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Construction of the National War Memorial Park in Buckle Street was declared underway, following a sod-turning ceremony and blessing of the site on Buckle Street in Wellington, by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson.

The park is the Government’s key project to acknowledge the Centenary of the First World War, and is intended to be completed in time for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing on Anzac day 2015.

The Crown signed a deed of settlement for all outstanding historical Treaty claims with Te Rarawa at Te Ahu Centre in Kaitaia today, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced.

"The actions of the Crown left the people of Te Rarawa without sufficient and suitable land for their needs," Mr Finlayson said. "This settlement will allow Te Rarawa to move on with a secure base for economic and social development. It is well overdue, 27 years after the Muriwhenua claims were first lodged."

The Crown has signed a deed of settlement for all outstanding historical Treaty claims with NgāiTakato at Te Ahu Centre in Kaitaia today, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced.

"NgāiTakoto were left virtually landless by the historical actions of the Crown," Mr Finlayson said. "Finally, the people of NgāiTakoto can look forward to a brighter future - 27 years since the Muriwhenua claims were lodged in the area."

Attorney-General, Christopher Finlayson, today announced David Noble has been re-appointed Chief Parliamentary Counsel and Compiler of Statutes for a further term of three years from 5 November 2012, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.  

Mr Noble commenced in the role on 5 November 2007.

Mr Noble is expected to return to New Zealand in June 2013 from his secondment as the Director, Treasury Solicitor’s Department in London. 

Judge Laurence Ryan has been appointed the acting Principal Family Court Judge for a period of six months, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Judge Ryan will replace Judge Boshier, who joins the Law Commission.

Judge Ryan has served as a Family Court Judge since his appointment in 1996. He sits in Auckland.

Judge Boshier officially retires as Principal Family Court Judge in December 2012. Judge Ryan’s appointment will take effect from 10 November 2012.

The final reporting date for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure caused by Canterbury Earthquakes will be 30 November, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson has welcomed the third part of the Waitangi Tribunal’s report on Te Urewera, and says its findings show why it is so necessary for the Crown to address the issues in the report.

Auckland barrister Anna-Marie Skellern has been appointed as an Acting District Court Judge with jury and Family Court warrants to sit in Hastings, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Iwi groups yet to complete their Treaty settlements will be offered the opportunity to participate in the Government share offer programme, Finance Minister Bill English and Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson say.

The government has received the second part (volume 4 of 7) of the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure Caused by Canterbury Earthquakes, addressing practice and policy issues relating to earthquake-prone buildings, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ministers will now consider the second part of the report and its recommendations. An announcement about the government’s response and about the public release of the report will be made in due course.

Legislation to ensure a fitting National War Memorial Park will be developed at the National War Memorial site in Wellington in time for Anzac Day 2015 was passed by the House tonight.

The National War Memorial Park (Pukeahu) Empowering Bill allows the creation a unified National War Memorial Precinct in Wellington’s Buckle Street.

Four bills, which will give effect to historical Treaty of Waitangi settlements for Waitaha, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Ngāti Manuhiri and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei were progressed through an extra sitting period of the House of Representatives this morning.

The Waitaha Claims Settlement Bill and Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara Claims Settlement Bill passed their first readings unanimously, and will now be considered by the Māori Affairs select committee before returning to the House for second readings.

Donald Best, Marie Brown and Georgia Farmer have been reappointed for second terms to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra board, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced today.

“I am very pleased that these three members have agreed to continue their contribution to the governance of our world class national orchestra,” Mr Finlayson said. “Together they bring a diverse range of skills and experience to the board table”

Wellington business risk and assurance expert Aloysius Teh has been appointed to the board of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa), and Dr Michael Bassett has been re-appointed for a further one-year term, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The announcement of a merger between the NBR New Zealand Opera and Southern Opera is an exciting and welcome development, Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson said today.

By bringing Southern Opera into its fold, the NBR New Zealand Opera will now have bases in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It will ensure the South Island is also well served by an international standard opera company, with its national reach.

After consultation with iwi members, Te Kotahi a Tuhoe have accepted the Crown’s offer to settle the historical claims of Ngai Tuhoe, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson and Ngāi Tuhoe Chief negotiator Tamati Kruger announced today.

The Crown today signed a deed to collectively settle the historical claims of iwi and hapū over shared interests in the Auckland area, including maunga (volcanic cones) and motu (islands), Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced.

Responsibility for Radio New Zealand’s Sound Archives (Sound Archives Nga Taonga Korero) is being transferred to the New Zealand Film Archive, announced the Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister, Chris Finlayson and Broadcasting Minister, Craig Foss today.

A transfer agreement has been signed, and takes effect from 1 October 2012.

The Crown and negotiators for Whanganui Iwi today signed a framework agreement setting out certain key elements that will form the basis for a settlement of Whanganui Iwi’s historical claims relating to the Whanganui River, Minister for Treaty for Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced.

Legislation to ensure that a fitting National War Memorial Park will be developed in Wellington in time for Anzac Day 2015 passed its first reading in the House last night.

The National War Memorial Park (Pukeahu) Empowering Bill was referred to the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee and will be reported back to parliament by 18 September, in anticipation of work beginning on the National War Memorial Park in October.

Cabinet has approved the signing of a social Service Management Plan (SMP) with Ngāi Tuhoe to improve social outcomes in the iwi’s rohe of Te Urewera, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The SMP is an undertaking by various government agencies to work with Tuhoe in improving the delivery of social services in Te Urewera. It has been developed by a high-level taskforce led by the Ministry of Social Development and representing a number of agencies, working closely with Ngāi Tūhoe.

On Cabinet’s advice, the Governor-General has given the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Pike River mine tragedy two extra months in which to deliver its report, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The Royal Commission will now be required to report back by 30 November 2012, rather than 28 September 2012.

Attorney-General Chris Finlayson and Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson have thanked the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission for its findings and recommendations outlined in the first part of its final report, released today.

The recommendations focus on a range of technical engineering issues including seismicity, recommendations to change concrete structures, structural steel and earthquake actions standards, providing guidance or training to structural engineers and low-damage building technologies.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson have today announced details of a National War Memorial Park to be developed in time for Anzac Day 2015.

The National War Memorial Park was announced by the Prime Minister this morning outside the National War Memorial in Wellington.