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Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, has announced diplomat Dr David Walker as New Zealand’s next Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva.

“The WTO is of fundamental importance to New Zealand.  WTO rules provide the bedrock of all international trade and therefore also underpin the network of free trade agreements that New Zealand has successfully negotiated over the last two decades,” Mr McCully says.

New Zealanders and affected sectors will have their chance to have input into a new draft law to combat the $1.3 billion laundered each year by criminals, Justice Minister Amy Adams has announced.

The Government announced in June that it would fast-track the second phase of its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) reforms to cover lawyers, accountants, real estate agents and other high-value dealers.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today announced two new appointments and a reappointment to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) Board.

Catherine Taylor has been appointed as the new Deputy Chair of the Board and Karen Sherry has been appointed as a member. David Coull has been reappointed as a member.  The appointments are for three years, effective 1 February 2017.

Better incomes for households, safer communities and smarter government to support the most vulnerable will remain the Government’s focus, new Prime Minister Bill English says.

Mr English was today sworn in as prime minister after outgoing prime minister John Key tendered his resignation at Government House.

“I want to thank my colleagues for the trust they have shown in me and for the constructive and civil manner in which they have debated over and chosen the new leadership team,” Mr English says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully travels to New York tomorrow for UN Security Council meetings.

“This will be my final visit to New York during our two years on the United Nations Security Council,” Mr McCully says. 

“We are focused on working right up to the last day and while in New York I will participate in the quarterly Open Debate on the Middle East, which will include a briefing from outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and a Ministerial-level debate on Non-Proliferation hosted by the new Foreign Minister of Spain.

Internal Affairs Minister, Peter Dunne, has warmly thanked Lotto players for their generosity in helping to raise over $2.7 million for the special Lotto draw that the Minister initiated with Lotto NZ to raise funds for  Kaikoura/Hurunui and Marlborough regions following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on 14 November 2016.

“Christmas is a time of giving, and it was encouraging to see so many New Zealanders support this draw for a truly special cause.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says cancer nurse coordinators are helping to improve the diagnosis and treatment process for over 1,000 patients a month.

“Being diagnosed with cancer or waiting for a diagnosis can be an extremely traumatic time for patients and their families,” says Dr Coleman.

“Cancer nurse coordinators are highly experienced nurses with expertise in navigating the system and helping patients access other support services.

The potato industry has become the thirteenth industry partner to join the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) biosecurity partnership, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

“It’s very pleasing to have Potatoes New Zealand working with the Ministry for Primary Industries and other industry partners on biosecurity,” says Mr Guy.

“It means we can work together on managing and responding to the most important risks like tomato- potato psyllid.

Internal Affairs Minister Hon Peter Dunne is delighted to announce that New Zealand is the new chair of the D5 group of nations and will host the next international leaders’ summit in New Zealand in early 2018. Mr Dunne has recently returned from the D5 Summit in South Korea.

D5 is a group of five nations – New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Korea, Estonia and Israel – considered amongst the most advanced in the provision of online government services.

Trade Minister Todd McClay will meet Brunei’s Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade tomorrow.

The Minister, Pehin Lim Jock Seng is visiting New Zealand along with Brunei’s Industry Minister, Pehin Yasmin Umar.

“Brunei is a good friend of New Zealand, working cooperatively with us within ASEAN and beyond,” says Mr McClay.

“Brunei and New Zealand cooperate in trade, defence, and education – and Brunei is also a strong supporter of trade liberalisation.

Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams says the $300 million Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct build is well advanced and on track to be fully operational in mid-2017.

The anchor project brings together all justice and emergency services in one purpose-built precinct in central Christchurch.

“The new Precinct is designed to provide Cantabrians and those who work in our courts with modern and effective justice and emergency services,” says Ms Adams.

Police Minister Judith Collins has today joined members of Eastern District Police, local leaders and the community to open the newly built $5.5m Napier Police Station.

“This station represents a significant investment in policing in Napier and will provide a valuable asset for the people of this city for years to come,” says Ms Collins.

“It also represents the Government’s commitment to ensuring Police have the facilities and the resources they need to build on the huge programme of modernisation they have undergone in recent years.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed certification of several orange roughy fisheries by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

“This is a great success and recognition for a fishery that was in real trouble in the early 1990s,” says Mr Guy.

“A huge amount of work has gone into rebuilding this fishery over the years by industry and successive Governments. To now have it recognised as sustainable by an independent, international body is worth celebrating.”

Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says a National Transition Period issued today will help support recovery efforts following the November 14 earthquake.

The Minister has given notice of a National Transition Period in Kaikoura, Hurunui and Marlborough Districts, which came into force at 1pm today.

A National Transition Period provides for a National Recovery Manager to coordinate recovery activity if needed across the three district councils, the Canterbury Regional Council and central government agencies.

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says a new development in Auckland is a fantastic example of community housing providers and agencies working together to house vulnerable families.

The new 15-unit apartment block for transitional housing in Glen Eden is the result of a collaboration between Housing New Zealand and providers VisionWest, Monte Cecilia and Airedale Properties, with support from LifeWise.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced an appointment to the New Zealand Standards Approval Board, an independent statutory body which approves standards developed by committees of industry experts.

Building company owner Richard Merrifield has been appointed as the seventh member of the Board.

“I am pleased to announce Mr Merrifield’s appointment to the Board,” says Mr Goldsmith.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has officially opened the first section of Auckland’s largest cycling and walking route. 

The Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive cycleway is a four-metre-wide, shared path that provides a safe and convenient route between Glen Innes and St Heliers and connects the community to different public transport options.

The wage subsidy package for quake-affected businesses in and around Kaikoura will be extended for a further eight weeks, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Social Development Minister Anne Tolley announced today.

Following on from the 14 November earthquake, the Government announced an initial wage subsidy package of eight weeks to help businesses in and around Kaikoura. Ministers committed to reviewing the package before Christmas as more information became available.

Formal proposals are being requested from three responders to carry out New Zealand’s largest housing redevelopment project, Ministers Bill English and Dr Nick Smith say.

Ngāti Paoa Consortium, Tūhono Tāmaki Consortium and Exemplar Communities Consortium have been invited to submit proposals for the first phase of the Tāmaki Regeneration project, redeveloping around 1,000 existing social houses into 2,500 social, affordable and market houses. 

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has today released the Government’s response to the report Social Enterprise and Social Finance: A Path to Growth, which outlines a range of actions designed to support the continued growth of the social enterprise sector.

“I’m excited to release the Government’s response to the Path to Growth report, and continue our support for the social enterprise sector,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes new guidelines aimed at offering psychosocial support for communities affected by adverse events.

“The Framework for Psychosocial Support in Emergencies is designed to help those involved in planning, coordinating and delivering psychosocial and mental health support following an emergency,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today announced a $3.76 million support package for Kaikoura and Marlborough.

“The Government is committed to ensuring the people of Kaikoura and Marlborough can access the health services that they need following the recent earthquake,” says Dr Coleman.

“We know that after a serious earthquake, people can feel stressed and anxious for a long time after the event. The psychosocial recovery needs of the communities will change over the coming months and years.

Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the passing of the Hurunui/Kaikōura Earthquakes Recovery Bill 2016 by Parliament today.

This is the third of three Bills in response to the Kaikōura earthquake sequence that started with a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on November 14.

“It will establish a time limited process to enable Acts and associated plans, to be amended by Order in Council, for earthquake-affected areas,” Mr Brownlee says.

Revenue Minister Michael Woodhouse today released proposals to simplify and modernise the Tax Administration Act (TAA), as part of the Government’s major transformation of the revenue system.

“The Government is committed to ensuring our tax administration is fit for purpose and meets the needs of modern New Zealand,” Mr Woodhouse says.