Displaying 25 - 48 of 241 results.

Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson has rushed to correct New Zealand First leader Winston Peters’ misunderstanding today of a High Court decision issued two weeks ago.

“New Zealand First has reliably supported Treaty settlement legislation in the House this term, despite the rhetoric that many often unfairly associate with Mr Peters,” Mr Finlayson said. “I would not like to see him ruin his record of support for New Zealand’s future because he has simply misread a judgment.”

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

Hamilton lawyer Simon Menzies has been appointed as an acting District Court Judge with a jury warrant to serve in the Hamilton District Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

Tauranga lawyer Belinda Pidwell has been appointed as an acting District Court Judge with a Family Court warrant to serve in the Waitakere District Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ms Pidwell has practiced in litigation since her admission to the Bar with a strong focus on criminal and family law. In 2004 she joined the independent Bar concentrating on family law, where she regularly acted as lawyer for the child and counsel to assist the Court as well as taking private referrals.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

The government today announced the formation of Screen New Zealand, a new ‘virtual agency’ that formalises the collaboration of three existing screen agencies.

The New Zealand Film Commission, Film New Zealand and NZ On Air will work together on a number of specific projects under the umbrella of Screen NZ.

Screen NZ will play an important role delivering the government’s goals for the New Zealand screen sector – specifically to encourage more mid-sized, locally-driven productions and attract more international production.

  • Craig Foss
  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Broadcasting
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chris Finlayson and Minister of Youth Affairs Nikki Kaye today announced $50,000 from the Ministry of Youth Development to support youth participation in the performing arts.

“This funding will encourage young people to develop their musical and performance abilities, grow their confidence and self-management skills, and connect them with industry experts who can foster their talent and creativity,” Mr Finlayson says.

  • Nikki Kaye
  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Youth Affairs
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

The Crown has signed an Agreement in Principle to settle historical Treaty of Waitangi claims with the iwi and hapū of Te Wairoa, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Te Wairoa includes seven iwi and hapū clusters covering northern Hawke’s Bay and southern Gisborne and the township of Wairoa, Lake Waikaremoana and the Mahia peninsula.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The Crown has signed an Agreement in Principle to settle historical Treaty of Waitangi claims with Heretaunga-Tamatea, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced today.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

Fourteen lawyers have been appointed Queen’s Counsel this year, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

The newly appointed silks are:

Auckland - Russell Bartlett, Stephen Bonnar, Paul David, Marie Dyhrberg, Antonia Fisher, Paul Rishworth, Paul Wicks

Christchurch - Prudence Steven, Peter Whiteside

Dunedin - Anita Chan

Wellington - David Laurenson, Matthew McClelland, Matthew Palmer, Paul Radich.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced today the four young French-speaking New Zealanders who have been selected to represent New Zealand at the Bastille Day military parade in Paris on 14 July.

They are Aria Newfield and Milan Djurich, of Auckland, Isabel Kerr, of Wellington, and Alexander Summerlee, of Christchurch.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

Jacinda Ardern has yet again shown why New Zealanders do not trust the Labour Party even to read a Budget correctly, let alone write one, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson said today.

Ms Ardern has made numerous incorrect statements about arts funding in Budget 2014, despite these errors being repeatedly pointed out in Parliament and online.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

Eight inaugural members have been appointed to the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Board, established by the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced today.

“I am delighted to announce the new Board appointees,” Mr Finlayson said. “Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga will ensure continued heritage protection, remove red-tape and recognise the heritage needs of New Zealanders.”

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

The Regional Museums Policy fund for Capital Construction Projects is open for 2014/15 applications, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chris Finlayson announced today.

The fund assists regional museums and art galleries that house collections of national significance to improve access to and care of these collections through major construction projects. Applications for qualifying museum and art gallery redevelopment projects are considered on a contestable basis.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

A film and television co-production agreement signed overnight between New Zealand and Denmark will provide exciting opportunities for collaboration between both countries’ screen industries, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson said today.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

Wellington lawyer Chris Sygrove has been appointed as a District Court Judge with jury and Family Court warrants to serve in New Plymouth, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

David Sharp, barrister and solicitor of Gisborne, has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury warrant to serve in Auckland, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson QC announced today.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

Wellington-based Crown Counsel Stephanie Brigid Edwards has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury warrant to serve in Palmerston North, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General

The House tonight passed the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Bill. This Bill reforms the governance of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust in line with its status as a Crown entity and streamlines the bureaucracy needed to ensure heritage protection. The statutory name of the Historic Places Trust will change to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

A top architecture award for New Zealand’s Guest of Honour Pavilion at the Frankfurt Book Fair is further recognition of New Zealand’s excellent programme as Guest of Honour at the world’s largest content and media fair, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson said today. 

The New Zealand Guest of Honour Pavilion at the 2012 Frankfurt Book Fair, designed by Patterson Associates and Inside Out Productions, received the International Architecture Award at the 2014 New Zealand Architecture Awards last night. 

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced that applications are now open for four young French-speaking New Zealanders to represent New Zealand on 14 July at the Bastille Day Parade in Paris.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage

The Crown has signed an Accord with Ngāti Porou in Gisborne, formalising the government’s ongoing commitment to the iwi, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson said today.

The Crown-Ngāti Porou Relationship Accord is part of the Crown’s comprehensive Treaty settlement with the East Coast iwi, enacted in 2012.

Mr Finlayson said the purpose of the Accord was to improve outcomes from government investment for Ngāti Porou and develop and strengthen relationships with the iwi.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The House sat for extended hours this morning to pass four bills giving effect to the final deeds of settlement for historical Treaty claims in the South Island.

The Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne o Wairau Claims Settlement Bill; the Ngāti Kōata, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Tama ki Te Tau Ihu and Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui Claims Settlement Bill; the Ngati Toa Rangatira Claims Settlement Bill, and the Ka Mate Haka Attribution Bill were passed through their third readings.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The House sat under extended hours this morning to pass the third readings of the Ngāti Rangiwewehi Claims Settlement Bill, the Tapuika Claims Settlement Bill, and the Ngāti Rangiteaorere Claims Settlement Bill. 

The Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Bill had previously been read as an omnibus bill and today was separated into three individual bills dealing with each of the three iwi’s settlements.  

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The House sat extended hours this morning to pass the third reading of the Maungaharuru-Tangitū Hapū Claims Settlement Bill, which will give effect to the hapū’s historical Treaty settlement with the Crown. 

The Maungaharuru-Tangitū Hapū Claims Settlement Bill will settle the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of the Maungaharuru-Tangitū Hapū, comprising Ngāti Kurumokihi, Ngāti Tu, Ngāti Whakaari, Ngāi Tauira, Ngāi Te Ruruku ki Tangoio, and Ngāi Tahu Hapū. 

The Maungaharuru-Tangitū Hapū are based north of Napier in the Hawke’s Bay.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The Waitangi National Trust Board Amendment Bill, which will modernise the governance structure of the Waitangi National Trust Board, passed its first reading in the House today.

The board was set up in 1932 by Lord and Lady Bledisloe when they gifted to the people of New Zealand the 506-hectare Waitangi estate, which includes the Treaty Grounds.

Under the Waitangi National Trust Board Act 1932 the board is responsible for caring for one of New Zealand’s most significant heritage sites.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage