Displaying 2425 - 2435 of 2435 results.

Health Minister Tony Ryall welcomes the news that a dedicated stroke unit is opening at Tauranga Hospital next week.

“This is great news for the 300 Bay of Plenty residents who suffer from a stroke each year,” says Mr Ryall.

“The unit will be led by a professor who specialises in stroke care and has been recruited by the district health board (DHB) from Britain.

“Research shows a dedicated stroke unit prevents many people from having a more severe stroke and significantly improves a patient’s recovery after a stroke.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

Overview

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Nearly three thousand more children most vulnerable to rheumatic fever will join the Government’s battle against the third world disease when they start back at school this term.

The children are from 24 schools in Northland and Waikato.

“Rheumatic fever is largely preventable, yet it can develop into a life threatening heart disease if left untreated,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

Trade and Climate Change Issues Minister Tim Groser will depart for Europe today to attend international trade and climate change meetings.

The focus of Mr Groser’s visit will be the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland from 23-27 January, along with meetings in Geneva.

  • Tim Groser
  • Climate Change Issues
  • Trade

Prime Minister John Key will visit Antarctica from 17 to 21 January to highlight New Zealand’s interests and activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

Mr Key will visit New Zealand science and environmental management programmes, view New Zealand’s historic hut conservation projects, and participate in a ceremony celebrating the installation of Maori artwork at Scott Base.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Proposals in an Inland Revenue officials’ issues paper released today would bolster the taxation of highly leveraged investments made by foreigners, through changes to the thin capitalisation rules, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne said.

“I referred in December to upcoming proposals for strengthening New Zealand’s tax laws and I am pleased to see these now released,” he said.

  • Peter Dunne
  • Revenue

United Kingdom Foreign Secretary William Hague will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully announced today.

“I look forward to welcoming Mr Hague to New Zealand for the second time in two years,” Mr McCully says.

Mr McCully and Mr Hague will hold formal bilateral talks in Auckland on January 15.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

The introduction of time limits for learner and restricted licences is part of this Government’s continuing focus on the safety of young and novice drivers, Associate Minister of Transport Simon Bridges announced today.

“The Government intends to limit learner and restricted licence periods to five years to encourage drivers to move through the Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS),” said Mr Bridges.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport

Health Minister Tony Ryall welcomes the news that over 2,000 people have signed up with Quitline in the first week of January and urges other smokers to contact Quitline for support to quit smoking.

“Smoking kills an estimated 5000 people in New Zealand every year. It’s pleasing so many people have started the new year with the goal to quit smoking,” says Mr Ryall.

“By raising the tobacco tax each year and offering more people help to quit smoking, this government has created a turning point in the campaign against tobacco.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges says the record low holiday road toll is encouraging but efforts need to continue to improve road safety.

Six people died on the roads during the official holiday period which ran from 4pm on 24 December to 6am this morning.

During the Christmas and New Year period last year 19 people were killed, 65 seriously injured and 335 received minor injuries. Injury statistics for the 2012/13 holiday period will take several months to finalise.

The lowest road toll recorded previously was 8 in 1959/60.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport

The provisional road toll for 2012 is 306, Associate Minister of Transport Simon Bridges announced today.  This compares with 284 in 2011, 375 in 2010, and 385 in 2009.  This year’s road roll is the second lowest in the last 60 years.

“Although the 2012 toll is one of the lowest on record, I’m saddened that it is an increase on the 2011 toll,” says Mr Bridges.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport