Displaying 49 - 72 of 2741 results.

Minister of Science and Innovation Steven Joyce today released the final Business Case for the development and growth of Callaghan Innovation, New Zealand’s new innovation partner for Kiwi businesses, over the next three years.

Mr Joyce says the Business Case lays out how Callaghan will support New Zealand’s business and science sectors to be more innovative and competitive.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Science and Innovation

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says with 2013 drawing to a close it is timely to acknowledge the amount of work that has gone into preparation for the full-scale construction of central Christchurch’s anchor projects.

“Over 2013 work on many of the 17 Anchor Projects has ramped up, starting with the necessary planning, proposals and contracting,” Mr Brownlee says.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia announced today that the Smoke-free Environments (Tobacco Products and Packaging) Amendment Bill has been lodged with the Clerk of the House, ready for a first reading soon after Parliament resumes in the new year.

“I look forward to taking the legislation through its Parliamentary stages in 2014.  That will include a select committee phase and the opportunity for people to make submissions on the bill,” says Minister Turia.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Health

Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye today announced national guidelines for Volunteer Coordination in CDEM (civil defence emergency management) which provide advice to 16 regional CDEM groups.

“Volunteers provide valuable support to civil defence and are vital links to and within communities,” Ms Kaye says.

  • Nikki Kaye
  • Civil Defence

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced that a vaccine for rotavirus will be added to the National Immunisation Schedule.

“Rotavirus is a gastric infection which mainly affects children. It causes illness and diarrhoea that can lead to hospital admission. In severe cases, the infection can be fatal,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“It is estimated that by funding this vaccine up to 1200 hospital admissions could be avoided each year.

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Health

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.

  • John Key
  • Tourism
  • Prime Minister

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.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister
  • Tourism

Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Auckland Mayor Len Brown today announced the second batch of 11 Special Housing Areas (SHA) that will progressively bring to market more than 9,500 homes across Auckland.

  • Nick Smith
  • Housing

The Government is calling for submissions to update and help shape its National Drug Policy, Associate Minister of Health Todd McClay announced today.

The National Drug Policy aims to minimise the harm caused by tobacco, alcohol, illegal and other drugs by setting out coordinated and consistent action for government agencies and community groups to address the harm these substances can cause.

  • Todd McClay
  • Health

Record numbers of kiwi kids received a free B4 School Check (B4SC) from July to November this year – over 2700 more children than over the same period last year.

“More children than ever before are now receiving B4SCs to help identify any health or learning difficulties before  they start school,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

Associate Justice Minister Chester Borrows today announced the opening of applications to a new Government initiative that will make funding available for fresh new approaches to reducing offending by young people.

The new fund, part of the Government’s Youth Crime Action Plan, will provide grants to groups and organisations with innovative ideas for reducing youth crime.

“The way we work with communities on youth justice is a key part of the Action Plan,” says Mr Borrows.

  • Chester Borrows
  • Social Development
  • Justice

Key features of the Government’s alcohol reforms come into force this week and provide a strong platform to help drive change in New Zealand’s drinking culture, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

“For the first time in more than two decades the Government is acting to restrict, rather than relax, our drinking laws. These changes strike a sensible balance between curbing the harm alcohol abuse can cause, without penalising responsible drinkers.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Strengthening the focus on whānau, hapū and iwi, and consolidating Māori leadership, are the key principles underpinning the proposed new Māori Language Strategy which the Minister of Māori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples, has released today for consultation with Māori language stakeholders.

“Te reo Māori is the cornerstone of our Māori culture and identity. We must look to new approaches to continue our journey of language revitalisation in order for it to survive,” said Dr Sharples.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Māori Affairs

The Government today announced changes to the structure and level of support for overseas and New Zealand film and television productions to ensure the further development of New Zealand’s screen industry.

The new changes are designed to encourage the growth of mid-sized New Zealand-based productions that can compete successfully on the world stage; while also increasing the competitiveness of our incentives for international productions in the short to medium term.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Steven Joyce
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage
  • Economic Development

The Government today announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Lightstorm Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation that will see the next three Avatar films made in New Zealand.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister John Key, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson at Wellington alongside Avatar Director James Cameron, Producer Jon Landau, and Twentieth Century Fox Film co-President of Worldwide Theatrical Marketing and Distribution Paul Hanneman.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Steven Joyce
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage
  • Economic Development

Customs Minister Maurice Williamson has welcomed the discovery of $72 million of methamphetamine pre-cursor drugs at the Ports of Auckland.

Detectives from the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand, working with Customs Officers, yesterday intercepted 248 kilograms of pseudoephedrine and 16 kilograms of pure ephedrine when a shipping container arrived at the port.

Intelligence gathered from the 18 month long Operation Ghost, which terminated this month and saw $100 million in pre-cursor drugs seized, was critical in identifying the importation.

  • Maurice Williamson
  • Customs

A new era in workplace health and safety begins today with the opening of WorkSafe NZ, the new stand-alone Crown regulator dedicated to health and safety says Labour Minister Simon Bridges.

“Too many people are killed or seriously injured in our workplaces and the injury rate must come down,” says Mr Bridges.

“WorkSafe NZ has high targets and will work with other Government agencies, businesses, and workers to reduce the fatalities, serious injuries and illnesses caused in the workplace.”

  • Simon Bridges
  • Labour

The National Government is providing significant extra funds for extended family members caring for children, in recognition of the difficult job they do. 

Around 12,400 children are cared for by extended family and other carers.

“Some of these children have suffered abuse or neglect or the death of a parent and other family members who step in often find it both emotionally and financially challenging.

“I said this Government was committed to providing more support to grandparents and family carers and today I am announcing that support.”

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the findings from recent health research that hazardous drinking among young people is on the decrease.

The figures, contained in data released by the Ministry of Health from the New Zealand Health Survey 2012/13, showed a reduction in hazardous drinking by young people from 35 per cent in 2006/07 to 25 per cent in 2011/12.

  • Todd McClay
  • Health

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee today officially opened the 12.3 kilometre Ngaruawahia section of the Waikato Expressway, marking a significant milestone towards the completion of the transformational 102km road of national significance.

“This important section of road will encourage and support economic growth and productivity through improved linkages between the Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty regions, where the majority of the country’s freight and travel movement occurs,” Mr Brownlee says.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Transport

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today released the final report from Ernst & Young Australia on whether Chorus can deliver on its broadband contracts.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment commissioned Ernst & Young Australia to investigate Chorus’ capability to deliver on its Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) and Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) contractual commitments with the Government, in light of the Commerce Commission’s decisions on final wholesale prices for copper-based broadband services.

  • Amy Adams
  • Communications and Information Technology

The Crown has signed a deed of settlement for all outstanding historical Treaty claims with Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngā Pōtiki at Whareroa Marae near Tauranga, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The Crown was represented at the signing by Mr Finlayson. The signing was witnessed by local Member of Parliament Simon Bridges.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The Opposition will be disappointed by the provisional result of the share offer referendum in which less than 30 per cent of eligible voters turned out to oppose the Government’s share sales programme, Finance Minister Bill English says.

With a turnout of 44 per cent of eligible voters, 67 per cent voted to oppose the share sales and 32.5 per cent voted in favour of them.

  • Bill English
  • Finance

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has announced a new business visa policy to encourage migrants to set up high-quality businesses in New Zealand to help create local jobs and support economic growth.

“New Zealand needs to attract talented, enterprising, well-connected business people to invest and grow businesses in New Zealand,” Mr Woodhouse says.

  • Michael Woodhouse
  • Immigration