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Prime Minister John Key today unveiled a package of initiatives to ensure young people with mental health problems receive better, faster, and more modern help.

In a speech in Wellington, Mr Key said the $62 million package was the result of intensive work led by his own department, following an important report from Chief Science Advisor Professor Sir Peter Gluckman.

“I’m proud the National-led Government has taken several steps to improve the opportunities available to young people in this country over the past three years,” Mr Key said.

Good morning, it’s great to be here.

I’d like to acknowledge my Chief Science Advisor, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, and the many other youth health experts here today.

It’s a privilege for me to be here with so many people who are committed to the health and wellbeing of our young people.

Thank you for the work that you do.

I share your passion for the future of our young New Zealanders.

As I travel around New Zealand, the energy and enthusiasm of the vast majority of our young people makes me hugely optimistic for our country.

Prime Minister John Key has appointed Wayne Boyd to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) for a three-year term.

Mr Boyd is a former professional director with extensive merchant banking and legal experience. He currently chairs a number of company boards and is the former chairman of Telecom New Zealand Limited.

“Mr Boyd's extensive business, banking and legal experience stands him in good stead to be an active and effective contributor to ABAC's work,” says Mr Key.

Growing two-way trade and strengthening people-to-people links will be the focus of Prime Minister John Key’s visit to Indonesia and Singapore later this month.

Mr Key, accompanied by Trade Minister Tim Groser in Indonesia, will lead a 26–strong business delegation to both countries.

Prime Minister John Key today announced that Tauranga MP Simon Bridges is to be appointed a Minister outside Cabinet.

Napier MP Chris Tremain, who is currently a Minister outside Cabinet, will move up to become a Minister in Cabinet at number 20 on the Ministerial list.

Mr Key also announced a minor reshuffle of portfolios with the departure of Dr Nick Smith.

David Carter will assume the role of Local Government Minister in addition to his current portfolio of Primary Industries.

Prime Minister John Key today congratulated the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust on the funding of its 100th project since the charity was established in February last year.

The Linfield Cultural Recreational Sports Club has been funded $388,980 to provide sports programmes in Christchurch’s eastern suburbs - almost doubling the number of KiwiSport programmes offered to children in the area.

Prime Minister John Key today described the second Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul as another important step towards securing nuclear materials and reducing the global threat of nuclear terrorism.

At the Summit, which concluded today, Mr Key also announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$500,000 towards a US-led project to remove highly-enriched uranium from Uzbekistan back to Russia to be reprocessed and securely stored.

“This project reinforces our support for the securing of vulnerable nuclear materials worldwide,” Mr Key says.

The Police announcement today regarding the investigation into the freelance cameraman who made a recording of John Key and John Banks during the election campaign has been welcomed by the Prime Minister.

“I also welcome Bradley Ambrose’s letter of regret,” says Mr Key.

“I note that the Police statement today contains the comment that, while Mr Ambrose has been issued a warning, the Police are clear that his actions were unlawful.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key is welcoming participants in the inaugural NZPGA Pro-Am Championship tournament in Queenstown this week.

The event, which is now being run by a partnership between the NZPGA, Sir Michael Hill and The Hills Golf Course, has received $500,000 from the Government’s Major Events Development Fund.

Prime Minister John Key has announced that a high-level delegation led by the Governor-General will travel to Tonga for the state funeral of His Majesty King George Tupou V on Tuesday.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 will depart New Zealand on Tuesday morning and return the same day.

Prime Minister John Key said today he had accepted with sadness the resignation of Dr Nick Smith from his Ministerial portfolios.

The resignation follows questions about Dr Smith’s judgement in supporting an ACC claimant while he was Minister during the previous term.

“It is important that Ministers are seen to actively manage both real and perceived conflicts of interest in the exercise of their duties,” says Mr Key.

“I have always expected high standards from my Ministers - and I will continue to do so.

Prime Minister John Key will travel to the Republic of Korea this Saturday to attend the second Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul on 26-27 March.

Prime Minister John Key says his thoughts are with the people of Tonga following the news that King Tupou V died in Hong Kong last night.

King George came to the throne following the death of his father, King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, in 2006.

“New Zealand has a strong, close and friendly relationship with Tonga, with deep ties at a personal level and frequent contact at all levels of government.
“He will also be sadly missed by the Tongan community in New Zealand,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key officially announced today that New Zealand has won the hosting rights to the 2017 World Masters Games.

"This is a significant win. This international event will draw tens of thousands of people to the country and inject millions of dollars into the economy," says Mr Key.

"This is a vote of confidence in New Zealand as a venue for major international sporting events and, we hope, this is one of many more to be staged here following on from the success of the Rugby World Cup."

Ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for coming this afternoon.

It’s a great privilege to have won the trust and goodwill of New Zealanders for a second term in Government.

I don’t take that for granted.

That’s why we’re working hard to take the country forward and deliver strong and stable government, just as we did over the last three years.

Today I want to talk about public services.

But before I do, I want to put this speech in the context of the Government’s overall priorities.

Prime Minister John Key today outlined the next steps in the Government's programme to create a public sector that is more innovative, efficient and focused on delivering what New Zealanders want and expect.

In a speech in Auckland, Mr Key announced three changes that will help sharpen the public sector’s focus on delivering better frontline services for New Zealanders. These changes are:

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has welcomed the Otago Central Rail Trail’s inclusion into Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail.

The Otago Central Rail Trail today officially joined the New Zealand Cycle Trail project as one of its Great Rides, a series of premier off-road trails that showcase the best of New Zealand’s iconic landscapes, heritage and culture.

“The Otago Central Rail Trail is a local economic success story and provided, in part, the inspiration for developing a national network of cycle trails.

Prime Minister John Key says he is incredibly sad at the news Jock Hobbs has lost his battle with leukaemia.

“I have known Jock for a long time and have enjoyed his company on many an occasion. We have talked and laughed and discussed the country’s political and sporting problems. I will miss him very much.”

Jock Hobbs died this afternoon after a long illness.

He played 21 tests as a flanker for the All Blacks from 1983 to 1986.

The Government is contributing nearly $8 million towards the clean-up of four of New Zealand’s most badly polluted rivers, lagoons and wetlands, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

“The Manawatu River, Wainono Lagoon in South Canterbury, the Wairarapa Moana wetlands and the Waituna Lagoon in Southland will benefit from the Fresh Start for Fresh Water Fund. The fund is provided out of an additional $15 million set aside in Budget 2011 to contribute to community efforts to tackle pollution originating from poor historic management,” Mr Key says.

Click here to watch my video journal on welfare reform.

REFORMING WELFARE AND DELIVERING ON OUR PROMISES

Prime Minister John Key says that Australian Governor-General, Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC CVO, will visit New Zealand later this month.

Ms Bryce will be accompanied by her husband, His Excellency Mr Michael Bryce, on the five-day visit and will have engagements in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

“It will be my pleasure to welcome Her Excellency to New Zealand and I look forward to seeing her again.