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A new interactive guide to New Zealand’s First World War history on the Western Front is now available to download, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says.

“The Ngā Tapuwae Western Front Trails take visitors around places of special significance to our history, such as Passchendaele and the Somme,” Ms Barry says.

“A free smartphone and tablet app that accompanies the trails has been released and gives people the chance to follow in the footsteps of our soldiers and find out more about their experience on the Western Front.”

The return of 50 juvenile kiwi to the Okarito forest on the West Coast is an excellent sign for recovery efforts, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

Released this morning at an event attended by the Department of Conservation’s Threatened Species Ambassador, Nicola Toki, the birds will take the population of the rare Rowi kiwi species in the Okarito forest to more than 400.

Three Niuean soldiers who served in the First World War will now be included in the New Zealand Roll of Honour and Commonwealth War Graves Commission records, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says.

“Privates Alotau 16/1030, Mitipauni 16/1096 and Muimatagi 16/1098 will be added to the Roll after extensive research into First World War service records by the New Zealand Defence Force,” Ms Barry says.

Former Wellington Mayor and MP Fran Wilde has been appointed to the board of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry announced today.

“With Ms Wilde’s extensive leadership and governance experience in the public and private sectors, I have no doubt she will make a valuable contribution to the important work of the Te Papa board,” Ms Barry says.

Wellington lawyer John McCay has been appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission Board, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry announced today.

“John McCay has extensive experience in corporate and commercial law, including more than 20 years advising public sector bodies,” Ms Barry says.

“He also brings significant expertise in the infrastructure, technology, sports, film and entertainment industries to the Commission.”

The 25^th International Day of Older Persons on October 1st is an opportunity to celebrate the significant contribution seniors make to New Zealand society, Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry says.

“Seniors play a pivotal role and are a very positive influence on our economy, workplaces and communities, which is only going to grow as our population ages,” Ms Barry says.

“As volunteers, seniors are crucial to many of the support groups, clubs and societies which enrich our towns and cities.”

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry will leave for Europe tomorrow to take part in a series of memorial events, visit the new Ngā Tapuwae New Zealand First World War trails and build ties for the next three years of centenary commemorations.

Ms Barry will travel to France, Belgium and Italy during her visit, meeting with the French Secretary of State for Veteran’s Affairs, Jean-Marc Todeschini.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has announced new funding for three groups with exciting plans to help New Zealand’s national bird thrive in the wild.

$226,000 from the Community Conservation Partnerships Fund will go towards the projects in the West Coast, Northland and the Coromandel.

Efforts to inspire young people to get involved with protecting New Zealand’s natural world will benefit from $566,000 of funding announced today, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

“Six significant environmental education projects will receive the money from the Community Conservation Partnerships Fund,” Ms Barry says.

“It is vital for the future of conservation in this country that we’re able to support organisations that are doing great work and encourage the next generation to enjoy, value and protect our natural world.”

The fight against introduced predators across New Zealand will receive a significant boost through $2.13 million in Community Conservation Partnerships Fund money announced today by Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.

“Pests like possums, rats and stoats are, without any doubt, the biggest threat to our native wildlife,” Ms Barry says.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says he is pleased by a new report which shows most elderly people enjoy good relationships with friends and family and have someone to give them emotional support.

The report, by the University of Auckland, is one in a series commissioned by the Ministry of Health on the health and wellbeing of older people.

“It is important that people at this stage of their lives have a strong support network around them and maintain their relationships with friends and family,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

A new website for New Zealand’s SuperSeniors has been launched today by Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry.

SuperSeniors will pull together in one place the wealth of information available for older New Zealanders online, including superannuation entitlements, finances, health and SuperGold discounts.

Ms Barry unveiled the website at a seniors event in Milford in Auckland’s North Shore, together with Prime Minister John Key.

New Zealand Aluminium Smelter’s 25 years of partnership with DOC has helped to bring the kakapo back from the edge of extinction, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

“When NZAS joined with DOC and Forest & Bird there were only 49 kakapo left in the world. Now, a quarter of a century later, there are 125 and early indications point to a good upcoming breeding season,” Ms Barry says.

Five groups tackling the major problem of wilding conifers have received $345,000 from the Community Conservation Partnerships Fund as part of the War on Weeds, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

“Wilding conifers cover more than 1.7 million hectares of land, and are advancing at an estimated rate of 5 per cent a year,” Ms Barry says.

“They alter entire landscapes and are notoriously difficult to clear once established, representing a major threat to our unique New Zealand ecosystems, land and farms.”

DOC’s new Queenstown Visitor Centre will showcase the spectacular natural beauty and outdoor adventures on offer in our most popular tourist destination, Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.

Ms Barry opened the centre, on Stanley St, this afternoon.

“From this high-profile, modern and innovative new site, DOC will be at the heart of tourism in Queenstown. It will be a source of up-to-date information for anyone who wants to enjoy the experiences available in the area.”

Clare Murray of Christchurch has been appointed to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra board, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry confirmed today.

“Clare Murray has extensive experience of music and arts governance and brings that knowledge and business acumen to this important role,” Ms Barry says.

“A strong supporter of the arts in Canterbury, Mrs Murray has been a trustee and chair of the Christchurch Arts Festival. I am sure she will make a significant contribution as the NZSO enters an exciting phase in its history.”

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has announced a $918,000 commitment to the War on Weeds through this year’s round of Community Conservation Partnerships Fund grants.

$500,000 will go to a significant joint programme run by Weedbusters NZ and the QEII National Trust, and will be used to fund voluntary weedbusting efforts by community groups, alongside regional and local councils.

New Zealanders will be encouraged to roll up their sleeves and join forces to fight against invasive weeds in a new campaign launched today by Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.

“It’s time to declare War on Weeds,” Ms Barry says. “They choke our forests and waterways, restrict habitat and could ruin cherished and valuable landscapes.”

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has today announced New Zealand’s first Threatened Species Ambassador is Nicola Toki.

The Ambassador will be a high-profile role within the Department of Conservation for all of the country’s threatened species, working to build partnerships and encourage New Zealanders to become involved in conservation efforts.

“As a nation, we face a major battle to save our threatened species. Our unique native wildlife is besieged by introduced pests and other threats,” Ms Barry says.

Minister for Senior Citizens Maggie Barry and Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Paul Goldsmith today welcomed a survey highlighting the importance of all New Zealanders planning for their retirement.

The joint survey by the Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC) and the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) shows many older New Zealanders don’t yet know how they will reach their retirement goals.

“Planning for a secure financial future is important for all New Zealanders, not only those heading towards retirement,” Mr Goldsmith says.

The centenary of the Battle of Chunuk Bair will be marked in Wellington this weekend with a national commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says.

On August 8, 1915, soldiers from the Wellington Battalion took the heights of Chunuk Bair in a night attack. After fierce fighting, the New Zealanders and allied forces were driven from the position, suffering heavy losses.

ACC Minister Nikki Kaye and Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry have welcomed new ACC initiatives aimed at reducing falls amongst older people.

“ACC will roll out a series of initiatives aimed at preventing falls and improving services for older people over the next 12 months,” says Ms Kaye.

“Today I’m pleased to confirm the first of these initiatives, which include:

Dame Patsy Reddy has been reappointed as Chair of the New Zealand Film Commission, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry announced today.

Charles Finny has also been reappointed as a member of the Commission.

Both of Wellington, Dame Patsy and Mr Finny are joined by three new appointments; Ross McRobie of Wanaka, Ian Taylor of Dunedin and Jane Hastings of Auckland.

“These are exciting times for the film industry with many emerging growth opportunities for the already highly successful sector to take advantage of,” Ms Barry says.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry today announced the results of the first review of the New Zealand Screen Production Grant (NZSPG).

The NZSPG replaced the Large Budget Screen Production Grant (LBSPG) for international productions and the Screen Production Incentive Fund (SPIF) for New Zealand productions, with effect from April 2014.

The review concluded that the NZSPG has had a positive first year with its economic, industry development and cultural objectives achieved, Mr Joyce says.