Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 results.

Long-term welfare dependency is reducing and more young people are achieving higher qualifications under the Government’s Better Public Services initiative, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman say.

The Government today published the July update of BPS targets, which confirms more good progress in tackling some of the most challenging issues facing New Zealanders, however making headway in other areas is slower, Mr English says.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Bill English
  • State Services
  • Deputy Prime Minister

The latest update of the Government’s Better Public Services initiative shows significant gains continue to be made, though challenges remain in achieving these ambitious goals, Finance Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman say.

The Government today published the latest six-monthly progress report on its 10 Better Public Service Result areas.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Bill English
  • State Services
  • Deputy Prime Minister

The Government has received the Constitutional Advisory Panel’s final report which recommends that the conversation about New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements should continue, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples say.

The 12-member independent panel spent more than six months having a conversation with New Zealanders about  our constitutional arrangements. These included the role of the Treaty of Waitangi, Maori representation in Parliament and local government, the Bill of Rights Act and other matters.

  • Pita Sharples
  • Bill English
  • Māori Affairs
  • Deputy Prime Minister

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English leaves tomorrow to lead New Zealand’s ministerial delegation to the annual Australian New Zealand Leadership Forum in Sydney.

He will be accompanied by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully, Trade Minister Tim Groser and Commerce Minister Craig Foss.

The ninth Forum, which brings together senior politicians, business and academic leaders from both countries, takes place on Wednesday.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister

Government agencies are making good progress across the 10 Better Public Services results to address some of New Zealand’s most challenging issues, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman say.

The Government today issued the first progress report on the results and the measurable targets sitting under them. Ministers have also agreed to set up a $20 million a year seed fund over four years to support government agencies as they work towards meeting their targets.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Bill English
  • State Services
  • Deputy Prime Minister

The Auditor-General’s report into the Yang Liu affair is extremely damning of the way Shane Jones handled the issue, and calls into question David Shearer’s judgment in reinstating him to Labour’s front bench, Acting Prime Minister Bill English says.

“Within minutes of the report being tabled in Parliament this afternoon, we have David Shearer rushing out and reinstating Shane Jones,” he says.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister

“Six weeks over summer to think about new policy, and Labour comes up with precisely nothing,” Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says.

“The Labour leader’s speech today was full off last year’s slogans and no new policy.

“He says that he wants to be hands-on, and yet opposes every hands-on move National is making to encourage investment and growth. On top of that, Labour still hasn’t apologised for their wasteful policies the last time they got their hands on the economy.

  • Bill English
  • Deputy Prime Minister

The Ministerial Committee on Poverty is working through a number of issues critical to improving the lives of low-income New Zealanders and their families.

It is focused on supporting New Zealanders from all backgrounds to move out of long-term poverty, tackling the impacts of poverty and ensuring the Government’s interventions are effective and delivering value for money for taxpayers.

The committee was set up earlier this year under the National-Māori Party relationship accord and confidence and supply agreement.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Bill English
  • Whānau Ora
  • Deputy Prime Minister

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.

  • Bill English
  • John Key
  • Prime Minister
  • Deputy Prime Minister

The Government intends to introduce a package of legislative changes to help the public sector achieve better results for New Zealanders, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman say.

As indicated in the Budget last month, the Government has started consulting other parties on changes to the State Sector, Public Finance and Crown Entities Acts as part of its Better Public Services reforms.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Bill English
  • State Services
  • Deputy Prime Minister

The Ministerial Committee on Poverty met for the first time last night, with ministers reaffirming their focus on providing opportunity for low income New Zealanders and getting better results from spending on social services.

"The Government's focus in tackling poverty is on providing opportunity – through things like better education and jobs," Deputy Prime Minister and committee chairman Bill English said.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Bill English
  • Whānau Ora
  • Deputy Prime Minister