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Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has today announced one new appointment and one reappointment to the board of Tourism New Zealand (TNZ).

“I would like to thank the departing member, John Barrett, who has served TNZ well during his term.

“I would also like to welcome Jamie Tuuta whose appointment became official last week. Jamie is from Ngāti Mutunga, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Maru and Taranaki Iwi.

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the signing of an agreement which will see more Brazilian students studying in New Zealand, following a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff today in Brasilia.

Mr Key says New Zealand’s reputation as a welcoming country with high-quality qualifications makes it a natural fit for Brazilian students.

“The Science Without Borders agreement, signed today, will help facilitate Brazilian graduate and post-graduate students to further their studies at New Zealand universities.

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the Chilean Government’s move to extend its “Penguins Without Borders” scheme, which sees high-achieving Chilean students travelling to New Zealand for six-monthly study visits.

“Penguins Without Borders enables some of Chile’s most ambitious and brightest high school students to experience the best our education system has to offer,” says Mr Ley

Chile and New Zealand will continue to strengthen their trade and economic ties, particularly though education, agriculture and energy, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

Mr Key today held bilateral talks with Chilean President Sebastian Piñera, where the two leaders discussed the on-going Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations and the warm relationship between the two countries.

Prime Minister John Key has become the first New Zealand Prime Minister to visit Colombia, a country with growing trade and economic links to the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr Key says both he and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos also committed to concrete measures to boost goods and services trade between their countries and, to that end, have directed officials to prepare a strategic assessment regarding a New Zealand-Colombia comprehensive economic partnership.

Thank you for welcoming me here today.

This is my first visit to Colombia, and the first visit of a New Zealand Prime Minister to this country.

Today also happens to be an anniversary for Colombia and New Zealand. On March 6th, 1979, New Zealand accredited its first ambassador to Colombia, formally establishing diplomatic relations between our two countries.

So it’s fitting to be here, 34 years ago to the day that we officially began building our relationship.

Prime Minister John Key says he and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto have committed to strengthening the trade relationship between New Zealand and Mexico, following bilateral talks in Mexico City.

“Mexico and New Zealand have shared a friendly relationship for 40 years. President Peña Nieto and I agreed the trade relationship between our two countries, while healthy, could be strengthened further,” says Mr Key.

Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology

Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to be here in Mexico. I’ve been here once before and have wanted to come back for some time, so it’s great to be here in this vibrant and energetic city.

I’m looking forward to my first meeting with President Peña Nieto later today.

And I’m pleased to be leading a delegation of some of New Zealand’s most innovative businesses, which are keen to strengthen their ties with their counterparts here.

Prime Minister John Key today confirmed the Government will offer the public up to 49 per cent of Mighty River Power in the second quarter of this year – subject to market conditions.

“This will begin tomorrow, with the opening of the process for investors to pre-register their interest in finding out more about the Mighty River Power share offer,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key will lead a trade delegation to Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Brazil next week as part of the Government’s increased focus on strengthening bilateral relations, and capitalising on trade opportunities, with the Latin America nations.

Mr Key will be the first foreign leader to be hosted by the new President of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, and the first New Zealand Prime Minister to make an official visit to Colombia.

“Latin America is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions in the world,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key today paid tribute to Ralph Hotere, one of New Zealand’s most important artists, who has passed away aged 81. 

“I extend my sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Mr Hotere, who was one of only a handful of New Zealanders to be granted the country’s highest honour, the Order of New Zealand,” says Mr Key.

“Mr Hotere had a career spanning more than five decades and was a painter, sculptor and collaborative artist.

Good afternoon. Thank you for the invitation to be here with you as we remember the destructive and terrifying earthquake that struck this city and the surrounding areas two years ago today.

It claimed the lives of 185 people and because of that, February 22nd will always be a poignant day for the people of Canterbury.

I would like to acknowledge and welcome here the family and friends of those who lost their lives.

I know this is a difficult day for you.

Your grief is still raw and only time can help to numb the pain of your loss.

Police officers will soon be spending more time out in New Zealand communities and less time in the office, when a nation-wide rollout of new mobile technology begins, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

“From April, 6,086 frontline officers will start using smartphones and tablets to access vital information that will help them prevent crime, catch criminals and protect New Zealanders,” says Mr Key.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, meeting in Queenstown for their annual talks, today announced that the two governments will provide $3 million in matched funding over the next two years to support the identification of a potential vaccine for Rheumatic Fever. 

Rheumatic Fever may lead to long term heart damage known as Rheumatic Heart Disease.

Prime Minister John Key says Australia and New Zealand are two of the most integrated economies in the world and this weekend’s talks with Prime Minister Gillard have only strengthened that bond.

The two Prime Ministers are in Queenstown for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ meeting.

Prime Minister Key and Prime Minister Gillard acknowledged the 30th Anniversary of the Australia/New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Agreement (CER). 

E nga Rangatira

E tau nei ki Waitangi

Tena koutou

Te hunga mate ki te hunga mate

Te hunga ora ki te hunga ora

No reira

Tena tatau katoa

There is no occasion on which the weight of New Zealand’s history is felt in quite the same way as it is here in Waitangi on Waitangi Day. 

Prime Minister John Key will host Australian counterpart Julia Gillard in Queenstown this coming weekend for the annual New Zealand – Australia Prime Ministers’ talks.

“This year marks 30 years since the conclusion of CER, one of the most comprehensive and successful trade agreements in the world.  CER has helped make Australia and New Zealand two of the most integrated economies anywhere,” says Mr Key. 

Prime Minister John Key says today’s news that Sir Paul Holmes KNZM has passed away is the end of a broadcasting era.

“Paul Holmes was a gentleman broadcaster. He conducted his interviews with intelligence and insightfulness, and while he never suffered fools, his interviews were never without kindness and empathy,” says Mr Key.

“He was a trailblazer in New Zealand journalism with a style that was all his own.

Prime Minister John Key today congratulated newly-elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon David Carter.

“It’s fitting that David Carter, who has served as an MP since 1994 and who has held a number of ministerial and parliamentary roles, has been elevated to the highest office elected by the House.

“David’s 19 years of experience, and his deep understanding of parliamentary procedure, will serve MPs well, and will stand him in good stead, during his tenure as Speaker.

Prime Minister John Key has announced the election of National’s new whips following the National Party Caucus this morning.

Mr Key says the new senior whip will be MP for Taupo, Louise Upston.

Louise Upston has been promoted to senior whip from junior whip after Mr Key announced last week that Michael Woodhouse will be a Minister outside Cabinet.

The new junior whip will be MP for Hamilton West, Tim Macindoe.

MP for Botany, Jami-Lee Ross, has also been appointed to the newly-created position of third whip.

Prime Minister John Key today congratulated Sir Anand Satyanand on his appointment as Commonwealth Foundation Chair.

Sir Anand’s two-year appointment was announced today in London by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma.

“As a former Governor-General with an impressive record of public service, Sir Anand is well qualified for this role,” says Mr Key. “Sir Anand will be the first New Zealander to hold the position.

Ladies and Gentlemen

I hope you all had a good Christmas break and that you’re starting 2013 eager and energised.

I know I am.

And I know the Government is, because there are a lot of things to get done this year.

We have a re-energised team of Ministers, which I announced earlier this week.

And we have a very busy agenda.

Whether it’s welfare reform, law and order, education, the rebuild of Christchurch, or continuing our improvements in public services, it’s full steam ahead.

The Government is pressing ahead with a wide range of measures to build a more productive and competitive economy, Prime Minister John Key says.

“New Zealand has to be a magnet for investment,” he said in a speech to the North Harbour Club in Auckland today.

“That’s investment by individuals and small businesses, as well as big businesses; and it’s investment by people from overseas as well as Kiwis. The more investment we get, the more jobs will be created.”