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Cash donations are the best way to support people affected by the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Canterbury yesterday, Civil Defence Minister John Carter says.

Mr Carter says offers of support from donations of money are the quickest and easiest way to help organisations on the ground get exactly what they need.

"That way, affected people can make their own choices about putting their lives back together. What’s more, money spent locally helps the local economy at a crucial time," Mr Carter says.

Civil Defence Minister John Carter has today launched an interactive, electronic resource designed to give potentially life-saving advice on emergency planning to the blind and partially sighted.

“The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind has collaborated with the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management to produce this valuable resource,” Mr Carter said.

There are more than 11,500 blind and partially sighted members of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.

A strong Australian dollar and another outstanding season for New Zealand-bred thoroughbreds across the Tasman augur well for the 85th national yearling sales series starting in Auckland today, Racing Minister John Carter said.

“Buyers from around the world recognise the strength and quality of New Zealand’s thoroughbreds and this week’s sales (31 January-7 February 2011) at Karaka have attracted buyers from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia Japan, South Africa, United Kingdom, Ireland and of course, Australia,” Mr Carter said.

New Zealand’s first civil defence response team deployed internationally returns from flood ravaged Queensland today and team members can be proud of the contribution they have made to the clean-up work in Australia, Civil Defence Minister John Carter said.

“I would like to thank the 15 men and women who have spent 12 days in Queensland doing very physical clean-up and recovery work,” Mr Carter said.

Civil Defence Minister John Carter today praised three international agreements that will bring New Zealand, Australian and United States civil defence agencies closer together.

“These agreements will allow the agencies to support each other during and after emergencies, including maintaining 24/7 contact points as necessary,” Mr Carter says.

“Our agencies will be better able to share information, expertise and experience to help reduce risks and improve readiness before emergencies.”

Civil Defence Minister John Carter will present the Ministerial Awards for Civil Defence Emergency Management in Hastings tonight.

The awards were introduced by Mr Carter in October 2009 to recognise career and volunteer personnel with the New Zealand Civil Defence sector.

“Emergencies will happen to communities – we don’t know when or where, but we know that they will strike. Civil Defence volunteers play an integral and extremely important part in responding to events” says Mr Carter.

Civil Defence Minister John Carter is attending the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Incheon, South Korea 25-28 October 2010.

Racing Minister John Carter today announced the appointment of Dr Alan Jackson to the New Zealand Racing Board's governing body.

The Civil Defence awards are designed to complement existing awards, including New Zealand royal honours and mayoral awards.

Get Ready Week is underway (10-16 October) and this annual awareness raising is likely to resonate with the public after the Canterbury earthquake, Civil Defence Minister John Carter said to

Thanks to Kristy McDonald, Chair of the Judicial Control Authority for Racing, for inviting me to speak to you today.

Integrity issues in the racing industry must be addressed in a professional and independent way, Racing Minister John Carter said today in a speech at the Judicial Control Authority for Racing conf

International Day of Older People on 1 October is a time to acknowledge the contributions older people make to communities throughout New Zealand, Senior Citizens Minister John Carter says.

States of emergency in the three Canterbury districts worst affected by the 4 September earthquake will remain in place until 12 noon Thursday 16 September, Civil Defence Minister John Carter said

Civil Defence Emergency Management has passed its biggest test in recent history, Civil Defence Minister John Carter said today.

The day after the 7.1 earthquake hit Christchurch and surrounding areas, the safety of people in the area remains the top priority for Civil Defence Minister John Carter.

Civil Defence Minister John Carter has today launched a DVD designed to give potentially life-saving advice on emergency planning to the deaf and hearing impaired.

Chairman Pat O'Brien and Harness Racing New Zealand board members, club delegates, and invited guests, thank you for the invitation to address Harness Racing's annual conference.

A change to the enduring power of attorney law finds the balance between protecting rights and dealing with the real-life situations of older people, Senior Citizens Minister John Carter said today

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting me to your AGM and for the opportunity to talk to you.

Raising awareness, talking about the issues and thinking about responsibility are the keys to tackling elder abuse and neglect, Senior Citizens Minister John Carter said today.

Budget 2010 is good news for those receiving New Zealand Superannuation, Minister for Senior Citizens John Carter says.

Senior Citizens Minister John Carter is encouraging older members of the community, including grandparents, to get behind Youth Week: 22-30 May.