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Minister of Conservation, Kate Wilkinson, today paid tribute to missing Department of Conservation volunteer Mihai Muncus-Nagy, who is presumed to have been swept off rocks on Raoul Island on Monday in a tragic accident.

"My thoughts and sympathies are today with the family of Mr Muncus-Nagy in Romania.

“Mihai was a dedicated and passionate conservationist. He was carrying out valuable conservation work on behalf of the department on this remote and special island," says Ms Wilkinson.

  • Kate Wilkinson
  • Conservation

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says the high holiday road toll is disappointing and it confirms the need to remain vigilant in efforts to improve safety on our roads.

18 people died on the roads during the official holiday driving period which ran from 4pm on December 23 to 6am this morning.

During the same period last year 12 people were killed, while in 2009/10 13 people died.

“This is a disappointing result. Every fatality and serious injury is a tragedy for the families and loved ones of those involved,” Mr Brownlee says.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Transport

The announcement by the Fiji administration that the Public Emergency Regulations will be lifted on 7 January has been welcomed by the New Zealand Government.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says the New Zealand Government has been calling for the lifting of the regulations as an important step towards the holding of free and fair elections.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and Police Minister Anne Tolley say the record low 2011 road toll of 284 is encouraging but they are urging road users to remain vigilant in keeping the road toll down.

The provisional 2011 toll compares with 375 in 2010, 384 in 2009 and 366 in 2008. The last time the road toll was below 300 was in 1952 when 272 people died.

The Ministers say that the current holiday road toll illustrates why there is no room for complacency.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Transport
  • Police