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Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner says the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an opportunity to celebrate New Zealand’s work with disabled people and look forward to what we can achieve in the future.

“The International Day is an opportunity to reflect on issues that affect surprisingly many New Zealanders. Almost one in four – or 1.1 million – New Zealanders live with some form of disability,” Ms Wagner said.

Revenue Minister Todd McClay says Inland Revenue has doubled the number of people caught committing tax fraud in 2014, compared to the previous year.

“We have long signalled that we will not tolerate people trying to rip off the system. We have invested heavily in finding evasion and it is paying off,” says Mr McClay.

Inland Revenue identified fraud-related discrepancies totalling $10.4 million, compared to $4.5 million in 2013. This was a return on investment of $3.73:$1.

Revenue Minister Todd McClay has today announced that the Rewrite Advisory Panel of public and private sector tax experts has been disestablished.

The Rewrite Advisory Panel comprised representatives from the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants, the New Zealand Law Society and Inland Revenue – along with an independent Chair.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the winners of New Zealand’s most prestigious annual science awards.

“The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes recognise researchers of the highest quality who are working on projects that are of real benefit to New Zealand,” Mr Joyce says.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has congratulated the Gas Industry Company (GIC) on ten years of successful operation as a regulator in the downstream gas sector in New Zealand.

“The GIC has worked closely with industry and Government to support investment, competition, and the efficient supply of gas to consumers.”

Since the GIC was established in 2004, competition at the retail level has increased, with ten gas retailers now competing for customers and the prospect of more new entrants.

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the report back of the Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill, which has been strengthened by the select committee process.

“I’d like to thank all of the members of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee for their hard work on the Bill,” Mr Key says.

“The Bill has been significantly improved because of their efforts and because of the efforts of submitters.

“A number of changes have been agreed, particularly in areas where submissions had raised concerns.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has congratulated Dunedin on becoming the first New Zealand city to be internationally recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature.

“I’m delighted that Dunedin has achieved this significant milestone. As a cultural hub of the South, this is a testament to the city’s literary heritage and creativity,” says Ms Barry.

City of Literature is part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, which aims for cities to work together towards cultural diversity and sustainable urban development.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed the news that a new oil well has gone into production in Taranaki.

“OMV announced overnight that the development well MR-8A has successfully started production and is expected to produce about 4,500 barrels a day,” Mr Bridges says.

The well is one of five being drilled in producing and new reservoirs in the Maari field around 80 kilometres off the Taranaki coast as part of the $400 million Maari Growth campaign.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced diplomat Jacqui Caine as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Chile.

“Chile is New Zealand's longest standing friend in Latin America and there is growing commercial investment by New Zealand companies in Chile, particularly in the agricultural and energy sectors,” Mr McCully says.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges today took one of the last opportunities to visit Alice, the world’s tenth largest tunnel boring machine, that is building the twin road tunnels at Waterview, and will soon disappear back underground to complete the second tunnel.

Mr Bridges also took an early drive through the first of the two tunnels which was completed at the end of September and got an up-close look at Alice before she makes a start building the second tunnel later this week.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed funding of $1.7 million from the Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI) for research projects to improve educational outcomes for students.

Eight recipients receive funding in the 2014 research programme for work to enhance the links between educational research and teaching and learning.

“These projects are in line with what the Government is focused on in terms of raising educational achievement,” says Ms Parata.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says the warmer months bring international yachts to New Zealand shores, and Customs is prepared for a big season ahead.

“The yacht arrival season has started and it’s wonderful that every year more than 600 yachts from around the world arrive here to make the most of our beautiful country and Kiwi hospitality,” Ms Wagner said.

“As the first port of call, Customs takes great pride in welcoming visitors to our shores and ensuring their first impression of New Zealand is a friendly one.

Minister for Women Louise Upston has announced a name change for the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, which will represent the Ministry’s work in a more modern way.

“In October the Prime Minister announced new names for several portfolios and following on from this, I am pleased to announce that from today the Ministry of Women’s Affairs will officially be the Ministry for Women.

The Government initiative aimed at encouraging overseas student loan debtors to start repaying their loans has now netted $150 million in additional payments, and the pace of collection is picking up.

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Revenue Minister Todd McClay say the initiative took three years to collect its first $100 million, and just six months to collect the next fifty million. It now has a year-to-date return of $16 for every $1 invested in it.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Trade Minister Tim Groser have welcomed the one year anniversary today of the Economic Cooperation Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economi

Associate Minister for Primary Industries Jo Goodhew has welcomed the implementation of a programme that allows timber products to be exported to Australia without chemical treatment.

“After a successful trial last summer, the Secure Pathway Programme has been opened up to industry in a bid to reduce the use of methyl bromide during the flight season of the burnt pine longhorn beetle,” Mrs Goodhew says.

“All exporters now have a new option for treating products such as sawn timber, timber mouldings, panel products and veneer sheets.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says changes to the Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) coming into force today will encourage drivers and motorcyclists to sit their full licence.

Changes to the Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Rule require drivers or riders sitting their learner or restricted licences to progress to the next stage of the GDLS within five years. Anyone who fails to do so will need to pass another theory test to renew their licence.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says the lower alcohol limit for adult drivers will help make our roads safer and save lives.

The limit for motorists aged 20 years and over today lowers from 400mcg to 250mcg of alcohol per litre of breath. The blood alcohol limit lowers from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

“The lower limit will save lives and prevent about 64 injuries per year, with a reduction in social costs of about $200 million over 10 years,” Mr Foss says.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce will travel to Sydney on Sunday morning to attend the New Zealand job fair.

The Sydney job fair is the second event in the job fair series, which is taking place across Australia. More than 35 Kiwi employers are heading to Sydney to recruit skilled job seekers to help fill emerging skill gaps in the IT, engineering, healthcare, construction and trades sectors. Around 30 employers and 1750 jobseekers attended the first fair in Perth last weekend.

Minister of Corrections Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today challenged NZ First on accountability and said the primary focus for him as Minister of Corrections is the security and safety of the public.

“Under the previous Labour-NZ First Government, there were 15 breaches from temporary release between 2005 and 2008.  That compares to just four under National since 2008,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“I didn’t see NZ First MP Ron Mark complaining at the time, when New Zealand had on average five people a year absconding under his Government’s watch.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew have received the final report from the Government’s inquiry into the whey protein concentrate contamination incident last year.

Ministers will now consider the report and its recommendations. The report will be released along with the Government’s response within the next few weeks.

This part of the inquiry looks at how the potentially contaminated whey protein concentrate entered the New Zealand and international market, and how this was subsequently addressed.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner congratulates the twenty seven new Customs officers who are graduating in Auckland today, in time to boost border security at Auckland Airport for the busy summer season.

“These Customs officers will start their career at the busiest time of the year in the busiest place at the border. Their role is a unique and crucial one – both protecting and promoting New Zealand,” Ms Wagner said.

Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today welcomed the latest release of figures from Statistics New Zealand which shows the highest number of building consents issued in more than six years.

“There were 24,307 consents issued nationwide in the year to October 2014 – an increase of 21 per cent on the same period last year, and more than any other 12-month period since the year to May 2008,” Dr Smith says.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry has presented Clive Paton of Martinborough with the 2014 Loder Cup at a ceremony today, for his significant contribution to habitat restoration in New Zealand.

“Clive Paton is a remarkable individual and very deserving of being this year’s Loder Cup recipient. He is an inspirational example of somebody with drive, energy and a vision, who has woven conservation into his life,” says Ms Barry.