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Associate Minister of Housing Tariana Turia today announced the opening of a new infrastructure grant fund for developing Maori land as well as changes to an existing proposal development programme to better support Maori housing initiatives.

“Both programmes are designed to enable the development of social and affordable housing projects on Maori land and to prepare Maori organisations to play a bigger role in providing social and affordable housing for their people,” says Minister Turia.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Housing

Health Minister Tony Ryall has welcomed the release of the independent review into residential disability providers’ performance and monitoring.

The review was overseen by an independent review panel chaired by consumer advocate David Russell. Disability Persons Assembly president Beverly Grammer, and management consultant Karen Van Eden were also on the panel.

Mr Ryall called for the independent review following concerns raised this year about some residential disability providers.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has welcomed a new code of practice she had sought that will make it easier for consumers to understand and compare different broadband products.

The code, which comes into effect on 1 March 2014, was developed by the Telecommunications Forum (TCF) in response to a request from Ms Adams for better product information about broadband plans for consumers.

  • Amy Adams
  • Communications and Information Technology

The Minister of Maori Affairs today pays tribute to the descendants of Te Whakatōhea rangatira, Mokomoko, and welcomes the passing of the 3rd reading of  the Mokomoko (Restoration of Character, Mana, and Reputation) Bill.

“The passing of this Bill marks the end of a long journey for Te whānau a Mokomoko, who have fought to restore the character, mana, and reputation of their tipuna Mokomoko, who was tried, convicted and executed for his alleged role in the murder of Rev Carl Sylvius Volkner,” said Dr. Sharples.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee says the Government is very pleased with its busy and productive legislative year, which ended with Parliament’s adjournment this afternoon.

“The House sat for three fewer days this year, but passed more legislation,” Mr Brownlee says.

“We saw a 45 per cent increase in Government bills passing their third reading and becoming law, with 145 bills passed, up from 99 in 2012.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Leader of the House

The Government’s work with councils to improve housing affordability has been expanded beyond Auckland with Christchurch City, Wellington City, Hutt City, Upper Hutt City, Porirua, Kapiti, Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty being added to the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act.

“New Zealand’s housing supply and affordability challenges extend beyond Auckland. The Auckland Housing Accord is proving to be a successful tool and we are keen to explore how we can assist other councils to get more houses built more efficiently,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Housing

Leader of the House Hon Gerry Brownlee today introduced a Bill to make it clear what is covered by parliamentary privilege following a Supreme Court judgement.

“Parliamentary privilege is a frequently misunderstood concept but is an essential part of our democracy”, Mr Brownlee says.

“Privilege enables MPs and others participating in Parliamentary proceedings to say and do things without the fear of people taking them to court. This allows Parliament to legislate, debate matters of public importance and scrutinise the Government.”

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Leader of the House

Commerce Minister Craig Foss has today released a discussion paper for public consultation on the Patents Act 2013.

“The paper focusses on regulations that will give effect to a more consistent, high quality patent examination process. The new legislation will strengthen the criteria for granting a patent to ensure genuine innovations, which are novel and useful, are protected,” says Mr Foss.

The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) is seeking feedback on proposed regulations, including:

  • Craig Foss
  • Commerce

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye today released the report on the first stage of the Government Inquiry into the Whey Protein Concentrate Contamination Incident and said the Government accepts in principle all 29 recommendations.

“This part of the inquiry focused on our dairy food safety system and we are pleased to confirm it found the whey protein concentrate (WPC) incident in August this year (2013) was not the result of any failure in the regulatory system,” Mr Guy says.

  • Nikki Kaye
  • Nathan Guy
  • Food Safety
  • Primary Industries

Revenue Minister Todd McClay today released the sixth KiwiSaver evaluation annual report which showed continued steady growth for the retirement scheme in the 2012-13 year.

“The number of people enrolled in KiwiSaver had reached 2.15 million members by the end of June this year, and it is especially pleasing to see that there was continued growth in membership across the population groups. Over half of the eligible population are now members and this included 72 per cent of 18 to 25 year olds”, says Mr McClay.

  • Todd McClay
  • Revenue

The Taxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances, and Remedial Matters) Bill has passed its First Reading. This omnibus tax bill proposes changes to bring greater clarity to the tax rules and fairness to businesses and other taxpayers.

Revenue Minister Todd McClay said the measures in this bill support the Government’s goal of establishing a well-targeted, responsive and efficient tax system, which is essential to New Zealand’s economic growth and prosperity.

  • Todd McClay
  • Revenue

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce today announced that 89 outstanding New Zealand students have been selected to study at top education institutions in Asia next year as part of the inaugural Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia.

Mr Joyce says the scholarships, which cover study periods from six weeks to two years, will enable undergraduate and postgraduate students to gain a deeper understanding of Asia.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Customs Minister Maurice Williamson announced today that super-yachts, yachts and other small craft visiting New Zealand can now stay for up to two years without paying Customs charges.

All goods coming into New Zealand, including yachts, are subject to duty and GST. Visiting yachts and small craft are granted a temporary entry to exempt owners from paying these charges if they aren’t used commercially or sold, and depart the country within the time period.

  • Maurice Williamson
  • Customs

A Bill modernising rules around Royal succession to the throne has passed its third and final reading in Parliament today.

The Royal Succession Bill puts in place changes that were agreed in 2011 by the 16 Realms who share the Queen as Head of State. All Realms, including New Zealand, must have the same succession laws.

“These changes are positive for New Zealand’s system of government. This Bill improves and modernises the rules of succession and helps ensure the monarchy remains relevant to our modern society,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Justice Minister Judith Collins has announced the reappointment of Hon Sir Hugh Williams QC as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission for a term of three years.

“Sir Hugh continues to provide the Commission with very able legal leadership and I’m pleased he has agreed to continue to serve in this important office,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Phil Goff is again misleading New Zealanders by creating a false picture of the state of the Defence Force, says Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Defence

Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson today announced Headlong Peak, in Mount Aspiring National Park, is to be renamed Mount Tewha.

The decision confirms a recommendation made by the New Zealand Geographic Board. The move will see the name Headlong Peak assigned to its true location, an unnamed feature just north-west of the soon-to-be renamed Mount Tewha.

  • Maurice Williamson
  • Land Information

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today commended DHBs for their dedication to patient safety.

“The Quality and Safety Markers released today show progress is being made in the use of interventions and practices known to reduce patient harm caused through falls, healthcare associated infections and surgery,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Baseline data was released in June 2013 by the Health Quality & Safety Commission, and this is the first quarterly report against those data.”

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Health

Trade Minister Tim Groser today welcomed the significant progress made during the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Ministerial meetings in Singapore over the last four days. 

  • Tim Groser
  • Trade

A Bill that will strengthen consumer rights, simplify business compliance and ensure consumer protections are clear and accessible has passed its third reading in Parliament today says Consumer Affairs Minister Craig Foss.

“The Consumer Law Reform Bill represents the most significant change to New Zealand’s consumer law in more than twenty years.

  • Craig Foss
  • Consumer Affairs

“Labour Revenue spokesman David Clark has issued possibly the worst press release in 50 years,” says Revenue Minister Todd McClay.

“David Clark’s overcooked and scattergun media statement today about supposed IT failings at Inland Revenue speaks volumes about his superficial understanding of Revenue issues”.

“He claims ‘the publication of inland Revenue’s annual performance measures is already one week overdue’.

“Wrong.

  • Todd McClay
  • Revenue

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata says the Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards 2013 has continued to profile high-achieving young Pacific people.

“I am proud of New Zealand’s Pacific youth and their achievements. Today, we see 7 vibrant and committed young people awarded for their endeavours in leadership, creativity, and aspiring to use new technologies to benefit others. I am delighted that we have four winners in the Inspiration category,” says Ms Parata.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Pacific Island Affairs

Justice Minister Judith Collins has announced Wellington lawyer John Edwards as the new Privacy Commissioner.

Mr Edwards will replace Ms Marie Shroff, CNZM, CVO who has completed two five year terms in the role.

“Mr Edwards’ public and private sector experience gives him a highly informed perspective on data privacy and data matching issues. He is an acknowledged privacy expert and has a broad, practical understanding of the Privacy Act,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson today announced his decision to assign Lake Te Kōhua, Mount Tūwhakarōria and Tapuae-o-Uenuku / Hector Mountains as official names for three alpine features in Central Otago.

The decision confirms recommendations made by the New Zealand Geographic Board.

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of a process that began in 2011, when I rejected the place name proposal Te Kōhua Peak.

  • Maurice Williamson
  • Land Information