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Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the release of the first action plan to help deliver on the ambitious targets the Government has set for the public sector to achieve over the next five years.

Mr Key says the ‘Reducing Crime and Reoffending Result Action Plan’ launched in Auckland today contains practical programmes and initiatives that will help cut crime in New Zealand.

"This action plan sets out how the justice sector is going to deliver what we’ve tasked it to do - major reductions in crime and reoffending over the next five years.

Prime Minister John Key travels to Australia this Thursday for a two-day visit to Sydney and Melbourne to meet with financial and business leaders.

During his visit, Mr Key will give an address to a Trans-Tasman Business Circle luncheon and will also deliver this year’s John Howard Lecture in Sydney.

The John Howard Lecture is an annual event that was established by the Menzies Research Centre in 2009 as a way of honouring former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who held the office from 1996-2007.

The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust will donate over $1 million to fund repairs to the damaged Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

“The earthquakes have created a shortage of pool spaces in the Canterbury region, so the funding decision is a big boost to the community groups which use this facility,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English today announced a set of ambitious targets the Government has set for the public sector to achieve over the next five years.

“These targets are central to the Government's plans to create a public service that is more innovative, enterprising, driven, and focused on results,” Mr Key says.

These measurable targets, which will be reported on regularly, sit underneath the 10 challenging results the Government announced in March for the public sector to achieve over the next five years.

Click here to watch my video briefing on this important issue.

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the news that the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey movie will be held in Wellington on Wednesday 28 November 2012.

“This is fantastic news for Wellington and the country. It will be a real crowd pleaser as we welcome the movie’s stars back for another landmark event,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister John Key and NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen today signed a partnership arrangement to maintain and strengthen the strong co-operation that New Zealand has developed with NATO.

The Individual Partnership and Co-operation Programme Arrangement was signed today at a ceremony at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels. Mr Key is on a European visit that includes Britain, Germany, and the European Union.

Prime Minister John Key has paid tribute to former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Brian Talboys, who passed away in Invercargill yesterday.

“I was saddened to learn of Sir Brian’s death and my thoughts are with his family at this time,” Mr Key says.

Sir Brian was a member of Parliament from 1957 to 1981 and served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1975 to 1981. He served as a minister across a range of portfolios, including agriculture, science, foreign affairs and trade.

Prime Minister John Key will be visiting the United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium from 2 to 8 June.

The visit will include three days in London, as well as time in Hamburg, Berlin, and Brussels, where Mr Key will meet with European Parliament representatives and NATO.

While in London, Mr Key will attend the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

Click here to watch my video briefing on Budget 2012

Yesterday Bill English delivered National's fourth Budget.  Our Budget is responsible and sensible, given the world economic climate, and it addresses some of the major issues that we're facing as a country.

Thank you for hosting me again, for what has become my regular post-Budget speech.

Yesterday was Bill English’s fourth Budget and again he has done a remarkable job of managing the Government’s books while continuing to maintain the trust and support of New Zealanders in these difficult times.

I also want to acknowledge the support and constructive involvement of the ACT, United Future and Maori Parties, who are all supporting this Budget, as they have supported the previous three.

Budget 2012 invests in New Zealand’s future with significantly more money for science and innovation, and health and education, while keeping the Government on track for surplus in 2014/15, Prime Minister John Key says.

“Our priorities are responsibly managing the Government’s finances, building a more productive economy, delivering better public services within tight financial constraints, and rebuilding Christchurch.

Prime Minister John Key will next month welcome United States Marines to New Zealand to mark the 70th anniversary of the arrival of US World War II forces to this country.

Next month marks 70 years since the large-scale arrival of United States forces in New Zealand in June 1942, following the entry of the United States into the Second World War.

A series of events are planned to help mark the anniversary.

Prime Minister John Key is encouraging community organisations to apply to the second round of grants from the Vodafone Foundation Canterbury Fund, a $4 million joint project developed by the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal and the Vodafone Foundation.

“The Fund gives community groups a great opportunity to revive their activities in the suburbs they serve, as Cantabrians work to return their lives to normal,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key says this month’s Budget will show the Government is on track and sticking to its plan.

In a pre-Budget speech in Wellington, Mr Key reiterated that the National-led Government’s responsible management of the books means an operating surplus is set to be posted in 2014/15.

“This year will see another zero Budget as we chart a course back to surplus,” Mr Key said.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good afternoon and thank you for coming to this pre-Budget speech.

I want to thank Business New Zealand for hosting this event today. And I want to thank them for the very constructive role they play in representing New Zealand businesses and employers.

Budget 2012 will show the Government is on track and sticking to its plan.

As Bill English said in a speech a few days ago, we are set to post an operating surplus in 2014/15.

Prime Minister John Key says he is saddened to hear of the death of All Black legend Sir Fred Allen, who was knighted in the 2010 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Sir Fred was born in Oamaru, educated in Christchurch, and served overseas with the 2nd NZEF during World War 2. After the war he played for Auckland, and then the All Blacks from 1946 to 1949.

He went on to coach Auckland and then the All Blacks from 1966 to 1968, winning all 14 tests during that period.

Sir Fred was 92 when he died, and was the oldest living All Black.

The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal's donation of $2.8 million to St John has enabled the charity to rebuild its emergency response resources after the series of earthquakes which damaged Christchurch, Prime Minister John Key said today.

On a tour of St John's new South Island headquarters in Orchard Road, Mr Key was shown the vehicles and equipment - including ambulances, defibrillators and medical supplies - the donation has helped the charity to purchase.

Prime Minister John Key today announced the reappointment of Dr Warren Tucker as Director of Security at the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service.

Dr Tucker has been appointed for a further 18-month term from 1 November 2012.

Mr Key says the reappointment will provide leadership continuity for the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service.

“Dr Tucker is a career intelligence officer. His professionalism is respected and highly regarded by the intelligence and security communities in New Zealand and internationally.

Prime Minister John Key is sending his best wishes to the Breakers for their ANBL grand final tonight.

“At one game each it will be a battle of epic proportions, particularly with the history between the two teams,” say Mr Key.

After the Breakers won the first game of the three game series, the Perth Wildcats levelled the series last week with an 87-86 win

“That one point loss last week in Perth is powerful motivation.”

The New Zealand Breakers tip off against the Perth Wildcats at 7.30 tonight in Auckland.

Selamat pagi. Tena koe. Good morning.

It’s a great pleasure to be here in Indonesia and it’s a great pleasure to be addressing this distinguished gathering of Indonesian and New Zealand business.

This is my first visit to Indonesia as Prime Minister. But like the rest of the world I have been watching your country with admiration.

Your progress in the 21st Century has been extraordinary.

The fourth-ranked Chinese leader, Jia Qinglin, will arrive in New Zealand on Sunday for a four day visit to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Chairman Jia, who will be hosted in New Zealand by Acting Prime Minister Bill English, is chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.