Displaying 145 - 168 of 2538 results.

A new Land Transport Rule will help increase efficiency and ease congestion on our roads by enabling trucks to carry more freight, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

The new Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (VDAM) rule makes small adjustments to the rules covering height, width and weight limits for trucks and some buses.

“Maximising the potential of our heavy vehicle fleet will increase capacity and improve productivity across the transport sector,” Mr Foss says.

  • Craig Foss
  • Transport

Acting ACC Minister Nathan Guy today confirmed the ACC levy rates for the 2017/18 and 2018/19 years.

“There will be reductions totalling $126.2 million per annum to work and motor vehicle levies, while the earners’ levy will remain unchanged,” says Mr Guy.

“These reductions follow over $2 billion of ACC levy cuts made under this Government since 2012.

  • Nathan Guy
  • ACC

The House of Representatives sat through extended sitting hours this morning to pass the Rangitāne o Manawatū Claims Settlement Bill through its third and final reading.

When enacted this bill will give effect to the Deed of Settlement signed by Rangitāne o Manawatū and the Crown on 14 November 2015.

“Rangitāne o Manawatū has waited a long time for this day,” Mr Finlayson said. “Settlement marks a turning point in the iwi’s history and the beginning of a new relationship with the Crown.”

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says this year's expansion of the successful Fruit in Schools initiative to a record 547 schools has had a positive impact.

"Children need to eat well in order to optimise their learning and that’s why Fruit in Schools is so beneficial to students," says Dr Coleman.

“Staff at the school also take part to help encourage students to try new things and influence their healthy eating decisions.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Health

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says the first set of major reforms in the overhaul of care and protection have passed a third reading in Parliament.

“These reforms are crucial if we are to deliver a truly child-centred care system,” says Mrs Tolley.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Social Development

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today named diplomat Andrew Jenks as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Spain.

“Spain is an important partner for New Zealand and a key member of the European Union,” Mr McCully says. 

“Spain is a base for a number of NZ companies operating in the region, and there is scope to further develop our trade and economic relationship.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today named diplomat Joanna Kempkers as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to India. Ms Kempkers will be based in New Delhi and cross-accredited to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

“As members of the Asia-Pacific region, New Zealand and India have a close relationship,” Mr McCully says.

“India is our second largest source of skilled migrants and international students.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed the results of an international study that shows New Zealand has consolidated its place in the top half of the OECD.

The three yearly cycle of the Programme of International Student Achievement (PISA) ranks 70 countries and education systems based on a one-day snapshot of 15 year olds across reading, mathematics and science.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner has welcomed the First Reading of the Customs and Excise Bill in Parliament today.

“This is a Bill that is better for businesses. Not only will it be easier to use and understand, it makes businesses’ obligations clearer and provides more flexibility in meeting them,” Ms Wagner says.

“It will replace the out-dated 1996 Customs and Excise Act that is unable to respond to a changing border environment.”

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Customs

Changes to the way community housing providers are funded are paying further dividends as much-needed new supply comes on stream in Auckland, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

More than 50 new social housing places have been created in Papakura and Mangere through funding changes made by the Government in which community housing providers (CHPs) are able to access Income-Related Rent Subsidies.

Compass Housing Services and LinkPeople will lease new one- and two-bedroom properties from private owners for social housing for up to 10 years.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Social Housing

A new Bill that gives District Health Boards (DHBs) the responsibility of managing the fluoridation of local government water supplies has had its first reading in Parliament. The Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill has been referred to the Health Select Committee for consideration, and the public will be invited to make submissions.

  • Peter Dunne
  • Health

Communications Minister Amy Adams is seeking applications from dispute resolution providers to help speed up agreements between property owners with joint access to install and maintain next generation telecommunications networks.

A dispute resolution scheme is part of the Government’s Land Access reform package which will help speed up delays in situations where the consent of multiple parties is required for access to shared property, enabling a smoother installation process for all involved.

  • Amy Adams
  • Communications

Changes to petrol and diesel specifications will support the growth of lower-emission fuels, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

Amendments are being made to the Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations 2011, which set out minimum standards for fuel performance.

The changes include reducing the sulphur level allowed in petrol from 50 to 10 parts per million; introducing a total oxygen limit, which potentially allows a wider range of fuel blends; and raising the biodiesel blend limit in diesel from five to seven per cent.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed an investment of $165,000 from Crown Irrigation Investments to scope irrigation scheme options in Northland.

“This is great news for a region that has suffered numerous droughts over the years,” says Mr Guy.

“Storing water means we can use it in dry spells, giving farmers and growers certainty and a real boost to the local economy.” 

Northland Regional Council are also investing in the study which will focus on potential irrigation options in the mid North and Kaipara areas.

  • Nathan Guy
  • Primary Industries

It’s now easier for young girls and women to pursue career opportunities in science, technology engineering and maths, Womens’ Minister Louise Upston says.

The ‘STEM Directory’ is a new online tool launched by the Ministry for Women and identifies initiatives, programmes and associations through which young girls and women can connect, discover and learn about science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).

  • Louise Upston
  • Women

Know your consumer rights this holiday season reminds Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith.

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has launched the Twelve Consumer Tips for Christmas campaign today.

“As we make our shopping lists, and check them twice, the campaign is a timely reminder of how to shop smart this festive season.

“MBIE’s Consumer Protection and Trading Standards teams have a sleigh full of tips to ensure you have a safe and hassle-free holiday period,” says Mr Goldsmith.

  • Paul Goldsmith
  • Commerce and Consumer Affairs

The Chairperson and Maori community representative for the Board leading the development of new partnerships to increase youth development opportunities were announced today by Acting Youth Minister Anne Tolley.

“I’m pleased to announce that following the Partnership Fund Board’s inaugural meeting, Karen Shires has been elected Chairperson for an 18-month term,” says Mrs Tolley.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Youth

The first of four safety improvement projects on State Highway 3 between Hamilton and Te Kuiti is now underway, Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced today.

The $4.8 million project between Ohaupo and Te Awamutu will include road flexible road safety barriers, wide centrelines, widened shoulders, rumble strips and turnaround bays. It will also include improvements to intersections and access to properties.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport

The Corrections Inspectorate function will be more transparent as a result of a new Inspectorate Reporting policy, says Corrections Minister Judith Collins.

Inspectors were established by the Corrections Act 2004 to provide assurance around the delivery of Corrections’ services. Specifically, they visit all public and private prisons, investigate incidents, investigate complaints and undertake thematic reviews.

  • Judith Collins
  • Corrections

A long-term plan for the future management of New Zealand’s most valuable snapper fishery has been accepted by Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today.

“The Snapper 1 Management Plan is the result of more than two years hard work by the SNA1 Strategy Group, which is made up of members from the customary, recreational and commercial fishing sectors,” says Mr Guy.

  • Nathan Guy
  • Primary Industries

Education Minister Hekia Parata is encouraging graduates in high-demand teaching subjects to put their names forward for the 2017 Science, Technology and Maths Secondary Scholarships.

“The scholarships are a great opportunity for graduates wanting to become secondary teachers in the sciences, technology or maths (STM) subjects,” says Ms Parata.

“Science, technology and maths teachers are in high demand and we want to attract top graduates who can pass on their passion for these subjects to our secondary school students.”

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed news that more people are succeeding in industry training programmes.

The new report New Zealand’s Workplace-Based Learners, released today by the Ministry of Education, shows that the industry trainees grew by 11 per cent in 2015. The credit completion rate rose from 69 per cent to 74 per cent, and qualification completion rates are higher than they have ever been, at 53 per cent.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

The release of a proposed new spatial plan for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park has been welcomed by Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.

The Sea Change/Tai Timu Tai Pari marine spatial plan, designed to secure a healthy, productive and sustainable future for the Hauraki Gulf, is the result of three years’ work by the Sea Change group, representing mana whenua, councils, local conservationists, businesses, recreational fishers and the Government.

  • Nick Smith
  • Nathan Guy
  • Maggie Barry
  • Environment
  • Primary Industries
  • Conservation

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says that the use of the veto in response to a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Syria is cynical and disappointing.

“New Zealand co-sponsored a resolution with Egypt and Spain calling for a halt to the violence in Syria, humanitarian access to Aleppo, and the resumption of negotiations,” Mr McCully says.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs