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Thousands of New Zealanders have taken time out to camp and relax in Department of Conservation campsites around the country this summer, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

DOC manages more than 300 campsites from Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) in Northland to Rakiura/Stewart Island.

The most popular campgrounds in the North Island are Maitai Bay (Northland) and Waikawau Bay (Coromandel) with 30,000 visitors (bed-nights) for the 2010/2011 season. In the South Island Totaranui is the most-used with 29,000 users for that period.

Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson has congratulated the Ministry for Primary Industries for making us the first country to sign a Food Safety Systems Recognition Arrangement with the US Food and Drug Administration.

The signing took place at a meeting in Washington DC earlier this week. It means that New Zealand and the United States recognise each other’s food safety systems as providing a comparable degree of food safety assurance.

This is the first time the FDA has recognised another country’s food safety system as comparable to its own.

Farm gate sales of raw milk will continue and the amount that can be purchased is likely to increase, Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson said today.

Farmers will also be exempt from the current requirement to have a costly Risk Management Programme for farm gate sales of raw milk and will instead need to adhere to certain animal health and hygiene requirements.

“The current Food Act allows people to buy only up to five litres of raw milk at the farm gate to drink themselves or give to their family,” Ms Wilkinson says.

The signing of the Wellington Harbour Islands (WHI) Management Plan sets the future vision and management of Wellington’s three harbour islands, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

Ms Wilkinson and Port Nicolson Block Settlement Trust Chair Hon Mahara Okeroa signed the plan at a ceremony in the Beehive this morning.

The Trust manages the Treaty settlement package from the Port Nicholson Block Settlement (PNBST) Act 2009 for Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika - the collective name of the four Wellington based iwi.

Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson has welcomed new trans-Tasman rules for health and nutrition claims on food labels.

At a meeting in Brisbane today, Ministers from Australia and New Zealand agreed to the new rules which permit a range of claims that link properties of foods to health effects. Only claims that are backed up by evidence, whether self-substantiated or pre-approved, will be permitted.

Fewer New Zealanders are getting food poisoning but we must not forget basic food safety rules during the summer barbecue season, Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson says.          

“We all love a summer barbecue, but over the festive season, it’s a good time to remember to do the food safety basics.

“Don’t cross contaminate surfaces, properly cook chicken, and make sure the whole family washes their hands before eating,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Three marine reserves will be created under the Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

The Bill had its first reading in Parliament today and will establish a marine reserve covering the entire 12 nautical miles of territorial sea around Antipodes Island.

Two more marine reserves around the Bounty Islands and Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku, covering 58 per cent and 39 per cent of those islands’ territorial seas will also be formed making a total of 435,163 hectares to be protected.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson is pleased the purchase of 5.6 hectares of land on the Miranda coast off the Firth of Thames will create a new scenic reserve to protect the area's chenier plains.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson today launched a two-day summit to look for new ways we can try and eradicate stoats, possums and rats - our three biggest pests.

Towards 2050 – A Pest Summit for New Zealand started today in Wellington.

“This workshop is looking for a radical rethink of how we view the pest problem in order to find the best long term solution for New Zealand’s prosperous future, not just short term gains,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson congratulated nine students who graduated from the Tauira Kaitiaki Taiao-Māori Cadetship Programme today.

Ms Wilkinson, the Māori King, Kīngi Tūheitia and Paramount Chief of Ngati Tūwharetoa Sir Tumu Te Heuheu attended the students’ graduation at Waikato Tainui College for Research and Development in Ngaruawahia.

Each graduate received the National Certificate in Conservation, the Trainee Ranger Certificate from Nelson/Marlborough Institute of Technology and a Certificate in Tikanga Maori from Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

Tena koutou
Tena koutou
Tena tatou katoa

Thank you for the opportunity to join you all here today to recognise the successful completion of the second Tauira Kaitiaki Taiao cadetship programme and celebrate the graduation of the nine participating cadets.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson is seeking proud New Zealanders to stand for their local conservation boards and make a difference in their community.

“Preserving our conservation estate is the responsibility of all New Zealanders, not just the government. Members of local conservation boards get to have a say to help protect their local conservation assets for future generations,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Nominations to all conservation boards are being sought. Vacancies on each board are as follows:

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson is increasing the size of the Taranaki/Whanganui Conservation Board from eight members to ten.

“Two additional members will increase the current knowledge, experience and skill base the board,” Ms Wilkinson says.

“This region has some of our most diverse and stunning conservation areas in the country.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson has welcomed plans to re-open the Tongariro Northern Circuit and part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing on Thursday.

The tracks to Emerald Lakes and Oturere Valley will also be opened on Thursday morning.

“Department of Conservation staff have worked hard since last week’s eruption at Mt Tongariro’s Te Maari crater to see what tracks can be opened and when,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson and Taupō MP Louise Upston will visit Turangi today to discuss the recent eruption of Mt Tongariro with the Department of Conservation and GNS Science.

The mountain erupted for the second time this year on Wednesday.

Ms Wilkinson and Mrs Upston will meet with Tuwharetoa paramount chief Sir Tumu te Heuheu and a small group of community leaders. They will be briefed by DOC and GNS officials on the current state of volcanic activity and possible future scenarios for Mt Tongariro’s Te Maari crater.

The Ohaaki Wetland is evidence of the success that can be achieved when groups work together towards a conservation goal, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

Established on 35 hectares of land beside the Waikato River, the Ohaaki Wetland was formally opened by Ms Wilkinson today.

“The wetlands will provide a unique marshland that will enhance biodiversity in the region by providing an ideal habitat for bird life, including rare or endangered species such as the White heron,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Hon Kate Wilkinson has resigned as Labour Minister, effective today, following today’s release of the report from the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine tragedy.

“The Pike River Mine tragedy of 19 November 2010 happened on my watch as Minister of Labour,” says Ms Wilkinson.

“While reports from the former Department of Labour did not advise me of concerns about their ability to administer the health and safety legislation, 29 men lost their lives in this tragedy.

Native birds including great spotted kiwis in the Nelson Lakes National Park will have greater protection from stoats now that self-setting traps are in the region, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

The self-resetting traps were deployed in the area of the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project by Ms Wilkinson and Green MP Eugenie Sage today.

Cabinet has agreed to further improvements to the Employment Relations Act 2000, including changes to Part 6A that deals with the cleaning, catering, orderly and laundry industries, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson said today.

The objective of Part 6A is to provide continuity of employment for employees in specific industries when a business is restructured or sold.

“A review of Part 6A found that there were significant operational issues around transferring employees’ entitlements and information to the new employer,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson leaves for India today to attend the 11th Convention on Biological Diversity in Hyderabad.

"The conference will bring together an estimated 8,000 delegates including representatives from states, non-government organisations, and indigenous people’s groups," Ms Wilkinson says.

Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson has declined to grant a visa that would allow Mike Tyson to enter New Zealand.

"The original decision in respect of Mr Tyson was a finely balanced call based on the letter of support from a board member of the Life Education Trust," Ms Wilkinson says.

"When the Trust withdrew its support I received another application from Mr Tyson's representatives with the support of the Manukau Urban Maori Authority.

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has today confirmed the introduction of a new starting-out wage that will help provide young New Zealanders with more opportunities to get into the workforce.

Speaking at the launch of the Government's Skilled and Safe Workplaces Progress Report, Ms Wilkinson said the new starting-out wage was the latest in a series of steps to help get more New Zealanders into jobs in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis.

Mike Tyson’s visa has been cancelled by Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson today.

Ms Wilkinson says the original decision to grant a Special Direction to Mr Tyson was a finely balanced call and a letter of support from the Life Education Trust, that would have been a benefactor from the visit, was a significant factor in approving the application.

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has today welcomed the arrival of Judith Hackitt, Chair of the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive.

Ms Hackitt will deliver a series of speeches and presentations with New Zealand government officials, health and safety practitioners and business leaders as part of Safety 2012, the 11th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion.

“Ms Hackitt is a recognised global expert on workplace safety and occupational health,” Ms Wilkinson says.