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Youth Minister Nikki Kaye is pleased to announce that 12 successful applicants will receive a total of $500,000 over three years, to deliver initiatives for youth supported by the Financial Literacy Fund.

“I expect around 10,000 young people will benefit from these initiatives, including many from identified communities of need, such as Kaitaia and South Auckland.

“The fund supports organisations to help young people improve their financial awareness, so they can do everything from avoid getting into debt, to maybe one day starting their own business.

  • Nikki Kaye
  • Youth

The Government believes an OBEGAL surplus is achievable this financial year, despite Treasury’s latest forecast today predicting a $572 million deficit (0.2 per cent of GDP) for the year to 30 June 2015, Finance Minister Bill English says.

  • Bill English
  • Finance

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley announced today that the Temporary Accommodation Assistance (TAA) programme for Canterbury quake victims would be extended.

The TAA was initiated following the 2010 Canterbury earthquake, to support homeowners with additional costs caused by the need to reside in temporary accommodation while waiting for repairs to their homes to be completed.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Social Development

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee will visit Fiji today in an initial move towards rebuilding defence co-operation and engagement between New Zealand and Fiji.

“Following their successful elections on 17 September, Cabinet has agreed to lift the last remaining targeted measures against Fiji,” Mr Brownlee says.

“This will allow Defence to move toward rebuilding cooperation.”

Mr Brownlee will be accompanied on the visit by the Vice Chief of Defence Force Air Vice Marshal Kevin Short and Deputy Secretary Defence Tony Lynch.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Defence

Prime Minister John Key says the New Zealand Government is currently monitoring the situation in Sydney as events continue to unfold.

“Our hearts go out to those involved and our thoughts are very much with them and their families,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key contacted Prime Minister Tony Abbott directly to offer a message of support, shortly after the siege got underway today.

Currently, agencies are unable to confirm the nationalities of those involved, including whether any New Zealanders have been caught up in this situation.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

More than 6200 households, schools, businesses and health facilities in Oamaru can now connect to Ultra-fast Broadband, Communications Minister Amy Adams has announced.

Speaking at Aoraki Polytechnic in Oamaru today, Ms Adams said it was the third urban area in New Zealand to have its UFB network completed and the first in the South Island.

  • Amy Adams
  • Communications

As summer weather approaches and we look to pull the barbeque out of the shed, Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew reminds New Zealanders to remember basic food safety rules.

“New Zealand produces some of the safest food in the world, but it is still common for foodborne illnesses to peak over the summer months,” Mrs Goodhew says.

“It is easy to forget simple food safety practices when you are outdoors enjoying picnics, barbeques, and camping trips.

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Food Safety

More than 300 children and young people have benefited from the first round of the Extraordinary Care Fund, Social Development Minister Anne Tolley confirmed today.

“The Extraordinary Care Fund recognises the job grandparents and extended family members do raising children who come into their care, often because of the death of a parent or because of abuse or neglect.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Social Development

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed the announcement of successful applicants to deliver Pacific programmes for TVNZ.

TVNZ today named its preferred independent companies to produce Māori and Pacific programmes. These include a new company employing current TVNZ staff as the preferred applicant for long-running Tagata Pasifika and Tiki Lounge for Fresh.

“I congratulate the successful bidders who have taken this opportunity to showcase Pacific talent,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Peoples

Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner says the Christchurch and Waikato demonstrations of Enabling Good Lives mean more disabled people and their families have greater choice and control over the support they receive.

The early evaluation of the Christchurch demonstration has been released and high level design of the Waikato demonstration, to be launched in 2015, has been approved.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Disability Issues

Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has congratulated a group of young ethnic New Zealanders who have completed a programme aimed at building future public sector leaders.

Fifty-five young people from 24 different ethnic groups completed the Young Leaders Programme this year and many have already gained jobs in government departments.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Ethnic Communities

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss has welcomed the Cycling Safety Panel’s final report, which has 35 recommendations for central and local government.

“Over the last decade, an average of nine people a year have died while cycling on our roads,” says Mr Foss. “The Cycling Safety Panel was formed earlier this year in response to a coroner’s call for an expert panel to make recommendations on improving cycling safety.

  • Craig Foss
  • Transport

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says new government investment of $2 million will bolster community budgeting services.

As part of Budget 2014 the Government announced new operating funding of $22 million over the next four years to help New Zealanders with money management skills.  This is in addition to the $9 million that the government invests annually in budgeting.

“Budgeting Services received a $1.5 million top-up earlier this year to help with growing demand,” says Mrs Tolley.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Social Development

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is currently updating Civil Aviation Rules to better manage the safety risks of the use of remotely piloted aircraft (or drones), says Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss.

“New Zealanders are increasingly using remotely piloted aircraft, so it is important we have good regulation to manage the safety risks those aircraft can bring. The Government is committed to having regulation flexible enough to accommodate the growing use of the technology,” says Mr Foss.

  • Craig Foss
  • Transport

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

Justice Hinton graduated with an LLB(Hons) from Auckland University in 1975 and became a staff solicitor with Grierson Jackson & Partners in Auckland. 

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman paid tribute last night to New Zealand’s top rugby players and administrators at the annual New Zealand Rugby Union awards. 

“It has been another exceptional year for New Zealand rugby and I congratulate all the winners and finalists across all categories. They should be very proud of their contribution to rugby and to New Zealand,” says Dr Coleman.

“It is great to see the international success of our All Blacks and Black Ferns flowing through to increased numbers taking to the field.”

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Sport and Recreation

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has welcomed Air New Zealand’s announcement today that they are opening up a new route to South America.

Air New Zealand will start flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina three days a week from December 2015. The service is Air New Zealand’s first to South America.

“South America offers significant potential for the New Zealand tourism industry so I am pleased Air New Zealand has decided to start flying there,” says Mr Key.

  • John Key
  • Tourism
  • Prime Minister

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced that CORE Education has been chosen to deliver the Ministry of Education’s new Learning Technologies Advisory (LTA) Service.

A total of $5 million will be invested in the service over three years, starting in 2015.

“This service is about helping teachers take advantage of digital technology to enhance learning in our schools.

“The world is now awash with digital resources, such as interactive, online learning tools, that can help make teaching and learning more engaging and more effective.

  • Nikki Kaye
  • Education

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has congratulated a group of school students from Whangarei for their work promoting the primary industries to their peers.

The Huanui College students from Whangarei were this year’s winners of the Enterprising Primary Industries Careers (EPIC) Challenge, with their winning entry “Bee in the Scene” encouraging students to consider a career in the apiculture industry.

  • Nathan Guy
  • Primary Industries

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed the recommendations of the Review of Statutory Interventions in State and State Integrated Schools.

The Working Group set up to conduct the review has recommended the Ministry of Education and schools work more closely together.

“We’re committed to raising educational achievement for five out of five kids so we need to make sure all schools operate successfully. The vast majority do, but a small number experience difficulties so they need extra support.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes High Performance Sport New Zealand’s investment in national sport organisations for the next financial year.

“The investment decisions announced today by High Performance Sport New Zealand mean our top athletes will continue to make their presence felt on the world stage,” says Dr Coleman.

“It locks in the support our elite athletes need as they work towards success at key events next year and the 2016 Rio Olympics and Paralympic Games.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Sport and Recreation

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the announcement that Wynyard Group will locate its new global research and development facility within the Christchurch Innovation Precinct.

Wynyard specialises in advanced crime analytics and risk management software, and will house about 100 of its staff on the former McKenzie and Willis site, with plans to preserve the building’s historic High Street façade.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Science and Innovation

I am very pleased to be here today to help celebrate this milestone for NZ On Air.

It’s fair to say that New Zealand television has come a long way in 25 years.

In 1989, only 2000 hours of local content were making it onto our televisions every year.

The New Zealand Film Commission had already been around for eleven years and was fostering some big screen productions. But New Zealand content had yet to secure a significant presence on our smaller screens and our radios.

  • Amy Adams
  • Broadcasting

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce today announced appointments to four tertiary education institution councils, including two new council members and three reappointments.

“I am pleased to welcome these high-calibre new council appointees into their roles.  I also welcome the reappointment of three council members in recognition of their high quality contribution,” Mr Joyce says.

“I also wish to thank outgoing council members for the valuable service they have provided.”

The new appointments are:

  • Steven Joyce
  • Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment