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Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the news of a planned visit to New Zealand by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in April next year.

“I am delighted New Zealand will have the opportunity to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who today confirmed they will visit Australia and New Zealand in April next year,” says Mr Key.

“It’s also anticipated Prince George will accompany his parents but a decision hasn’t been made on that yet and will be made in due course.”

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today announced the appointment of Richard Leggat as Chair of Nga Haerenga – the New Zealand Cycle Trail Incorporated (NZCT Inc.)

The Government recently created Nga Haerenga – the New Zealand Cycle Trail Incorporated, with all 23 Great Rides invited as members to be responsible for the governance and management of NZCT. 

“Mr Leggat will bring strong leadership skills, excellent relationship management and a highly collaborative approach to support the NZCT network and brand,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today announced the appointment of Jacqui Spice, Norm Thompson, and Chris Parkin as members of the New Zealand Tourism Board.

Jacqui Spice is the founder and Director of Touch of Spice Ltd, a New Zealand luxury travel and concierge company.  Ms Spice’s extensive experience in the luxury tourism and hospitality markets will be immensely valuable to the Board as Tourism New Zealand increases its focus on high-value visitors.

Prime Minister John Key will lead a small group of New Zealanders to pay respects to Nelson Mandela at his official memorial service in South Africa.

“Nelson Mandela was a global icon for freedom who united South Africans following apartheid,” says Mr Key.

“Madiba’s achievements demonstrate what can be attained through forgiveness and reconciliation. His vision for South Africa was one of freedom and equality. It remains an inspiration to the world.”

Prime Minister John Key today expressed his sadness at the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela.

“Nelson Mandela was an inspirational leader, and a remarkable man,” says Mr Key.

“On behalf of the New Zealand people and the Government, I would like to express my sincere condolences to both his family and all South Africans.

“For years he symbolised South Africa’s hope for a future free from apartheid.

“Mr Mandela was a force for change, not only in South Africa, but around the world.

Prime Minister John Key has today announced that Australia has invited New Zealand to participate in the 2014 G20 meetings during Australia’s year as Chair.

“Prime Minister Tony Abbott phoned me on Thursday to invite New Zealand to the G20 meetings next year and I warmly welcomed his invitation to take part,” says Mr Key.

“It is a testament to the Australia-New Zealand relationship, and a strong indicator of how the new Tony Abbott Government in Australia views New Zealand.”

Prime Minister John Key has today announced that over $3 million recovered under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act will be used to fund law enforcement initiatives to break the methamphetamine supply chain and expand alcohol and drug treatment programmes.

“When I launched the Methamphetamine Action Plan in 2009, we made a commitment that money taken from those who profit from drugs would be used to target the drug trade and help those affected by it to get treatment,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key met with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra late last night New Zealand time for talks focused on promoting trade and economic links between Thailand and New Zealand.

“My visit to Thailand follows Prime Minister Yingluck’s to New Zealand earlier this year. These high level meetings are extremely valuable, and we are committed to finding further opportunities to grow the relationship,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed a number of new business signings between New Zealand and Thai companies that will enhance the commercial links between the two countries.

Prime Minister John Key announced today that New Zealand is sending an RNZAF Hercules to contribute to relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.

The Prime Minister also announced the postponement of his visit to the Philippines.

“A visit next week would place undue pressure on the Philippines Government at a critical time of the relief and recovery phase.

“New Zealand knows from recent experience in Christchurch how demanding responding to a large-scale disaster is and we don’t wish to distract from these efforts.

Prime Minister John Key today announced the appointment of Rebecca Kitteridge to the position of Director of Security, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).

Prime Minister John Key will travel to Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting later this week, and then lead a business delegation to Thailand.

“New Zealand is an active member of the Commonwealth and a strong supporter of the values that bind the 53 member states,” says Mr Key.

“The Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting determines the Commonwealth’s activities and direction for the coming years, and is an opportunity to meet with leaders from countries that share a similar heritage.

Prime Minister John Key today announced he has decided Sir Douglas Graham KNZM will retain his knighthood following his conviction as a director of Lombard Finance.

Last week the Supreme Court turned down the application of Sir Douglas and his three fellow directors of Lombard Finance to appeal their convictions for making false statements in a company prospectus. The Court granted the directors leave to appeal their sentences.

Good afternoon, it’s great to be here today.

I want to thank the Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce for hosting this event.

And I want to congratulate Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown on her recent re-election, as well as Fran Wilde and all the other successful local body candidates in the region.

I’m sure we will continue the constructive relationship we enjoy with Wellington City and the other councils in the region.

Prime Minister John Key told a Wellington business audience today that construction on Transmission Gully will start in the second half of next year.

“The preferred bidder is expected to be announced early next year -- at this stage the indication is February -- and construction is expected to start in the second half of the year,” Mr Key told the Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce.

Prime Minister John Key says thousands more young New Zealanders have access to support services in schools and the community, following the launch of his Youth Mental Health Project in April last year.

The $62 million four-year project, which has recently been expanded from 22 to 26 initiatives, is bringing social services together across the health and social sector, communities, schools and online. It is designed to help young people who have, or may develop, mild to moderate mental health issues.

Prime Minister John Key today announced John Banks’ Ministerial portfolios will be given to Bill English and Steven Joyce.

Bill English will be Minister for Regulatory Reform and Steven Joyce will be Minister for Small Business, following the resignation of John Banks as a Minister yesterday.

Mr Banks’s Associate Minister responsibilities will revert to the portfolio Ministers.

Prime Minister John Key today unveiled how the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct to be constructed in central Christchurch will look.

The precinct will cost in the region of $300 million and be the first major public building to be built in Christchurch since the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. It also forms part of the Government’s blueprint for the central city rebuild.

Prime Minister John Key today announced that he has accepted John Banks’ offer to resign as a Minister.

“I have spoken to Mr Banks this afternoon following the Auckland District Court’s decision that he should stand trial for alleged fraud over his electoral returns following a private prosecution,” Mr Key says.

“Mr Banks indicated to my Chief of Staff late last week that in the event the Judge ruled against him, he would tender his resignation as a Minister,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister John Key has congratulated New Zealand author Eleanor Catton on winning the Man Booker Prize for her novel The Luminaries, announced in London today.

“This is a hugely significant achievement on the world stage for a New Zealander,” Mr Key says.

“It is made even more extraordinary by the fact that Eleanor Catton, at 28 years of age, is the youngest ever author to receive the prize, and The Luminaries is only her second novel.

The Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today announced the appointment of Mike O’Donnell as a member of the New Zealand Tourism Board.

Mr O’Donnell is the Chief Operating Officer for Trade Me, New Zealand’s largest online business; a business columnist; and Chairman of Positively Wellington Tourism.

Mr O’Donnell is resigning his Chairmanship to take up his position on the New Zealand Tourism Board.

Good evening and thank you for inviting me to be here.

It’s always a pleasure to address the RSA National Council and to thank you for the work that you do.

New Zealanders are extremely grateful for the contribution our veterans have made to our peace, our freedom and our security.

Ex-servicemen and women hold a special status in the hearts of New Zealanders.

We, the Leaders of Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam, are pleased to announce today that our countries are on track to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. Ministers and negotiators have made significant progress in recent months on all the legal texts and annexes on access to our respective goods, services, investment, financial services, government procurement, and temporary entry markets. We have agreed that negotiators should now proceed to resolve all outstanding

Prime Minister John Key has today announced Maxine Simmons’ term on the APEC Business Advisory Council has been extended through to March 2014.

Ms Simmons is the Managing Director of BioCatalyst Ltd and been an APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) member since 2010.

“The extending of Ms Simmons term allows ABAC to retain her extensive skills for the upcoming APEC meeting and for the first ABAC meeting of 2014 in Auckland,’’ says Mr Key.

Mr Key also announced the appointment of Katherine Rich to ABAC from March 2014.