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Chris Seed will be New Zealand's next High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff announced today. Mr Seed will take up the position in April, replacing Nigel Moore.

New Zealand's next High Commissioner to Samoa will be Dr Penelope Ridings, Foreign Minister Phil Goff announced. "Relations between New and Samoa are very close and are based on historical, cultural and family ties," Mr Goff said.

Transport Minister Mark Gosche today introduced legislation to Parliament to begin rebuilding the aviation medical certification system.

Apprenticeships is to expand into industries as diverse as aeronautical engineering, outdoor recreation, and sports turf management this year, Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey announced today.

"New Zealanders want some of our strategic assets to be owned in New Zealand. They are tired of branch closures and rising fees," Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton said today.

Jim Anderton will celebrate quietly, if at all.

What will the bank be called?
Decisions about the bank's name will be taken by the independent Board of the new bank, which has not yet been appointed. It will launch its brand at the time that is most advantageous for it from a marketing point of view.

A new report released today by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that global warming will have far reaching impacts on natural and human systems, says Energy Minister Pete Hodgson, the Convenor of the Ministerial Group on Climat

Health Minister Annette King today announced that HealthShare Ltd, a subsidiary company of five of the new district health boards, Waikato, Lakeland, Pacific, Taranaki and Tairawhiti, will provide regional service planning, purchasing and contracting functions for the five boards.

Minister for Ethnic Affairs Hon George Hawkins has highlighted a significant reduction in unemployment among those from Ethnic communities.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Creating Security and Opportunity for New Zealanders

Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton is to visit Japan and Hong Kong.
Mr Sutton will leave New Zealand on February 24, travelling to the Japanese capital city, Tokyo.

The Government today announced a new direction for the future delivery of special education services.

The Government today announced a new direction for the future delivery of special education services.

The Trustees of Lake Omapere have threatened to sue the Government for damages and to seek a Court direction for the Government to "repair the lake", the Minister for the Environment, Marian Hobbs said today.

New Zealand is to seek World Trade Organisation permission to take action against Canada for its failure to conform to international trading rules related to its subsidised dairy exports, Minister for Trade Negotiations Jim Sutton said today.

Yesterday's bombing of Baghdad by the United States and Great Britain is a setback for world peace initiatives and the moves to lift the sanctions against Iraq, says Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control Matt Robson.

The Minister of Tourism Mark Burton has presented a cheque for $100,000 to help fund a new display at the New Zealand National Maritime Museum on Auckland's Waterfront.

The presentation was made at the Museum this afternoon. (At 3.30pm)

More than 270 young athletes will receive inaugural Prime Minister's Sports Scholarships to help them towards their sporting and educational goals.

A significant initiative to seek new and widely agreed paths for New Zealand's social and economic development will take place this year, culminating in a major international conference in Auckland at the beginning of August

Defence Minister Mark Burton has extended his sympathy and deepest condolences to the family of Squadron Leader Murray Neilson, who was killed today while piloting a A4-K Skyhawk in Australia.

Independent judges and juries are at the very heart of the rule of law. They deserve our support and respect, even when we disagree with them. The job of any judge is to apply the law without fear or favour, however unpopular that decision might be.

Minister of Police Hon George Hawkins said today that National's latest police spokesperson Tony Ryall needs to sharpen up his act before he embarrasses his party beyond repair.

The National Party is devoid of any original ideas, Rural Affairs Minister Jim Sutton said today.