Displaying 121 - 144 of 2741 results.

New proposals to increase the monetary threshold of Disputes Tribunals will allow more people to resolve common disagreements over issues such as goods, services and property damage more quickly and easily.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the proposals will allow Disputes Tribunals to deal with claims of $30,000 or less. Currently, individuals and businesses with civil claims can go to a Disputes Tribunal if the disputed amount is $15,000 or less; or up to $20,000 if all parties agree.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully is calling on all parties to respect the democratic process in Thailand after the government announced an early election.

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, yesterday dissolved parliament and called for an election following a month of often violent protests.

Mr McCully welcomed the move to ease tensions.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia is extremely pleased at the 2013 Census results that show that the number of smokers in New Zealand has dropped by nearly a quarter since the 2006 Census. Statistics New Zealand released the results today which also show that smoking prevalence amongst Maori has dropped from 42.2% in 2006 to 32.7% in 2013.

The total number of adults smokers in New Zealand numbers 463,000 representing a drop of 23% from 598,000 at Census 2006. There are now 702,000 people who say they have given up smoking.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Health

A new cardiac procedure for people whose blood pressure remains high even when on blood pressure lowering medicines will be part of a $1.2 million two year trial starting early next year.

“The trial uses renal denervation, a half-hour procedure that ‘zaps’ the nerves to the kidney to reduce blood pressure,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

“While this new treatment is still in its very early stages, it shows considerable promise for lowering blood pressure and in turn lowering the risk of heart attacks, heart disease and stroke.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain today announced the 2013 appointments to the two bodies that support the National Library of New Zealand.

“I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Helen Walker as a Member of the Guardians Kaitiaki of the Alexander Turnbull Library for a further term. Helen will continue to bring financial knowledge and general governance expertise to the Guardians Kaitiaki,” says Mr Tremain.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Internal Affairs

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has announced that the new Chief of Defence Force will be Major General Tim Keating.

Currently the Vice Chief of Defence Force, Major General Keating will be promoted to Lieutenant General and will take over from Lieutenant General Rhys Jones on 1 February 2014 for a three year term.

“I congratulate Major General Keating on his new appointment as Chief of Defence Force,” says Dr Coleman. “I would also like to thank outgoing Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jones for his service to New Zealand.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Defence

Cabinet has approved new regulations for mining health and safety, as part of the Government’s response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy.

Labour Minister Simon Bridges says the new regulations will see significant changes to the health and safety regime of New Zealand’s mining industry.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Labour

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today announced more than two-thirds of the structures part of a review into buildings with non-ductile columns have been cleared or excluded.

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

  • Maurice Williamson
  • Building and Construction

Talofa lava, Kia orana, Mālō e lelei, Ni sa bula vinaka, Taloha ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, and greetings to you all.

Welcome everyone to the New Zealand Early Childhood Education and Care conference, organised in cooperation with the OECD.

I wish to extend a warm welcome, in particular, to all the OECD representatives and partner countries who have travelled a long way to be here today - it is a great pleasure to welcome you to New Zealand.

I’m delighted to be here and to give some opening comments to this conference.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

Trade Minister Tim Groser welcomes the conclusion of the WTO Bali package reached at the 9th World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Bali, Indonesia.

Speaking at the end of the four day biennial conference Mr Groser says, “It’s a modest deal but one well worth having at this time.”

“Although the Bali outcomes provided limited direct benefits for New Zealand, the cost of failure at Bali would have been very significant for the international trading system,” says Mr Groser.

  • Tim Groser
  • Trade

A new Conservation Park on Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf is being formally notified for nationwide submissions.

“The Department of Conservation has reported to me on this new park proposal put forward by Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye. This discussion document provides DOC’s analysis on the proposal and is an opportunity for the public to have a say,” Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Conservation

Broadcasting Minister Craig Foss will visit Beijing next week to progress a China-NZ television co-production agreement.

Mr Foss will be hosted by Minister of the State General Administration for Press, Publication, Radio and Television, Mr Cai Fuchao to discuss the television co-production agreement under negotiation.

“I look forward to meeting with my Chinese counterparts and exploring the opportunities available to both NZ and China in the television co-production space.

  • Craig Foss
  • Broadcasting

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.”

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Today, Education Minister Hekia Parata met with Christchurch’s mayor Hon Lianne Dalziel to brief her on the 10 year programme of restoring and renewing schools in greater Christchurch following the earthquakes.

“This was a great opportunity to go through the details of the Government’s investment in 115 greater Christchurch schools set out in the final Business Case released in November,” says Ms Parata.

That includes:

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today, on Safe Sleep Day, welcomed a decline in sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).

“In 2012 there were 36 SUDI cases, down from 55 in 2008,” says Mrs Goodhew. The last decade has seen a significant decline in the rate of SUDI.

“Research has found the risk of SUDI can be decreased with safe sleep practices. This includes putting babies to sleep on their back, keeping bedding away from their face and making sure their rooms are smokefree.

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Health

Education Minister Hekia Parata met with the Phillipstown Board of Trustees and Principal today to further discuss the on-going consultation process on the proposed merger with Woolston, following the High Court ruling on the judicial review brought by Phillipstown.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the NZDF has officially received 40 new Medium-Heavy Operational Vehicles at a handover ceremony in Auckland today, just seven months after they were purchased.

“The new Rheinmetall-MAN military medium and heavy vehicles are a significant step up in capability for the NZDF, replacing the old Unimog and Mercedes trucks. They are designed for modern military operations and offer better mobility, better protection, enhanced technology, and greater capacity.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Defence

Acting Minister for Climate Change Issues Simon Bridges today announced decisions to restrict the use of some types of Kyoto Protocol emission units within New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme. 

“Decisions in the international climate change negotiations in Doha last year, including restrictions on New Zealand’s ability to trade any international Kyoto units after 2015, and the lack of action on international markets at the recent Warsaw negotiations, have contributed to uncertainties within Kyoto markets,” Mr Bridges says.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Climate Change Issues

Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse is urging drivers to put their cell phones away after a survey of 29,000 moving vehicles found one in every 40 drivers using a cell phone.

The Ministry of Transport survey found half of those using a cell phone while driving had a phone held to their head and the other half appeared to be texting.

  • Michael Woodhouse
  • Transport

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced that the New Zealand Artificial Limb Board is changing its name.

“The organisation will now be known as the New Zealand Artificial Limb Service,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“The name change comes after a review found that many people thought the organisation was only an administrative or governing body.

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Senior Citizens

Commerce Minister Craig Foss today announced the appointment of Jane Taylor as a member of the External Reporting Board (XRB) for a five year term.

“Jane Taylor has worked in various industries across the public and private sector and her blend of legal, financial and governance experience will be particularly valuable to the XRB as it continues to develop our financial reporting framework under the Financial Reporting Act 2013,” says Mr Foss.

Ms Taylor is succeeding Ralph Simpson who has resigned from the Board.

  • Craig Foss
  • Commerce

Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today welcomed the release of the Land Use Recovery Plan by Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.

“Christchurch faces a unique set of housing challenges from the damage of tens of thousands of homes in the earthquakes, the demand for temporary accommodation while homes are fixed, and the influx of rebuild workers needing accommodation. These factors have put significant pressure on both Canterbury’s rental and home ownership markets,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Housing

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the creation of the Land Use Recovery Plan (LURP) will go a long way towards easing housing pressures, with new options for development across greater Christchurch.

“The LURP provides certainty across the community, informing land owners, infrastructure providers and others by outlining new areas that can be developed for new housing and businesses,” Mr Brownlee says.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

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.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister