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The Navy multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury arrived in Wellington early this evening and will sail at 5am tomorrow (Monday 28 February) for Lyttelton with a full load of relief cargo for earthquake-stricken Christchurch.

Her cargo includes:

The Navy multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury will sail to Wellington from Lyttelton tomorrow to load up with disaster relief supplies for its namesake province.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said that Canterbury will arrive in Wellington at approximately 6pm on Sunday and after refuelling will embark a wide range of supplies and equipment for the earthquake recovery effort. The cargo list is expected to include:

New Zealand’s prosperity will be built through engagement with international science. We need to connect our ideas, research and innovation with the global economy to fully realise the benefits.

International science linkages are a hallmark of leading small economies. Countries as diverse as Finland, Denmark and Singapore have grown their economies through a combination of smart thinking and international collaborations that stimulate ideas, transfer knowledge and ultimately boost high-value exports.

 I want to start by acknowledging the immense amount of hard work that has gone into opening this new facility. 

Congratulations and well done to the staff and board of Canterbury Scientific.

The Government is committed to science and innovation, and that commitment has seen us embark on a significant programme of change. 

Today I want to take the opportunity to talk with you about those changes.  I would also like to talk about what those changes will mean for a small, innovative company like Canterbury Scientific.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has expressed his deepest sympathies to the family of Private Kirifi Mila, who was killed in a road accident yesterday on patrol in Bamyan province, Afghanistan. He was serving with the New Zealand Defence Force Provincial Reconstruction Team.

“Private Mila was killed, and three other members of the patrol injured, when their vehicle rolled off the road and down a steep bank, “ Dr Mapp said.

Brigadier Tim Keating has been appointed New Zealand’s Chief of Army, replacing Lieutenant General Rhys Jones who became Chief of Defence Force last month.

Brigadier Keating will be promoted to Major General when he begins his three-year term tomorrow. He is currently serving as Chief of Staff at Defence Headquarters, and was previously Deputy Chief of Army.

Announcing the appointment today, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said that Brigadier Keating has an outstanding service record in the Army.

The second phase of a $58 million project to upgrade systems aboard the Navy frigates Te Kaha and Te Mana has begun, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said today.

“Our Navy works closely with other countries and is a valued international partner in our region’s security arrangements.

“This upgrade in our frigates’ capability will improve the performance and extend the range of conditions in which they are effective,” he said.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith will meet in Wellington tomorrow to discuss defence and security issues in the region.

Mr Smith arrives in Wellington tonight and will return to Canberra after the meeting.

“I look forward to welcoming Mr Smith to New Zealand on his first visit as Minister for Defence,” Dr Mapp said today.

“Australia is our closest defence and security partner. Both nations have a vested interest in promoting security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Government is investing in a network of high-performance computers to keep New Zealand researchers at the cutting edge of science.

Over the next four years the Government will invest more than $27.4 million in the National eScience Infrastructure (NeSI) network. It will be made up of linked supercomputers and associated services such as software and data storage.

“NeSI will power research that will deliver on the Government’s top priority – growing the economy,” Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp said today.

The choice of top New Zealand scientist Sir Paul Callaghan as New Zealander of the Year is a highly-deserved honour, Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp said today.

“Sir Paul is an exceptional New Zealander. He has achieved high international recognition and honours in his field.

“His stature as a scientist and researcher has been matched by very few people worldwide, let alone in New Zealand.

Today’s launch of the Ministry of Science and Innovation is the latest step in the most intense development of our science strategy in the last 20 years.

When this Government came into office, we knew that New Zealand needed to get more out of our science and innovation system. 

The Government is backing innovation to drive New Zealand’s economy forward and raise New Zealanders’ standard of living, Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp said today.

Prime Minister John Key today launched the new Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI), to spearhead the Government’s drive to increase and improve bringing innovative new products to the market, and to get maximum benefits from science.

New Zealand’s scientific research in Antarctica and the strength of our scientific ties with the United States are being highlighted by a visit to the continent by Minister of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp.

Dr Mapp flew to Antarctica today to see New Zealand and American scientists in action.

“New Zealand and the US have worked very closely together in Antarctica for more than half a century,” he said.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and his Singaporean counterpart Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee are spending today observing Exercise Thunder Warrior, the annual Singaporean Armed Forces artillery exercise at Waiouru Military Camp.

The Government is to spend $24 million as part of upgrading the Whenuapai airfield at RNZAF Base Auckland, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

“National promised retention of Whenuapai as an operational airbase. This project is part of the resulting programme of essential works. It will give the base a new lease of life,” the Minister said.

The main runway and taxiways will be upgraded, stormwater drainage improved and new airfield lighting will be installed.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Wayne Mapp will welcome UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox for bilateral talks next week.

The two-day visit will be the first to New Zealand by Foreign Secretary Hague and Defence Secretary Fox, who will be accompanied by UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir David Richards.

“New Zealand shares a very close relationship with the United Kingdom and we have strong historical ties. This visit highlights the strength and maturity of our relationship,” Mr McCully said.

The Government has announced the investment of $17.25 million over five years in a wool research consortium tasked with lifting the economic return of the wool industry.

The announcement was made today by Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp and Agriculture Minister David Carter.

“The Government’s investment in this consortium demonstrates its ongoing commitment to this important industry,” say the Ministers.

Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp has announced the membership of the two new boards that will decide funding for science and innovation.

The Science Board and the Innovation Board will be associated with the new Ministry of Science and Innovation. The Science Board will allocate science funding to research organisations. The Innovation Board will make funding decisions related to business-facing programmes.

“These boards will be key players in the Government’s reforms to improve the science and innovation system,” the Minister said.

An independent expert panel has been appointed to review the provision of defence science and technology support in New Zealand, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

“Expert advice on scientific and technological issues in defence is essential for the Defence Force to perform the tasks expected of it,” Dr Mapp said.

“The Defence White Paper identified the need for a comprehensive external review of the Defence Technology Agency and the provision of defence science and technology outcomes for New Zealand.

In a major policy speech to Massey University’s Centre for Defence Studies in May 2009, I set out three reasons why the Government went into the 2008 general election promising a major review of Defence.

First, we needed to more clearly understand how defence contributed to our security, both within our region and in respect of advancing our interests in the wider international context.

North Shore MP Wayne Mapp has announced his decision not to stand for Parliament in the 2011 election.

“I have been privileged to serve as the Member for North Shore since 1996, and more recently, to serve in the Cabinet under Prime Minister John Key.

“I am leaving for personal and family reasons. I will have been a Member of Parliament for 15 years and have always endeavoured to be an effective Member for the North Shore electorate.

Auckland apparel company Pacific Brands Holdings (NZ) Ltd has won a new five-year contract to supply clothing and personnel support items to the New Zealand Defence Force.

“This is the best possible value for money for the Defence Force and the taxpayer,” Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said, announcing the selection of the company, which trades as Yakka Apparel Solutions (YASL).

“Ensuring Defence Force people have the right equipment to get the job done wherever they are is a top priority.

The science and innovation system in New Zealand will be invigorated by the Research, Science and Technology Bill passed in Parliament today, says Minister of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp.

The Bill amalgamates the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology and the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology into the new Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI).

“This new Ministry will perform a vital role in our economic growth,” Dr Mapp said.