Displaying 1 - 24 of 1664 results.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has today written to the Electricity Authority to request an inquiry into the Auckland power outage.

“This week’s outage was a significant event which disrupted thousands of homes and businesses,” Mr Bridges says. 

“Even in an electricity system that has strong security of supply, which I believe we have, there is always the possibility of something like this happening. 

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has announced the Government is investing $700,000 from the Major Events Development Fund into each of the next two BMW New Zealand Open events in 2015 and 2016 in Queenstown.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

The Government’s operating deficit before gains and losses narrowed for the third consecutive year to $2.9 billion in the 12 months to 30 June – down from $4.4 billion the previous year, Finance Minister Bill English says.

  • Bill English
  • Finance

Prime Minister John Key has announced the election of National’s new whips following the National Party Caucus this morning.

Mr Key says the new senior whip will be MP for Hamilton West, Tim Macindoe. He was formerly junior whip and replaces Louise Upston, who is now a Minister outside Cabinet.

The junior whip will be MP for Botany, Jami-Lee Ross, who steps up from third whip.

The third whip will be List MP Jo Hayes.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Finance Minister Bill English leaves tomorrow for the United States, where he will attend the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank governors in Washington DC.

He will also meet G20 finance ministers. Australia, as host of the G20 this year, has invited New Zealand to attend a series of meetings as a guest alongside the G20 members.

“The meetings in Washington will provide further opportunities to assess latest global economic developments and their likely impact on New Zealand,” Mr English says.

  • Bill English
  • Finance

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is encouraging New Zealanders to celebrate and participate in this week’s Fijian Language Week.

The theme this year is Noqu Vosa, Noqu iYau Telei: My Language, My Treasure. The theme highlights the importance of the link between language and heritage.

“This week is about celebrating and showcasing Fijian culture, language and the local Fijian community,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Island Affairs

Prime Minister John Key today announced the creation of a new role of Minister for National Security and Intelligence as part of wider changes to the way the security and intelligence area is governed.

“The security and intelligence sector has been undergoing significant change at agency and operational level,” Mr Key says.

“It makes sense for us to also take a fresh look at how the governance of the sector is structured.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Prime Minister John Key today announced the National-led Government’s new Ministry as it prepares to begin its third term in office.

“There is a lot of work ahead to continue implementing our plans to build a stronger economy, reduce debt and create more jobs,” Mr Key says.

“The new Ministry builds on the experience of the past two terms in office, and combines experience with some fresh talent.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia welcomed the release today of the recommendations from the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“The Government will take on board the advice from the United Nations Committee and intends to formally respond in early 2015,” says Minister Turia.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Disability Issues

Successful applicants from the New Zealand ballot for Gallipoli 2015 have three weeks left to accept their place at next year’s centenary Anzac Day commemorations, says Veterans’ Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse.

“The last day to confirm attendance on the Gallipoli Peninsula is Saturday 25 October 2014. Travel booking details must also be provided by this time, so it is important that successful applicants get their plans in place if they haven’t already,” Mr Woodhouse says.

  • Michael Woodhouse
  • Veterans’ Affairs

New Research and Development (R&D) Growth Grants expected to be worth more than $32 million over three years have been awarded to another 22 high tech companies by Callaghan Innovation, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

“These grants are helping a large number of innovative companies that produce world-leading, high-value products and high-quality jobs for New Zealanders to invest even more in innovation, boost growth and increase exports,” Mr Joyce says.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Science and Innovation

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says New Zealand is well placed to detect and respond to Ebola if it were to reach the country.

This follows the first confirmed case of Ebola in the United States. A male has fallen ill after travelling from Liberia, which is one of the West African nations affected by the current Ebola outbreak.

“The Ministry of Health assessment is that the risk to New Zealand from Ebola remains low,” says Mrs Goodhew.

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Health

Ten of New Zealand’s most talented early to mid-career researchers have been awarded Rutherford Discovery Fellowships for 2014, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

The Fellowships foster the development of future research leaders by providing funding of up to $800,000 each over five years to cover salary and research costs. The funding is administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand on behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Science and Innovation

It is an honour to address you today on behalf of the Prime Minister and Government of New Zealand.

Our General Election took place last week - our Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key is engaged in forming a government and that is why he is unable to be here in New York.

I want to begin by acknowledging the success of the recent Small Islands Developing States conference held in Samoa.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Commerce Minister Craig Foss today welcomed the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) approval of new rules for NZX’s growth market.

Mr Foss granted an exemption in July to allow the new growth market to operate with an alternative disclosure regime.

“I am pleased to see the rules have now been formally approved by the FMA. The aim is to reduce the barriers to capital-raising for New Zealand’s smaller and high-growth businesses and provide new opportunities for investors,” Mr Foss says.

  • Craig Foss
  • Commerce

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed the announcement of the teams who will take part in a pilot programme to support new social enterprise start-ups.

“The successful 11 teams are organisations with social or environmental goals which use commercial models to generate income,” says Mrs Goodhew.

The Ākina Foundation’s social enterprise accelerator pilot, Launchpad, is co-funded by the Department of Internal Affairs and Contact Energy. The final 11 teams were chosen from 134 applications.

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Community and Voluntary Sector

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today encourages New Zealanders to celebrate and participate in Tuvalu Language Week. 

Tuvalu Language Week runs from 29 September to 5 October. The theme this year is Tuvalu ko tou lagaifakalaga ke mau mai aulua foe: Your language keeps your culture and identity afloat, continue to work together.

“This week is about showcasing Tuvalu culture, pride and the Tuvalu language in New Zealand.” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Pacific Island Affairs

Visitors and the public are invited tomorrow (Saturday 27 September) to walk through the newly constructed Arras Tunnel at the site of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park at Buckle Street in Wellington, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson said today.

Mr Finlayson will officially open the Arras Tunnel at 10.50am tomorrow and immediately following that the public will be able to walk through the tunnel until 2.00pm.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

State Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall says the decision to re-enter Pike River is one to be made by Solid Energy, not Worksafe.

“The Solid Energy board is ultimately accountable and legally responsible for the safety of people working at the Pike River site and any decisions on mine re-entry are their responsibility, and their responsibility alone,” says Mr Ryall.

“Solid Energy has to be sure that any re-entry is safe and that decision is ultimately for them to make, not WorkSafe.

  • Tony Ryall
  • State Owned Enterprises

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed the announcement of Afghanistan’s new President and Government of National Unity.

“This has been a closely fought election and the people of Afghanistan have been waiting for a result since the presidential election runoff took place in July,” Mr McCully said

“On behalf of the New Zealand Government I congratulate President-elect Ashraf Ghani on his success and Abdullah Abdullah, who has the option to take up a senior role in Afghanistan’s new Government of National Unity.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today congratulated Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, on being sworn in as Fiji’s Prime Minister.

“The final count of the election results confirmed that Mr Bainimarama’s FijiFirst Party secured a clear majority and he has now been sworn in as Prime Minister,” Mr McCully says.

“Last week Fiji held their first democratic election in eight years and Multinational Observer Group has stated it is satisfied the election was credible, and broadly representative of the will of the Fijian people.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to New York today to attend the 69th United Nations General Assembly.

“The United Nations General Assembly is the foremost meeting of countries at the highest level. It is an opportunity to ensure that the views of New Zealand and our Pacific neighbours are heard in global discussions,” says Mr McCully.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall has acknowledged Mark Ford following his retirement as Watercare Services chief executive.

“Mr Ford has been a great public servant over the last twenty years, and has made a lasting contribution to both the Auckland community and wider New Zealand.

“He has had a reputation for fostering strong relationships and being a steady hand in leading complex projects throughout his career, as was seen during his time as Chair of Solid Energy,” says Mr Ryall.

  • Tony Ryall
  • State Owned Enterprises

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed the International Whaling Commission’s passing of a New Zealand resolution enshrining the International Court of Justice’s decision on Japanese whaling.

“New Zealand wanted to make sure the Whaling Commission had rules in place that reflected the Court’s clear guidance on what constitutes scientific whaling,” Mr McCully says.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs