Displaying 1 - 24 of 454 results.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has congratulated the New Zealanders who have received New Year Honours for their services to education.

Ms Parata says committed and passionate people are working in education throughout the country, and it’s wonderful to see some of the very best honoured.

“I congratulate the 2015 recipients for their immense contribution to education in New Zealand and internationally.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

The second largest methamphetamine border seizure in New Zealand’s history means a very large quantity of harmful drugs will not make it to New Zealand streets these holidays, says Customs Minister Nicky Wagner.

On 5 December, Customs intercepted approximately 22.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, worth over $22 million. The drugs were hidden in the cargo of an international flight that arrived in Auckland from Taiwan. A joint Customs and Police operation codenamed Operation Georgie was launched.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Customs

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is pleased to announce the permanent appointment of lawyer Michael Doogan to the Māori Land Court.

Mr Doogan was temporarily appointed to the court last year to help meet the workload of the Māori Land Court and the Waitangi Tribunal.

“He has been a temporary judge of the Māori Land Court since January 2013 and in that time has proven to be a valued member of the Māori Land Court bench and has gained the trust and respect of Māori Land Court, court staff and his peers,” said Mr Flavell.

  • Te Ururoa Flavell
  • Maori Development

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman is encouraging people where possible to keep EDs free for emergencies this festive season.

“Around 3,000 people were seen in emergency departments across the country on Christmas Day last year,” says Dr Coleman.

“This is a busy time of year for our health workforce, so it is important that we keep emergency departments free for emergencies.”

Anyone with a health concern can call Healthline on 0800 611116 or Plunketline on 0800 933922.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Health

The release of the Annual Report on implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy highlights several significant achievements and gains for the disability community in 2014, says Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner.

Achievements in the Report include:

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Disability Issues

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today announced an Advisory Board on Transition with a wealth of experience and knowledge about the recovery needs of greater Christchurch.

“The board, chaired by Dame Jenny Shipley, will provide me with a range of advice about the transition of functions and powers held by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) to other agencies as the recovery progresses,” Mr Brownlee says.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Trade Minister Tim Groser welcomed today’s initialling by Chief Negotiators of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea.

“Initialling marks the end of the text’s legal verification process.  It’s another milestone as we progress towards bringing the FTA into force,” says Mr Groser.

“The next step is translation of the text into Korean, which will be completed early next year. Following translation, the FTA will be signed.

  • Tim Groser
  • Trade

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse welcomes new figures showing New Zealand overstayer numbers are at the lowest since 2000. 

A new report from October 2014 puts the number of overstayers at 12,162 – a significant decrease of 989 on the previous estimate of 13,151 in September 2013. The estimated rate of overstaying (the number of overstayers compared with the number of temporary arrivals) is very small by international standards at around 4 in 10,000 (0.04%).

  • Michael Woodhouse
  • Immigration

Help your friends and family stay safe on the roads this festive season with the top five gifts for drivers, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“These ‘gifts’ are simple yet potentially life-saving tips for anyone getting behind the wheel this summer,” Mr Foss says.

“The Kiwi road trip, a great holiday tradition, often involves travelling long distances on unfamiliar roads.  We can help ensure our loved ones are around for many more holidays to come by reminding them how to keep themselves and others safe.”

  • Craig Foss
  • Transport

Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner welcomed the release of the ‘Disability and the labour market’ report from Statistics New Zealand, which showed that more disabled people are working, but there is room for improvement.

“Disabled people want to have a job to support themselves and their families, just like all New Zealanders,” Ms Wagner said.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Disability Issues

The NZ Defence Force has had a busy year participating in exercises, operations, national and international commemorations, and personnel can be proud of all they’ve achieved, Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

“This year more than 500 personnel have deployed on operations and exercises around the world from Antarctica to Canada, Malaysia and Singapore.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Defence

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry today welcomed the opening of Rangihoua Heritage Park in Northland as a special cultural and historical asset to be enjoyed by all New Zealanders.

The 46 hectare park, near Kerikeri, was opened to the public today by the Governor-General, Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae.  

The park is the result of eight years of collaboration between the Marsden Cross Trust Board, the Anglican Church, Northland Iwi Ngati Torehina / Ngapuhi and the Department of Conservation.

  • Maggie Barry
  • Conservation

Information on the water quality of 350 beaches around New Zealand is now accessible on-line as part of an initiative between regional councils, Cawthron Institute, Ministry for the Environment and the Tindall Foundation, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today.

“I want the millions of New Zealanders who go to the beach to swim, surf and play to have access to good information on water quality. It enables people to stay healthy and raises awareness of the importance of improving our water quality.”

  • Nick Smith
  • Environment

Associate Conservation Minister Hon Peter Dunne today congratulates the Game Animal Council and Te Urewera Board for their hard work to ensure access to the land previously known as Te Urewera National Park.

The Te Urewera Board instigated a review of access to and management of the land earlier this year temporarily preventing access for hunters. The Game Animal Council was the voice for hunters in this review and this positive result shows how important the Council is” said Mr Dunne.

  • Peter Dunne
  • Conservation

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed SkyCity’s planned submission today of a resource consent application for the construction of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC).

“This is an important step toward achieving an international-standard convention centre in central Auckland,” Mr Joyce says.

“The centre will drive a significant increase in tourism expenditure through the estimated 33,000 additional convention delegates that it is expected to bring to Auckland each year.”

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

Helping your friends and family stay safe on the water this holiday season is the gift that lasts a lifetime, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“Taking the boat out for a spot of fishing or a bit of fun is a classic Kiwi summer pastime,” Mr Foss says. 

“But we need to ensure our loved ones come home safe and sound from the beach, lake or river.

“Please, tell the boaties in your life you want them around for many more holidays to come, so they need to:

  • Craig Foss
  • Transport

Five Royal New Zealand Navy Seasprite helicopters have been sold to Peru, Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee announced today.

“Our recent purchase of eight new, more sophisticated Seasprite helicopters meant the older model Seasprites were available for sale and a deal has been struck with the Peruvian Government for them to buy them for their Navy,” Mr Brownlee says.

As well as the helicopters, Peru is buying spares and the Maverick missiles which are used with the helicopters.   

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Defence

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced three new members of the Primary Growth Partnership’s independent Investment Advisory Panel (IAP).

The three new members are primary industry and business specialist Barry Brook, experienced businessman Harry Burkhardt, and entrepreneur Melissa Clark-Reynolds.

“The IAP plays a crucial role in the success of the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) that aims to boost the value, productivity and profitability of our primary industries,” says Mr Guy. 

  • Nathan Guy
  • Primary Industries

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and ACC Minister Nikki Kaye say consultation starts today on ACC support towards free kids’ doctors’ visits.

“From July next year, children aged 13 years and under will be able to access free doctors’ visits and prescriptions,” says Dr Coleman.

“This will make healthcare more accessible, take pressure off busy hospital emergency departments and improve the wellbeing of our children.”

  • Nikki Kaye
  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Health
  • ACC

Associate Primary Industries Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed the release of a report highlighting the economic opportunities for forestry through more productive use of Māori freehold land.

The report ‘Growing the Productive Base of Māori Freehold Land – further evidence and analysis’ was commissioned by the Ministry for Primary Industries and identifies the potential economic gains from improving the performance of Māori freehold land at regional and national levels.

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Primary Industries

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has released two reports today showing good progress in developing the potential of Māori agribusiness.

“These reports confirm the importance of partnering with Iwi, Māori asset owners, local communities and industry, and show very promising results,” says Mr Guy.

  • Te Ururoa Flavell
  • Nathan Guy
  • Primary Industries
  • Maori Development

The more than 800kg of tobacco and cigarettes left at the border since 1 November is a further step towards reducing the damage caused by smoking, say Customs Minister Nicky Wagner and Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

  • Nicky Wagner
  • Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  • Health
  • Customs

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye today announced $100,000 in funding to expand the ‘Youth in Emergency Services’ programme to ten new communities around New Zealand.

This will mean up to 16 young people in each of the following communities can be part of the programme in 2015: Hurunui, Taupō, Kawakawa/Moerewa, Central Otago, Taranaki, Upper Hutt, Kapiti, Murupara, Maketu and Katikati.

“This is an exciting programme that opens the door for young people to volunteer or follow a career path in emergency services, such as fire, ambulance and search and rescue.

  • Nikki Kaye
  • Youth

Attorney-General, Christopher Finlayson, today announced the appointment of Christchurch lawyer Anna Tutton as a Coroner. Ms Tutton replaces retiring Christchurch Coroner, Richard McElrea.

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • Attorney-General