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Prime Minister John Key today announced the incoming National-led Government’s new Ministry.

“National’s line-up is a very strong one, with a mixture of fresh talent and experience,” says Mr Key. “There has been a revamp of some portfolios, and some first-term Ministers have been rewarded for their performance.

“The new National-led Government is ready to hit the ground running. There is a lot of work to do as we look to continue implementing our plans to build a stronger economy, reduce debt, and create more jobs.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg will arrive on Sunday for a six-day visit to New Zealand and Antarctica, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

Prime Minister Stoltenberg is visiting Antarctica as a guest of the US Antarctic Programme for the centenary celebrations of the first expedition to reach the South Pole, which was led by Norwegian Roald Amundsen.

“I am pleased to welcome Jens Stoltenberg to New Zealand. Though geographically distant, Norway and New Zealand are similar-sized countries with much in common,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key today expressed his disappointment at the British Government’s announcement overnight of an increase in passenger duty for air travellers to New Zealand.

The British Government has announced that the UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) will increase next April from 85 pounds sterling to 92 pounds sterling per passenger coming to New Zealand.

“The APD places a significant burden on New Zealand businesses, on families who travel, and on our tourism industry,” said Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed today’s announcement of the broad outlines for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement, and hailed it as an important step towards gaining greater access for New Zealand exporters.

The agreement was announced at a meeting of the nine countries in the TPP hosted by US President Barack Obama on the fringes of the APEC summit on Honolulu.

A new temporary stadium with seating for 17,000 will be built in Christchurch for major sporting and cultural events.

"The new temporary stadium will allow Cantabrians to experience the excitement of Crusaders and Canterbury ITM Cup home games again as well as Phoenix football matches, rugby league games, other major sporting events, concerts and festival events," says Mr Key.

"I'm thrilled the New Zealand Rugby Union has also announced today our world champion All Blacks will play a test match against Ireland at the new venue in June next year.

Prime Minister John Key today expressed his sadness at news of the death of Allan Peachey, the National MP for Tamaki, who passed away on Sunday morning.

“Allan was a very respected and effective Member of Parliament, who represented his constituents well since he was elected in 2005,” says Mr Key. “I also want to acknowledge Allan’s hard work as chairman of Parliament’s education and science select committee over the past three years.” 

The Government will boost investment in the science sector to transform Industrial Research Limited (IRL) into an advanced technology institute, which will function as the ‘high-tech HQ’ for New Zealand, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

“New Zealand’s world-leading performance in the primary sectors has been off the back of world-class science, much of which is publicly-funded,” says Mr Key.

Good afternoon.

As you know, the Government has had a very strong focus on welfare over the last three years.

We introduced a number of changes to benefits in 2010 which are already having positive effects, and in August we announced a new approach to welfare as it affects teenagers.

What we are announcing today is a much bigger step forward – a comprehensive reform of the benefit system, building off the recommendations of the Welfare Working Group.

Prime Minister John Key has paid tribute to Business Roundtable executive director Roger Kerr, who died last night in Wellington.

“Roger made a significant contribution to New Zealand business, public policy and the wider economy over several decades,” says Mr Key.

“He was a man of integrity and energy, who was not afraid to debate important issues passionately and often controversially.  But he did it calmly and focused on the issues at hand, rather than making the debates personal.

Prime Minister John Key today officially opened Christchurch’s Restart project in Cashel Mall, the first part of the city’s red zone now open for business.

“A total of 27 businesses have opened today, including the flagship Ballantynes department store, which is great news for Cantabrians and for retailers who are determined to get their businesses up and running,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key has today extended condolences on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand to Turkey, following the devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Van Province.

“New Zealanders know all too well the suffering and destruction major earthquakes can cause, and our sympathies are with those who are dealing with the aftermath of yesterday’s earthquake,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key today congratulated the All Blacks following their superb victory in the Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park.

“The All Blacks have achieved the ultimate in world rugby - they have won the Rugby World Cup. It is an achievement built on courage, determination, grit and great teamwork.

“These are all values that New Zealanders hold highly and I know Kiwis will be very proud of their team - they are deserving world champions.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron will visit New Zealand next week, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

“I am delighted to be able to welcome David Cameron to New Zealand. His visit gives us an opportunity to demonstrate the strength and maturity of the relationship between the United Kingdom and New Zealand,” Mr Key said.

Prime Minister John Key today launched the NZ Inc India Strategy at the Cloud in Auckland.

“This is the first of what will be many NZ Inc country and regional strategies that will set ambitious medium term goals and provide a clear direction for the whole of government effort over a five year period,” says Mr Key.

In addition to India, strategies are being developed on China, the US, Australia, South East Asia, Middle East, and the European Union.

Prime Minister John Key today said the country had lost a remarkable New Zealander with the passing of Christopher Doig.

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Chris, who I was fortunate to get to know in recent years and to see just last week,” Mr Key said.

I've been to Tauranga again this afternoon and I want to give you an update on the situation there.

As many of you will know, a container ship grounded on the Astrolabe reef, east of Tauranga, last Wednesday. It was carrying 1360 20-foot containers and had 1700 tonnes of heavy diesel oil on board.

As of about 6pm today, an estimated 350 tonnes of oil has leaked into the sea, some of which has reached Tauranga's beaches. Some of the containers have fallen overboard and there are large cracks in the ship which could cause the ship to sink.

The Prime Minister and Hon Steven Joyce brief media on the the cargo ship Rena and steps the Government is taking to mitigate the oil spill involved.

The Government has introduced legislation that puts more decisions regarding MPs' and ministers' entitlements in the hands of the independent Remuneration Authority.

The Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Services) Bill, repeals the Civil List Act 1979, and brings together more of the powers to decide MPs' and ministers' travel, accommodation and communications entitlements under one Act.

Key changes included in the legislation are:

Prime Minister John Key today expressed the Government’s sadness at the death of a New Zealand Special Air Service soldier in Afghanistan.

“I was informed earlier today that the soldier was shot while the SAS were mentoring the Afghan Crisis Response Unit during an operation in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan near Kabul,” says Mr Key.

“On behalf of the New Zealand Government, I want to offer my sincerest condolences to the soldier’s family, and the Defence Force community.

Prime Minister John Key today announced that Prime Minister Nikolaz Gilauri of Georgia will arrive in New Zealand tomorrow for a six-day visit.

“I look forward to welcoming Mr Gilauri on Wednesday for our first bilateral meeting,” says Mr Key.

“The Rugby World Cup has provided an excellent opportunity for New Zealand and Georgia to deepen our ties. We will likely discuss developments following the global financial crisis, Mr Gilauri’s perspectives on Eastern Europe, and the Rugby World Cup.

Prime Minister John Key has congratulated the recipients of this year’s Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships.

The five recipients, three of whom are from Christchurch, will study at prestigious institutions including Harvard, London Business School, and INSEAD – the Business School for the World.

The scholarships, which were launched in 2010, are designed to build business capability and enhance New Zealand’s opportunity for growth by developing skills in management and international business leadership.

New Zealand has designated a further three international terrorist groups under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

The groups are: Jundallah in Iran, the Revolutionary People’s Army/Party (DHKP/C) in Turkey, and the Shining Path in Peru.

“These designations help implement our international obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 aimed at preventing the activities of terrorists,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key today said the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States was a time for reflection.

“The attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon remain sharply etched in our memories, and we also today remember those who lost their lives in the aircraft which crashed in Pennsylvania,” Mr Key said.

“New Zealand honours the innocent victims of these attacks.

New Zealand will beef up investment in Pacific Ocean fisheries to lift the level of returns from this vital resource to Pacific nations, says Prime Minister John Key.

“Starting this year, we will invest $7.5 million over five years in a fisheries training programme to ensure a coordinated approach for private sector-led sustainable fisheries development in the Pacific,” says Mr Key.