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Dates for key New Zealand domestic and overseas commemorative and ceremonial events which will be be marked during the First World War centenary from 2014 to 2018 have been announced by Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson.

“The ceremonial programme has been designed to allow New Zealanders living at home and overseas to commemorate those aspects of the First World War that are important to their families”, Mr Finlayson said.

Brigadier Kevin Riordan ONZM has been appointed Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Armed Forces, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Brigadier Riordan gained his Bachelor of Laws in 1982 and graduated Master of Laws from Cornell University, New York in 1997. He commenced service in the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (Territorial Force) in 1977 before transferring to the Regular Force in 1983 as an officer of the Army Legal Service. He is about to retire as Director General of Defence Legal Services, a role he has held since 2005.

Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson and Auckland Mayor Len Brown today announced an agreement to investigate in association with Te Papa the development of a national centre for cultural collections, exhibitions, education and touring to be situated in Manukau, Auckland.

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Christopher Finlayson and Broadcasting Minister Craig Foss have welcomed the most recent addition to Te Ara – New Zealand’s online encyclopedia.

The ‘Daily Life, Sport and Recreation’ section of Te Ara went live on 5 September 2013 and catalogues Kiwi sporting successes and challenges from the beginning of settlement in New Zealand.

The Ministry of Culture and Heritage began work on Te Ara in 2002 and has been steadily adding to the online encyclopedia.

Auckland barrister Grant Powell has been appointed a District Court Judge, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today. He will sit in Auckland.

Paul McArthur has been appointed to the Board of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and members Peter Diessl and Roger Taylor have been re-appointed, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The government is pleased to be contributing $500,000 towards the construction of a C Company 28 Māori Battalion Memorial House on land adjacent to the Tairawhiti Museum, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced today. 

“This grant has been given to ensure that the immense contribution of C Company members to this nation is recognised and remembered,” Mr Finlayson said. “C Company 28 Māori Battalion has a special place in the history of the region and New Zealand.”

Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson and Broadcasting Minister Craig Foss have welcomed collaboration that will lead to greater efficiencies and savings for Crown entities NZ On Air, the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) and The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA).

The three agencies are now based at the same location and have increased sharing of back office functions. A blessing was held this morning to mark the occasion.

The Raukawa Claims Settlement Bill, which will settle the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of the central North Island iwi, Raukawa, passed its first reading today in extended sitting hours today, and will now be considered by the Māori Affairs Committee.

The House of Representatives sat through extended hours this morning to unanimously pass three bills for the settlement of historical Treaty claims through their first readings.

The Maungaharuru-Tangitu Hapū Claims Settlement Bill will give effect to the settlement of the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of Maungaharuru-Tangitu Hapū.

The Ngā Punawai o Te Tokotoru Claims Settlement Bill will give effect to settlements reached with Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Rangiteaorere, and Tapuika.

The Government today announced changes to incentive schemes to encourage more television production being made in New Zealand and build on our world-class reputation for high-quality post production work, and innovative digital and visual effects.

It follows a comprehensive review of New Zealand's screen sector by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson has congratulated everyone who worked on acclaimed filmmaker Jane Campion's New Zealand-filmed mini-series Top of the Lake on receiving eight nominations in the 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards.

Top of the Lake was shot in Central Otago and received support from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage’s Screen Production Incentive Fund (SPIF), administered by the New Zealand Film Commission. The fund is available to medium to large scale productions that have significant New Zealand content.

The Crown has signed a deed of settlement for all outstanding historical Treaty claims with Ngāti Haua at Rukumoana Marae, near Morrinsville today, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced.

The Crown was represented at the ceremony by Mr Finlayson, who signed on behalf of the Crown, Member of Parliament  for Waikato, Lindsay Tisch, who witnessed the signing, and Hauraki-Waikato Member of Parliament, Nanaia Mahuta.

Evan Williams of Auckland has been appointed Chair of the board of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa), Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Mr Williams was appointed to the Te Papa Board in November 2011, and has been Deputy Chair since August 2012.

Justice Forrest Miller has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, Attorney General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Miller graduated LLB (Hons) from Otago University in 1981 and LLM from the University of Toronto in 1997.

Initially he worked for the Alexandra firm Bodkins Solicitors and in 1984 moved to Wellington and commenced practice with Chapman Tripp, specialising in securities, regulatory and competition law.

The Crown signed a deed of settlement for all outstanding historical Treaty claims with Rotorua iwi Ngāti Rangiteaorere at Parliament today, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson announced.

Wellington barrister Brendan Brown QC has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Brown graduated with an LLB (Hons) from the University of Canterbury in 1976. After employment as a law clerk at Brockett Cameron & Co in Christchurch, Justice Brown joined the Wellington firm of Bell Gully as a solicitor, becoming a partner of that firm in 1982.

Justice Terence Arnold has been appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Arnold has a BA and two LLM degrees, from Victoria University and New York University.

Justice Arnold was a partner of Chapman Tripp Sheffield Young between 1985 and 1994. He became a barrister sole in 1994 and, shortly thereafter, was appointed Queen’s Counsel.

The Government is calling for applications for 2013/14 to its Regional Museums Policy fund for Capital Construction Projects, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Associate Judge David Ian Gendall has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Gendall graduated with an LLB (Hons) from Victoria University in 1973.

In 1974 he joined the Hamilton law firm of Chapman Feenstra & Cartwright, and in 1975 was admitted to the partnership of that firm, later renamed McCaw Lewis Chapman.

In 1997 he retired from partnership and joined the School of Law at the University of Waikato as a senior lecturer. He was appointed Professor and Dean of the School of Law in 2000.

The House sat extended hours this morning to pass the Te Tau Ihu Claims Settlement Bill through its first reading and the Waitaha and Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara claims settlement bills through their third readings.

Representatives of the Crown and Ngai Tuhoe signed a Deed of Settlement to settle the historical claims of the iwi at a ceremony at Parliament today, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson and Tuhoe Chief Negotiator Tamati Kruger announced.

Te Kotahi a Tuhoe chief negotiator Tamati Kruger and representatives of Tuhoe hapū signed on behalf of the iwi. Prime Minister John Key, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson, and Māori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples were key signatories on behalf of the Crown.

Work towards the National War Memorial Park is progressing well and is on target for the opening to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings on 25 April 2015, Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson said today.

“The trench, above which the National War Memorial Park will be developed, is now visible along Buckle Street.

The Office of Treaty Settlements is seeking information from the public on their use of parts of the common marine and coastal area (CMCA) on the East Coast, to assist with an enquiry into the existence of customary marine title under the Marine and Coastal Area Act, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson said today.