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Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the investment of more than $2.4 million to help unlock the science and innovation potential of Māori knowledge, resources, and people.

Eighteen programmes will receive $2,425,772 in funding from the Te Pūnaha Hihiko Vision Mātauranga (VM) Capability Fund, administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, with decisions informed by an independent assessment panel of experts.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Science and Innovation

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced funding of up to $804 million over ten years for the second tranche of New Zealand’s National Science Challenges.

The ten National Science Challenges were announced in May, and funding for the first three Challenges was released in October. 

The remaining seven Challenges and their funding levels are:

  • Steven Joyce
  • Science and Innovation

The Government’s sound policies are building a faster-growing economy, with annual growth moving ahead of Australia and supporting more jobs and higher incomes, Finance Minister Bill English says.

Statistics New Zealand today reported gross domestic product expanded by 1.4 per cent in the September quarter, the largest quarterly increase since December 2009.

This took annual growth – from the September quarter 2012 to the September quarter 2013 - to 3.5 per cent. Average annual growth was 2.6 per cent.

  • Bill English
  • Finance

Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today announced that Project Management Company MWH (New Zealand) had been awarded the contract to manage the minor repairs programme for 3600 earthquake damaged Christchurch state houses with less than $40,000 worth of damage.

“The awarding of this contract is an important step towards the goal of having all 5000 earthquake damaged Housing New Zealand homes fixed and another 700 built by the end of 2015,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Housing

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows today announced the expansion of education services in youth justice residences, to provide on-going education over the summer break.

Up until now, schools at residences followed the standard term breaks of any other school. Now, there will be structured educational programmes except for two weeks over Christmas.

  • Chester Borrows
  • Hekia Parata
  • Social Development
  • Education

New Zealand will maintain its current level of support for international efforts in Afghanistan until December 2014, the Government says.

Twenty seven New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel are currently deployed in behind-the-wire roles based in Kabul, including at the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) headquarters, ISAF Special Operations Forces headquarters, and Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA).

  • Murray McCully
  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Defence
  • Foreign Affairs

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today welcomed the resumption of the online publication of key Disputes Tribunal decisions.

“My number one goal as Minister for Courts has been to bring our courts and tribunals into the 21st century, and putting Disputes Tribunal decisions back online is another step on that journey,” says Mr Borrows.

  • Chester Borrows
  • Courts

Commerce Minister Craig Foss today announced the reappointment of John Lumsden as Chair of the Standards Council, and the reappointment of six members.

The reappointed members are Dr Sharon Kletchko, Fay Sowerby, Richard Gibbons, John Hannah, Vaughan Renner and Michael Wallmannsberger.

  • Craig Foss
  • Commerce

Commerce Minister Craig Foss today announced the reappointments of Dr Mark Berry as Chair and Sue Begg as Deputy Chair of the Commerce Commission.

“These reappointments will maintain continuity in the leadership of the Commerce Commission. This is particularly important as the Commission prepares to implement significant reforms in competition, consumer credit and consumer laws, as well as further progress a comprehensive regulatory work programme,” says Mr Foss.

  • Craig Foss
  • Commerce

Broadcasting Minister Craig Foss today announced the appointment of Donna Grant to the board of New Zealand On Air.

Ms Grant is currently national director of the National Institute of Performing Arts Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. She is also executive director of the Manaakitanga Aotearoa Charitable Trust, a private training establishment.

“Donna’s considerable governance experience gained from serving on community, sports and Māori performing arts boards will add depth and useful perspective to the board” Mr Foss says.

  • Craig Foss
  • Broadcasting

Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, New Zealand’s Minister of Defence and his Australian counterpart, Senator David Johnston, met today in Auckland for the annual Australia-New Zealand Defence Ministers’ meeting.

Both Ministers reiterated the importance and mutual benefit of a close bilateral defence partnership.  Senator Johnston was pleased to affirm the new Government’s strong commitment to this close bond.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Defence

Health Minister Tony Ryall says revised clinical guidelines released today will make it easier for New Zealanders to find out if they are at risk of developing heart disease or diabetes.

“Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes, are the leading cause of death in New Zealand. And diabetes is one of the fastest growing long-term conditions in the country,” says Mr Ryall.

“The earlier heart disease, pre-diabetes or diabetes are detected, the sooner that people can make healthy changes to their lifestyles.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

ACC Minister Judith Collins is encouraging all New Zealanders to take extra care during the holiday season, at home and on the water.

Between December 25 and January 2, ACC received around 36,500 Christmas-related injury claims, costing levy payers around $24 million to date.

“Seemingly harmless activities such as setting up and taking down Christmas trees and lights can prove risky. Small things such as following the three-points-of-contact rule when using a ladder can help reduce the risk,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • ACC

High demand for the Government’s Apprenticeship Reboot means the Government has decided to add another 4000 places on top of the 10,000 already funded, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says.

The $31.2 million Apprenticeship Reboot was announced in January by Prime Minister John Key, as part of an overhaul of the apprenticeship scheme to get more apprentices qualified and more in priority trades.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced that the Government has passed new regulations on hand-held high-power laser pointers.

“High-power laser pointers can cause eye injuries, even blindness, and skin burns. ACC accepts around 10 claims a year for these injuries,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“They can also cause temporary flash blindness, which poses a serious risk if the person affected is a pilot or in charge of a vehicle or equipment. The Civil Aviation Authority reports around 100 laser strike incidents on planes each year.

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Health

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of general practice teams, more New Zealanders are getting checks for diabetes and heart disease, more babies are being immunised, and more people are getting help to quit smoking.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says the latest national primary health care target results released today, show general practice teams are focused on improving the health of New Zealanders.

“28 out of 36 Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) have achieved or exceed the new immunisation target of 90 per cent,” says Mr Ryall.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman is holding bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart, Senator David Johnston in Auckland today.

“New Zealand has a strong defence relationship with Australia, and I look forward to working closely with Senator Johnston,” says Dr Coleman.

“As part of our bilateral meeting, we will be discussing the current security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as identifying areas where New Zealand and Australia can further develop our practical defence co-operation.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Defence

Commerce Minister Craig Foss has released the second set of draft regulations to bring the Financial Markets Conduct (FMC) Act 2013 into effect.

“The FMC Act governs how financial products are promoted and sold and contributes to the Government’s Business Growth Agenda to build New Zealand’s capital markets and drive business growth,” says Mr Foss.

  • Craig Foss
  • Commerce

I would like to acknowledge all the dignitaries from your communities tonight. I would also like to mihi to Ben Makisi and to my friend Arthur Anae and to Carmel Sepuloni. To the Director of Health from Fiji, Hilda Fa’asalele and to Cathy O’Malley. Also to the wonderful band.

Thank you to Fuimaono Karl for your warm welcome tonight.   I have to say, I have always liked your style. I am not really known for my style. Style is what tonight is all about.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Health

Results from the first end of year pay for schools show the good progress that has been made this year in stabilising Novopay, Minister Responsible for Novopay Steven Joyce says.

The Government today released the report on complaints and notifications in regards to Pay Period 19 of the schools’ payroll.

Pay Period 19, which was the largest school pay of the year, paid 92,086 people a total of $221.89 million on the morning of 11 December.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Education

Revenue Minister Todd McClay has said that more time will be given to prepare for the introduction of reforms to the child support scheme.

  • Todd McClay
  • Revenue

Health Minister Tony Ryall was today joined by Prime Minister John Key to announce the main construction contract for Burwood Hospital’s multi-million dollar redevelopment has been signed today and construction will start in the New Year.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Amy Adams and Christchurch MP Nicky Wagner were also at today’s signing of the construction contract.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

The Government’s programme to build a faster-growing economy with more jobs and rising incomes is delivering positive results, Finance Minister Bill English says.

  • Bill English
  • Finance

Two new specialist research institutes are being established at Victoria University of Wellington to take up some of the fundamental science work previously conducted by Callaghan Innovation, as part of Callaghan’s move to focus on more near-to-market research for Kiwi firms.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Science and Innovation