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The Minister of Māori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples, is encouraging people to make submissions on a Māori Economic Development Panel: Discussion Document which was released today

“Māori are significant players in the New Zealand economy, with assets worth $36.9 billion, but when Māori realise our full potential, we can contribute so much more than we do already,” Dr Sharples says.

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says the Puppies in Prison programme, launched today at Spring Hill Corrections Facility, will reduce reoffending and lead to increased numbers of mobility dogs trained to help people living with disabilities.

“The programme, undertaken in partnership with the Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust, will see a number of low-security prisoners provide full-time training for mobility dogs, which will go on to assist people living with disabilities,” says Mrs Tolley.

The Government is considering further measures to protect Maui’s dolphins as a new study points to a decline in numbers of the critically endangered species.

A population assessment commissioned by the Department of Conservation shows the number of adult dolphins has gone down in the six years since the previous assessment, with an estimated 55 adult animals remaining.

The Government will focus on six key areas over the next three years to help companies grow and to build a more productive and competitive economy, Finance Minister Bill English and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce say.

Building a more competitive economy is one of four main priorities the Prime Minister has outlined for the Government in this term.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew urges New Zealanders most at risk from serious influenza complications to get their free immunisation from today.

The flu vaccine is offered free every year to New Zealanders over the age of 65, pregnant women and people with ongoing health conditions such as asthma or heart problems. The 2012 programme was officially launched today by the National Influenza Specialist Group.

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson today launched a new plan to bring down the number of injuries and deaths in the manufacturing industry.

The Manufacturing Sector Action Plan targets the most significant causes of harm to manufacturing workers and outlines a range of initiatives, including improving safe use of machinery and vehicles at work.

Defence Minister, Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, is spending today and tomorrow visiting several New Zealand Defence Force bases.

The base visits allow him to meet personnel of different ranks, meet different units, and be briefed on the capabilities of assorted defence equipment.

The Minister is visiting the Ohakea Air Force base this morning, the Linton Army Camp this afternoon, and the Burnham Army Camp tomorrow.

Tomorrow evening Dr Coleman will also speak at the 75th anniversary of the RNZAF function being held at the Beehive.

“It’s one year on since the big earthquake in Canterbury and Government recognises that people in Canterbury are still dealing with very difficult circumstances,” says Revenue Minister Peter Dunne.

“The Government has therefore extended a temporary measure introduced after the February earthquakes for a further six months,” Mr Dunne announced today.

Commenting on a new website, which will help employers seeking to establish payroll giving schemes in their workplaces, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne today congratulated the group behind the website for their efforts.

Payroll Giving is a scheme which allows an employee to donate to their nominated charity through their employer’s payroll. Mr Dunne said that the Payroll Giving Early Adopters Group which comprises a mix of small and large employers had worked very hard to make Payroll Giving more accessible for other employers.

Associate Minister of Health, Hon. Tariana Turia is delighted by the Fonterra Milk for Schools programme, which will be piloted across 112 schools in the Northland region – meaning some 10,000 children will directly benefit from the scheme.

Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley heads overseas today to attend the 13th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting in Kuwait.

The IEF is the world’s largest gathering of Energy Ministers. Its 88 member countries account for 90 per cent of global oil and gas supply and demand. It is the world’s leading forum for producer/consumer dialogue within the global energy sector, and on energy issues affecting the world.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today met with European Union Commissioner for Research and Innovation to discuss how to strengthen New Zealand’s science links with Europe.

“Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn’s visit is an excellent opportunity to cement our European science links. Europe is New Zealand’s major science partner. Nearly 40 per cent of New Zealand’s international research connections are with European partners,” Mr Joyce says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully is welcoming today's announcement of a constitutional consultation process in Fiji.

The Government welcomes the news of the sale of Pike River Mine to Solid Energy, Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley said today.

“This is a positive step towards a commercial re-opening of the mine. We expect Solid Energy to commit to use its best endeavours to recover the bodies of the deceased miners.

“Any plan for re-opening the mine and recovering the bodies will need to be safe and credible. The Government is not prepared to see any further lives lost at the mine,” says Mr Heatley.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the number of people on benefits fell by more than 21,000 in the last month.

“February saw 5,651 fewer people on Unemployment Benefits, which is a 9 percent drop,” says Ms Bennett.

There are now 56,471 people on the Unemployment Benefit and a total of 329,649 people on all benefits.

“I am particularly pleased to see nearly 3,000 fewer young people on Unemployment Benefits in February, though we still have a long way to go.”

There are now 16,400 young people on Unemployment Benefits.

With just 15 days to go before the Crusaders take on the Cheetahs at the new Christchurch Stadium, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has praised contractors for the remarkable feat of building a 17,000-seat facility in less than 100 days.

Mr Brownlee today toured the site and remarked on how much progress had been made since members of the media joined him to mark the first turf being laid three weeks ago.

“Over 400 workers have taken completion of this task on as a personal mission, and their effort really shows.

The Government is considering a proposal to establish differential fishing licences for overseas anglers, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson announced today.

Last year the Minister asked Fish and Game NZ to provide a report on the rationale on for a non- resident fishing licence and charging a differential licence fee for visiting anglers fishing in Fish and Game New Zealand regions.

This report, which included input from the Department of Conservation, then went out for public consultation.

The Government has appointed board members to two new Crown companies - Southern Response Earthquake Services Ltd and Crown Asset Management Ltd – and reappointed Reserve Bank chairman, Arthur Grimes.

Southern Response Earthquake Services Ltd is the renamed residual parts of AMI Insurance that will remain in Government ownership once the sale of AMI Insurance’s non-Christchurch earthquake related business is finalised.

Education Minister, Hekia Parata, will attend the second International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) in New York next week.

The US Department of Education, the OECD and Education International are bringing together Education Ministers, Union Leaders and other Teacher Leaders from 24 countries, on March 14-15, to discuss and share ideas about teacher education and professional development, effective school leadership, and evaluation of teaching.

The Hon Tariana Turia, Minister for Disability Issues, congratulates the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Lockwood Smith, for making funds permanently available for electronic note-takers to support Deaf MP Mojo Mathers to fulfil her role and responsibilities as a Member of Parliament.

"While the process to secure the funding took some time, the outcome was successful for Ms Mathers as well as for the House of Representatives by making sure all of its members can participate" said Minister Turia.

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne has invited the Finance and Expenditure Committee to consider deferring the application date affecting GST payments on late payment penalties to allow affected businesses time to change their systems.

“The Taxation (Annual Rates, Returns Filing, and Remedial Matters Bill) introduced in September 2011 contains a measure in Clause 137 which makes it clear that GST is payable on late payment fees,” Mr Dunne said.

Pacific Island Affairs Minister, Hekia Parata, will this weekend encourage Pacific communities across the country to celebrate their diverse cultures and be proud of what they offer.

Tomorrow Ms Parata is attending Creekfest in Porirua and then heading to Auckland for the 20th anniversary of the Pasifika Festival.

“Pacific cultures are an increasingly important part of how we express our national identity and it is exciting to see the popularity of Pacific festivals grow from strength to strength each year,'' says Ms Parata.

The Defence Minister, Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, officially welcomed the first of the Air Force’s new medium utility NH90 helicopters at an event in Wellington today.

The NH90 helicopters will be the most advanced and capable helicopter the Air Force has ever had,” said Dr Coleman.

“The NH90s will considerably improve the Defence Force’s ability to conduct military, counter-terrorism, disaster relief, search and rescue, and other operations,” he said.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett have announced a “Working InZone” programme to get unemployed Cantabrians working in the region’s residential red zone.

“Funding of more than $770,000 will support up to 100 Christchurch and North Canterbury beneficiaries to clean up, maintain and secure the properties purchased by the Government in the residential red zone,” Ms Bennett said.