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Health Minister Tony Ryall has today announced the responsibility for Chatham Islands health services will transfer to Canterbury District Health Board (DHB) from Hawkes Bay DHB next year.

Between 27 May and 17 June this year, the Ministry of Health held community meetings in the Chatham Islands and received a total of 106 submissions around a potential transition to a new district DHB.

Over 70 per cent of respondents indicated that responsibility should be transferred from Hawke’s Bay DHB, with the majority of those favouring a change to Canterbury DHB.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed the latest update on progress in the New Zealand International Convention Centre project.

SkyCity issued a company market update this morning that included information about and images from the draft Concept Design for the new international-standard convention centre, to be based in Auckland. It also provided information on a new five-star hotel and a laneway which Sky City will build as part of the International Convention Centre precinct.

Environment Minister Amy Adams has announced funding of $4 million to Wellington manufacturer Flight Plastics to build a recycling facility that will turn plastic waste into food-safe packaging.

The money was awarded to Flight Plastics from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund.

About 17,000 tonnes of polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET) plastics are consumed in New Zealand each year. This type of plastic is commonly used to make soft drink bottles, and fruit and vegetable punnets.

The Mount Aspiring, Paparoa and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks have been expanded by 1250 hectares as a consequence of five blocks being added by Order in Council yesterday at Cabinet.

“These rich forests and river flats are valuable additions to these three national parks. The areas were previously privately-owned but were strategically acquired by the Government’s Nature Heritage Fund specifically because of their high conservation values and the value they added to the national parks,” Dr Smith says.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has announced new Government funding for the Zeal Education Trust to support its work with young people in West Auckland in reducing anti-social behaviour.

“Zeal does an amazing job with young people in West Auckland, and funding of $200,000 over the next two years will help them to develop and run a new initiative to better connect with at-risk young people,” Mrs Bennett said.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced that the National-led Government will invest at least $350 million over the next four years to build new schools and classrooms in the rapidly growing Auckland region.

Ms Kaye made the announcement during a visit to Ponsonby Primary School with Prime Minister John Key.

“New Zealand is growing strongly and the school network will come under pressure in different parts of the country as the population grows,” Ms Kaye says.

The National Cardiac Network, which is led by cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, GPs, nurses and other health professionals, continues to make gains and improve cardiac services in New Zealand.

Health Minister Tony Ryall today met with Prof Ralph Stewart, the new chair of the Network and a cardiologist at Auckland City Hospital.

“This network is an excellent example of the strong clinical leadership in our public health services,” says Mr Ryall.

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the release of the 2013 educational performance data for Industry Training Organisations (ITOs), which show solid improvements in the performance of their trainees and apprentices.

“The big consolidation of the ITO sector from 39 down to 13 ITOs has resulted in larger organisations delivering better services for trainees and employers,” Mr Joyce says.

The tertiary education sector continued to produce strong educational performance in 2013, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister, Steven Joyce says.

The Tertiary Education Commission today released the 2013 Education Performance Indicators (EPIs) for providers receiving Student Achievement Component (SAC) funding which shows performance against the four EPIs of course completion rates; qualification completion rates; student progression at levels 1-4; and student retention.

Land Information Minister Michael Woodhouse today announced the reappointment of Phillip Curnow and Ken Taylor to the Valuers Registration Board (VRB) for a further three-year term.

The VRB is an independent statutory body – administered by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) – that oversees the registration of valuers and investigates complaints.

“Both Mr Curnow and Mr Taylor were first appointed to the VRB in 2007 and reappointed in 2011,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne has announced a review of the passport validity period including an independent review of passport security and a review of passport costs with a view to returning to 10-year passports.

Environment Minister Amy Adams has announced funding of $150,000 to support the expansion of a community-based recycling operation in Porirua.

The money was awarded to Mana Recovery Trust from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund.

Mana Recovery Trust will significantly expand its current operations through the construction of a purpose-built facility to sort and recycle packaging waste from businesses across the lower North Island.

Waste materials targeted by the scheme include paper, plastic, cardboard and glass.

Rail Safety Week is a reminder for all drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to stay alert around level crossings, says Associate Transport Minister Michael Woodhouse at today’s Rail Safety Week launch.

“A near miss can also be seen as a near hit. It’s just not worth taking the risk around level crossings, which is why this year’s focus for Rail Safety Week is on level crossings,” Mr Woodhouse says.

“There are more than 1300 level crossings in New Zealand, and on average, there is a near miss every three days.”

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has announced that 12 projects have been selected for this year’s Community Development Scheme.

“The scheme helps fund projects where communities have identified and found solutions to their own local issues,” says Mrs Goodhew.

The roll out of the Flagship Programme to reduce crime and re-offending in Papakura, Hamilton and the East Coast is making excellent progress, Justice Minister Judith Collins announced today.

Ms Collins visited both the Papakura and Hamilton projects recently to see first-hand the progress being made and to meet the frontline staff involved.

“The key to the Flagship Programme is increased collaboration between Police, Justice, Corrections and other frontline providers tailored to the specific needs of communities and vulnerable families,” Ms Collins says.

Research and Development (R&D) Growth Grants expected to be worth more than $41m over three years have been approved for 23 high tech companies by Callaghan Innovation, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

“These are innovative companies producing world-leading, high-value products and high-quality jobs for New Zealanders. They are all proven businesses that have committed to investing in R&D in this country,” Mr Joyce says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed regulatory approval for the alliance between Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines, describing the initiative as “a game changer” in his meeting with Foreign Ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) earlier today.

“The potential for more direct flights into Singapore, with connections to other ASEAN capitals, is a game-changing development for New Zealand’s relationship with Southeast Asian countries," Mr McCully says.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed another milestone for the Wellington Northern Corridor Road of National Significance, as momentum builds towards creating a modern, safe and efficient transport lifeline north of the capital.

“The NZ Transport Agency’s announcement that it has awarded the contract for detailed design of the Peka Peka to Otaki section of the Kapiti expressway to Opus Consultants is another positive step for this important roading project, which is on track for a construction start in 2016,” Mr Brownlee says.

The Crown has signed a deed of settlement for the historical Treaty claims of Te Atiawa at Rangiātea Complex in New Plymouth, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today.

The Crown was represented by Mr Finlayson and the deed signing was witnessed by New Plymouth Member of Parliament Jonathan Young.

Construction work is beginning on the first new merged school in the Christchurch Schools Rebuild Programme, following a sod turning event at the site yesterday, Education Minister Hekia Parata says. 

Lyttelton Primary School, which is the result of the merger of Lyttelton Main and Lyttelton West schools, is being built on the site of the previous Lyttelton Main school and is expected to be completed in Term 4, 2015.

Associate Primary Industries Minister Jo Goodhew says the results from a trial using remote control technology in tree felling, which could save lives in forestry harvesting operations, show promising results.

“During the successful trial the operator was able to successfully fell and bunch several trees from a safe distance at the top of a steep slope using a remote control device,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today announced a further step in the Government’s drive to reduce the cost of building new homes with the appointment of 26 commissioners to the Register of Development Contributions Commissioners.

“These commissioners will serve as a panel to ensure transparency and accountability in the charging of development contributions,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.

“We are committed to making sure development contributions do not unnecessarily impact housing affordability.”

Environment Minister Amy Adams today announced funding of $120,000 for a project run by Tasman District Council to control erosion and sediment going into waterways.

“Erosion and sediment control are a problem for our water ways, but Tasman District Council has identified there is little in the way of up-to-date research or information for landowners and regional councils who need to manage erosion and sedimentation in our rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands,” Ms Adams says.

Consumer Affairs Minister Craig Foss says new Fair Trading Act infringement fees coming into force today will further boost consumer confidence and drive competition.

The Commerce Commission is now able to issue infringement fees of up to $1500 for clear-cut offences, including breaching consumer information standards and disclosure requirements. 

For example, a motor trader who fails to attach a completed consumer information notice to a used vehicle could be fined $1000.