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The dual mandate which shackled Television New Zealand (TVNZ) has been removed following the third reading of the Television New Zealand Amendment Bill tonight, says Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

‘’The Bill replaces the current TVNZ charter with a less prescriptive list of functions and leaves the state broadcaster free to concentrate on being a successful television company without the constraints of an unrealistic dual mandate,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Efforts are being stepped up to support quake-stricken Cantabrians with more resources being channelled into mental health services, says Associate Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman.

Extended GP consultations, increased counselling support and a new specialist earthquake response team has been established to help people cope with the on-going effects of the series of major earthquakes and aftershocks in the region.

Dementia sufferers and older people with mental health and addiction problems will benefit from new guidelines for treatment services says Associate Minister of Health Jonathan Coleman.

The national guidelines, released today, aim to improve access to services and provide consistency in service delivery across all District Health Boards and aged care providers.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the appointment of Barrie Saunders to the board of Television New Zealand.

Mr Saunders, a co-founder of Wellington government relations firm Saunders Unsworth, has been appointed for three years.

‘’Barrie’s knowledge of New Zealand’s economic landscape is extensive and his business experience and ability to deal with a wide range of issues are good attributes for the board,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Good morning everyone, it’s my pleasure to step in today for my colleague Dr Mapp who’s in the United States and speak at this year’s EDANZ’s conference.

The conference theme ‘Innovation through collaboration -driving innovation across the economy’ – is one that this Government strongly agrees with.

Growing the economy is the Government’s number one priority, and science and innovation have a key part to play in that growth.

Good morning. It is a pleasure to be invited to speak at the RSE Employers’ Conference this year, as we head into the fifth season of the RSE scheme.

Many of you don’t need convincing that the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme has been a success and has supported the growth of the horticulture and viticulture industries.

Kia ora, good morning. It's a pleasure to be here to open this year's local government New Zealand tourism symposium.

Lawrence Yule, thank you for the introduction. I would like to acknowledge Local Government New Zealand, Regional Tourism Organisations of New Zealand and the Tourism Industry Association (TIA) for organising the event.

Cabinet has given the green light for work to commence on a new natural health products regulator, Associate Health Minister Jonathan Coleman confirmed today.

The natural health products regulator is one of the shared policy initiatives agreed to by the National and Green Parties under a Memorandum of Understanding.

Pacific radio stations Niu FM and 531pi are relocating to new studios in South Auckland, Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman announced today.

Dr Coleman confirmed the National Pacific Radio Trust has secured a special $725,000 grant from NZ On Air to move from its dated Ponsonby premises to the heart of the Pacific community in Manukau.

The final dates for New Zealand television going digital were announced today by Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Confirming the timetable for the biggest change to television broadcasting since the introduction of colour gives certainty to viewers who are yet to go digital, says Dr Coleman.

‘’We’re planning for the start of a fully digital TV age where New Zealanders can enjoy better pictures and sound, more choice and benefits such as onscreen television guides,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Good morning all.

Thank you Rob for inviting me to speak at your annual general meeting.  I welcome the opportunity to meet with you again and to address your members. 

It is now 20 years since English New Zealand was formed by a group of young entrepreneurs wanting to market New Zealand internationally as a preferred destination for English language students. 

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman and Pacific Island Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu today welcomed the opening of the new Pacific Media Network studio in Wellington, and in collaboration with Whitireia Journalism School.

The studio expands the Pacific Radio Network with Niu FM now broadcasting across the Wellington region.

‘’Niu FM’s foray into the Capital increases the reach of Pacific language programming and news to Pacific communities which helps many people stay connected with their culture and identity,’’ Dr Coleman says.

An $850,000 assistance package to help regional television broadcasters make the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting was announced today by Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

NZ On Air will administer the package which provides up to $70,000 per regional broadcaster for equipment and other costs. Digital switchover will be completed in stages across New Zealand by November 2013.

‘’The package recognises the contribution that regional broadcasters make to their local communities,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Good afternoon everyone.

It’s a pleasure to be here and thank you for inviting me to speak at this year’s National Refugee Resettlement Forum. It’s the third year that I’ve spoken at the Forum and I know how informative and rewarding this session is for the various groups and organisations represented here.

Firstly I’d like to acknowledge Rick Towle, Regional Representative, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen.  

Thank you for inviting me to speak to you again at your conference. 

Export education is an industry that has the potential for major growth, and has been identified as such by the Prime Minister. As a Government, we are working across portfolios to identify ways to better support the industry.

New Zealand’s $2.3 billion dollar export education industry will be strengthened through changes to immigration policy for international students announced today by Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Dr Coleman says ensuring students are genuinely here to study, and enabling the best students to stay on and contribute to New Zealand’s skilled workforce, benefits the sector’s reputation and New Zealand’s economy.

Thank you for inviting me here today to the opening of Mind and Body’s new buildings.  This is an exciting time for your organisation, and you should be very proud of your achievements to date.

Good morning everyone. It’s a pleasure to be here at this year’s annual conference and thank you to the conference organisers for inviting me to speak.

Firstly I would like to acknowledge NZMSA president Oliver Hansby and the NZMSA executive and delegates from New Zealand’s four medical schools and overseas guests

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today welcomed the launch of NZ On Air’s new funding programme which will support a greater range of New Zealand music.

The Making Tracks scheme will contribute $2 million a year towards funding 200 single track recordings and 200 music videos a year. It replaces three previous funding schemes that were album based and funded 50 recording projects and 170 music videos a year. Making Tracks opens for applications in June.

Kia ora koutou katoa

Thank you for inviting me here to celebrate International Nurses Day, which is tomorrow May 12, and which also happens to be Florence Nightingale’s birthday.   It is a pleasure to take time to recognise the great contribution that nurses make to the health of New Zealanders.  I’d like to extend greetings to Nano Tunnicliffe, Kerri Nuku,  and Siloma Masina. 

Good morning ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for joining me at today’s breakfast briefing. All of us have a vested interest in immigration and I’m pleased to share with you some specific actions the Government is taking to enhance Immigration’s contribution to the economy, service improvement and changes to business migration.

Over $560 million in potential investment capital is poised to flow into the New Zealand economy, and changes to the Government’s business migration scheme will increase investment further, says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Dr Coleman confirmed today the Government’s business migration scheme has attracted over half-a-billion dollars in potential investment. Changes have also been made to the policy to increase its appeal to investors.

I move, That the Television New Zealand Amendment Bill be now read a second time.

 Purpose of the bill

 In brief this bill amends the Television New Zealand Act 2003, in line with this Government’s wish to replace the current TVNZ charter with a less prescriptive list of functions and to leave TVNZ to concentrate on being a successful television broadcaster without the shackle of an unrealistic dual mandate.

The spotlight’s back on New Zealand music with the launch today of New Zealand Music Month says Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

‘’New Zealand Music Month is in its 11th year, and over that period home-grown music has gone from strength to strength. NZ On Air’s contribution to funding locally produced music has helped put more New Zealand music on our airwaves,’’ Dr Coleman says.