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Prime Minister John Key has today acknowledged the passing of former National Party MP and Deputy Leader George Gair.

Mr Gair was a long-standing National MP and Senior Cabinet Minister who held the North Shore electorate from 1966 to 1990.  He also served as Deputy Leader of the National Party.

From 1991 to 1994 he represented New Zealand as High Commissioner in London, before returning to New Zealand where he served one term as Mayor of North Shore. 

Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna will visit New Zealand as part of the celebrations marking 50 years of the special relationship between our two countries, Prime Minister John Key says.

Prime Minister Puna arrives tonight ahead of a series of community and official engagements, including a meeting with Mr Key.

“It was my pleasure to attend the celebrations marking 50 years of Cook Islands self-government in free association with New Zealand in Rarotonga last week,” Mr Key says.

New Zealand will contribute up to $11.7 million towards rebuilding the Cook Islands’ national secondary school to mark 50 years of our association, Prime Minister John Key says.

Mr Key has led a delegation of Ministers, MPs and New Zealand-based Cook Islands community leaders to Rarotonga to take part in the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Cook Islands self-governance in free association with New Zealand.

On 4 August 1965 the Cook Islands became self-governing in free association with New Zealand.  Today marks the 50^th anniversary of that important occasion which is another major milestone in our unique and long-standing relationship, spanning over 100 years.  The visit to the Cook Islands by New Zealand Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key and his accompanying high-level delegation to celebrate this anniversary reflects the special nature of the relationship. 

Prime Minister John Key will attend Singapore’s National Day celebrations on 9 August, this year marking 50 years of Singaporean independence. 

He will also participate in events marking the 50th anniversary of New Zealand’s diplomatic relations with Singapore and the close ties between the two countries.

“New Zealand is honoured to be one of a small number of countries invited to celebrate this historic occasion in Singapore, acknowledging the close and warm friendship between our two nations,” Mr Key says.  

Prime Minister John Key has announced that Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of HRH The Prince of Wales to three honorary positions in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF):

• Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal New Zealand Navy
• Field Marshal, New Zealand Army
• Marshal of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

The New Zealand Defence Force will publicly recognise the honorary appointments when the Prince of Wales visits New Zealand this November.

Prime Minister John Key has today acknowledged the passing of respected businessman and philanthropist Sir John Todd.

Sir John chaired the Todd Corporation from 1987 to 2011. He was also a leading patron of the arts and chairman of the charitable Todd Foundation.

Sir John was knighted for his contributions to business in 2012, and was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key has announced further funding is now available to maintain and improve the premier rides on the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Applications are now open for the third round of funding available through the Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund ­— a Government initiative to maintain and enhance the quality of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Prime Minister John Key will lead a delegation to Rarotonga next week to celebrate the Cook Islands’ 50^th anniversary of self-government in free association with New Zealand.

“Fifty years ago, New Zealand and the Cook Islands entered into a unique bilateral relationship,” says Mr Key. 

“We welcome the opportunity to celebrate that and to reflect on an important partnership that is based on our shared values, history, and the positive contribution that Cook Islanders make to New Zealand.”

Prime Minister John Key today joined Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in signing a double tax agreement between New Zealand and Samoa.

“The signing of this double tax agreement is significant for our countries and will further strengthen the close relationship between New Zealand and Samoa,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key will join Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to witness the first All Blacks - Manu Samoa test match to be played on Samoan soil. 

“Samoa and New Zealand enjoy a special relationship, including a shared love of rugby, and I am delighted to be attending this historic event,” Mr Key says. 

“This visit provides an opportunity to not only recognise this huge occasion for Samoa, but also to build on talks Prime Minister Tuilaepa and I had in Apia last year on a range of political and economic issues.”

Prime Minister John Key welcomes today’s announcement that the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will visit New Zealand in November.

This will be the second joint visit for Their Royal Highnesses to New Zealand.

The Prince and The Duchess last visited in November 2012 to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

“We agreed then that future visits should occur more regularly than in the past, to build on the close and special links between New Zealand and Their Royal Highnesses.”

The Government is investing nearly $400,000 in six new projects to enhance and maintain the quality of the New Zealand Cycle Trail, Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key announced today. 

“This is the second round of funding available through the Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund and brings the total investment under the fund so far to $1.36 million,” says Mr Key.

Good afternoon. Thank you Peter for that warm welcome and for the Chamber’s hosting of this event.

It’s good to see so many of you here today.

Can I start by acknowledging Mayor Lianne Dalziel and other local body representatives from around the region.

Just as central government has to make some tough decisions and trade-offs, so too do councils as we work together to rebuild this city.

Together, we’re making significant progress. Although, of course, there is still much to do.

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the start of New Zealand’s month-long Presidency of the United Nations Security Council in New York.

Mr Key says New Zealand is committed to making its mark on the Council, and our first stint as President will allow us to build on the contribution we’ve made over the past six months.

“As President, New Zealand will have a central role in guiding Council consideration of key international security issues,” says Mr Key. 

A number of government policies that come into effect tomorrow will deliver real benefits to families, Prime Minister John Key says.

From tomorrow all children under 13 will have access to free GP visits and prescriptions.  

It is estimated that over 400,000 children will benefit from the scheme, taking the total number of children who are benefitting from free GP visits and prescriptions to over 750,000.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key has welcomed the announcement by Jetstar that the airline will expand its domestic network to regional New Zealand.

Jetstar announced today that from December it will fly to at least four regional locations, with Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Napier, Palmerston North, Nelson and Invercargill among the destinations under consideration.

“Today’s commitment is more good news for New Zealand and for the regions,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key has this morning expressed his deepest sympathies for the family, friends and supporters of Lecretia Seales who lost her battle with cancer.

“Cancer is a terrible disease for those who suffer it and it’s particularly hard on those who witness their loved ones eventually succumb to it,” says Mr Key

“My heart goes out to Lecretia’s family and friends.”

New Zealand has designated another terrorist group, Egypt-based Ansar Bayt al Maqdis, under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

“These designations help implement our international obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 aimed at preventing the activities of terrorists,” says Mr Key.

“The group has committed various terrorist acts, including the indiscriminate killing of civilians.

The National-led Government’s seventh Budget continues to support New Zealanders while responsibly managing the growing economy and the Government’s finances, Prime Minister John Key says.

In particular, it will deliver a $790 million package to help children living in some of New Zealand’s poorest families.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has today announced the Government is investing in two new tourism projects in Rotorua and Blenheim.

Through the Tourism Growth Partnership fund, the Government is investing $350,000 to support the development of a new spa complex on Rotorua’s lakefront, and $1.5 million to support a new exhibition at Blenheim’s Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.

“Tourism is a significant part of our economy and a major employer,” says Mr Key.

The Budget will include extra measures to ensure that people buying and selling residential property for profit – including overseas buyers – pay their fair share of tax, Prime Minister John Key says.

“People calling for a new capital gains tax often overlook the fact that under existing rules, anyone buying property with the intention of selling for a gain is liable for tax on that gain,” Mr Key told the National Party’s Lower North Island regional conference in Lower Hutt today.

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed news that New Zealanders will have a chance to see the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo live in Wellington.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo today announced that it will return to Westpac Stadium for the second time in its 65-year history, as part of the New Zealand Festival in 2016.

The Tattoo will showcase the talents of 1200 military and cultural performers from around the world, including our own kapa haka group, and winners of Te Matatini, Te Whānau a Apanui, and will include a moving tribute to our Anzac soldiers.

Prime Minister John Key today offered his congratulations to David Cameron on his re-election as British Prime Minister.

"I have sent David Cameron a brief message of congratulations, and hope to talk to him on the telephone over the next few days.  I will also be writing formally to him on behalf of the New Zealand Government," says Mr Key.