Search

Unemployment has fallen to 5.6 per cent – its lowest level since the March 2009 quarter.

Today’s Household Labour Force Survey shows the number of people employed increased by 83,000 over the last year.

“These results show the continued strength of the New Zealand economy as we continue to recover from the twin blows of the Global Financial Crisis and the Canterbury earthquakes,” Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says.

The Government’s welfare fraud reforms are working to make sure the benefit system is there for those who need it, says Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows.

With the seven key initiatives in the package now all underway or in force, Mr Borrows today released figures showing the programme had already recouped or saved over $47 million and stopped thousands of illegitimate or fraudulent benefits.

The effect on the lifetime liability of current beneficiaries is estimated at a reduction of between $119 and $134 million as of March 2014.

New regulations requiring gaming machine societies to increase the minimum they return to the community from Class 4 gaming machine (‘pokie’) takings come into effect on 4 September 2014, Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne announced today.

“The Gambling (Class 4 Net Proceeds) Amendment Regulations 2014 will increase the minimum rate of return from 37.12 per cent of gross proceeds to 42 per cent over five years, beginning in the first financial year after the regulations come into effect”, says Mr Dunne.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner today welcomed a new partnership between New Zealand, Hong Kong and Chinese Customs to develop cash detector dog capabilities in the region.

New Zealanders around the country will this week celebrate Cook Islands Language Week from 4-10 August.

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga launched celebrations today at Nor Western Cook Island Early Childhood Centre in Ranui, Auckland.

“It was an atmosphere of pride today in Ranui with many from the local community coming out to share in the Cook Islands language.  It was also significant to have Cook Islands Consul General Rosie Blake and our first Member of Parliament of Cook Islands descent Alfred Ngaro to join the celebrations.”

More than half a million households, businesses, schools and health centres are now able to connect to the Government’s Ultra-Fast Broadband network, which continues to rollout ahead of schedule.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams today released the latest quarterly report on the Government’s Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) and Rural Broadband Initiatives (RBI).

The report shows the UFB programme is about 7 per cent ahead of schedule. Over the three months to 30 June 2014, a further 96,339 end users gained access to fibre

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has criticised ‘misleading and emotive’ statements on medicinal cannabis from pro-cannabis groups.

“These groups claim the government is blocking research and development of cannabis-based pharmaceuticals. That is not only absolutely wrong, but also shows a woeful ignorance of the process for approving any new medicinal products” says Mr Dunne.

Building and Construction Minister Dr Nick Smith has welcomed the Assessment Report from International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) today which shows the Christchurch City Council is making good progress towards regaining its accreditation as a Building Consent Authority (BCA).

New Zealand’s largest-ever conservation covenant of 53,000 hectares between Arrowtown and Wanaka was announced today by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith.

The Crown and Whanganui Iwi have signed a deed of settlement of the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of the iwi in relation to the Whanganui River, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The signing took place at Ranana Marae. The Crown was represented by Mr Finlayson, Minister for Whanau Ora and Member of Parliament for Te Tai Hauāuru Tariana Turia, and Minister for Courts and Member of Parliament for Whanganui Chester Borrows.

ACC Minister Judith Collins today announced reductions to motor vehicle levies in 2015/16 meaning the average New Zealand vehicle owner will be $135 better off each year.

“Earlier this year the Government signalled our intention to reduce ACC levies as part of Budget 2014 – today’s announcement delivers on this,” Ms Collins says.

“ACC continues to improve its financial situation, transforming the way it supports injured New Zealanders and building on its investment returns.”

Funding of $24 million over five years has been approved for New Zealand’s second National Science Challenge - The Deep South Challenge Te Kōmata o Te Tonga, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says.

The Deep South Challenge will be hosted by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and conducted by researchers across seven organisations including Victoria University of Wellington, the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute, Antarctica New Zealand, GNS Science, Landcare Research, and the University of Otago.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has appointed diplomat Alistair Crozier to open New Zealand’s new Consulate in Chengdu, Western China. 

“We are now aiming to reach two-way trade with China of $30 billion by 2020 - having surpassed the earlier goal of $20 billion well ahead of schedule,” Mr McCully says.

“A New Zealand presence in the west of China will help us reach this ambitious target and provide further support for New Zealand companies who are looking to expand beyond the coastal cities of China.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has appointed diplomat Janet Lowe as New Zealand’s new Ambassador to the Netherlands, to be based in The Hague.

“The Netherlands is an important partner for New Zealand in Europe and The Hague is the seat of multilateral institutions like International Court of Justice,” Mr McCully says.

“The Netherlands is our fifth largest trading partner in the European Union, and is a strong source of foreign investment into New Zealand.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has announced that publication of full rest home audit reports will continue.

“Late last year I asked the Ministry of Health to trial publishing full audit reports of rest homes online,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“This followed feedback from the public and stakeholder groups that they wanted more information about how a rest home was performing.

“During the trial period over 200 people a week visited the full audit reports site, with around 80 of those downloading a copy of a full audit report.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner today announced the age limit to use the border clearing technology SmartGate has been lowered from 16 to 12.

It follows a trial of 35,000 young New Zealand and Australian ePassport holders using the self-processing gates to clear Customs.

“Lowering the age to 12 means more families, school groups and sports teams can enjoy faster border processing, which I’m sure will be welcome news to those travelling during busy periods like the school holidays.

Minister of Internal Affairs Peter Dunne is reminding all people intending to stand as candidates in this year’s General Election that they must be New Zealand citizens.

“All candidates for this year’s General Election must be New Zealand citizens at the time of their nomination, under the Electoral Act. The Department of Internal Affairs manages the citizenship process and makes recommendations to me as Minister. I make the final decisions”, says Mr Dunne.

The Government is to provide a grant of $700,000 from the Community Conservation Partnership Fund to tramping, hunting and mountain biking clubs for 107 back country projects, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced tonight at the Nelson Tramping Club’s AGM.

A report looking at the feasibility of online voting for local body elections has been welcomed by Associate Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

In September 2013, Cabinet agreed to establish a working party to consider the feasibility of online voting in New Zealand’s local elections.  The working party met from December 2013 to May 2014 and has now reported back with its recommendations.

Sport and Recreation Minister Murray McCully says New Zealand’s team at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has done the country proud.

“Our Games team put in an excellent performance. We finished sixth on the table with 45 medals, including,14 gold, 14 silver and 17 bronze,” Mr McCully says.

Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says the Government is taking action to tackle and prevent gang crime, to reduce the harm it causes to families and communities.

For the first time, a multi-agency approach involving intelligence-gathering, enhanced law enforcement, prevention, intervention, rehabilitation and reintegration will be adopted to address New Zealand gangs and transnational crime groups. 

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has appointed diplomat Reuben Levermore as New Zealand’s new Ambassador to Thailand.

“New Zealand has a close relationship with Thailand and it was our tenth largest trading partner in 2013,” Mr McCully says.

“Despite ongoing political turbulence, Thailand remains an important political and economic partner for New Zealand in the Southeast Asian region.

“The relationship is built on a range of areas of mutual interest, including tourism and education.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew is welcoming a new survey system which will ask hospital patients for their feedback.

“Every three months, 7500 patients will be sent a survey asking about their stay in hospital. The survey will cover everything from whether they were involved in decision-making about their treatment to whether they understood the advice they were given by their doctor,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Crown officials and iwi representatives will report on progress in the legislative reform of Māori land governance and seek feedback from landowners in a series of 19 hui nationwide this month. 

Crown and Māori technical experts are currently developing a bill to reform Te Ture Whenua Māori Act. They will present on how this legislation will give effect to the principles for governing Māori land law outlined in the report of an expert panel released in April.