Displaying 1 - 24 of 2538 results.

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith have congratulated the 17 New Zealanders who have received New Year Honours for services to education.

“There are passionate and committed people working hard every day to help ensure that young New Zealanders get a world-class education and it’s great to see some of the very best being honoured,” says Ms Parata.

  • Paul Goldsmith
  • Hekia Parata
  • Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
  • Education

Pacific Peoples Minister Alfred Ngaro is saddened by the tragedy that occurred on the road to Gisborne last night.

“It is particularly tragic that this group from Vava'u, Tonga was visiting Gisborne to celebrate Christmas and participate in fundraising festivities. Instead, they are now mourning the loss of two of their group and supporting others who are injured and in hospital,” says Mr Ngaro.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire group and their families both here and back home in Tonga.

  • Alfred Ngaro
  • Pacific Peoples

The Government has extended the employee support subsidy for quake-affected businesses inWellington and Hurunui District, Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Social Development Minister Anne Tolley have announced.

“While Wellington is mostly open for business, a small number of employers are still unable to open their doors and we’re still seeing new applications come in,” Mr Bridges says.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Simon Bridges
  • Social Development
  • Economic Development

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2334 regarding the Middle East Peace Process. The resolution passed with 14 votes in favour and an abstention from the US.

“New Zealand voted for and co-sponsored the resolution because it is consistent with long-held New Zealand policy positions on the Palestinian question,” Mr McCully says.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner thanks Customs for their hard work this year keeping our borders safe.

“While most of us are enjoying our holidays, our frontline staff at Customs are facing their busiest time of the year. I wish to thank all Customs staff for their tremendous effort this year, particularly those who are protecting our border over the Christmas break,” Ms Wagner says.

“They’re dealing with rising volumes of border transactions, and ever increasing passenger volumes.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Customs

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed the NZ Transport Agency’s announcement that it has awarded the contract for the replacement of the Whirokino Trestle and Manawatu River Bridge to Fletcher Construction.

The project is a key component of the Government’s $212 million Accelerated Regional Roading Package, aimed at speeding up the delivery of transport projects considered important to regions.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell announces the second round of nation-wide wānanga on the proposed Māori Land Services starting 23 January 2017. 

The Māori Land Service team held the first wānanga during September and October 2016.  Those wānanga were part of the engagement with Māori owners and trustees to hear their views and aspirations for their whenua and also for the proposed Māori Land Service.   

  • Te Ururoa Flavell
  • Economic Development
  • Maori Development

Associate Transport Minister David Bennett is encouraging road users to do the right thing and travel safely over the summer holidays.

"This is a special time of the year to celebrate with friends and family so we want to ensure everyone travelling on our roads gets to their destination safely,” Mr Bennett says.

“Drivers can help keep themselves, their passengers, and other road users safe by following the rules and applying common sense.”

  • David Bennett
  • Transport

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that New Zealand will provide an additional $1 million to help Syrian people affected by the civil war, including those in Aleppo.

The money will go to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which has been helping evacuate civilians from Aleppo.

“New Zealanders are appalled at the ongoing death and destruction in Syria and the conditions on the ground in besieged areas such as east Aleppo,” Mr McCully says.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Trade Minister Todd McClay today welcomed the World Trade Organization's (WTO) decision upholding New Zealand's challenge to 18 agricultural non-tariff barriers imposed by Indonesia.

New Zealand and the United States jointly brought the case against Indonesia in 2013 over a range of barriers imposed on agricultural imports since 2011. These included import prohibitions, use and sale restrictions, restrictive licence terms and a domestic purchase requirement.

  • Todd McClay
  • Trade

Four ambitious conservation projects in Gisborne have received $78,000 in support from the DOC Community Fund, Conservation Ministers Maggie Barry and Nicky Wagner have announced.

The projects range from weed eradication on Gisborne’s Titirangi Maunga to protecting wild kiwi in Maungataniwha and represent the best of community conservation, the Ministers say.

“Each of the groups is helping wage the War on Weeds and protect native species from introduced predators and invasive plants,” Ms Barry says.

  • Maggie Barry
  • Nicky Wagner
  • Conservation

Transport Minister Simon Bridges says Auckland’s Northern Corridor transport project has taken a significant step forward today.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has accepted the NZ Transport Agency’s application for the construction of the Northern Corridor Improvements project.

“This is one of the Government’s top priority transport projects for Auckland and will make a noticeable difference to the city’s transport network,” Mr Bridges says.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport

Transport Minister Simon Bridges and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff have  announced the appointment of Brian Roche as Chair Designate of City Rail Link Limited.

Under the Heads of Agreement signed by the Crown and Auckland Council, City Rail Link Limited will be an independent company, created to deliver Auckland’s CRL.

“CRL is a significant infrastructure project, which will enhance the capacity and performance of Auckland rail services, and improve transport outcomes across Auckland,” Mr Bridges says.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport

Pacific Peoples Minister Alfred Ngaro has announced a number of appointments and reappointments to the Pasifika Education Centre Trust Board (PEC).

PEC is a long standing Pacific community education provider based in Auckland.  The Trustees appointed are Mele Wendt (Chair), Sefita Hao’uli, Janitta Pilisi, Professor Tania Ka’ai, Everdina Fuli and Annette Karepa.

  • Alfred Ngaro
  • Pacific Peoples

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has announced a funding boost for search and rescue activity in the lead-up to the busy summer season.

The Government will provide more than $35.7 million to search and rescue agencies over the next four financial years, an increase of $8.4 million.

“New Zealand’s search and rescue work relies on the efforts of more than 12,000 volunteers who risk their own lives to save others. Government funding is designed to support the valuable contribution these people make,” Mr Bridges says.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has released the second stage of a financial review by PwC on Canterbury DHB’s future financial performance.

“Supporting the Canterbury rebuild is a key priority, and the Government is committed to ensuring Cantabrians receive the health services that they need,” says Dr Coleman.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Health

The latest New Zealand Energy Quarterly, released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment today shows the highest renewable electricity generation in 20 years for a September quarter, Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Energy and Resources

The New Zealand economy continued to grow solidly in the September quarter, posting a higher than expected 1.1 per cent growth rate for the quarter and 3.5 per cent over the last year, Finance Minister Steven Joyce says.

“New Zealand’s focus on developing a strong and open economy is delivering good results for Kiwi families, especially relative to most of the rest of the developed world,” Mr Joyce says.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Finance

The Hamilton City Council is to gain access to fast-track powers to zone new areas for residential development under an Accord with the Government, Building and Construction Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today during a visit with new Mayor Andrew King.

  • Nick Smith
  • Building and Construction

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the first report from the national cardiac register shows good results, comparable with international standards.

“The national cardiac registry was developed to help further improve standards and maintain best practice across the country,” says Dr Coleman.

“The first year of data for 2015 shows better than internationally accepted results for the two most common cardiac procedures performed in New Zealand’s five cardiac units.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Health

Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith today announced initial funding of up to $3 million to develop and enhance GeoNet’s natural hazards monitoring capability and response service.

The funding will support GeoNet - New Zealand’s official geological hazard information service - to further develop New Zealand’s hazards monitoring tools.

  • Paul Goldsmith
  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Science and Innovation
  • Civil Defence

The Government is proposing reforms to better protect people buying and owning property under the Unit Titles Act, Building and Construction Minister Dr Nick Smith says.

“We need better property laws to support the change in our cities, where more people are living and investing in townhouses and apartments. The number of households in unit titles is already 145,000, with a value of more than $50 billion. This number is expected to double by 2040.

  • Nick Smith
  • Building and Construction

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith has today named the first students to receive a Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Latin America (PMSLA).

Thirty seven top students from across New Zealand have been chosen for the first round of 2016/17 scholarships, with a total value of $250,000.

“The new scholarships aim to introduce more young New Zealanders to Latin American countries and cultures, as well as build connections that will benefit New Zealand into the future.

  • Paul Goldsmith
  • Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith has today announced the latest round of successful recipients of the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia (PMSA).

A total of 156 New Zealand students have been selected to study, carry out internships or conduct research at top institutions throughout Asia as part of the first 2016/17 scholarship round. Successful applications came from universities, institutes of technology and polytechnics, and private training establishments.

  • Paul Goldsmith
  • Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment