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Seniors Minister Maggie Barry says she is concerned older people in Auckland are worried and confused about the forthcoming changes to how the SuperGold Card travel concession works in the city.

Following an Auckland Transport decision to integrate the SuperGold Card with its HOP smartcard system from July 1, cardholders must have a HOP to continue to use their free travel concession.

A facility to research new methods of pest control opened at Lincoln University today will make a major contribution to the ongoing war against introduced predators, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

The facility, built by the DOC-backed initiative Zero Invasive Predators as part of an ongoing collaboration with Lincoln University, is an opportunity to research new ways to control possums, rats and stoats.

Te Whangai Trust from Waikato has today been announced as the Supreme Winner of the 2016 Green Ribbon Awards.

Now in their 26th year, the Green Ribbon Awards recognise exceptional environmental achievements by individuals and organisations around New Zealand. 

The Awards were presented at a Parliamentary function today, co-hosted by Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has presented New Zealand’s foremost botany award, the Loder Cup, to Neill and Barbara Simpson of Queenstown.

One of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, the Loder Cup recognises outstanding work to investigate, promote, retain and cherish the country’s incomparable native plant life.

“Neill and Barbara Simpson truly deserve to be honoured with the presentation of the cup at the Green Ribbon Awards tonight,” Ms Barry says.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says the newly named Queen Elizabeth II Pukeahu Education Centre will be an excellent home for education programmes at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.

“The War Memorial Park is a place where New Zealanders can learn about our nation’s involvement in war, honour those who fell and remember the impact of conflict throughout our history,” Ms Barry says.

Glenfern Sanctuary on Great Barrier Island has been bought for the public thanks to a joint bid backed by the Government, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

“I’m pleased to announce that after considerable negotiations the sale of the Glenfern property has been completed and its future is now secure,” Ms Barry says.

“I acknowledge the hard work of local MP Nikki Kaye, who has been strong advocate for the project and its benefits for Great Barrier Island.”

Two young kakapo will be returned to the species’ pest-free island sanctuaries on a special helicopter flight today, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

The chicks, Konini 2 and Wendy 2, will be flown back to Whenua Hou/Codfish Island from Invercargill, with Ms Barry and Ngāi Tahu representative Tane Davis as chaperones.

“This is a milestone not only for Konini and Wendy but for the entire recovery programme,” Ms Barry says,

An ant considered one of the most destructive invasive species in the world has been successfully eradicated from Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

“Tiritiri Matangi is one of the few places in the world where Argentine ants have been successfully eradicated, the culmination of 16 years of hard work by DOC staff and volunteers,” Ms Barry says.

New Zealand conservation will benefit from Budget 2016 with a wide range of funding commitments to protect native wildlife and landscapes, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

Suggestions from the Opposition and some NGOs there has been a cut in DOC’s budget are incorrect.

“In reacting to the Treasury documents released as part of Budget Day, the $472m figure for the final total Vote Conservation spend in 2015/16 has been compared with the starting figure for the Vote in 2016/17 - $430m.

Three major arts organisations will receive a funding boost in Budget 2016, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) and Te Matatini Kapa Haka Aotearoa will share $11.6 million of new operating funding over the next four years – a permanent increase of $2.9 million a year for the arts.

Budget 2016 provides $16 million of new operating funding over four years to tackle wilding conifers, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry say.

“These invasive trees are a major threat to our ecosystems, land and farms. They spread fast and are very hard to eradicate once established,” Mr Guy says.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has said bon voyage to the Million Dollar Mouse expedition sailing for Antipodes Island in the Sub-Antarctic on a mission to eradicate mice.

A supply ship leaves Timaru today carrying helicopters and equipment to join a passenger yacht already on its way. A 13-strong team of experts including pilots, engineers and eradication specialists are on board the two vessels.

One of New Zealand’s finest walks has been reopened on Great Barrier Island today, marking the end of work to restore damage caused by the June 2014 storm.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says the official reopening of the Aotea Track by local MP Nikki Kaye completes the Department of Conservation’s repair work on the island.

“The Aotea Track, which runs for 25km through the heart of the island, is one of Great Barrier’s major tourism draws and is important to its economy.”

A multi-million dollar fund set aside to support community conservation will open for a third round of applications on 23 May, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has announced.

The DOC Community Fund was set up in 2014 to distribute $26 million over four years to inspire and enable community-led conservation projects around New Zealand.

“This fund has made a big difference for many smaller groups who would have struggled to do their great work without some timely help,” Ms Barry says.

An eradication programme partly funded by the island’s part-owner Sir Michael Fay and involving DOC expertise has wiped out the population of introduced kiore, ship rats and feral cats.

“Sir Michael’s commitment to this project with DOC has produced a result that they could not have achieved working by themselves,” Ms Barry says.

“Forging a partnership with DOC’s scientific knowledge and the commitment of local volunteers has enabled the island to become a safe haven for native wildlife.”

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has congratulated the winners of a photo competition which challenged New Zealanders to define their modern Anzac Day experience.

Entries for the contest, run by the WW100 centenary programme, came from across the globe.

“From Gore to London, New Zealanders have taken some thought-provoking images which show what Anzac Day means a century on from the first Anzac Day services,” Ms Barry says.

The richness and diversity of modern New Zealand culture is reflected in the literature honoured at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2016, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says.

“From kiwis racing in the 1928 Tour de France to the complexities of Maori urban migration, the winning entries explore the diverse strands that combine to define us as New Zealanders.”

Ms Barry presented the four categories of Best First Book awards at tonight’s ceremony in Auckland.

Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry today announced the 2016 Green Ribbon Awards finalists to celebrate exceptional environmental achievements by New Zealanders.

“We are delighted to recognise these community groups, scientists, schools, councils and businesses for their innovation and achievements in the 26th annual Green Ribbon Awards,” Dr Smith says.

“This year we received a very commendable 106 nominations across the ten categories, with some projects making a positive difference over many years.

The largest pest control operation in New Zealand’s history will be launched this winter in response to a pest plague which threatens vulnerable native wildlife, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

Battle for our Birds 2016 will receive $20.7 million in new operating funding for 2015/16 from this month’s Budget, helping to fight back against an expected pest population boom caused by a heavy forest seeding, or mast.

The ASB Theatre in Blenheim will receive $1 million from the Government to assist with its development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has announced.

“This is an important project for Marlborough which until now has not received direct central Government support,” Ms Barry says.

“We recognise the need to help the efforts made by the community and council to make the theatre a sustainable prospect, and I’m pleased to announce our $1 million commitment today.”

A multi-million dollar fund to support regional cultural centres has been launched and opened for applications today by Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry.

The Regional Culture and Heritage Fund will be worth an average of $6.67 million a year.

A replacement and renaming of the former Regional Museums Policy, the RCHF is funded at the same level, but broadens its scope to include potential support for performing arts venues such as theatres and opera houses, heritage buildings with display collections and whare taonga.

A new online history launched today illuminates an often overlooked part of New Zealand’s First World War story, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says.

A joint effort between the State Services Commission and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, The Public Service At War tells the story of the service and sacrifice of government employees throughout the conflict.

New Zealand Music Month is a time to focus on the wealth of musical talent we have here in New Zealand, Broadcasting Minister Amy Adams and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry say.

“NZ Music Month as an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of all those who create, perform, record or promote New Zealand music.

“The success of NZ Music Month is in the wide support it receives, not only from the partnering organisations but also from New Zealand music labels, venues, media and the public,” says Ms Adams.

A kakapo chick rearing facility in Invercargill upgraded with the help of offenders carrying out community work is playing a vital role in the species’ recovery, Corrections Minister Judith Collins and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry say.

The most vulnerable kakapo chicks hatched during this year’s record breeding season are being hand-reared at the site, a converted building offered by the Invercargill City Council.

The centre is needed for chicks which have fallen ill, or were not putting on sufficient weight in the wild.