Displaying 145 - 168 of 2470 results.

New Zealand has led a joint diplomatic protest over Japan’s decision to resume whaling in the Southern Ocean, Prime Minister and Acting Foreign Minister John Key says.

“New Zealand and other concerned countries today sent a strong message to the Japanese Government over its resumption of whaling in the Southern Ocean, delivering a formal message in Tokyo expressing their opposition.

  • John Key
  • Foreign Affairs

Courts Minister Amy Adams today announced that Cabinet has agreed to the strengthening and restoration of Dunedin’s historic courthouse.

“The Dunedin courthouse is one of New Zealand’s most notable historic buildings and Cabinet’s decision reflects its significance, both as a part of the city’s rich cultural heritage and its importance to the region’s legal fraternity,” Ms Adams says.

  • Amy Adams
  • Courts

With a week to go until submissions close, Education Minister Hekia Parata  is encouraging all those with an interest in education to have say on the update of the 1989 Education Act.

“Already 356 submissions have been received and I’m expecting to see many more in the coming days. The Act sets the legislative framework for education and it is vital that it is creates an environment that helps all children and young people to succeed educationally,” says Ms Parata.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

Prime Minister and Acting Foreign Minister John Key has announced Tim Groser as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States.

“New Zealand’s relationship with the United States is one of our most crucial,” Mr Key says.

“As the world’s largest economy and New Zealand’s fourth-largest trading partner, the United States is a key destination for our exporters. New Zealand and the United States also cooperate on a range of international peace and security issues.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister
  • Foreign Affairs

Prime Minister John Key today announced that Tim Groser has been appointed New Zealand's Ambassador to Washington and will take up the post early in 2016.

Mr Groser will resign from Cabinet on Monday 14 December, enabling him to fulfil his responsibilities as Climate Change Issues Minister at the current COP21 meeting in Paris.

Mr Groser will resign from Parliament effective from 19 December, and will be replaced in the House by Maureen Pugh from the West Coast. Ms Pugh will be sworn in as a new Member of Parliament when the House resumes in February 2016.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett and Salvation Army Territorial Commander Commissioner Robert Donaldson have announced the Government and The Salvation Army will work together to provide more social housing for vulnerable Aucklanders.

As announced by Mrs Bennett today, a request for more social housing from the community housing sector in Auckland is expected to deliver over 500 new places, with 87 places provided by The Salvation Army.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Housing

Community Housing Providers will deliver over 500 new social housing places in Auckland, well in excess of the 300 target, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) will contract with five registered Community Housing Providers to deliver 508 new social housing places over the next three years. $10 million in up-front funding will be provided to support costs related to bringing the supply on stream.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Housing

A leap forward in the use of existing tax data means Statistics New Zealand has been able to halve the number of businesses being surveyed for important economic information, Minister of Statistics and for Small Business Craig Foss says.

Until now, 1800 businesses around the country have been surveyed for the manufacturing, wholesale trade, and services information.

But an improved survey design made possible by better use of existing tax data means that number has been trimmed to 900.

  • Craig Foss
  • Statistics
  • Small Business

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce today announced nine appointments to three tertiary education institution councils.

“I am pleased to welcome high-calibre council appointees into their new roles. I also welcome the reappointment of a number of council members in recognition of the high-quality governance they have been providing to these institutions,” Mr Joyce says.

“I also wish to recognise the valuable contribution made by outgoing council members and to thank them for their service.”

  • Steven Joyce
  • Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss is welcoming changes that will provide more support, and more services, to more veterans than ever before.

The Veterans’ Independence Programme (VIP), established under the Veterans’ Support Act 2014, begins on 7 December 2015. The VIP allows Veterans’ Affairs to offer a range of support and assistance designed to help veterans maintain their independence in their own home.

  • Craig Foss
  • Veterans’ Affairs

Supermarkets will be able to sell low and non-alcohol beer alongside regular beer under a new Bill introduced to Parliament by Justice Minister Amy Adams.

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Display of Low-alcohol Beverages and Other Remedial Matters) Amendment Bill 2015 makes two minor technical changes to New Zealand’s alcohol legislation.

Under the 2013 alcohol reforms, alcohol displays and promotions can only be in a single area in supermarkets and grocery stores, to help limit how much shoppers are exposed to them.

  • Amy Adams
  • Justice

ACC Minister Nikki Kaye today announced the release of a discussion paper on the proposed Accident Compensation Appeal Tribunal.

“After listening to stakeholders’ concerns, the Government agreed in June 2015 to review the decision to establish a stand-alone tribunal. This was to take into account work ACC has been doing to resolve accident compensation disputes early on, to consider different options for dealing with accident compensation appeals, and to allow for targeted consultation with key stakeholders,” says Ms Kaye.

  • Nikki Kaye
  • ACC

Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner has this weekend celebrated the Nature Heritage Fund’s significant contribution to conservation over the past 25 years, at a special ceremony held at Hakatere, Ashburton Lakes, in Canterbury.

“Over the past quarter of a century, the Fund has protected more than 340,000 hectares of critically important eco-systems including forests, wetlands and tussock lands that were under threat of logging or damage from introduced animals,” Ms Wagner says.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Conservation

The Crown and Ngāi Tuhoe welcome the launch of Te Urewera’s inaugural Statement of Priorities in Taneatua today.

“This launch is significant as it demonstrates the excellent progress the Te Urewera Board has made since Te Urewera was declared a legal entity last year,” Mr Finlayson says.

The Statement of Priorities invites public feedback on a framework for Te Kawa O Te Urewera, a 10 year management plan which sets out the objectives and policies for Te Urewera. Te Kawa O Te Urewera is due to be finalised in September 2017.

  • Maggie Barry
  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Conservation
  • Attorney-General

Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams has welcomed the launch of New Zealand’s fourteenth Rangatahi Court in Taupō today.

Te Kooti Rangatahi ki Tūwharetoa was launched at Rauhoto Marae, Taupō.

Ms Adams says the Rangatahi Courts are focused on addressing offending by young Māori by involving communities in the youth justice process and encouraging strong cultural links.

“I welcome the ongoing expansion of the Rangatahi Courts, which attempt to create a different environment for young offenders,” Ms Adams says.

  • Amy Adams
  • Justice
  • Courts

Associate Climate Change Issues Minister Simon Bridges will tomorrow travel to Paris, France to take part in the Paris Climate Change Conference.

“For the first time leaders will seek to agree a new binding climate change agreement that includes contributions from all major emitting countries.

“Ensuring maximum participation will be essential for putting the world on a path to keeping global temperature rise below two degrees.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources
  • Climate Change Issues

The first significant step for Christchurch’s joint organisation Regenerate Christchurch has been marked today with the announcement of its chairperson, Andre Lovatt, who is the Chief Executive of the Arts Centre of Christchurch.

The appointment has been jointly agreed by Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

“We know from his tremendous work in Christchurch that Mr Lovatt will bring positive energy and drive to his role in Regenerate Christchurch,” Mr Brownlee says.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Lake Brunner’s water quality target has been achieved five years ahead of schedule, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith announced on the West Coast today.

“The early achievement of the target is a fantastic result and goes to show what can be accomplished when government, local authorities, businesses and local communities collaborate to reach a shared objective,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Environment

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman says Cambridge is all set for today’s start of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup at the Avantidrome.

“Around 300 top track cyclists from around the world including 20 New Zealand cyclists will be taking part in this weekend’s event,” says Dr Coleman.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for New Zealanders to head along and support our cycling team as they compete in the team pursuit, team sprint, individual sprint, keirin and omnium.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Sport and Recreation

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today launched the Healthier Lives National Science Challenge, which aims to reduce the financial burden of major health problems, with funding of up to $31.3 million over 10 years.

“This Science Challenge will place New Zealand as a world leader in the delivery of equitable healthcare for non-communicable diseases,” Mr Joyce says. “It will seek better prevention, diagnosis and treatment methods for cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, with a burden reduction target of 25 per cent by 2025.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Science and Innovation

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed the release of a new report on soil health by Landcare Research, ahead of World Soil Day tomorrow.

“Good quality soil is fundamental to life on earth and to New Zealand given that the primary sector makes up around three quarters of our exports,” says Mr Guy.

“This report was commissioned by the Ministry for Primary Industries to summarise what we know about our soils and soil management, and how we may need to improve in the future.

  • Nathan Guy
  • Primary Industries

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has congratulated MPI staff and the Auckland community for the successful eradication of Queensland fruit fly, but is warning the public to stay on high alert this summer.

“It’s great news this small population has been eradicated and all restrictions are now lifted. It means that New Zealand is officially free of this potentially destructive pest,” says Mr Guy.

  • Nathan Guy
  • Primary Industries

ACC Minister Nikki Kaye and Disability Issues Minister Nicky Wagner have congratulated the winners of last night’s Attitude Awards, which recognise exceptional contributions made by New Zealanders who live with disabilities.

“ACC is the principal sponsor of the Attitude Awards, which promote positive role models and celebrate people living with a disability who are achieving great things,” Ms Kaye says.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Nikki Kaye
  • Disability Issues
  • ACC

For International Volunteer Day this Saturday, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew is encouraging New Zealanders to consider how they too can contribute to their local community.

“This Saturday is a time to recognise the impact of volunteers – who generously provide their time, skills, energy and commitment to our communities,” says Mrs Goodhew.

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Community and Voluntary Sector