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New Zealand has designated a further three international terrorist groups under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

The groups are: the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the National Liberation Army (ELN) of Colombia and Harakat-ul Jihad al Islami - Bangladesh.

“All three entities have committed various terrorist acts, including the indiscriminate killing of civilians,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the tabling of the Auditor-General’s report on Ministerial expenses.

“This report is part of a broader effort by the Government to move towards greater transparency regarding Ministers’ and MPs’ expenses,” says Mr Key.

“It’s important the public has confidence in the regime for administering Ministers’ expenses, and that taxpayers’ money is seen to be spent appropriately.”

Prime Minister John Key has announced that the date for a by-election in Botany will be Saturday 5 March.

The by-election follows the announcement today of the impending resignation of National MP Pansy Wong. Mrs Wong’s resignation takes effect on 17 January 2011.

“I would like to recognise the long service and dedication Pansy has given the National Party as both a Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament.

“Her commitment to Botany and ethnic communities all over New Zealand cannot be questioned and she will be missed,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the tabling of the Law Commission’s review of the Civil List Act 1979.

“I acknowledge that Ministers’ and MPs’ expenses are a matter of public interest – hence the moves made during this parliamentary term to provide more transparency on their expenditure.

“It is important that the regime for setting Ministers’ and MPs’ expenses has the public’s confidence,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key today announced that Hekia Parata is to be appointed a Minister in Cabinet.

“Ms Parata takes over the Ethnic Affairs and Women’s Affairs portfolios previously held by Pansy Wong. She will also be Associate Minister for ACC, of Energy and Resources and for the Community and Voluntary Sector,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister John Key today introduced legislation to amend the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Act 1969.

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Amendment Bill will update the Act to reflect legal and technological developments made in the past four decades and their impacts on the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).

“This country’s security legislation needs to be relevant to the global security environment in which the NZSIS operates,” says Mr Key.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The stage I stand on today is a small stage – too small to hold the four million New Zealanders who would like to express their deepest sympathy this afternoon, and show solidarity with this community at the time of its greatest suffering.

But you can rest assured that those four million people are behind you today as they have been since that fateful afternoon almost two weeks ago.

New Zealanders as a whole are not an overly-religious people and are not given to public outbursts of emotion.

Prime Minister John Key has asked that all of New Zealand observes two minutes’ silence at 2pm tomorrow as the Pike River Official Remembrance Service begins.

The service, to remember the 29 men who lost their lives in the Pike River Mine, will be held at the Omoto Racecourse in Greymouth.

Mr Key says, “I hope all of New Zealand will join with those of us at the service and observe two minutes’ silence at 2pm. This tragedy has affected all of us and tomorrow is an opportunity to join together in grief.”

Nine of New Zealand’s brightest executives and managers have been awarded a Prime Minister’s Business Scholarship to study at a leading international institution, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

Mr Key says the recipients will bring back invaluable skills and experience to New Zealand.

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the graduation of the first military-style activity camp under the National-led Government’s Fresh Start youth justice legislation.

PM encourages fresh start for young people

Mr Key met the first 10 graduates and their families at a milestone ceremony in Christchurch to mark the completion of the camp.

“I’m impressed with the way the 10 young men who graduated today have stepped up to the challenge presented to them,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key announced today that Cabinet has agreed to establish a Royal Commission on the Pike River mine tragedy.

The inquiry will have broad terms of reference enabling it to examine and report on the causes of the explosions at the mine and subsequent loss of life, as well as all aspects of the safety regulatory regime and rescue operations that applied at the mine.

Prime Minister John Key has announced the date for a national memorial service for the 29 men who lost their lives in the Pike River Mine.

After discussion with the Grey District Council, it has been agreed the Pike River Official Remembrance Service will be held in Greymouth next Thursday, 2 December.

"This is a chance for New Zealanders to gather together to remember and mourn the men who tragically lost their lives in one of the nation's worst disasters," says Mr Key.

The service will be at the Omoto Racecourse at a time yet to be confirmed.

Scientists who have turned world-leading research into a multi-million dollar technology company have won the top award at the Prime Minister's Science Prizes, New Zealand's most prestigious and valuable science awards.

Prime Minister John Key today announced the prizes, which have total prize money of $1 million, at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Clubrooms in Auckland.

The top award, the Prime Minister's Science Prize, went to the Magnetic Resonance Innovation team of Victoria University of Wellington and spin-off company Magritek.

24 November 2010. Prime Minister John Key: "Where this morning we held on to hope, we must now make way for sorrow. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families of these 29 brave men. After days of waiting-of both preparing for the worst and hoping for the best-they have been delivered the cruellest of news. So to all of those who have lost a loved one in the Pike River mine, let me say this: New Zealand stands shoulder to shoulder with you. Though we cannot possibly feel this pain as you do, we have you in our hearts and our thoughts.

This afternoon New Zealand has been devastated by the news we have all been dreading.

A second explosion at the Pike River Mine confirms our very worst fears.

The 29 men whose names and faces we have all come to know, will never walk amongst us again.

This is a national tragedy.

A tragedy for the men's families, their workmates and friends, their community and our nation.

New Zealand is a small country.

A country where we are all our brothers keeper.

So to lose this many brothers at once strikes an agonising blow.

Three high-achieving young Pacific New Zealanders have become the inaugural winners of the Prime Minister's Pacific Youth Awards.

It's a pleasure to be here this afternoon.

I'd like to thank Don Nicolson and the members of your National Council for the invitation to speak to you.

Post-Cabinet Press Conference, 4pm

"The Trans-Pacific Partnership is clearly where the action is on Asia-Pacific trade," says Prime Minister John Key.

The protocol that updates the double tax agreement between New Zealand and the United States is now in force, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne announced today.

Prime Minister John Key today accepted the resignation of Pansy Wong as a Minister.

Good afternoon. Today I want to talk to you about the second Indicators and Progress report on the Government's plan to fight P, which comes one year after the plan was launched.

Prime Minister John Key will leave this week to attend the 18^th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2010 Leaders' meeting to be held November 13-14 in Yokohama, Japan.