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The House today passed two bills giving effect to the historical Treaty of Waitangi settlements of Ngāti Manuhiri and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei in the Tāmaki-Makaurau (Auckland) area, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced.

Acting Labour Minister Chris Finlayson has welcomed the public release of the report of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy.

Earlier today in Greymouth, the Government released the report to the families of the 29 men who died in the Pike River Mine on 19 November 2010.

The report found multiple operational and systemic issues with Pike River Coal and its operation of the mine. It also found that government regulation of mine safety has been ineffective, with a decline in the support of the mining inspectorate in the past 20 years.

Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson has expressed his condolences on the passing of lawyer Greg King.

“Although young in years, Greg King had already achieved a huge amount in his career,” Mr Finlayson said. “He was a lawyer in the finest traditions of the criminal bar, of the same stature as the likes of Mike Bungay, Kevin Ryan and Roy Stacey.”

“He was a fine advocate and a very nice guy. His early death is very sad, and my deepest sympathies go to his family at this time.”

Government ministers Gerry Brownlee and Christopher Finlayson will present the report of the Royal Commission into the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy, and the government’s response, to victims’ families in Greymouth on Monday.

Shortly after this private meeting, the report will be released publicly.

Napier solicitor Russell Collins has been appointed as a District Court Judge with a jury warrant to sit in Auckland, and Auckland lawyer Jonathan Down has been appointed as an Acting District Court Judge with general and jury warrants, to sit in Hastings, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The government has received the report of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ministers will now consider the report and its recommendations. The report will be released, first to victims’ families and then to the public, early next week, along with the government’s response.

Construction of the National War Memorial Park in Buckle Street was declared underway, following a sod-turning ceremony and blessing of the site on Buckle Street in Wellington, by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson.

The park is the Government’s key project to acknowledge the Centenary of the First World War, and is intended to be completed in time for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing on Anzac day 2015.

The Crown signed a deed of settlement for all outstanding historical Treaty claims with Te Rarawa at Te Ahu Centre in Kaitaia today, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced.

"The actions of the Crown left the people of Te Rarawa without sufficient and suitable land for their needs," Mr Finlayson said. "This settlement will allow Te Rarawa to move on with a secure base for economic and social development. It is well overdue, 27 years after the Muriwhenua claims were first lodged."

The Crown has signed a deed of settlement for all outstanding historical Treaty claims with NgāiTakato at Te Ahu Centre in Kaitaia today, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced.

"NgāiTakoto were left virtually landless by the historical actions of the Crown," Mr Finlayson said. "Finally, the people of NgāiTakoto can look forward to a brighter future - 27 years since the Muriwhenua claims were lodged in the area."

Attorney-General, Christopher Finlayson, today announced David Noble has been re-appointed Chief Parliamentary Counsel and Compiler of Statutes for a further term of three years from 5 November 2012, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.  

Mr Noble commenced in the role on 5 November 2007.

Mr Noble is expected to return to New Zealand in June 2013 from his secondment as the Director, Treasury Solicitor’s Department in London. 

Judge Laurence Ryan has been appointed the acting Principal Family Court Judge for a period of six months, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Judge Ryan will replace Judge Boshier, who joins the Law Commission.

Judge Ryan has served as a Family Court Judge since his appointment in 1996. He sits in Auckland.

Judge Boshier officially retires as Principal Family Court Judge in December 2012. Judge Ryan’s appointment will take effect from 10 November 2012.

The final reporting date for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure caused by Canterbury Earthquakes will be 30 November, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson has welcomed the third part of the Waitangi Tribunal’s report on Te Urewera, and says its findings show why it is so necessary for the Crown to address the issues in the report.

Auckland barrister Anna-Marie Skellern has been appointed as an Acting District Court Judge with jury and Family Court warrants to sit in Hastings, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Iwi groups yet to complete their Treaty settlements will be offered the opportunity to participate in the Government share offer programme, Finance Minister Bill English and Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson say.

The government has received the second part (volume 4 of 7) of the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure Caused by Canterbury Earthquakes, addressing practice and policy issues relating to earthquake-prone buildings, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ministers will now consider the second part of the report and its recommendations. An announcement about the government’s response and about the public release of the report will be made in due course.

Legislation to ensure a fitting National War Memorial Park will be developed at the National War Memorial site in Wellington in time for Anzac Day 2015 was passed by the House tonight.

The National War Memorial Park (Pukeahu) Empowering Bill allows the creation a unified National War Memorial Precinct in Wellington’s Buckle Street.

Four bills, which will give effect to historical Treaty of Waitangi settlements for Waitaha, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Ngāti Manuhiri and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei were progressed through an extra sitting period of the House of Representatives this morning.

The Waitaha Claims Settlement Bill and Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara Claims Settlement Bill passed their first readings unanimously, and will now be considered by the Māori Affairs select committee before returning to the House for second readings.

Donald Best, Marie Brown and Georgia Farmer have been reappointed for second terms to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra board, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced today.

“I am very pleased that these three members have agreed to continue their contribution to the governance of our world class national orchestra,” Mr Finlayson said. “Together they bring a diverse range of skills and experience to the board table”

Wellington business risk and assurance expert Aloysius Teh has been appointed to the board of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa), and Dr Michael Bassett has been re-appointed for a further one-year term, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The announcement of a merger between the NBR New Zealand Opera and Southern Opera is an exciting and welcome development, Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson said today.

By bringing Southern Opera into its fold, the NBR New Zealand Opera will now have bases in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It will ensure the South Island is also well served by an international standard opera company, with its national reach.

After consultation with iwi members, Te Kotahi a Tuhoe have accepted the Crown’s offer to settle the historical claims of Ngai Tuhoe, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson and Ngāi Tuhoe Chief negotiator Tamati Kruger announced today.

The Crown today signed a deed to collectively settle the historical claims of iwi and hapū over shared interests in the Auckland area, including maunga (volcanic cones) and motu (islands), Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced.

Responsibility for Radio New Zealand’s Sound Archives (Sound Archives Nga Taonga Korero) is being transferred to the New Zealand Film Archive, announced the Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister, Chris Finlayson and Broadcasting Minister, Craig Foss today.

A transfer agreement has been signed, and takes effect from 1 October 2012.