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Pacific radio stations Niu FM and 531pi are relocating to new studios in South Auckland, Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman announced today.

Dr Coleman confirmed the National Pacific Radio Trust has secured a special $725,000 grant from NZ On Air to move from its dated Ponsonby premises to the heart of the Pacific community in Manukau.

The final dates for New Zealand television going digital were announced today by Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Confirming the timetable for the biggest change to television broadcasting since the introduction of colour gives certainty to viewers who are yet to go digital, says Dr Coleman.

‘’We’re planning for the start of a fully digital TV age where New Zealanders can enjoy better pictures and sound, more choice and benefits such as onscreen television guides,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman and Pacific Island Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu today welcomed the opening of the new Pacific Media Network studio in Wellington, and in collaboration with Whitireia Journalism School.

The studio expands the Pacific Radio Network with Niu FM now broadcasting across the Wellington region.

‘’Niu FM’s foray into the Capital increases the reach of Pacific language programming and news to Pacific communities which helps many people stay connected with their culture and identity,’’ Dr Coleman says.

An $850,000 assistance package to help regional television broadcasters make the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting was announced today by Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

NZ On Air will administer the package which provides up to $70,000 per regional broadcaster for equipment and other costs. Digital switchover will be completed in stages across New Zealand by November 2013.

‘’The package recognises the contribution that regional broadcasters make to their local communities,’’ Dr Coleman says.

New Zealand’s $2.3 billion dollar export education industry will be strengthened through changes to immigration policy for international students announced today by Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Dr Coleman says ensuring students are genuinely here to study, and enabling the best students to stay on and contribute to New Zealand’s skilled workforce, benefits the sector’s reputation and New Zealand’s economy.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today welcomed the launch of NZ On Air’s new funding programme which will support a greater range of New Zealand music.

The Making Tracks scheme will contribute $2 million a year towards funding 200 single track recordings and 200 music videos a year. It replaces three previous funding schemes that were album based and funded 50 recording projects and 170 music videos a year. Making Tracks opens for applications in June.

Over $560 million in potential investment capital is poised to flow into the New Zealand economy, and changes to the Government’s business migration scheme will increase investment further, says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Dr Coleman confirmed today the Government’s business migration scheme has attracted over half-a-billion dollars in potential investment. Changes have also been made to the policy to increase its appeal to investors.

The spotlight’s back on New Zealand music with the launch today of New Zealand Music Month says Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

‘’New Zealand Music Month is in its 11th year, and over that period home-grown music has gone from strength to strength. NZ On Air’s contribution to funding locally produced music has helped put more New Zealand music on our airwaves,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Associate Minister of Health Dr Jonathan Coleman today opened the new Brain Recovery Clinic in Auckland which is set to advance the treatment of brain injuries and neurological conditions.

The Brain Recovery Clinic, which is part of the Centre for Brain Research at Auckland University, will focus on finding and developing new treatments for brain disease and therapies for patients. The initial focus of the Clinic will be on stroke and traumatic brain injury.

A nationwide search to find the oldest working television in New Zealand was launched today by Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

The Oldest Telly competition, part of a Going Digital campaign to raise awareness of the switchover to digital television, encourages New Zealanders to rummage through their homes and garages for their oldest TV set.

The winning entry will then be converted to digital TV next month ahead of the first switchover in Hawke’s Bay and West Coast in September 2012.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman paid tribute to Canterbury Television (CTV) which restarts broadcasting today, less than two months after the February earthquake devastated the regional broadcaster.

"The return of CTV to our screens marks a significant point in the recovery process for Canterbury after the tragic events of 22 February," Mr Brownlee says.

"What better way to honour the lives of those people lost from the company than to continue the work they were so much a part of," he says.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the appointment of Richard Griffin as chair of the Radio New Zealand (RNZ) board.

Mr Griffin, a director of a Wellington public affairs company and a former RNZ political editor, was appointed to the board in May 2010. He replaces Christine Grice.

‘’Richard’s added real value to the board since joining and has the ideal background and experience to chair RNZ,’’ Dr Coleman says.

New Zealand’s tourism sector will benefit from China Southern Airlines’ decision to fly daily from Guangzhou to Auckland, says Associate Tourism Minister Jonathan Coleman.

China Southern has confirmed that later this year it will increase its three-times a week service to daily flights. Dr Coleman says this move is expected to increase the number of visitors on China Southern Airlines to 50,000 a year, worth an estimated $150 million to the economy.

New Zealand’s border security will be strengthened following the signing of an agreement between New Zealand and Canadian immigration authorities, Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman announced today.

The agreement is part of a Five Country Conference (FCC) biometric programme involving the immigration agencies of New Zealand, Canada the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.

New Zealand’s commitment to preventing people smuggling and human trafficking will be reinforced at the Bali Process Ministerial Conference, says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Dr Coleman is attending the fourth Bali Process in Indonesia this week. The conference brings together Asia-Pacific countries to work on practical measures to help prevent and deter people smuggling and human trafficking.

Barriers to overseas academics visiting New Zealand are being removed with the introduction of a new visitor category, says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

The visiting academics visa allows academics from 50 countries, which New Zealand has special visa waiver arrangements with, to travel here without first obtaining a visa offshore. It comes into effect on April 4.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced free-to-air high definition digital television, also known as Freeview|HD, will be available by UHF aerial to an extra 160,000 homes in time for the Rugby World Cup.

The Government is extending the existing digital terrestrial television (DTT) service to Whangarei, Rotorua, Gisborne, Taupo, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Nelson, Timaru and Invercargill.

Health Minister Tony Ryall and Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman have congratulated New Zealand broadcasters for voluntarily extending the restrictions on advertising to children.

Mr Ryall says, "The updated booklet, Getting it Right For Children, confirms restrictions on when ads for children can be screened, and includes restrictions on advertising children's foods.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the appointment of Uluomatootua Saulaulu Aiono as chair of the National Pacific Radio Trust (NPRT) board.

Mr Aiono, an Auckland businessman, chairs the Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce and is a council member of the Auckland University of Technology. He is also a member of the Auckland Regional Economic Development Forum. Mr Aiono was appointed NPRT chair for two and a half years.

New Zealand’s business, investment and tourism links with India will be strengthened by having a New Zealand Consulate General in Mumbai, says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Dr Coleman, who officially opens the Mumbai office tomorrow (NZ time), says a Consulate General in India’s financial capital will help further develop business opportunities between New Zealand and India.

 Immigration New Zealand is issuing automatic six month visa extensions for any foreign national whose work, visitor or student visa application cannot be processed because of the Christchurch earthquake, says Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Immigration.

"Immigration New Zealand's central Christchurch office in the Crystal Plaza building is unable to be accessed for safety reasons. 2000 temporary visa applications are in that office.

Around one third of international students who come to New Zealand stay on following their studies to contribute to our economy and workforce says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Department of Labour research confirms around 31 percent of fee paying international students find work after their studies and around one-fifth gain permanent residence.

New Zealand’s first-rate marine sector has received another endorsement with confirmation the next class of America’s Cup catamarans will be built in Auckland, says Associate Tourism Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Dr Coleman, at today’s launch of the new AC45 catamaran in Auckland, says the awarding of the contract by America’s Cup management to Warkworth boat builders Core Builders Composites reinforces the marine industry’s world-class reputation.

New interim visas which benefit migrants, employers and foreign students come into effect today.

‘’Previously there have been issues with people having their immigration status lapse while waiting for a visa to be processed,’’ says Immigration Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman.

‘’The new interim visas means that if they have an application in with Immigration New Zealand, they are still legally allowed to remain in the country on the terms of their original visa while that application is being processed.