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Disability Issues Minister Nicky Wagner says her meeting with Australian counterpart Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield in Melbourne was an opportunity to discuss issues of common interest, including enabling disabled people to get into work and providing ch

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner acknowledged the valuable assistance the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) Detector Dog Breeding and Training Centre has provided New Zealand Customs, on a visit to the Centre in Melbourne.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says a meeting with Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Hon Peter Dutton, in Canberra has further strengthened the valuable relationship between New Zealand Customs and the Australian Customs and Bord

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says the relationship between NZ Customs and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service will be further strengthened by the exchange of officers based in New Zealand and Australia’s targeting centres.

“In June a senior Customs operations analyst will take up a liaison role based at Australia’s National Border Targeting Centre, and a similar Australian appointment will be based at our Integrated Targeting Operations Centre (ITOC) in Auckland later this year,” Ms Wagner says.

Customs Minister and Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner will travel tomorrow to Australia to visit her counterparts and foster trans-Tasman cooperation across both portfolios.

“New Zealand Customs and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service enjoy a strong relationship and work collaboratively to ensure effective border management in both countries,” Ms Wagner says.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says the 2014-2015 summer season saw record numbers of passengers and goods cross New Zealand’s border.

Disability Issues Minister Nicky Wagner says World Autism Awareness Day is an opportunity to celebrate people with Autism Spectrum Disorder while highlighting ways to improve their quality of life.

“The theme for this World Autism Awareness Day is Employment. The skills, knowledge and unique perspectives of people with ASD that can be brought to the work place are great assets we can make better use of,” Ms Wagner says.

Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner today encouraged nominations to the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Board to help NZSL users reach their potential.

“New Zealand Sign Language is one of our three official languages and is used by over 20,000 people throughout the country. The establishment of the Board is an opportunity to promote and maintain the use of NZSL,” Ms Wagner says.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner today welcomed the renewal of the Customs Import and Export Prohibitions (CIPO and CEPO) on toothfish, restricting toothfish imports and exports for another three years.

“The renewal of restrictions on importing and exporting toothfish ensures effective controls are in place to protect this deep water species,” Ms Wagner says.

“New Zealand is a party to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources that seeks to halt the decline of toothfish stocks.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner today welcomed the completion of more than a year’s worth of cleaning and rehabilitation of the Ōtākaro/Avon River.

“The in-river works, which finished this week, mean fish are flourishing, water is flowing faster and the riverbed is cleaner,” Ms Wagner says.

“The work has also had an immediate tourism benefit, as deepening the riverbed in some areas has allowed Christchurch’s iconic punts to extend their river route and travel upstream even at low water levels during summer.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner is welcoming the opportunity to speak directly with Christchurch residents about their thoughts on the future of Victoria Square.

“Community events are being hosted at Victoria Square where the public can come along and share their thoughts and ideas on the future of the Square,” Ms Wagner says.

“The events provide an opportunity for the public to meet the project team face-to-face, offer their ideas and have any questions answered.

Disability Issues Minister Nicky Wagner says the Government wants to hear from families, children and service providers involved with supporting disabled children, as part of a review of the system for voluntary out-of-home placements.

“All parents want what is best for their children. In a small number of cases severely disabled children, who can no longer be cared for at home, are cared for in voluntary out-of-home placements. This review is about ensuring that the needs of the child always come first,” Ms Wagner says.

Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner today welcomed the interest shown in community conservation through the large number of nominations for Conservation Boards in 2015.

“This year we have received an overwhelming 142 nominations for the 36 public vacancies available on 14 conservation boards around New Zealand,” Ms Wagner says.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says that a new state of the art drug analyser funded by proceeds of crime has made finding drugs at the border easier and safer during the first six months of use.

Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Nicky Wagner says hundreds of people have given their opinion on the six short-listed Canterbury Earthquake Memorial designs and the public have until Sunday 15 March to provide further feedback.

“Now is the time for people to tell us which design they think best honours the victims, those who suffered, and those who helped,” Ms Wagner says.

“The designs have been on display since 24 February on the walkway beside the Canterbury Museum in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, as well as online.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner says the public will get a chance to have its say on the future of Victoria Square, part of the Te Papa Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct.

“We all care about the future of Victoria Square and I want to make sure that the people of Christchurch can have their say to ensure the Square best reflects the community’s needs,” Ms Wagner says.

Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner, met with Christchurch employers today to discuss how best to get more disabled people into work, as part of the early stages of an employment pilot scheme for disabled people and people with health conditions.

“As Minister for Disability Issues, the message I am getting loud and clear is that disabled people want to have a job to support themselves and their families, just like all New Zealanders,” Ms Wagner says.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner today released a discussion paper proposing changes to the Customs and Excise Act.

“Customs’ core roles will remain the same – protecting the border, facilitating trade and travel, and collecting Crown revenue. The review will ensure the legislation governing Customs is fit for purpose,” Ms Wagner says.

“The Government initiated the review of the Customs and Excise Act due to the legislation’s inability to efficiently respond to changes in technology and business practice.

Associate Minister of Conservation Nicky Wagner is reminding all travellers that wildlife crime is serious and they should think twice before purchasing any wildlife products or souvenirs overseas.

Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner today acknowledged the life-changing contribution made by disability groups as she joined the Blind Foundation for their 125^th anniversary celebrations at Government House.

“Many disability sector organisations have a long history of service both to disabled people and to their families. This year two notable disability groups – CCS Disability Action and the Blind Foundation – are celebrating important milestones,” Ms Wagner says.

Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner says the extension of the CapTel relay service increases choice for hearing impaired or deaf people to make phone calls and live an ordinary life.

“Speaking with friends and family across the country on the telephone is an important part of many of our lives and is often done late in the day after work. The extension of CapTel provides greater choice for those who need assistance to make these important calls,” says Ms Wagner.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says promoting voluntary compliance at the border is helping Customs track ahead of Treasury’s forecast revenue and saving traders money.

“Helping importers and excise payers improve data integrity and avoid administrative penalties is a win-win for taxpayers and businesses. Revenue is being raised ahead of forecast and traders are avoiding costly penalties,” Ms Wagner says.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says a crackdown on an international drug ring is a great example of how overseas agencies working together can protect each other’s borders.

“The global drug trade causes immense harm to communities and the Government is committed to working with agencies around the world to combat it at the border,” Ms Wagner says.

“Last week, a joint operation between Shenzhen Customs, Hong Kong Customs and the Australian Federal Police resulted in a 106 kilogram methamphetamine seizure and seven arrests.

Six short-listed designs for the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial have been released for public input today.

The Memorial will honour the victims of Canterbury’s earthquakes and acknowledge the suffering of all those who lived through them as well as the heroism of those who participated in the rescue and recovery operations.

More than 330 submissions were received from 37 countries after designs were sought by the Government, Christchurch City Council and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.