Displaying 1 - 24 of 208 results.

Gallantry awards being presented today highlight the courage and professionalism of New Zealand forces serving in Afghanistan, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said today.

“The three New Zealand soldiers have shown the highest level of bravery in the face of danger,” said Dr Mapp.

The three men were in a vehicle patrol attacked by insurgents in Afghanistan in August 2010. Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell was killed in the attack.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

Two new NH90 helicopters will arrive at Ohakea at 9.30am, after being airlifted from France on board an Antonov AN 124 transport aircraft, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said today.

“These helicopters will provide a quantum leap in capability for the RNZAF,” said Dr Mapp. “The NH90s will give the NZDF better capability to conduct military, counter-terrorism, disaster relief, search and rescue, and other operations.

“The NH90s have over three times the power of the current Iroquois and can carry more than twice the payload further and faster.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

An extra 140 undergraduate students will be funded to do research and development projects for New Zealand businesses this summer, Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

"We have huge demand from businesses so this year we have decided to award 341 internships instead of the 200 we initially intended,” said Dr Mapp.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Science and Innovation

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has announced that a United States company, JDI Holdings, is going to buy the eight remaining Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) retired Skyhawk fighters.

“I am also announcing today that Aermacchis and Strikemasters no longer needed by the RNZAF will go to aviation museums around New Zealand,” said Dr Mapp.

“The Skyhawks, Aermacchis and Strikemasters are an important part of New Zealand’s aviation history and they will make fine exhibits in our aviation museums.”

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

“Ramping up New Zealand’s innovation potential across the high-tech manufacturing and services sectors will be a major catalyst for New Zealand's future growth,” says Science and Innovation Minster Wayne Mapp.

Dr Mapp and Acting Minister for Economic Development, David Carter, today released Powering Innovation, an independent report looking at how New Zealand can best grow its high-tech manufacturing and services sectors.

  • David Carter
  • Wayne Mapp
  • Economic Development
  • Science and Innovation

Dr Wayne Mapp is travelling to Singapore today to represent New Zealand at the 40th anniversary of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).

Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand are the partners in the FPDA – the second oldest military agreement after NATO.

“This multilateral security framework is a tribute to the commitment of these countries, and a comment on the value of long-standing and stable security agreements in these ever-changing times,” said Dr Mapp.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence
  • Science and Innovation

Health Minister Tony Ryall and the Minister for Science and Innovation Dr Wayne Mapp have announced funding for three cancer research projects.

Studies of bowel cancer, palliative care and prostate cancer will be undertaken by researchers at Auckland and Massey universities over the next three years.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says, "This research will build our knowledge of the incidence and impact of these particular cancers in New Zealand, and how health professionals from primary care through to specialists work together delivering treatment.”

  • Tony Ryall
  • Wayne Mapp
  • Health
  • Science and Innovation

Emerging high-tech businesses will get a hand up at a crucial time in their development, Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

Business incubators will now be able to give research and development grants of up to $50,000 for young high-tech companies. New Zealand’s eight incubators currently host about 120 ventures.

“We need a larger pool of high-tech start-ups so more can grow into globally competitive businesses that will lift New Zealand’s prosperity,” said Dr Mapp.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Science and Innovation

New Zealand is sending five Navy personnel to join Australian forces fighting terrorism and piracy in the Indian Ocean, said Defence Minister Wayne Mapp.

“Threats to maritime security are a growing international problem and we must play our part in the international response,” said Dr Mapp.

“Terrorism, drug smuggling, people smuggling and piracy impact on security, trade and other economic activities of all nations.”

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

New Zealand has been accepted as a member of the International Partnership for Geothermal Technology, announced Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp.

“Geothermal energy is one of our most important renewable energy resources with huge potential for growth,” said Dr Mapp.

“This recognition of our geothermal research programmes will allow our scientists to collaborate with an elite group of researchers in the United States, Australia, Switzerland and Iceland.”

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Science and Innovation

A report on the implications for the NZSAS when the Afghan National Police Crisis Response Unit (CRU) detains Afghan nationals was released today by Defence Minister Wayne Mapp.

The advice, from the Chief of Defence Force (CDF), was reviewed after the recent investigation into detainees undertaken by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

A Bill to modernise management of the Defence Force was introduced to Parliament today by Defence Minister Wayne Mapp.

“The Defence White Paper identified amendments to the Defence Act 1990 that would improve defence management, and realise efficiencies,” said Dr Mapp.

“These changes to the Defence Act 1990 will sit alongside the Defence Capability Plan to position the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) for the challenges of operating in today’s highly-integrated and high-tech military environment.”

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

A world-class facility in Auckland that will house business incubators, research and development institutions, and business development providers, was announced today by Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp and Auckland Mayor Len Brown.

“The Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct will connect entrepreneurs and businesses to international investors and partners,” said Dr Mapp. “It will also be a landing pad for overseas investors looking to connect with New Zealand knowledge-intensive companies.”

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Science and Innovation

New Zealand has welcomed the release of the UNAMA report on detainees in Afghanistan.

“We have checked our procedures since we became aware of this report in early September and are confident that we have robust systems in place,” said Dr Mapp.

“New Zealand has a legal officer at the NATO/ISAF headquarters in Kabul to ensure that proper monitoring occurs,” said Dr Mapp.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

New Zealand’s best researchers have been awarded $53.8 million in Marsden Fund grants, Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

“The winning Marsden Fund projects have been selected on the basis of scientific excellence,” Dr Mapp said. “The 88 successful applications range from new therapies for cancer and chronic inflammation to better communication technology.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Science and Innovation

Health Minister Tony Ryall and the Minister for Science and Innovation Dr Wayne Mapp, have congratulated ESR on their successful international bid for a 5-year, multi-million dollar flu research and surveillance project.

The project is paid for by the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and is known as SHIVERS - the Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Research and Surveillance.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Wayne Mapp
  • Health
  • Science and Innovation

The Minister of Defence, Wayne Mapp, has announced moves to develop a new advanced pilot training capability for the RNZAF. This will include new advanced trainer aircraft.

“In future pilots will train on fast and manoeuvrable aircraft which provide much more rigorous and realistic training. This will prepare them effectively for the demanding military flying they will be called upon to perform in service,” said Dr Mapp.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

The Minister of Defence, Wayne Mapp, today launched the new Defence Capability Plan.

“This plan sets out how Defence will carry out the Defence White Paper strategies over the next decade,” said Dr Mapp.

“It will guide our decisions on shaping frontline units and on the equipment and capability they will have. It takes into account affordability, resources and defence priorities”.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

Science and Innovation Minister Dr Wayne Mapp has praised Victoria University of Wellington students whose energy efficient ‘First Light’ bach finished third at the Solar Decathlon in Washington DC yesterday.

“The First Light team have done a great job of showcasing New Zealand’s innovation, smart thinking and commitment to keeping our environment healthy,” said Dr Mapp.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Science and Innovation

Each of the New Zealand Gallantry Awards announced today represents an act of great courage by a New Zealand soldier, said Defence Minister Wayne Mapp.

“These men have all served bravely in the face of danger in Afghanistan. Their individual actions helped save the lives of their comrades in action,” said Dr Mapp.

“The deaths of two NZ SAS troopers in little more than a month are a stark reminder of the dangers of the mission, and the courage needed to overcome them.”

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has paid tribute to Lance-Corporal Leon Smith, the SAS trooper killed in Afghanistan yesterday.

“Lance-Corporal Smith was a brave and courageous soldier who served his country to his utmost. I would ask media to respect how devastating his death is for his family, and leave them to grieve privately during this difficult time.”

Dr Mapp said the second SAS death in Afghanistan in little more than a month shows just how dangerous this mission is.

“It is an important mission, and we intend to complete the deployment.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

The Minister of Defence, Wayne Mapp, has expressed his deep sympathy for the family of an SAS soldier killed in Afghanistan today.

“This morning’s loss of a New Zealand SAS soldier on operations will be mourned by all New Zealanders,” said Dr Mapp.

“Over the last few months there has been an increased tempo of the insurgency in and around Kabul. On every occasion when the SAS deploys with the Afghan Police Crisis Response Unit, there is a risk of New Zealand casualties.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

Two research projects awarded a total of $1 million in funding will strengthen collaborative research relationships between New Zealand and Japan, Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

“These research projects have strong commercial potential, including through the Japanese market, and so have the potential to benefit our economy,” said Dr Mapp.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Science and Innovation

The Government is giving online game developer SmallWorlds $1.8 million to help realise its global growth prospects through research and development, Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

“The gaming industry is a lucrative sector and New Zealand businesses in this space need to get a piece of the action. Our investments help with this,” said Dr Mapp.

Gaming is the fastest growing entertainment sector in the world, and now generates more revenue than the music and film industry.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Science and Innovation