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Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today released details of Budget initiatives for tourism, including $34 million for business events and $20 million to attract very high-value visitors.

As part of a larger internationally-focused growth package, the Government is investing an additional $158 million in tourism through Budget 2013 to attract more visitors to New Zealand, particularly high-spending visitors.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today released details of the $158 million of additional funding for tourism announced in a pre-Budget speech earlier this week.

As part of a larger internationally-focused growth package, the Government is investing significantly in tourism through Budget 2013.

This will include $28 million over four years to co-fund business innovation and growth initiatives in the sector.

“We want to support innovative ideas and projects that will create new opportunities and overcome barriers to growth in the tourism sector.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today released details of Budget initiatives for tourism, including $44.5 million to attract visitors from emerging growth markets and $24.5 million to boost tourism from existing markets.

As part of a larger internationally-focused growth package, the Government is investing an additional $158 million in tourism through Budget 2013 to attract more visitors to New Zealand, particularly high-spending visitors.

Prime Minister John Key has today expressed condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the Sichuan earthquake, and those still waiting for news about loved ones.

“A 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit the Sichuan province in southwest China yesterday,” says Mr Key.

“Latest reports from the Chinese authorities are that more than 160 people have lost their lives and thousands are injured.

Prime Minister John Key says New Zealanders are thinking of those injured in the explosions at the Boston Marathon and expressed condolences to the families of those killed.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Boston at this time. We were all shocked to hear of the tragedy that has unfolded this morning,” Mr Key says.

“We are concerned for the people from around the world who participated in, and supported, the Boston Marathon.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today told a business audience in Wellington that a key focus of the upcoming Budget would be a package of internationally focused growth initiatives.

“New Zealand’s prosperity is highly dependent on our ability to form and maintain strong links with countries around the world. Exports of goods and services, including tourism and international education are vitally important for our economy,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key today announced proposed legislative changes to remedy the inadequacies of the Government Communications Security Bureau Act 2003, and to strengthen the oversight regime of New Zealand’s intelligence community.

Mr Key also released the terms of reference for an inquiry into the unauthorised disclosure of Rebecca Kitteridge’s compliance review of the GCSB.

“The GCSB plays a vital role in protecting the security and safety of New Zealanders,” says Mr Key.

It’s a great pleasure to be here at the opening of the first-ever New Zealand China Partnership Forum.

The Forum is the first of this nature and scale to take place between China and New Zealand.

So this is a notable occasion.

I want to start by acknowledging the two partner organisations – the China Centre for International Economic Exchanges, and the New Zealand China Council.

Thank you for organising this event and ensuring an impressive line-up of presenters and guests.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today.

This is my third visit to China in four years and my second address here at Peking University.

In a sign of the importance we place on this relationship, I am travelling with what is possibly the largest delegation ever taken overseas by a New Zealand Prime Minister.

With me here in China are Hon Steven Joyce – Minister of Economic Development, Hon Tim Groser – Minister of Trade, Hon Pita Sharples – Minister of Māori Affairs, and a number of top-ranking government officials.

A new three-year multiple-entry business visa will strengthen business connections between China and New Zealand, Prime Minister John Key says.

Mr Key announced the new visa arrangements in Beijing yesterday, following bilateral talks with new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

“The new visa will lower the cost of travel for frequent business travellers and make it easier for business people to move between the two countries,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key says a suite of signings following his bilateral meeting yesterday with new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang reflects the significant level of engagement between New Zealand and China.

Mr Key met with Premier Li Keqiang after an official welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Mr Key has met Premier Li before, when he visited New Zealand as Vice-Premier in 2009.

There were six arrangements signed after the bilateral meeting, which included arrangements that see:

Prime Minister John Key today released the report of Rebecca Kitteridge into compliance at the Government Communications Security Bureau.

Ms Kitteridge was seconded to the GCSB to undertake the review in October 2012.

The review had two main areas of focus – ensuring that all the GCSB’s activities are lawful; and reviewing the agency’s compliance framework.

Prime Minister John Key has paid tribute to former British Prime Minister Lady Margaret Thatcher, who has passed away aged 87.

“This is an enormously sad time for her family. My thoughts are with them, and the people of Britain, at this time.”

Mr Key says he admired Lady Thatcher as fiercely determined leader, who stood up for what she believed in.

“Lady Thatcher will be remembered as a strong and determined leader.”

New Zealand is making it easier for Chinese tourists to visit by extending the length of visitor visas, Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key announced in China today.

“The length of the multiple-entry visitor visas routinely granted to independent Chinese travellers will be extended from 12 months to 24 months from 1 May this year,” says Mr Key. Independent travellers are those not visiting on organised tours.

Prime Minister John Key says he and new Chinese President Xi Jinping have committed to strengthening the political and trade relationship between New Zealand and China, following bilateral talks at the Boao Forum in China yesterday.

It was Mr Key’s first formal bilateral meeting with the new President since Xi Jinping was officially elected to the role last month, and Mr Key is one of the first world leaders to meet the new President. Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully was also at the meeting.

The Christchurch earthquakes have taken a huge toll on Cantabrians, but the rest of New Zealand is helping share the financial cost. When it comes to pulling together and coping with a crisis, there is no country in the world I’d rather be in than this one.

Over two years on from the most devastating February 22nd quake, the progress of the rebuild of Christchurch is gathering pace. If last year was about demolition, 2013 is certainly about rebuilding a vibrant city that all Kiwis can be proud of.

Prime Minister John Key will lead a high-level business mission and cultural delegation on an official visit to China next week to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 5th anniversary of the China New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Mr Key will meet with the new President of China, Xi Jinping, at the Bo’ao Forum on 7 April, which is the fifth anniversary of the signing of the FTA – still China’s only such agreement with a developed country.

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed Pacific leaders, energy experts, and members of the private sector at the Cloud in Auckland tonight where they have gathered ahead of the two-day Pacific Energy Summit. 

The Pacific Energy Summit is designed to fast track solutions to the Pacific’s pressing energy needs by connecting Pacific Island leaders and their energy plans with organisations such as the EU, the World and Asian Development banks, and with technical experts and businesses from the private sector.

Prime Minister John Key has today officially opened Nova Energy’s new $100 million McKee Power Plant in north Taranaki.

“This new 100MW plant is capable of providing energy to around 100,000 homes and will be a valuable asset to New Zealand’s electricity system.”

Mr Key says the development and opening of this new plant has delivered positive economic benefits for the Taranaki region.

“At the peak of the construction of this new plant, it employed around 110 people.

Prime Minister John Key will host Thailand’s Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra when she visits New Zealand later this week.

This is the first visit to New Zealand by Ms Shinawatra since becoming Prime Minister in 2011.

Mr Key says New Zealand’s relationship with Thailand is a close and warm one, and this visit underscores those close ties and looks towards new areas of cooperation.

“Our two countries have common views on many issues and I look forward to having constructive discussions with Prime Minister Yingluck.”

Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key today congratulated China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on the announcement of their appointments at the 12th National People's Congress in Beijing.

"Relations between New Zealand and the People's Republic of China continue to develop strongly across the board. In 2012 our countries celebrated 40 years of formal diplomatic relations, and this year we will mark 5 years since signing of the landmark New Zealand China Free Trade Agreement.