Displaying 1 - 24 of 2141 results.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today approved the joint application from Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (Ngāi Tahu) and the Department of Conservation (DoC) to amend the Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora) Water Conservation Order (WCO) to recognise additional outstanding values.

  • Nick Smith
  • Environment

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.

  • Wayne Mapp
  • Defence

Transport Minister Steven Joyce is reminding Kiwis to do their bit to be safe on the roads these holidays.

“The NZ Transport Agency and Police are working hard to keep the traffic flowing and help to make your trip a safe one. I urge road users to work with them and drive responsibly to stay safe.”

The official holiday period begins at 4pm Friday 24 December 2010 and ends at 6am on Wednesday 5 January 2011.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Transport

The Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Georgina te Heuheu, has announced the appointment of six new members to the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs' Advisory Council. Mrs te Heuheu has also reappointed five existing members, and reduced total membership of the Council from 13 to 11.

The new members are Usufonoimanu Peseta Betty Sio, Alfred Ngaro, Ikamafana Tameifuna, Les Atoni, Tina McNicholas and Reverend Tom Etuata.

Those reappointed for a further term are Galumalemana Alfred Hunkin, Mrs Mary Cole, Dr Palatasa Havea, Rev Nove Vailaau and Mrs Sagaa Malua.

  • Georgina te Heuheu
  • Pacific Island Affairs

Disarmament Minister Georgina te Heuheu has today welcomed the United States’ decision to ratify the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia.

The New START treaty limits the number of US and Russian deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550 on each side – a 30 per cent reduction on current levels. It also limits the numbers of delivery vehicles (missiles and bombers), and puts in place a system of bilateral inspections to ensure compliance.

  • Georgina te Heuheu
  • Disarmament and Arms Control

Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples has announced five new appointments to the Board of Te Mangai Paho, the body that allocates funds for Maori broadcasting.

“Dr Piri Sciascia is the new Chair of Te Mangai Paho, and he will be joined by Mr Toni Waho, Dr Hinemoa Elder, Ms Taria Tahana and Ms Gabrielle Huria, for the next three years at least,” said Dr Sharples.

“I have also reappointed Ms Gina Rangi to the board for a further three years,” he said.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Maori Affairs

New Zealand’s economic recovery remains on track, despite figures today showing a small contraction in gross domestic product in the September quarter, Finance Minister Bill English says.

“Before this result, we had seen five consecutive quarters of growth since coming out of a deep recession. I’ve said all along that this recovery would be a bit bumpy at times, and that’s proved to be the case.

  • Bill English
  • Finance

Climate Change Issues Minister Nick Smith today announced the panel and terms of reference for the review into the emissions trading scheme to ensure it is meeting its purpose of reducing emissions at least possible cost and that New Zealand is appropriately pacing itself on climate change relative to its key trading partners.

  • Nick Smith
  • Climate Change Issues

Good progress is being made on the recovery process for Canterbury following the destructive 7.1 magnitude earthquake on 4 September, Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

"We're coming up to four months on from one of the most expensive insurance events ever worldwide. We are already getting international recognition for the speed with which the recovery process got underway," Mr Brownlee says.

"I'd like to acknowledge the ongoing patience and community spirit displayed by Cantabrians during what is a stressful time," he says.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Earthquake Recovery

Hon Maurice Williamson and Hon Kate Wilkinson have today declined consent to Natural Dairy (NZ) Holdings Limited to acquire the Crafar farms.

The Ministers’ decision covers the applications by Natural Dairy (NZ) Holdings Limited to acquire UBNZ Assets Holdings Limited and 16 of the Crafar farms.

The Ministers also declined consent to UBNZ Assets Holdings Limited’s retrospective application to acquire the four Crafar farms it purchased in February 2010.

  • Kate Wilkinson
  • Maurice Williamson
  • Finance
  • Land Information

Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples congratulates Ngati Porou on the signing of their Deed of Settlement, which took place today in Parliament.

“Ngati Porou is a large iwi with a large land area, and this is a very significant settlement,” said Dr Sharples. “The rapid progress of negotiations is testament to the strong and focused leadership of the iwi and their team, and the level of organisation among the people on the ground,” he said.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Maori Affairs

The process to streamline and simplify state sector ICT infrastructure is now underway, with the release today of a request for proposal document.

This has been welcomed by the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Steven Joyce, and the Minister for Internal Affairs, Nathan Guy.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Nathan Guy
  • Communications and Information Technology
  • Internal Affairs

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne has welcomed the enactment of tax reforms introduced in the Taxation (GST and Remedial Matters) Bill, saying they were a significant step towards increasing fairness and consistency across the tax system.

The new rules in the legislation enacted this week close off a loophole in the GST rules where some GST-registered purchasers have claimed a GST refund without the corresponding payment having been made because the supplier in the transaction has been deliberately wound up to avoid making the GST payment.

  • Peter Dunne
  • Revenue

Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy has appointed Guy Royal, Garth Gallaway and Kate Davenport to the Film and Literature Board of Review.

The Board is an independent statutory appeal body which reviews decisions made by the Office of Film and Literature Classification. Publications covered include films, video recordings, DVDs, books, magazines and computer-based material.

“All three appointees have a broad range of experience and expertise which will help them in this important role,” says Mr Guy.

  • Nathan Guy
  • Internal Affairs

The government has today confirmed that all taxis operating in our larger centres will be fitted with security cameras from 1 August next year.  This move is designed to enhance the safety of both taxi drivers and their passengers.

The Land Transport Rule: Operator Licensing Amendment (No 2) 2010 will also ensure taxi drivers get around-the-clock telecommunications support.

“Sadly, the safety situation for taxi drivers has changed in recent times and these requirements are now a necessity,” says Transport Minister Steven Joyce.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Transport

The Crown and Ngāti Porou have signed a Deed of Settlement for the settlement of all Ngāti Porou’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

Environment Minister Nick Smith today welcomed the decision to grant consents for Contact Energy’s $1 billion Tauhara II 250 MW geothermal power station in Taupo – the first project processed under the national consenting process of the reformed Resource Management Act.

“This is the first time in 20 years a major project has been consented in eight months. The average time prior to these reforms was two years with some projects taking as long as eight years.” Dr Smith said.

  • Nick Smith
  • Environment

Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy has announced the appointment of Dr Andrew Jack as Chief Censor.

Dr Jack has 26 years experience in the public service and significant legal expertise that includes working with the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993.

He is currently the Group Manager, Legal and Advisory Services at the New Zealand Customs Service and has worked for the New Zealand Police as Chief Legal Advisor.

“Dr Jack has a strong legal background and experience in dealing with law enforcement,” says Mr Guy.

  • Nathan Guy
  • Internal Affairs

The Minister of Māori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples, today announced the appointment of Dr Grant Phillipson and the re-appointments of Sir Douglas Kidd and Dr Ann Parsonson to the Waitangi Tribunal, each for a term of three years.

“I am pleased to have such high-calibre candidates being appointed and reappointed to the Tribunal. Dr Grant Phillipson is a professional historian, who possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience of Treaty history and Tribunal processes,” said Dr Sharples.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Maori Affairs

Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced several appointments and reappointments to health sector boards.

Mrs Gay Shirley has been appointed to the Waikato District Health Board, replacing Mr Gordon Chesterman, who resigned shortly after the recent elections.

Mr Jamie Simpson of Christchurch has been appointed to the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) and Ms Anne Hobby has been reappointed.

Mr Alastair Scott and Ms Pip Dunphy have been reappointed to the Crown Health Financing Agency (CHFA), and Mr Scott has been appointed chair.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

It will now be easier for parents and schools to access information on providers of gifted and talented education following the launch of a redesigned website today, Associate Minister of Education Rodney Hide said.  

“The Ministry of Education’s 'Gifted and Talented Online' website provides a central place for best practice, research and smart tools for building the capability of gifted and talented students, Mr Hide said.

  • Rodney Hide
  • Education

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has approved funding for 131 community organisations through the Community Response Fund.

More than $7.5 million has been allocated in this fifth round of the CRF.

“We created this fund to help organisations keep delivering services to families through tough financial times,” said Minister Bennett.

“Since June last year, we’ve put $41 million into 779 community organisations and it’s helped keep many afloat,” says Ms Bennett.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Development and Employment
  • Youth Affairs

Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy has announced the appointment of new member Maggie Burrill and the reappointment of Tina Wehipeihana-Wilson to the Lottery Grants Board.

“Both candidates have a wide range of experience in both the private sector and their local communities which will serve them well,” says Mr Guy.

  • Nathan Guy
  • Internal Affairs

An air alliance between Air New Zealand and the Virgin Blue group to operate integrated services on trans-Tasman routes has been given the green light by Transport Minister Steven Joyce.

New Zealand’s agreement, in addition to the recent authorisation from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), means Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue will be able to work together on the services and fares they offer on trans-Tasman services.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Transport