Displaying 25 - 48 of 2308 results.

The Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, says the consolidation of schooling in Murupara will help strengthen education in the area and raise student achievement levels.

Today’s announcement confirms the establishment of a new year 1-13 area school in Murupara. It will open at the start of the 2013 school year on the site of the Murupara School.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

The Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, today confirmed the next 150 schools to receive government-subsidised internal network upgrades, in readiness for ultra-fast broadband.

The Ministry of Education’s School Network Upgrade Project (SNUP) has so far upgraded networks in more than 700 state and state integrated schools with more in progress.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

Prime Minister John Key has announced the election of National’s new senior whip and junior whip following the National Party Caucus this morning.

Mr Key says the new senior whip will be List MP Michael Woodhouse, who is from Dunedin.

He will replace Chris Tremain, who is now a Minister outside Cabinet.

The junior whip will be MP for Taupo, Louise Upston.

She replaces Jo Goodhew, who is also now a Minister outside Cabinet.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

The fourth Indicators and Progress report for the Government’s Tackling Methamphetamine Action Plan shows government agencies’ work is continuing to contain the growth of methamphetamine (‘P’) supply networks, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

“This initiative has been in place for two-and-a-half years, and we can see that efforts to crack down on those who are importing, manufacturing and selling P and its precursors are working,” says Mr Key.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Trade Minister Tim Groser is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr David Walker as New Zealand’s new Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Lead Negotiator.

  • Tim Groser
  • Trade

New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Japan will be career diplomat Mark Sinclair, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully announced today.

"The special relationship between Japan and New Zealand was most evident this year as we came to each other's aid following major disasters," Mr McCully said.

“This appointment comes at an important time in our relationship with our two countries celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2012.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Following a Cabinet decision today a further 1600 homes in the Port Hills area in Christchurch have been rezoned from the white to green zone.

Affected homeowners will be able to clarify their new zoning from tomorrow by visiting www.landcheck.org.nz

A statement will be made by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) when the information has been updated on the Landcheck website, and letters to those residents affected will be mailed to them by CERA tomorrow.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Mr President

Thank you for the opportunity to address Trade Ministers at this 8th Ministerial Conference of the WTO. I would like to welcome the four new WTO members, Montenegro, the Russian Federation, Samoa, and Vanuatu.

With respect to the Doha Round, we need to face the facts; wishful thinking will serve no one’s interests.

  • Tim Groser
  • Trade

Trade Minister Tim Groser has led a call at the WTO’s 8th Ministerial Conference in Geneva for urgent action to protect global fish stocks. New Zealand is coordinating a group of countries that includes Argentina, Australia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Norway, Peru and the United States.

  • Tim Groser
  • Trade

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the Norwegian Government’s decision to work with the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust on the Cape Adare preservation project.

Following a bilateral meeting with Mr Key today, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has announced his Government will provide NZD$900,000 to preserve the two huts of Norwegian explorer Carsten Borchgrevink on Cape Adare in the Ross Dependency.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Police Minister Anne Tolley has praised Gisborne and Hawkes Bay Police following successful raids on gang-related properties in Gisborne.

Armed offenders squads targeted major suppliers of methamphetamine in the city, with searches of seven properties uncovering:

  • Anne Tolley
  • Police

Primary Industries Minister David Carter has asked for an independent review of the rules and processes controlling the importation of kiwifruit pollen following new information on how the vine disease Psa may have entered the country.

“I have asked the Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to commission a review of current pollen importing permits, how they were developed, the decision-making around them and whether any changes are needed in future,” says Mr Carter.

  • David Carter
  • Primary Industries

IAG's agreement to purchase AMI Insurance, announced today, will strengthen the Canterbury insurance market and reduce the Crown's liability, Finance Minister Bill English says.

As part of the deal, the Crown will take over ownership of AMI Insurance’s Canterbury earthquake related claims.

"The part of AMI dealing with earthquake claims – along with its reinsurance for those events - will be retained as a new Crown company and will continue to manage AMI's customers' earthquake claims," Mr English says.

  • Bill English
  • Finance

New all-of-Government contracts for air travel and external legal services will save the Government $178 million over the next six to seven years, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

The new contracts include all public sector agencies, councils and up to 2500 schools.

“The contracts we are announcing today will mean we have achieved a total saving to the Government of $293 million from the six contracts that have been completed to date in the Government Procurement Reform Programme,” Mr Joyce says.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

The Government has confirmed the next steps in its mixed ownership programme to offer New Zealanders minority shareholdings in four state-owned energy companies and Air New Zealand.

Cabinet has agreed that Mighty River Power should be the first company prepared for an initial public offering (IPO), most likely in the third quarter of 2012, subject to market conditions, Finance Minister Bill English and State Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall said today.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Bill English
  • State Owned Enterprises
  • Finance

Civil Defence Minister, Chris Tremain, together with Nelson MP, Nick Smith, is this morning visiting Nelson in response to the floods that hit the region over the last 24 hours.

"I want to assess the damage firsthand, ensure Civil Defence is appropriately responding, and identify any ways that Government can further assist the region to protect life and property," said Mr Tremain.

  • Chris Tremain
  • Civil Defence

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the news of a planned visit to New Zealand by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall next year.

“I am pleased New Zealand will be able host the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations,” says Mr Key.

“Prince Charles, heir to the throne, will be visiting New Zealand on the Queen’s behalf.”

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United States call for responsible behaviour in Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary

The Governments of Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United States jointly condemn any actions that imperil human life in the Southern Ocean.

We are deeply concerned that confrontations in the Southern Ocean will eventually lead to injury or loss of life among protestors, many of whom may be nationals of our countries, and whaling crews.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

A significant Government investment in Immigration New Zealand’s IT system is a further step in increasing immigration’s contribution to the economy, says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Dr Coleman today announced the Government is contributing $75 million towards a new IT system.

‘’This IT initiative is a major step up in INZ’s ability to provide timely, responsive and secure immigration services,’’ says Dr Coleman.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Immigration

Trade Minister Tim Groser will travel to Geneva this week to attend the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) 8th Ministerial Conference.

The 15-17 December conference will consider how to best maintain a robust, rules-based multilateral trading system, further work on trade and development, and how to advance the stalled Doha Round.

“Obviously this has been a difficult year for the Doha negotiations. The Conference is an opportunity to inject fresh thinking on how to make progress in 2012,” Mr Groser says.

  • Tim Groser
  • Trade

Climate Change Ministers Nick Smith and Tim Groser have warmly welcomed the outcome of the UN Climate Change negotiations which concluded successfully in Durban today.

They paid tribute to the leadership provided by the host, South Africa, which paved the way for a truly comprehensive international agreement.

“This agreement meets all the realistic expectations the New Zealand delegation had when it arrived in South Africa two weeks ago,” Mr Groser said.

The agreement:

  • Nick Smith
  • Tim Groser
  • Environment
  • International Climate Change Negotiations

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman says he is shocked by the sudden death of Radio New Zealand journalist Phillip Cottrell over the weekend.

Dr Coleman today offered his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Cottrell, who died yesterday in Wellington.

‘’Phillip was clearly a well liked person held in high professional regard,’’ says Dr Coleman.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Broadcasting

Prime Minister John Key today announced the incoming National-led Government’s new Ministry.

“National’s line-up is a very strong one, with a mixture of fresh talent and experience,” says Mr Key. “There has been a revamp of some portfolios, and some first-term Ministers have been rewarded for their performance.

“The new National-led Government is ready to hit the ground running. There is a lot of work to do as we look to continue implementing our plans to build a stronger economy, reduce debt, and create more jobs.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

The official opening of the new Kopu Bridge today will come as a huge relief to both holiday motorists and those who rely on the route more regularly, says Transport Minister Steven Joyce.

"Work on the $47 million bridge replacement project was brought forward by three years as part of the government's $500 million Jobs and Growth plan.

"The project has created about 50 local jobs that would not have otherwise been there, as well as work for local companies involved in supplying materials and providing supporting services.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Transport