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The Mt Albert by-election will be held on Saturday 25 February, Prime Minister Bill English has confirmed.

“Following the resignation of MP David Shearer, which takes effect from 31 December, a by-election now needs to take place to fill the Mt Albert seat,” Mr English says.

“Today I’m announcing that the National Party will not be standing a candidate.

“The National Government is focussed on winning the 2017 General Election later in the year.

Prime Minister Bill English has today announced his new Cabinet line-up which builds on the success of the last eight years and provides new ideas and energy heading into election year.

“Over the last eight years National has provided a strong and stable Government which is delivering strong results for New Zealanders,” says Mr English.

“This refreshed Ministerial team builds on that success and provides a mix of new people, alongside experienced Ministers either continuing their roles or taking up new challenges.

Better incomes for households, safer communities and smarter government to support the most vulnerable will remain the Government’s focus, new Prime Minister Bill English says.

Mr English was today sworn in as prime minister after outgoing prime minister John Key tendered his resignation at Government House.

“I want to thank my colleagues for the trust they have shown in me and for the constructive and civil manner in which they have debated over and chosen the new leadership team,” Mr English says.

The Government is investing $837,132 in nine new projects for the upkeep of the New Zealand Cycle Trail, Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key announced today.

The investment comes from the fifth round of the Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund, which aims to ensure New Zealand’s premier rides are maintained to their current world class standard.

Prime Minister John Key has advised the Governor-General and his Cabinet and caucus colleagues that will he will resign as Prime Minister on December 12.

Mr Key’s expectation is that the National Party caucus will hold a special meeting on December 12 to select a new leader. After that he will travel to Government House to resign as Prime Minister. Mr Key expects that the Governor-General will appoint the new Prime Minister soon after.

Prime Minister John Key today announced the launch of negotiations to upgrade the New Zealand - China Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The announcement followed a meeting this morning with Trade Minister Todd McClay and Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng at the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru.  Mr Key and President Xi welcomed the commitment to an upgrade at the APEC Leaders’ retreat today.

Prime Minister John Key departs for Peru this afternoon to attend the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ meeting from November 19-20.

“This year’s APEC is focused on improving growth and living standards through initiatives such as more effective trade in services and trade liberalisation,” Mr Key says.

His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan will make an official visit to New Zealand from November 28-30, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

“I am pleased to welcome King Abdullah’s reciprocal visit to New Zealand, which follows the 2013 visit to Jordan by our previous Governor General,” says Mr Key.

“New Zealand and Jordan have a strong bilateral relationship, one which has grown even closer through our time serving together on the Security Council last year.

Prime Minister John Key has today postponed his trip to Argentina, but intends to travel to Peru later this week to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting from November 19-20 if circumstances permit. 

Mr Key was scheduled to depart tomorrow for Buenos Aires, Argentina for a series of meetings aimed at strengthening New Zealand’s trade, economic and political ties with the region, before travelling to Lima to attend APEC.

As a result of last night’s earthquake, Mr Key has made the decision to postpone his visit to Argentina.

Prime Minister John Key tonight congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on his victory in the US Presidential election.

“The American people have spoken and I congratulate Mr Trump on his victory after a long campaign,” Mr Key says.

“I will be writing to Mr Trump to offer my personal congratulations shortly. 

“Our two countries share a strong relationship and I look forward to that continuing. Over the coming months we will be looking to build close ties with the incoming Trump Administration.”

Prime Minister John Key has today announced the President of the Republic of Hungary, János Áder, will visit New Zealand from November 13-16.

“I am delighted to welcome the President in his first official visit to New Zealand,” says Mr Key.

“His visit comes on the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution. This is a significant occasion in our shared history as New Zealand welcomed 1,100 refugees from Hungary at the time who then went on to contribute so much to New Zealand life.

Prime Minister John Key today announced that New Zealand will strengthen its political, security and economic relationship with India, following a meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

“It is important we work together with likeminded countries to enhance regional prosperity and stability and working more closely with India, which is playing an increasingly important role in global and regional affairs, will build on our efforts to do this,” Mr Key says.

Figures released today show tourism contributed $14.5 billion to the New Zealand economy in the year to March 2016, says Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key.

“Exceptional growth in the sector has generated around 6,600 new tourism jobs in the year to March 2016, and the industry now accounts for 20.7 per cent of export earnings,” says Mr Key.

United States Navy ship, the USS Sampson, has been given clearance to visit New Zealand next month by Prime Minister John Key.

“I am pleased to announce that the USS Sampson, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, will attend the Royal New Zealand Navy’s International Naval Review in November,” Mr Key says.

“Under New Zealand’s nuclear free legislation I am required to be satisfied that any foreign military ship entering New Zealand is not nuclear armed.

Almost $15 million dollars seized from criminals will be invested in anti-drug initiatives, with more funding for Police and Customs and a greater focus on treatment for drug abusers, Prime Minister John Key says.

This year’s funding is the highest-ever allocated under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act as authorities continue to clamp down on illegal activity, and will fund the Government’s ongoing efforts to combat the scourge of methamphetamine and other drugs.

Prime Minister John Key today confirmed Fiji Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama will visit New Zealand from 19 - 23 October.

“This will be Prime Minister Bainimarama’s first official visit to New Zealand as Fiji’s Prime Minister,” Mr Key says.

“I look forward to welcoming him, following my own visit to Fiji in June.

“New Zealand and Fiji have strong ties in a range of areas, and the Prime Minister’s visit presents a further opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest.”  

Prime Minister John Key will lead a high-level business and education delegation to India next week, visiting Mumbai, New Delhi and Kochi.

“India is a key partner for New Zealand. It is a leading source of skilled migrants, international students and tourists, and in the five years since I last visited our two way trade has grown by 41 per cent to $2.4 billion,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister John Key says his thoughts are with the people of Thailand following the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

“King Bhumibol was the world’s longest serving monarch and presided over a period of transformative growth and development that saw Thailand emerge as a regional leader and one of South East Asia’s major economies,” says Mr Key.

“During his reign, New Zealand and Thailand developed a close and friendly relationship, built on a shared desire for peace and security in our region.

The Mt Roskill by-election will be held on Saturday 3 December, Prime Minister John Key confirmed today.

“I have been advised that given that Mr Goff’s resignation will take effect on 12 October, it is now appropriate to set a date for the by-election,” says Mr Key.

“The by-election Writ Day will be 2 November. The deadline for candidate nominations to be received will be midday on 8 November, and the last day for the return of the Writ will be 22 December.”

More than a million people used the New Zealand Cycle Trail last year, generating around $37 million in economic benefits for local communities, according to a new report released today by Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key.

The evaluation the New Zealand Cycle Trail, includes an independent cost benefit analysis showing that for every dollar attributable to construction and maintenance of the trails, approximately $3.55 of benefits was generated.

Prime Minister John Key has today congratulated Antonio Guterres on becoming the next United Nations Secretary-General.

“We look forward to working with Antonio Guterres. He is a friend of New Zealand,” says Mr Key.

"He has solid credentials. He is the former head of government for Portugal and was the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for ten years. 

“The role of UN Secretary-General is more important than ever and we have high expectations of him.”

Mr Key says he is obviously disappointed for Helen Clark.

Prime Minister John Key has today announced New Zealand will establish a diplomatic post in Sri Lanka, and welcomed news that Sri Lanka will establish a post in New Zealand.

Mr Key met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Auckland this morning.

“Prime Minister Wickremsinghe’s visit to New Zealand follows my visit to Sri Lanka in February and shows the commitment of both our governments to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.

Prime Minister John Key today released further details of the visit to New Zealand on 7-9 November by Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.

“The visit by Their Majesties is a reflection of the strong ties, shared values and interests between our two countries,” Mr Key says.

Their Majesties will be welcomed with a formal ceremony by the Governor-General at Government House in Wellington on Monday 7 November, before laying a wreath at Pukeahu National War Memorial and paying a visit to the Great War Exhibition.

Prime Minister John Key today announced that Dame Patsy Reddy will be sworn in as Governor-General on Parliament's forecourt at 11.45am on Wednesday 28 September.

“I am delighted to welcome Dame Patsy Reddy to the position of Governor-General,” says Mr Key.  “Dame Patsy will become New Zealand’s 21st Governor-General, and the third woman to hold the position.”