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Minister for Social Development Paula Bennett today met with Auckland Sexual Abuse Helpline (ASAH) and agreed to an interim funding arrangement with contributions from Health, Social Development and Police.

“I met with ASAH today, I’ve heard their concerns and the Government is prepared to step in to keep the service running without interruption,” says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

They have also committed to a sustainable three year contract with negotiations to be finalised in April 2013.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says a Bill which clarifies the definition of certain firearms and places controls on the importation of restricted airguns has passed its third reading in Parliament.

The Arms (Military Style Semi-Automatic Firearms and Import Controls) Amendment Bill clarifies the definition of military style semi-automatic firearms (MSSAs), and places controls on the importation of airguns that look like real pistols, MSSAs or restricted weapons. Importers of such airguns will now be required to have a special Police permit.

Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley is travelling to England and Italy from October 31 to November 8 for discussions on organised crime, the UK sex offenders' register, online child pornography and prisoner rehabilitation.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says the roll out of Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) across New Zealand has been completed, as the Outer Kaiti NPT in Gisborne becomes fully operational.

This brings the total number of Neighbourhood Policing Teams to 33, with the first established two years ago in Counties-Manukau.

The NPTs work for up to five years in priority areas where members of the public are more likely to be victims of crime.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says Labour should get its facts right instead of trying to mislead the public over Police funding.

"Funding levels for Police were maintained in the Budget, yet Labour's Police spokesperson continues to claim there were cuts,” says Mrs Tolley.

"No matter how many times Labour makes these claims they will always be false.

"The media and the public deserve to know the facts, and Labour's comments can't be trusted.

"This is nothing more than a campaign of scaremongering and making up figures.

James Cook Hotel, Wellington

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā hau e whā. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

Good morning everyone and thank you for the invitation to open your annual conference.

Can I acknowledge your President Greg O'Connor and your executive. We have a constructive relationship and I appreciate that. Can I also acknowledge Police Association delegates – and give a warm welcome to the international delegates from South Africa, Tonga and Australia.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has today turned the sod for the new Wanaka Police station.

The total cost of the new state of the art facility will be around $3 million, with the station set to open with 18 staff in the middle of 2013.

“This is an exciting time for Police staff and the Wanaka community,” says Mrs Tolley.

“They are soon going to have the modern Police station they deserve.

The Minister responsible for the Serious Fraud Office, Anne Tolley, has thanked the agency’s outgoing Chief Executive, Adam Feeley, who leaves the position today.

"Early in 2010 the Government promised to rebuild the Serious Fraud Office," says Mrs Tolley.

"We made the resources available to enable the SFO to maintain and build New Zealand's reputation as a safe place to invest and do business.

"Adam Feeley has delivered on this with his hard work and determination.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has honoured Police officers who have lost their lives while on duty, at a service to mark Police Remembrance Day.

The service, at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua, also paid tribute to the serving and former Police staff who have died in the last year.

“29 Police officers have died in the line of duty, and they have a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders,” says Mrs Tolley.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says the increased focus on frontline policing and crime prevention will continue, following another drop in recorded crimes.

Recorded offences were down by 5.2 per cent, with 21,802 fewer crimes in the fiscal year to 30 June 2012. The crime rate per head of population fell by 5.9 per cent.

It follows a seven per cent reduction in crime per head of population in the previous fiscal year, and a 5.6 per cent decrease in the 2011 calendar year.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has today officially opened the new police station at Rolleston, near Christchurch.

The $1.6 million facility, in Tennyson Street, is opening on time and on budget.

“The new police station is a fantastic addition to Rolleston,” says Mrs Tolley.

“It gives the police greater visibility, it’s nearer the local community compared to the previous station, and it is also much more accessible to the public.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has congratulated Police following a hugely successful six-month campaign targeting cannabis growers and dealers throughout New Zealand.

“This sends a powerful message to criminals that drugs and drug dealers will not be tolerated in our communities,” says Mrs Tolley.

“By targeting the source, the supply chain, and the proceeds of crime, organised criminals have been hit hard.

“The Government is determined to drive these people out of our communities and out of business.”

Police Minister Anne Tolley is to attend a meeting of the Standing Council on Police and Emergency Management (SCPEM) in Melbourne on 28 and 29 June.

Police Ministers and Commissioners from across Australia will be taking part, to discuss and develop an integrated approach to issues of common interest.

“The SCPEM meeting provides a valuable forum for New Zealand and Australia, to discuss a range of issues from crime to disaster management,” says Mrs Tolley.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says the first car crushing under laws to crack down on illegal street racing should serve as a warning to boy racers.

Police Minister Anne Tolley today awarded graduation certificates to this year’s first intake of police recruits in Porirua.

74 recruits graduated to become frontline officers following the eighteen- week course. Another eighty recruits are currently in training and two further intakes are planned for July and August.

“I want to congratulate each of the successful graduates from Wing 272,” says Mrs Tolley.

“Guided by excellent trainers, they have proved themselves worthy of becoming frontline police officers.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has today officially opened the new Otahuhu police station in Counties Manukau.

The $8.6 million facility is the second new station to open in Counties Manukau this month, closely following the new $10.2 million Police headquarters at Botany.

“This is yet another boost to the Counties Manukau area,” says Mrs Tolley.

“We needed more space after the National-led Government provided an additional 300 frontline officers, so staff and the local community will benefit from these new modern facilities.

Budget 2012 supports better public services by contributing to targets that will reduce prisoner reoffending by 25 per cent by 2017 and result in 18,500 fewer victims of crime every year, Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says.

Reprioritising Corrections funding and maintaining funding for Police supports the Government’s focus on preventing and reducing crime, and making communities safer.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says a Bill that clarifies the definition of military style semi-automatic firearms (MSSAs), and places controls on the importation of airguns that look like real pistols, MSSAs or restricted weapons has passed its second reading in Parliament.

The Arms (Military Style Semi-Automatic Firearms and Import Controls) Amendment Bill requires importers of such airguns to have a special permit from Police.

“Replica firearms can easily be mistaken for real weapons and are often used by criminals,” says Mrs Tolley.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has today officially opened the new Counties Manukau East police station.

The new $10.2 million headquarters, at Ormiston Road in Botany, provides modern facilities for police staff and members of the community, and has been completed ahead of time and under budget.

“The new station is a real boost to the area,” says Mrs Tolley.

“It provides a better and more efficient workplace for staff, in an area which is at the forefront of policing in New Zealand.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has praised Police following another significant drop in crime rates. Recorded offences were down for the second successive year, reaching a fifteen-year low in 2011.

Overall, recorded crime was 4.8 per cent lower in 2011, and down 5.6 per cent per head of population with 20,289 fewer offences compared to 2010.

It follows a 5.6 per cent reduction in 2010, or 6.7 per cent per head of population.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has congratulated the Police after significant drugs busts in the Waikato.

The raids, in which a methamphetamine laboratory was uncovered, led to the seizure of substantial amounts of methamphetamine, chemicals and cash, along with a number of firearms.

“This is a great result, and I want to thank the police officers from Waikato, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty who worked together on this significant operation,” says Mrs Tolley.

“The Government will not tolerate methamphetamine in our communties.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has turned the sod for a new police station at Rolleston, near Christchurch.

The total cost of the project is $1.6 million, and is set to be completed by September.

“Our police require the best tools for the job to keep communities safe,” says Mrs Tolley.

“The new Rolleston police station will incorporate modern design and technology, and is located much closer to the local community than the existing station.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and Police Minister Anne Tolley say the record low 2011 road toll of 284 is encouraging but they are urging road users to remain vigilant in keeping the road toll down.

The provisional 2011 toll compares with 375 in 2010, 384 in 2009 and 366 in 2008. The last time the road toll was below 300 was in 1952 when 272 people died.

The Ministers say that the current holiday road toll illustrates why there is no room for complacency.