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Youth Minister Nikki Kaye has today announced the successful applicants for Youth Fund 2015.

Youth Fund supports youth led and designed projects that enable young people to develop decision-making and leadership skills, and engage with and contribute to their communities.

“I am pleased to announce that 47 projects will be supported in 2015. These encompass everything from the performing arts and leadership workshops, to environmental projects and community events,” Ms Kaye says. “Initiatives for disabled youth are also included.”

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss says the second tranche of the Gallipoli 2015 ballot is underway, with just over 300 double passes to next year’s Anzac Day commemorations reallocated this week.

As of Monday 10 November, 632 double passes were accepted and 313 were reallocated to people on the wait list.

Successful applicants in the first tranche of the ballot, announced on 31 March, had until 25 October to accept the offer of two attendance passes and confirm travel arrangements.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says more Kiwis are being screened for diabetes, and more support is being offered to those living with the condition.

“Diabetes is one of our most significant health challenges affecting more than 240,000 New Zealanders, with many more at-risk or undiagnosed,” says Dr Coleman.

“That’s why we need to maintain our focus on detecting diabetes through the ‘More Heart and Diabetes Checks’ target, as well as ensuring our healthcare staff have the resources they need to address this modern epidemic.”

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley this morning adopted her Buddy Day “Buddy” called Poppy at the launch in Wellington.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today announced the start of the Block Offer 2015 process for awarding oil and gas exploration permits.

“Consultation now begins with iwi and local authorities in the areas being proposed for onshore and offshore exploration,” says Mr Bridges.

“This is an important first step in the Block Offer process and I encourage iwi and local authorities to take part.  Their feedback ensures that any areas of sensitivity are carefully considered before the 2015 tender round is finalised.”

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced a partnership with New Zealand Rugby League to improve the education, health and wellbeing of thousands of young people and families.

Ms Parata says It’s More Than Just a Game brings together NZ Rugby League (NZRL), the Ministry of Education, the Accident Compensation Corporation, the Health Promotion Agency and New Zealand Police.

“NZRL has a strong relationship with 40,000 players, their families and fans across the country, many of them in Maori and Pasifika communities.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says New Zealand is prepared to respond to a range of potential scenarios involving Ebola, with a table-top exercise held in Wellington today as part of ongoing readiness activities.

“While the risk to New Zealand remains low, we cannot guarantee that we won’t get a suspected Ebola case,” says Dr Coleman.

Christchurch has taken the first steps towards a modern central city transport network that works for all kinds of travel.

Christchurch City Council today gave its approval for designs for the first two Central City transport projects under the umbrella of An Accessible City – the transport chapter of the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the recipients of this year’s James Cook Research Fellowships.

The Fellowships are awarded to researchers recognised for leadership and sustained excellence in their field. The three 2014 Fellows will each receive up to $100,000 a year to undertake fulltime research over two years. 

Prime Minister John Key today announced that New Zealand has upgraded its diplomatic mission in Yangon, Myanmar to a full Embassy.

“Our relationship with Myanmar has been developing quickly in response to the political and economic reforms initiated there in 2011,” Mr Key says.

“New Zealand opened an Embassy office in late 2013, and the decision to upgrade to a full Embassy reflects the strong and growing relationship.

“The current Chargé d’Affaires Bruce Shepherd will now become our first resident Ambassador to Myanmar.

New Zealand’s ranking in a just-published report as 28^th of 34 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in terms of the burden to the economy due to environmental policies highlights the importance of reforming the Resource Management Act, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith says.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says the ASB Community Trust contribution to funding the insulation of houses in Auckland, as part of the Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes programme, is an important example of partnership between Government and community organisations.

“Nearly 2000 low-income homes in Auckland will be insulated, with the Trust contributing $1 million in funding.  The proportion of Government funding will decrease from 60 per cent – the typical contribution as part of Healthy Homes – down to 33 per cent. 

Police Minister Michael Woodhouse today acknowledged the combined efforts of New Zealand and international Police to find and capture absconded prisoner Phillip John Smith (Traynor) overnight.

“I commend the work of New Zealand and Brazilian police officers, and Interpol, to trace and re-capture the prisoner,” Mr Woodhouse says.

“This has been a distressing week for the victims of the prisoner, and I hope today’s news goes some way to restoring their sense of safety and security.

Prime Minister John Key today opened the New Zealand Consulate-General in the Western Chinese city of Chengdu.

“New Zealand is among the first group of countries in the world to open a diplomatic post in Chengdu,” Mr Key says.

“This is a natural continuation of our expanding and increasingly close relationship with China.

Land Information Minister Louise Upston has welcomed the removal of aquatic hornwort from Lake Karapiro, saying it will enhance the health of this nationally significant lake. 

The project will ensure the public can fully enjoy the lake, especially with a number of notable events this summer.

“Lake Karapiro – near my home – is one of our most well-known lakes and is enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike,” says Ms Upston.

Less than nine months after the Prime Minister witnessed the signing of a landmark MOU between Pacific Aerospace and Beijing Automotive Group, Trade Minister Tim Groser was present for the delivery of the first two of 53 aircraft as part of agreements w

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to join you this morning for the opening of what is the most significant drug driving event to be held in New Zealand.

This is a problem that the Government takes very seriously, so it's great to see such a wide range of experts from around the world gathering to share ideas about how we can reduce the risk to public safety.

Briefings to incoming Ministers as published on the websites of the responsible Government Ministries and agencies. Click on the links to access the BIMs.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has congratulated the winner of a challenge to find innovative IT ideas to improve health services.

“The Clinicians’ Challenge encourages health professionals to find ways technology can solve problems they face in their day-to-day practice and make a difference to the health of New Zealanders,” says Dr Coleman.

Air links between New Zealand and the Philippines are set to improve with the signing today of an air services arrangement, says Transport Minister Simon Bridges.

The arrangement signed today by Transport Minister Simon Bridges and the Philippines Ambassador, Virginia Benavidez, amends the 2007 Air Services Agreement between New Zealand and the Philippines.

The new arrangement allows Air New Zealand to begin its plans to code-share to the Philippines with Singapore Airlines from January 2015.

Thank you to Liz Schoff, HiNZ Board Chair, for the invitation to speak to you all today.

This conference has had a 30 percent increase in attendance since last year, which highlights the increasing importance of health informatics and the broader topic of eHealth.

It’s pleasing to see that Clinicians Challenge has attracted a record 79 entries. This shows clinicians recognise the importance of using technology to improve clinical practice and lift outcomes for patients.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne said today the Department of Internal Affairs has recalled the passport of prisoner Phillip John Smith, issued in the name of Phillip John Traynor, under S.10 of the Passport Act 1992.

“This means that for all practical purposes, his recently renewed passport is no longer a valid travel document and this recall allows the New Zealand authorities to formally advise international policing agencies that Phillip Traynor has a warrant for arrest in New Zealand and is the passport he is using is invalid”, said Mr Dunne.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the recipient of the first repayable grant through Callaghan Innovation’s expanded business incubator network.

Tiro Lifesciences, an early-stage medical diagnostic company focusing initially on the development of technology for the detection of breast cancer in dense tissue, has been granted up to $450,000 over two years to develop a pain and radiation-free medical-imaging tool.

Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew has today welcomed the signing of a Food Safety Arrangement between New Zealand and Indonesia.

“Signing of the Food Safety Arrangement demonstrates the commitment of New Zealand and Indonesia to further develop our bilateral relationship,” says Mrs Goodhew, who met with Indonesian delegates earlier today.

“The areas of cooperation range from food safety risk assessments through to formal post graduate education programmes in food safety and technology.”