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Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman is rejecting claims the NZDF Crib 20 rotation to Bamyan in Afghanistan, which suffered the loss of five lives, was inadequately trained.

The NZ Herald reported today on a critical evaluation report written during CRIB 20’s pre-deployment training.

“The NZDF prides itself on its professional standards. This rotation was assessed by the NZDF as trained to assume full operational duties in Bamyan,” said Dr Coleman.

Pacific Island Affairs and Education Minister Hekia Parata welcomes the first of a series of local workshops to inform Pacific families of the benefits of early childhood education (ECE) in Auckland this weekend. 

“We want to make sure that all Pacific families know that having our kids attend ECE improves future educational outcomes. To put it simply, if your child goes to ECE, they will do better at school,” says Ms Parata.

Talofa Lava, Kia Orana, Malo e Lelei, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Taloha Ni, Tena Koutou.

E tika ana ki te mihi ki a koe e te minita, e Reverand Aotofaga Lemuelu - mo to karakia hei timata i to tatou hui i tenei ra – na reira, tena koe.

Ki nga iwi katoa - e noho ana ki raro i te manaakitanga o te mana o te iwi o Tainui, e tae mai nei mo te tuwheratanga o tenei whare hauora, nau mai whakatau mai.

This is a great day for Otara - for South Auckland - for Aotearoa.

Environment Minister Amy Adams has announced that an application for the second stage of the Christchurch Southern Motorway and an upgrade to a section of Main South Road will be decided by an independent Board of Inquiry.

The application by the New Zealand Transport Agency relates to the construction of a new four-lane state highway and an upgrade to a section of the existing Main South Road (SH1) to four lanes. The proposal is part of the Southern Corridor of the Christchurch Motorways Roads of National Significance.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee today offered praise and thanks to all those who have worked so hard to create viable options and speed up the delivery of solutions for Christchurch residents on Technical Category 3 (TC3) land in greater Christchurch.

Mr Brownlee was speaking at the pouring of a new concrete foundation solution on a TC3 property in the Christchurch suburb of Hoon Hay.

E rau rangatira ma, e huihui mai nei ki raro i te maru o nga marae o Ngati Maniapoto, tena koutou katoa.

E Barney, e Koata me nga kaumatua o Maniapoto, tenei te mihi ki a koutou katoa mo ou whakaaro rangatira kia ora tonu enei waiata tuku iho hei taonga ma nga uri whakatipu. Na reira, tēna koutou katoa.

In making our way here to the land of Maniapoto, I reflected on the legacy begun in the late 1970s, by the movers and shakers of the day - Morehu Te Whare, Kingi Hetet, Koro Wetere, Daniel Te Kanawa – and the whānau that dreamed of a better day.

Critically endangered plants and a rare limestone ecosystem have been protected through the purchase of a 20 hectare reserve at Gards Road, near Duntroon in the Waitaki Valley, Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith announced today.

Education Minister Hekia Parata will announce the interim decisions for 31 of the 38 greater Christchurch schools affected by the Government’s Education Renewal Plans in Christchurch on Monday.

“I would like to thank parents, students, teachers, principals, and wider school communities for the feedback they provided, particularly those who met me when I visited 35 of the affected schools late last year,” Ms Parata says.

With over half of all staff working inside Christchurch’s city cordon specifically concentrating on repair and construction, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the area can now be re-named the Rebuild Zone.

Mr Brownlee says using Wednesday this week as an example, the 1098 people working within the cordon represented interior design companies, painters, electricians, scaffolders and builders, as well as demolition companies.

Thank you all for being here today, inside the CBD cordon.

Rather than being known as the Red Zone – which denoted dangerous buildings and subsequent demolition – this will now be known by the CERA team as the Rebuild Zone, because frankly, that’s what’s going on.

I want to talk to you today about what’s happening in the city and what will happen over the coming years. First I’ll spend a little time reminding you why we’ve done some of the things we’ve done.

The owners of 47 commercial CBD properties have agreed to sell to the Crown as the purchase of central Christchurch land for new development gathers pace.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says contracts have been signed by 27 property owners and agreement in principle reached with another 20 owners.

“We’re finding land owners are willing to come to the table and negotiate in good faith with the Crown so that together we can progress the rebuilding of Christchurch’s CBD,” Mr Brownlee says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the children of Christchurch have a unique opportunity to help develop part of the new central city through the Amazing Place playground competition.

Competition packs have been distributed to every Canterbury school and early childhood centre, and schools have already begun registering to take part in the project, which has the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) as its principal sponsor.

There are separate competitions for different age groups.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good morning and welcome. Thank you John for your introduction, and the invitation to speak here today.

Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today announced Government grants of $3.11 million have been given to help build 26 new social housing units in Auckland, Nelson and Canterbury.

“These are the first grants from the Government’s new $104 million Social Housing Fund to assist families with acute housing needs,” Dr Smith says.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has announced the completion and findings of a technical review of the 111 emergency calling service.

The review covered the operation of the service to the point where calls are handed over by Telecom to emergency service providers. It did not cover the response of emergency service providers to 111 calls.

“The review shows the service is working well, however, we need to ensure it is well positioned to adapt to changing technology and needs,” Ms Adams says.

The government wants more New Zealanders being physically active to help improve their health and that’s why a record thirty six thousand people were issued with a Green Prescription for exercise, an increase of nearly ten thousand compared to 2008, says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

“This includes families and young people who have GPs or nurses who think they need to lose weight, get active and learn healthy habits early on in life,” Mr Ryall says.

State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman is urging government agencies to self-nominate for the 2013 Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ) Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards.

“Public servants are rising to the challenge of delivering better public services. We need to recognise innovative organisations and projects that are delivering meaningful results for Kiwis. These awards celebrate outstanding performances and achievements in the public sector,” Dr Coleman said.

A bill to strengthen the regulation of foreign-owned commercial fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters has passed its first reading unanimously in Parliament today.

The Fisheries (Foreign Charter Vessels and Other Matters) Bill is part of a range of measures that follow a Ministerial inquiry in 2012 into questionable safety, labour and fishing practices on some foreign-owned vessels.

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain says the deployment today of fire fighters to Australia is a reflection of the strong historic relationship both countries share in helping each other in times of need.

The team of 44 fire fighters being sent to Victoria, is New Zealand’s second largest deployment of rural fire fighters. The team will be base in the Gippsland area for 16 days where they will help fight bush fires that have broken out in the region.

New Zealand is gearing up for the largest government-run activity this year, the Census on March 5th.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says more than 7,000 census collectors will from tomorrow start delivering census forms to every home.

“Included with forms is an internet access code for people to complete them online, which is a secure, quick and easy option.

Environment Minister Amy Adams has today opened nominations for the 2013 Green Ribbon Awards, which honour the work of people, communities and businesses in protecting and improving the environment.

“Tackling environmental issues is not easy. It takes initiative and dedication, and the awards pay tribute to the incredible work being undertaken all over New Zealand to address the environmental challenges we face,” Ms Adams says.

The Financial Markets Conduct Bill passed its second reading in parliament today.

Commerce Minister Craig Foss says the FMC Bill provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make New Zealand’s financial markets more efficient.

“Vibrant financial markets that work for all market participants are crucial to New Zealand’s future prosperity,” says Mr Foss.

The Government has awarded $4.7 million to a project that turns sewage and organic waste into resources such as energy, and fertiliser, Environment Minister Amy Adams has announced.

The technology has been developed by Scion, a Crown Research Institute based in Rotorua, and successfully trialled by the Rotorua District Council.

The money from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund will be used to design, engineer and build a full scale plant at a Rotorua wastewater treatment facility, and research how the technology could be applied to other waste streams.

Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley has today officially opened the new Christchurch Central Police station.

Built at a cost of $22 million, the new facility replaces the previous station, which had to be vacated due to earthquake risks.

It will accommodate up to 500 Police staff, who will be sharing the building with 40 Corrections staff.

“I’m delighted that the Police, who have been working in makeshift conditions, now have new, modern and professional surroundings,” says Mrs Tolley.