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Prime Minister John Key today congratulated Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on the birth of their first child, a boy.

“This is wonderful news for Prince William and Catherine,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed Peter Dunne’s support for legislation that clarifies the Government Communications Security Bureau’s (GCSB) legal framework and substantially increases oversight of the country’s intelligence agencies.

Mr Key today reached an agreement with Mr Dunne, which will see amendments made to further strengthen the GCSB and Related Legislation Amendment Bill.

Prime Minister John Key will travel to the Solomon Islands and South Korea from 24 July to 30 July to mark the tenth anniversary of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and then the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.

Mr Key will lead a delegation of Ministers and Members of Parliament to the Solomon Islands, as well as New Zealand Defence Force and Police representatives who have been involved in RAMSI operations over the last decade.

Prime Minister John Key today launched the NZ Inc ASEAN Strategy, which aims to boost investment, trade and economic returns from the region.

“The 10 countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations present us with opportunities to grow our trade and political relationships in our neighbourhood. It’s a region whose 620 million people account for nearly 10 per cent of the world’s population,” says Mr Key.

The Governor-General has appointed Hon Sir Bruce Robertson as Commissioner of Security Warrants for a three-year term, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

Hon Sir Bruce Robertson has had a distinguished career as a High Court and Court of Appeal judge, says Mr Key.

“Sir Bruce has also held a range of other New Zealand legal, public service, academic, community and sports appointments.”

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today released criteria for applications for funds from the Tourism Growth Partnership, a new government initiative aimed at boosting innovation and lifting productivity in the tourism sector.

“Under the Tourism Growth Partnership, the government is making $28 million available over four years to support innovative projects that will create new opportunities and overcome barriers to growth in the tourism sector,” says Mr Key.

The Governor-General has appointed Hon Andrew McGechan as Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

Hon McGechan has had a distinguished career as a High Court Judge and in various legal, public sector, academic and electoral roles, Mr Key says.

“While the formal term of the appointment is three years, Hon McGechan has indicated he sees his appointment as an interim one, pending likely changes to the role proposed in the GCSB and Related Legislation Amendment Bill currently before the House.

Prime Minister John Key today outlined the Government’s plan to kick-start the next generation of major Auckland transport projects, including the City Rail Link, and to accelerate a trio of State Highway projects.

Speaking at an Auckland Chamber of Commerce event today, Mr Key said the Government is backing Auckland to succeed by advancing crucial transport infrastructure projects.

Good afternoon.

Thank you for being here today. I want to acknowledge and thank the Auckland Chamber of Commerce for putting on this event.

Today I want to talk about some of the issues facing Auckland.

Auckland is not just New Zealand’s biggest city.

It is not just the home of one-third of New Zealand’s population.

It is not just New Zealand’s largest commercial centre.

It is not just the primary gateway into New Zealand.

Prime Minister John Key tonight congratulated Kevin Rudd on his elevation to the leadership of the Australian Labor Party and acknowledged outgoing Leader Julia Gillard.

“I will be passing on my congratulations to Kevin Rudd as soon as I can,” says Mr Key.

"The relationship with Australia is our closest and most important, and I look forward to working with Kevin Rudd in continuing our cooperation across the trade, economic, defence and security spheres.

Prime Minister John Key has today announced Rotorua MP Todd McClay will be appointed as a new Minister outside Cabinet, following the resignation of Peter Dunne.

Mr McClay was elected into Parliament in 2008 and was made the Chair of the Finance and Expenditure Committee last year.

“Mr McClay will be the new Revenue Minister and Associate Health Minister,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister John Key today released David Henry’s report into the unauthorised disclosure of Rebecca Kitteridge’s compliance review of the GCSB, and announced that he has accepted the resignation of Peter Dunne as a Minister.

Mr Henry’s report was delivered to the Prime Minister on the evening of Wednesday, 5 June.

“When I announced the terms of reference for the inquiry I made it very clear that I expected all Ministers and their staff to fully cooperate,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister John Key today announced Government funding to expand Fonterra and Sanitarium’s KickStart Breakfast programme, and a grant to KidsCan to boost a variety of the charity’s initiatives.

“By teaming up with Fonterra and Sanitarium, and deepening our support for KidsCan, we are building on the existing strengths of these organisations, while keeping the costs to taxpayers down,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key today released the latest Indicators and Progress Report for the Government’s Tackling Methamphetamine Action Plan, and says while the picture of methamphetamine (P) supply in New Zealand remains a complex one, the efforts of law enforcement agencies are continuing to produce positive signs.

“When the Government began this plan in 2009, New Zealand had one of the highest prevalence rates of P use in the world, with 2.1 per cent of the population using the drug. The latest data shows this rate has more than halved to 0.9 per cent.

Budget 2013 builds on the momentum created by the previous four Budgets across the Government’s wide-ranging programme, Prime Minister John Key says.

“Every Budget since 2009 has been presented against the backdrop of extremely challenging economic conditions.

“In particular, the global financial crisis, the Christchurch earthquakes and ongoing uncertainty around the world have affected most New Zealand households and businesses.

Prime Minister John Key has announced the date for a by-election in Ikaroa-Rāwhiti will be Saturday 29 June 2013.

The by-election follows the death of MP Parekura Horomia.

“I have been advised that, since the vacancy arising from Mr Horomia’s death has now been gazetted, it is appropriate to set a date for the by-election,” says Mr Key.

“The by-election Writ day will be Wednesday 29 May. Candidate nominations must be received by midday on Wednesday 5 June and the last day for the return of the Writ will be Thursday 18 July.”

Prime Minister John Key today released a final draft of legislation to clarify the functions of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), and to strengthen the oversight regime governing New Zealand’s intelligence community.

The final draft of the omnibus Bill – the Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill – encompasses amendments to the Government Communications Security Bureau Act 2003, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996 and the Intelligence and Security Committee Act 1996.

Prime Minister John Key has offered his condolences to the whanau of Labour MP Parekura Horomia who died today.

Parekura Horomia was the Member for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, a former Labour Minister of Māori Affairs and a member of the Labour caucus since 1999.

“Parekura has been a stalwart of the East Coast community for decades. He has championed their causes and supported those in need.

The National-led Government is standing behind Christchurch as the estimated cost of the rebuild is revised upwards, says Prime Minister John Key.

Mr Key spoke today to the National Party Mainland Region conference in Hanmer Springs, and released new figures showing the extent of the challenge in rebuilding the earthquake-damaged city.

“This is the largest and most complex, single economic project in New Zealand’s history. The scale of the rebuild is unprecedented,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key says he has now received confirmation from Geneva that New Zealand’s Trade Minister has not reached the final round of consultations to select a new Director General for the World Trade Organisation.

“This is obviously disappointing, not only for Tim Groser and the Government, but for all those WTO members and people in the wider trade community who were hoping to see him secure this role. We were grateful for the expressions of support from around the world.

Prime Minister John Key says executives looking to expand their international expertise should apply for this year’s Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships, which are now open for applications.

The scholarships are designed to build business capability and develop skills, particularly in management and international business leadership.

“We need to develop better skills to get the best out of our workforce, which in turn will help to grow the economy,” says Mr Key.