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Minister of Corrections Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today challenged NZ First on accountability and said the primary focus for him as Minister of Corrections is the security and safety of the public.

“Under the previous Labour-NZ First Government, there were 15 breaches from temporary release between 2005 and 2008.  That compares to just four under National since 2008,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“I didn’t see NZ First MP Ron Mark complaining at the time, when New Zealand had on average five people a year absconding under his Government’s watch.

  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Corrections

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew have received the final report from the Government’s inquiry into the whey protein concentrate contamination incident last year.

Ministers will now consider the report and its recommendations. The report will be released along with the Government’s response within the next few weeks.

This part of the inquiry looks at how the potentially contaminated whey protein concentrate entered the New Zealand and international market, and how this was subsequently addressed.

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Nathan Guy
  • Primary Industries
  • Food Safety

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner congratulates the twenty seven new Customs officers who are graduating in Auckland today, in time to boost border security at Auckland Airport for the busy summer season.

“These Customs officers will start their career at the busiest time of the year in the busiest place at the border. Their role is a unique and crucial one – both protecting and promoting New Zealand,” Ms Wagner said.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Customs

Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today welcomed the latest release of figures from Statistics New Zealand which shows the highest number of building consents issued in more than six years.

“There were 24,307 consents issued nationwide in the year to October 2014 – an increase of 21 per cent on the same period last year, and more than any other 12-month period since the year to May 2008,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Building and Housing

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has presented Clive Paton of Martinborough with the 2014 Loder Cup at a ceremony today, for his significant contribution to habitat restoration in New Zealand.

“Clive Paton is a remarkable individual and very deserving of being this year’s Loder Cup recipient. He is an inspirational example of somebody with drive, energy and a vision, who has woven conservation into his life,” says Ms Barry.

  • Maggie Barry
  • Conservation

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse will travel to Paris tomorrow to represent the New Zealand Government at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) high-level policy forum on migration.

The theme of this year’s forum is mobilising migrants’ skills for economic success and Mr Woodhouse will Chair the Forum’s second session on Building public confidence in migration issues, as well as speak to this theme.

  • Michael Woodhouse
  • Immigration

The limitless potential of location information, and the innovative people working at its forefront, took centre stage last night at the inaugural New Zealand Spatial Excellence Awards (NZSEA), Land Information Minister Louise Upston said today.

Location – or spatial – information tells us where things are, how they relate to one another, and how they change over time.

“Decisions using this sort of information contribute over $1 billion to the economy each year,” Ms Upston says.

  • Louise Upston
  • Land Information

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced the reinstatement of New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Fiji.

“New Zealand has had an acting High Commissioner since 2007, and this announcement is an important step in re-building our relationship with Fiji,” Mr McCully says.

“The new High Commissioner will be diplomat Mark Ramsden, who has been the Acting High Commissioner in Suva since September 2013.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith welcomes new rules taking effect from 1 December which will promote the growth of New Zealand’s financial markets and boost investor confidence.

“I am pleased to announce the final stage of implementation of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 which starts to come into force on 1 December,” says Mr Goldsmith.

  • Paul Goldsmith
  • Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Justice Minister Amy Adams and Social Development Minister Anne Tolley have acknowledged the Glenn Inquiry Report into family violence released today.

“The report looks at several issues that the Government is focused on and reinforces the importance of taking collective action on family violence,” say the Ministers.

“There are number of initiatives in place across Government to deal with the scourge of family violence in our communities, many of which address the issues raised in this report,” says Ms Adams.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Amy Adams
  • Social Development
  • Justice

President Dr Hein Stander, members of the ASMS.

It’s great to be here today to address your conference.

The last six weeks have been the busiest of my ministerial career.

There’s been plenty of travel – many of you may be aware that I am trying to get around all the DHBs by Christmas.

Fifteen down - five more to go.

It’s been great reconnecting with old med school classmates and former colleagues.

Get your bingo cards ready…

I attended Auckland med school.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Health

Tena tatou katoa.

Thank you for the invitation to be present at this event.

This week, many men will wear a white ribbon, not because it’s a new trend, not because it’s a fashion statement, and not because it’s popular.

It’s because it’s a symbol of hope. It is hope for a world where our wahine, women, and our tamāhine, girls live in a world free from the fear of violence.

Wearing the ribbon challenges the acceptability of violence by men getting involved and helping women to break the silence.

  • Te Ururoa Flavell
  • Maori Development

Revenue Minister Todd McClay says Inland Revenue’s proactive strategy to track down those attempting to avoid paying tax is showing big dividends.

“There are many ways people and companies attempt to avoid paying tax and we are continually increasing our resources to track them down,” says Mr McClay.

“Property speculation is a good example.

  • Todd McClay
  • Revenue

The Museum of Wellington City and Sea will receive a government grant of $1.3 million for its redevelopment project and earthquake strengthening, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry announced this evening.

Ms Barry made the announcement at an event to mark the museum’s 15th birthday celebrations.

“This grant acknowledges the significance of the Museum of City and Sea’s collection to both the wider Wellington region and on a national scale,” says Ms Barry.

  • Maggie Barry
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

Delivered by Sarah Stuart-Black, Acting Director Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management

Thank you for inviting me to open your annual National Controllers’ Forum for a second year.

I’m pleased to have this opportunity to acknowledge the important role you play in emergencies, and to join you as you learn, share ideas and reflect on the past and the future.

Moving to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

  • Nikki Kaye
  • Civil Defence

Education Minister Hekia Parata has acknowledged the work and commitment of groups across the education system to help lift educational achievement for all students.

Ms Parata has met sector representatives, ranging from early childhood education through to senior secondary schooling, following her reappointment as Education Minister.

“I meet these groups regularly and it was important to share with them my priorities for this term of Government and to hear their views about how we continue to work together to raise educational outcomes for our kids.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says preferred supplier agreements for whiteware and optical goods and services are proving a huge winner for beneficiaries, low income people and the taxpayer.

As part of the government’s welfare reforms the Ministry of Social Development is contracting with preferred suppliers and delivering brand new quality whiteware and optical goods and services at a much cheaper price for low income people who borrow the money from MSD.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Social Development

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew launched the 2013/14 Community Organisations Grants Scheme (COGS) Profile in Christchurch today.

“For 29 years COGS has been an important source of government funding for non-profit community organisations,” Mrs Goodhew says.

“The COGS Profile launch is an opportunity to highlight the outcomes achieved by these exceptional organisations that benefited from the $12.5 million in funding over the past year.

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Community and Voluntary Sector

The $300 million Christchurch Justice precinct has reached a key milestone with the final concrete pour and the installation of the first cranes.

Justice Minister Amy Adams today inspected the build site of the new Justice and Emergency Services Precinct alongside Prime Minister John Key.

The state-of-the-art precinct will be home to the Ministry of Justice, New Zealand Police, Department of Corrections, NZ Fire Service, St John, local and regional civil defence and emergency management teams, and the judiciary.

  • Amy Adams
  • Justice
  • Courts

Police Minister Michael Woodhouse and Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss today launched the ‘Reach the beach safely this summer’ campaign, an initiative led by New Zealand Police.

Last year’s Safer Summer campaign had a great impact with a significant decline in the proportion of people speeding on our roads and a reduction in deaths and serious injuries.

“Summer is a busy time on the road and we want to build on last year’s efforts by again enforcing speed limits and lower alcohol limits,” Mr Woodhouse says.

  • Craig Foss
  • Michael Woodhouse
  • Transport
  • Police

Foreign Minister Murray McCully travels to Brussels this weekend to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Foreign Ministers meeting.

“This year’s NATO Foreign Ministers meeting will bring together Ministers from NATO’s 28 member states and countries that contributed to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan,” Mr McCully says.

“The discussions will focus on how the international community can support Afghanistan as the country takes full control of its own security and development.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a record 728 students received a Hauora Māori scholarship award this year, the highest number since the scholarship fund began in 2000.

“The Hauora Māori scholarship fund supports and encourages more Māori into a career in the health sector,” says Dr Coleman.

“The number of scholarship applicants has grown significantly in recent years. This year in the medical category alone, 147 Māori students were awarded a scholarship – an increase of 50 percent since 2009.”

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Health

Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Auckland Mayor Len Brown have today welcomed the release of the first year report of the Auckland Housing Accord.

“It is good progress that 11,060 new sections and dwellings have been achieved in the first year – more than 20 per cent above the target of 9000. We will need to maintain this momentum and growth to meet the targets of 13,000 in year two and 17,000 in year three,” Dr Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Building and Housing

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today thanked outgoing MFAT Chief Executive John Allen for his service.

“Mr Allen was the first non-diplomat to hold the top job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,” Mr McCully says.

“He was appointed in 2009 and immediately set about helping to create a Ministry that was more modern, effective, and focused on delivering real benefits to New Zealanders.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs