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New Zealand’s new Ambassador to Turkey will be career diplomat, Taha Macpherson, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully announced today.

“This is a key appointment. As well as being based in Ankara the Ambassador is also accredited to Israel and Jordan. He will be our main representative dealing with a broad range of Middle East issues,” said Mr McCully.

“Over the next few years the Ambassador will help prepare for the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing Gallipoli in 2015.”

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister, Tariana Turia, has congratulated the 2011 recipients of the Dynamic Community Learning Awards, who received their awards today at Putiki Marae in Whanganui.

“I am so proud of the amazing contribution so many groups make to enhancing our communities”.

“These awards are a way of ‘giving back’ to these people – recognising the generosity of spirit that characterises their commitment to community”.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has today confirmed the Government’s intention to comprehensively reform the benefit system.

“It’s not socially or financially sustainable to continue to spend eight billion dollars a year to pay benefits to 12 per cent of working age New Zealanders.”

There are clear links between welfare, poverty and poor health. Evidence shows children are better off when their parents are in work, not on welfare.

Good afternoon.

As you know, the Government has had a very strong focus on welfare over the last three years.

We introduced a number of changes to benefits in 2010 which are already having positive effects, and in August we announced a new approach to welfare as it affects teenagers.

What we are announcing today is a much bigger step forward – a comprehensive reform of the benefit system, building off the recommendations of the Welfare Working Group.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Chris Finlayson today announced the establishment of a 76 hectare reserve for the people of Wellington and New Zealand on the iconic Miramar Peninsula.

The new reserve area, known as Watts Peninsula, is a prominent Wellington landmark at the northern tip of the Miramar Peninsula and a historically significant part of New Zealand.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce has approved open access deeds of undertaking provided by the government’s broadband partners.

The deeds set out the requirements for open access on the Ultra-fast Broadband and Rural Broadband networks, and on Telecom’s copper network after structural separation.

Environment and ACC Minister Nick Smith is encouraging Kiwis to take extra care while enjoying fireworks this Guy Fawkes.

“I want people to enjoy Guy Fawkes and fireworks but to do so responsibly to avoid injury, damage to property and harm to animals. I particularly want to encourage people to attend professional public displays that carry the least risk,” Dr Smith said.

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.

Having overdue fines and reparation may soon impact people’s ability to get credit as the government approves the implementation of the Credit Check of Fines initiative, Minister for Courts Georgina te Heuheu announced today.

The initiative allows credit agencies, such as hire purchase providers and banks, access to information about overdue fines and reparation that they can then take into account when making credit and lending decisions.  It was enabled by the Courts and Criminal Matters Bill, which was passed in July this year.

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.”

Thank you for inviting me to celebrate the new Varian TrueBeam radiotherapy linear accelerator machine.

I am told that this particular multi-million dollar machine is the first Varian TrueBeam radiotherapy linear accelerator in Australasia and the first of its kind to treat patients in the Southern Hemisphere.

This is one of ten new cancer radiation machines approved under this John Key government. And it's part of our comprehensive plan for better treatment for cancer patients which we put into action in late 2008.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has welcomed the release of an Education Review Office evaluation of Service Academies, which shows improved engagement, behaviour and academic achievement for the secondary school students enrolled in this important Youth Guarantee initiative.

The evaluation also found improvements in health and fitness levels at the military-focused academies, which offer courses such as leadership and outdoor education, while students work towards achieving at least NCEA Level 1 literacy and numeracy.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced that a dedicated nationwide online network for New Zealand schools will be developed, to ensure that teaching and learning is at the forefront of global educational developments and makes the most of new technology.

The safe, secure system, called the Network for Learning, is estimated to cost between $300 -$400 million over the next 10 years, and will provide high-quality educational content and resources to schools and students, to help lift achievement for young New Zealanders wherever they are across the country.

Acting Minister of Energy and Resources, Hekia Parata, says all gas consumers should have their supply restored by midday following a gas leak on the Maui pipeline five days ago.

Welding on the damaged section of the pipeline, just north of New Plymouth, was completed on Friday. The pipe was tested rigorously yesterday and repressurised early this morning, which will see the gradual restoration of the last remaining consumers.

The achievements of world-renowned conservation innovator Dr Don Merton have been immortalised in an award that will see the continuation of his pioneering spirit in the management of endangered species, Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson announced today.

Announcing the award at a special ceremony hosted by Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter in Rotorua, Ms Wilkinson praised the work of the former Department of Conservation scientist who died in April this year.

Prime Minister John Key has paid tribute to Business Roundtable executive director Roger Kerr, who died last night in Wellington.

“Roger made a significant contribution to New Zealand business, public policy and the wider economy over several decades,” says Mr Key.

“He was a man of integrity and energy, who was not afraid to debate important issues passionately and often controversially.  But he did it calmly and focused on the issues at hand, rather than making the debates personal.

Prime Minister John Key today officially opened Christchurch’s Restart project in Cashel Mall, the first part of the city’s red zone now open for business.

“A total of 27 businesses have opened today, including the flagship Ballantynes department store, which is great news for Cantabrians and for retailers who are determined to get their businesses up and running,” says Mr Key.

The opening of the Victoria Park Tunnel will bring huge gains for Auckland and the wider New Zealand economy, through reduced congestion and faster, more reliable journey times, says Transport Minister Steven Joyce

The $340 million Victoria Park Tunnel project will increase the capacity of State Highway 1 between the Auckland Harbour Bridge and Newmarket, one of the country’s busiest freight and business routes.

Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, has announced New Zealand will provide $250,000 to support the Turkish Red Crescent’s humanitarian response to the devastating quake in the Van Province of Turkey.

“The quake which struck Turkey on 23 October has caused terrible loss of life and widespread damage. At this stage more than 400 people have died and more than 1000 have been injured,” Murray McCully said.

Kia orana! Ni sa bula vanaka. Talofa lava, fakaalofa lahi atu. Taloha ni! Talofa, malo e lelei.

Tēnā koutou, otirā tātau me ngā tini āhuatanga o te wā. Huri atu te pō, nau mai te ao

I want to firstly acknowledge Pastor Teremoana Tauira and the Pacific Ministers Forum for blessing us with a strong foundation for us all to be here today.

This is such an exciting moment in your journey, and I am so proud to have been invited along to launch the Maori and Pasifika collective, Waka e Tasi.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says a decision on the integration of Wanganui Collegiate School into the state system has been deferred until August 2012.

“I need to be satisfied that the school is able to meet the strict criteria to be allowed to integrate," says Mrs Tolley.

“I am aware of the importance of the school to the Wanganui and wider region, and in the meantime I have agreed that financial assistance can be provided should the school need it, but under certain conditions.

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.

The Acting Minister of Energy and Resources, Hekia Parata, today visited the site of the gas leak on the Maui pipeline, just north of New Plymouth.

Vector has been working around the clock, rotating crews, since the early hours of Tuesday morning to fix a section of the pipe, which had ruptured along the seam.
The affected section has been removed, and work is continuing on fitting the new section, with testing at each stage.

Vector advise, if progress continues at the current rate, they hope to have gas supply fully restored by late Sunday.

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.”