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The Government today announced it will contribute $3.5 million towards the cost of a new events centre in Greymouth to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Pike River tragedy.

Economic Development Minister David Carter says the purpose of the new events centre is to provide a resource for the local community and to support the local economy.

“The Pike River tragedy had a terrible human cost. In addition to the loss of lives, there was also a significant economic impact as a result of the mine’s closure,” says Mr Carter.

Thank you for inviting me to open your conference, it’s a pleasure to be here.

Driving Innovation and Productivity is the theme of the day, and that drive is also at the centre of the Government’s economic growth agenda.

Today, I want to talk about the value your sector adds to the economy. And I want to talk about what the Government’s doing to keep your businesses driving forward – so collectively, we can have the tradable sector of the economy performing substantially better.

Good morning and thank you all for coming along today, many from the other side of the world. It is humbling to look around the room and see so many ‘world class’ Kiwis assembled in one place.

As a small nation we have achieved some incredible things, and when I look at the collective talent represented here today, I’m confident that we can do much more.

Frankly we must do – the world does not owe New Zealand a living.

More than 90 Canterbury exporters will be reinforcing their relationships with key customers in the coming weeks thanks to the Christchurch Market Connections Fund, launched 10 days ago as part of the government’s economic recovery package for earthquake-affected businesses.

Over $1.3 million of the $2 million fund has already been approved to support 91 firms seeking to strengthen relationships and reassure customers that Christchurch, and New Zealand, is open for business.

The government has committed $6.85 million to a carefully targeted economic recovery package to help Canterbury businesses severely affected by the two major earthquakes get back on their feet.

The package includes money for business recovery coordinators, international visits for exporters to key clients, a trust fund for those in need following the quakes, and more money for workshops and business training.

Economic Development Minister David Carter has offered his congratulations to New Zealand Football for winning the rights to host the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

“This is an exciting development for New Zealand and for New Zealand Football,” says Mr Carter. “Hosting rights for a FIFA tournament are hotly contested – both for the feast of exhilarating football on offer and also for the real economic and tourism benefits they bring to the host country.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says while Christchurch City schools and early childhood education centres remain closed until further notice, some schools in Selwyn and Waimakariri may be able to open after the weekend, following the devastating earthquake.

There are 215 schools across Christchurch, Waimakariri and Selwyn with around 76,000 students, and 415 ECE services.

“We are doing all we can to support schools and ECE centres at this difficult time,” says Mrs Tolley.

Finance Minister Bill English, Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee and Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced the establishment of an Advisory Group on Green Growth in enabling New Zealand to grow the economy while enhancing our clean, green brand.

“This new initiative is another part of the Government's plan to build a faster growing economy," Mr English said, announcing the advisory group at the National Party’s Bluegreens forum in Akaroa. 

Earthquake recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed today's release of the Earthquake Commission's Stage 2 geotechnical report into land damage caused by the Canterbury earthquake.

"This report gives Canterbury homeowners more information and certainty around the repair process," Mr Brownlee says.

"For the majority of property owners, the recovery process is relatively straightforward and the repair process can start now."

Earthquake recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee today announced a package of new measures to assist Canterbury business in the wake of the September 4 earthquake.

Over half a million dollars has been set aside to provide support.

“The best way for the city to recover is to restore the pre-quake flows of traffic – getting the street barriers down, is the best way to get commerce back on its feet,” Mr Brownlee said.

“Numerous businesses have relocated and changed their business model to sustain their business.

Earthquake recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee today visited the first of Fletcher Construction's regional project management hubs in Halswell, Christchurch, marking the beginning of work to repair ho

Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee has today announced a third round of the aquaculture market development contestable fund, providing $410,000 in additional funding for the industry.

Minister for Economic Development Gerry Brownlee today announced the government, through its Major Events Development Fund, is investing $150,000 in the Optimist World Championships to be hosted in

Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the passing of The Employment Relations (Film Production Work) Amendment Bill.

A report released today suggests New Zealand could double the value of its food exports, and offers insights into how this could be done, Minister for Economic development Gerry Brownlee says.

Moving to the centre: the future of the New Zealand food industry was commissioned from Coriolis Research by the Ministry of Economic Development and focuses on food exports to Australia.

It shows that New Zealand's exports of high-value processed food products to Australia are not just large at $877 million in 2009 (excluding wine), they are also growing rapidly.

Encouraging New Zealand managers to adopt a "global mindset" and help them realise the international growth potential of their businesses is the aim of a new $1.3 million programme being funded by

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed today's release of the Earthquake Commission's Stage 1 geotechnical report into land damage caused by the Canterbury earthquake.

Earthquake recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has congratulated Fletcher Construction on its appointment by the Earthquake Commission to run its Canterbury earthquake project management office.

The Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA), Actors' Equity, and Council of Trade Unions representatives met today, in a meeting facilitated by Minister for Economic Development Gerry

Minister for Economic Development Gerry Brownlee today announced five suppliers have been included on the panel for an all-of-government contract to supply computers to State sector agencies for a

Canterbury business owners and managers will have access to fully-funded training to help them recover from the effects of the recent earthquake, Minister for Economic Development Gerry Brownlee an

Earthquake recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today announced members of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Commission.

Earthquake recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the fast track process put in place to deal with minor house damage and lost contents has helped over 1,700 quake victims already.

Minister for Economic Development Gerry Brownlee today announced an additional economic support package for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Canterbury region.