovators Awards in Auckland tonight.

“This is a Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme, jointly funded by industry and government, with the potential to change the way the world catches fish.