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Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says the latest release of information from the 2013 Census shows good growth in the regions.

Statistics New Zealand today published detailed population information about regional council, territorial authority, area unit and Auckland local board counts.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson today welcomed the early release of regional population information from the 2013 Census.

Statistics New Zealand has released detailed population information about regional council, territorial authority, area unit and Auckland local board counts.

“The release of this information comes two months ahead of schedule and provides insights into the population, which will help to inform decision making.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today announced that owners of retirement village units are now entitled to a better minimum payout following situations such as an earthquake.

Previously, a retirement village operator could deduct maintenance charges for future work on uninhabitable or destroyed homes from the owner’s original capital payment on the property. Under changes to the Retirement Villages Code of Practice 2008, which take effect today, this is no longer possible.

Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson today announced the recorded English names of the two main islands of New Zealand, the North Island and South Island, will be formalised.

The decision follows a recommendation from the New Zealand Geographic Board, which undertook extensive consultation this year.

“While these names appear in official publications, including maps and charts, they had been recorded names only and had no formal standing.

Customs Minister Maurice Williamson says on average 60,000 people a week are now using Customs’ automated passenger processing system.

SmartGate was introduced in 2009 and since its roll out in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch has been used by 6.7 million arriving and departing passengers.

“The original targets had SmartGate use reaching more than 60,000 users a week in 2015, so I’m delighted it has shattered all expectations. As more New Zealanders and Australians shift to ePassports we will see a further increase in usage.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today announced the appointment of Debra Hall to the Electrical Workers Registration Board for a term of two years.

“Ms Hall has extensive governance experience and has a record of success in business and management.  She has undertaken many research projects, with one of the main areas being how markets respond to deregulation.

“I’d like to thank outgoing member Penelope Mudford for her contribution to the board over the past six years,” Mr Williamson says.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today announced that 111 buildings have been cleared and a further 62 excluded in the review into buildings with non-ductile columns.

The review being led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment seeks to establish if there are any buildings with similar design flaws to the Canterbury Television Building, which collapsed in the February 22nd 2011 earthquake and killed 115 people.

Customs Minister Maurice Williamson today announced drugs worth tens of millions of dollars have been kept off the streets as a result of a seven month Customs operation targeting suspected psychoactive substances.

The Government has approved changes to the way the Rating Valuations Act 1998 applies to Christchurch City Council, enabling it to start a long awaited general revaluation later this year.

Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson says the council will be able to apply a modified method to conduct the revaluation.

“Values will be assessed from sales data, including where EQC and private insurance entitlements were assigned, and will not recognise the effects of physical earthquake damage on individual properties.

Customs Minister Maurice Williamson says Customs’ online duty and GST calculator is helping highlight the additional costs associated with online shopping, which many people are not aware of.

On average, 4,000 people a week are using the calculator on the What’s My Duty? website, and more than 2,100 people have downloaded the mobile app.

The Government has today agreed to a new Order in Council, under the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011, to ensure people continue to be protected from earthquake related hazards in Christchurch’s Port Hills.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says the latest geotechnical information confirms a level of risk from hazards, such as rock roll, still exists in the Port Hills.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today announced two reappointments to the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.

Peter Jackson and William Irvine have been reappointed for three year terms.

“Mr Jackson, who is registered as a certifying plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer, is the current deputy chair of the Board and its appointed representative to the World Plumbing Council.

Customs Minister Maurice Williamson today congratulated Customs following the nine year prison sentence handed down to a Hong Kong man caught importing a record haul of methamphetamine, or ‘P’.

“The sentencing of 31-year old Wai Hung Mak at Auckland District Court today sends a clear message that anyone coming to New Zealand solely for the purpose of bringing in drugs will not get away with it.”

Customs Minister Maurice Williamson says an operation targeting express delivery low value imports has found more than a quarter are undervalued and evading duty.

Operation Hilton II examined 2562 express consignments and found 733 consignments were above the low-value threshold.

“High value goods are being mis-described and undervalued to speed up border clearance and evade duty. A total of $158,000 in lost revenue has been collected as a result of this operation.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson has welcomed the passing of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Amendment Bill today.

The Amendment Bill validates a disciplinary levy and an offences fee charged by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board, and clarifies its authority to impose a disciplinary and prosecution levy.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today expressed his sorrow at the death of leading building industry figure, Bill Smith.

“The building and construction sector has lost one of its great visionaries and innovators.

“Following his early retirement as general manager of Tasman Insulation in 2008, a company he was involved with for more than 30 years, Bill became an advocate on industry matters to Government,” Mr Williamson says.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says a change to the way education property is disposed of will free up money to reinvest in new school property faster.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today announced two appointments to the Chartered Professional Engineers Council.

Anthony Wilson and Ross Tanner have been appointed for three years.

“Mr Wilson, who will replace Arthur O’Leary in October, will broaden the skills base of the Council from a local government and local regulatory perspective.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today announced the appointment of Euan Mac Kellar to the Registered Architects Board.

Mr Mac Kellar is a registered architect and partner with Jasmax Architects in Auckland, and is also an adjunct professor of design at the Unitec School of Architecture. He will replace Marshall Cook in December and has been appointed for a two year term.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says the appointment of Liz MacPherson as Government Statistician and Statistics New Zealand chief executive will continue a long history of official independent advice for the Government.

Ms MacPherson starts at Statistics New Zealand today following her role as deputy chief executive at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today announced appointments to the Building Practitioners Board.

“Christopher Preston has been appointed member and Deputy Chair, and Melbourne Orange has been appointed as a member. Both terms are for three years.

“Brian Nightingale and William Smith have been reappointed for two year terms,” Mr Williamson says.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says good progress has been made in the first year of a new commitment to producing the country’s most important statistics, called Tier 1 statistics.

In August 2012, the Cabinet agreed there should be 162 Tier 1 statistics, with the full list to be in place by 2016.

Statistics New Zealand now administers 101 Tier 1 statistics, 17 of which have been upgraded to the list in the past 12 months.

The Government has sounded a clear warning to distributors and retailers who deliberately, or otherwise, contravene recently enacted psychoactive substance laws.

The 28 day period for submitting licence applications under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 ended this week, with no products or retailers permitted in the market unless they have been granted an interim licence by the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority.

The Government has released an initial action plan from Doug Martin, the Crown Manager for Christchurch City Council’s building consenting functions.

“The Crown Manager’s terms of reference tasked him with providing an action plan within one month. The plan we have now received provides a comprehensive set of actions which will address issues ranging from systems and processes, to staff culture,” says Local Government Minister Chris Tremain.