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People will soon benefit from more open and accessible information on their communities and environment, Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson says.

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) through the New Zealand Geospatial Office (NZGO) will lead the development of a national framework – a spatial data infrastructure – that connects people and users of location-based or geospatial information.

Increased production at the Kupe gas field has resulted in the largest quarterly production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) since June quarter 2006, Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee said today.

“LPG production is at a four-year high,” Mr Brownlee said.

“Production exceeds domestic market use, there has been a growth in LPG exports, and for the first time since the March 2006 quarter New Zealand hasn’t needed to import LPG.”

Agriculture Minister David Carter has today extended drought relief to cover the Waikato region and Ruapehu District.

Mr Carter met with Waikato farmers, the local Rural Support Trust and industry representatives west of Hamilton today to discuss the worsening dry conditions. 

The Minister declared the two areas medium-level drought zones which steps up funding for local Rural Support Trusts to assist farming communities, and provides farm management advice and welfare support.

Biosecurity Minister David Carter tonight welcomed the unanimous support of Parliament for the first reading of the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Bill.

The bill sets out the legal framework for the collection of information on livestock, their location and movement history throughout their lifetime.  It also outlines governance arrangements and powers for the NAIT organisation.

Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson confirmed today that the Government will meet the reasonable costs of legal services for those families directly affected by the Pike River mine accident, which arise out of the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

"We recognise the importance of the families of the Pike River victims being represented and participating in the Royal Commission of Inquiry, and will move to see that happens," Mr Finlayson said.

The government is investing more funding than ever before in core students in our tertiary system – with a focus on those studying at a higher level, says Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce.

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has today publicly released individual investment funding decisions for all of our publicly funded tertiary institutions. 

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the tabling of the Auditor-General’s report on Ministerial expenses.

“This report is part of a broader effort by the Government to move towards greater transparency regarding Ministers’ and MPs’ expenses,” says Mr Key.

“It’s important the public has confidence in the regime for administering Ministers’ expenses, and that taxpayers’ money is seen to be spent appropriately.”

Budget 2011 will ensure the Government plays its part in improving New Zealand’s national savings by controlling spending increases and setting a credible path back to budget surplus, Finance Minister Bill English says.

“The Budget next year will clearly outline the next steps in the Government’s programme to lift economic growth, with a particular focus on improving national savings and reducing our reliance on foreign debt,” he said in releasing the Budget Policy Statement and Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update.

The Government's first Investment Statement will drive improvements in the Crown's investment decisions and how it manages its $223 billion of assets and $128 billion of liabilities, Finance Minister Bill English says.

“Effective management of the Crown's assets and liabilities and making the best investment decisions is important if we are to realise our economic goals and deliver better public services,” Mr English says.

The review looked at the adequacy of New Zealand’s present health, safety and environmental regulations based on what is happening overseas. It was undertaken by New Zealand law firm Atkins Holm Joseph Majurey, in partnership with the international consultancy Environmental Resource Management.

“The review concludes that New Zealand’s health, safety and environmental (HSE) regime for offshore petroleum operations already compares favourably internationally, and incorporates a number of key characteristics of international best practice,” Mr Brownlee said.

Auckland apparel company Pacific Brands Holdings (NZ) Ltd has won a new five-year contract to supply clothing and personnel support items to the New Zealand Defence Force.

“This is the best possible value for money for the Defence Force and the taxpayer,” Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said, announcing the selection of the company, which trades as Yakka Apparel Solutions (YASL).

“Ensuring Defence Force people have the right equipment to get the job done wherever they are is a top priority.

Prime Minister John Key has announced that the date for a by-election in Botany will be Saturday 5 March.

The by-election follows the announcement today of the impending resignation of National MP Pansy Wong. Mrs Wong’s resignation takes effect on 17 January 2011.

“I would like to recognise the long service and dedication Pansy has given the National Party as both a Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament.

“Her commitment to Botany and ethnic communities all over New Zealand cannot be questioned and she will be missed,” says Mr Key.

The roll out of ultra fast broadband (UFB) around the country is now underway with the first fibre laid today at Manaia View School in Whangarei.

The Minister for Communications and Information, Steven Joyce, who attended an event at the school to mark the official start of work, says fibre will bring real gains to Whangarei and, as the roll out continues, to the whole country.

“This the first stage in a government plan which will see fibre enabling speeds of at least 100 Mbps rolled out to 75 per cent of New Zealanders where they live, work and study.

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee today welcomed the Gas Industry Company (GIC) board’s decision to hand back about $1.5 million in surplus levy funds to industry participants.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett unveiled the Government’s new cyber contract mapping tool in Parliament today.

Contract Mapping details community providers’ locations and the Government funding they receive around the country, on a publicly accessible website.

“Using technology to provide this level of detail is a first and reflects this Government’s focus on transparency and accountability,” says Ms Bennett.

Global services management company Serco has been selected to manage the Mt Eden/Auckland Central Remand Prison from next year, Corrections Minister Judith Collins announced today.

Serco, a British company with operations in Europe, the Middle-East, Asia-Pacific and North America, was one of three companies that sought the contract through a Request for Proposal process.

Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson today noted the appointment by the Governor-General of three commissioners to the Royal Commission into the Pike River mine tragedy.

The Royal Commission will be chaired by Justice Graham Panckhurst, a sitting High Court judge.

He will be joined by two other commissioners with relevant expertise.

Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has announced $6,813,063 million in funding for 27 projects through the Lottery Communities Facilities Committee.

“A range of exciting projects around the country have received funding, helping to build or improve important community facilities.”

Highlights include:

The Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Steven Joyce, has welcomed an announcement from Crown Fibre Holdings that further negotiations are underway for the rollout of ultra-fast broadband (UFB).

Crown Fibre Holdings (CFH) has settled on three more parties to start negotiating binding offers for the rollout of UFB infrastructure:

The Government today welcomed the election of New Zealander Adrian Macey as Chair of the Kyoto Protocol at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancún, Mexico.

"This appointment reaffirms the respect in which New Zealand is held in the international climate change negotiations as well as being a personal tribute to Adrian Macey and his work as New Zealand’s Climate Change Ambassador between 2006 and 2010," Dr Smith said.

Civil Defence Minister John Carter today praised three international agreements that will bring New Zealand, Australian and United States civil defence agencies closer together.

“These agreements will allow the agencies to support each other during and after emergencies, including maintaining 24/7 contact points as necessary,” Mr Carter says.

“Our agencies will be better able to share information, expertise and experience to help reduce risks and improve readiness before emergencies.”

The Education Amendment Bill (No 2), which has passed the last of its Parliamentary stages, will increase educational opportunities, reduce bureaucracy and improve student safety, says Education Minister Anne Tolley.

“This Bill provides exciting new opportunities for Year 11 to 13 students by allowing them to participate in Trades Academies, removes unnecessary burdens on short-term child crèches, and ensures that those who pose a potential danger to children can be kept out of the classroom,” says Mrs Tolley.

The science and innovation system in New Zealand will be invigorated by the Research, Science and Technology Bill passed in Parliament today, says Minister of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp.

The Bill amalgamates the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology and the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology into the new Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI).

“This new Ministry will perform a vital role in our economic growth,” Dr Mapp said.

Legislation to improve parts of the state sector has been welcomed by Nathan Guy, the Minister Responsible for Archives New Zealand, the National Library and Internal Affairs.

The National Library of New Zealand (Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa) Amendment Act and the Public Records Amendment Act have passed their final readings in Parliament today, paving the way for the three departments to integrate on 1 February 2011.

“The integration of these three departments is an important step in delivering better public services more efficiently.