Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 results.

Agreement on the broad outlines of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is an important step towards a high-quality free-trade deal that will benefit New Zealand exporters, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Trade Minister Tim Groser say.

Leaders of the nine countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) today agreed on the broad outlines of the free trade agreement, at a meeting hosted by US President Barack Obama in Honolulu on the fringes of the APEC summit. Mr English represented New Zealand on behalf of Prime Minister John Key.

  • Bill English
  • Tim Groser
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Trade

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English will attend the 19th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders meeting on 13 November in Honolulu, USA.

Mr English will join leaders from 21 APEC economies to discuss the region's economic growth prospects and ways to advance APEC's vision for an Asia-Pacific-wide Free Trade Area.

"APEC supports closer trade and economic relationships in the region, making it easier for members to trade and invest in each other’s economies," Mr English says.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister

Five new agreements signed today show the growing relationship between China and New Zealand, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says.

Mr English and China’s Vice Premier Hui Liangyu witnessed the signings at Premier House this morning.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English will host China’s Vice Premier Hui Liangyu when he visits New Zealand on 27 and 28 September.

The Vice Premier, the second-ranked of China’s four Vice Premiers and a member of China’s Politburo, will be the most senior Chinese official visitor to New Zealand this year.

“China is one of New Zealand’s most important trade and economic partners,” Mr English says. “Our bilateral relationship is in very good shape and regular high-level engagement is critical to maintaining that.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples today announced the 12 appointees to the Constitutional Advisory Panel. 

The Government confirmed last December that it would conduct a wide-ranging review of New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements – including the size of Parliament, the length of the electoral term, Māori representation, the role of the Treaty of Waitangi and whether New Zealand needs a written constitution.

It was the start of a considered process that would take place over three years.

  • Bill English
  • Pita Sharples
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Maori Affairs

The Government is proposing changes that will reduce the number of government agencies as it seeks better value for money, less duplication and improved co-ordination across the state sector, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Tony Ryall announced today.

The proposals include disestablishing five crown entities and three tribunals, merging two government agencies, establishing shared corporate services across the government's three central agencies and consolidating the services of a number of others.

  • Bill English
  • Tony Ryall
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • State Services

The Government has established a new group to advise on state sector reform, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Tony Ryall announced today.

"As the Prime Minister said in his Statement to Parliament, the Government is committed to getting better value for money from public spending so we can deliver better public services to taxpayers with little or no new money over the next few years," Mr English says.

  • Bill English
  • Tony Ryall
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • State Services

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bill English leaves for China on Wednesday, where he will attend the annual Bo’ao Forum for Asia and meet senior government and business leaders in Beijing and Shanghai.

The Bo’oa Forum, to be hosted by Chinese President Hu Jintao on the southern Chinese island of Hainan, brings together government, business and academic leaders from across Asia. It aims to promote regional economic integration.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Finance

Today we will honour, by our silence, those who died in the Christchurch earthquake.

And in those quiet moments we can contemplate what fear or courage, what horror or hope filled their last moments.

People who began their day, just one week ago, the same way as we began our day today.

Their conversations and their laughter were savagely stopped and their homes and workplaces are ruined and quiet.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Earthquake Recovery

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the Prime Minister, I wish to make the following ministerial statement.

In particular, I would like to:

Mark the tragic loss of life and injury that has occurred as a result of the earthquake in Canterbury yesterday;

Express our deepest sympathy to the families, friends and colleagues of those who have died and are still missing;

Thank the brave rescue teams who are working so hard in very difficult conditions;

And acknowledge the enormous impact this disaster will have on the communities of Christchurch and Canterbury.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Earthquake Recovery

Cabinet has just met for the second time today to discuss the earthquake in Canterbury.

In the last few hours the scale of destruction has become increasingly apparent. As the Prime Minister has said it is now likely that today will go down in history as one of New Zealand's darkest days.

I've just got off the phone with the Prime Minister who has been on the ground and he tells me Christchurch is a scene of utter devastation.

We've had an initial indication from officials that 65 people are dead and indications are that could rise.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Earthquake Recovery

Firstly I want to extend my sympathies and condolences to the people of Canterbury. Today's earthquake has caused huge damage and reports are flowing in of serious injuries and loss of life.

I'm sure all New Zealanders will join with me in offering our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all those families who are affected.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Earthquake Recovery

The Government will conduct a wide-ranging review of New Zealand's constitutional arrangements, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples announced today.

“This is the start of what will be a considered process over the next three years,” Mr English says.

  • Bill English
  • Pita Sharples
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Maori Affairs

On behalf of the Prime Minister I move that the House mark the tragic loss of life that has occurred at the Pike River Mine; express its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the men who died; thank the rescue teams and support teams who were so willingly prepared to help; and acknowledge the profound impact on the communities this disaster has affected.

Today is a day for mourning and remembering.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister

China's Vice Premier Li Keqiang, will visit New Zealand from 1-3 November, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English announced today. 

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister

The Acting Prime Minister, Bill English, is congratulating the Kiwis on winning last night's 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister