Search

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.

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.

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.”

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:

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.

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.

Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew has today welcomed a new standard under the Animal Products Act that clarifies the labelling requirements for infant formula exports.

“Currently all export dairy products are exempt from New Zealand’s food labelling standards, they instead meet labelling requirements of the importing country,” Mrs Goodhew says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed this morning’s announcement that the United States and Cuba intend to re-establish diplomatic relations after 53 years.

“New Zealand supports this decision which is a significant step forward for both countries and the region,” Mr McCully says.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has thanked parents, whānau and staff across the education sector for their passion and commitment to making sure all kids get the best possible education.

“We’re making great progress with kids starting earlier in education, staying longer, and leaving better qualified, and we have built on that throughout this year.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has announced that full audit reports for all rest homes will be published online from today in a more reader-friendly format.

This follows a year long trial in which 574 full audits were published on the Ministry of Health website.

“The trial has shown the benefit of having the full reports available and publishing will now continue in an improved format,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga. “I am delighted that we have been able to achieve our aim of having these comprehensive reports available by the end of 2014.

Prime Minister John Key says the latest Indicators and Progress Report for the Government’s Methamphetamine Action Plan shows more prisoners are completing drug treatment programmes.

The report released today shows more than 1000 prisoners a year are starting programmes in a drug treatment unit – more than double the number in 2008/2009. Over three-quarters of prisoners successfully complete their programme.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has now received the report on the Ministerial Inquiry - Events surrounding the request for waiver of the diplomatic immunity of a Malaysian Defence Attaché.

“Mr John Whitehead has now completed the Inquiry into the request for a waiver of immunity in relation to Mr Rizalman’s alleged offending, and provided me with a final report,” Mr McCully says.

Prime Minister John Key says the New Zealand Government is currently monitoring the situation in Sydney as events continue to unfold.

“Our hearts go out to those involved and our thoughts are very much with them and their families,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key contacted Prime Minister Tony Abbott directly to offer a message of support, shortly after the siege got underway today.

Currently, agencies are unable to confirm the nationalities of those involved, including whether any New Zealanders have been caught up in this situation.

As summer weather approaches and we look to pull the barbeque out of the shed, Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew reminds New Zealanders to remember basic food safety rules.

“New Zealand produces some of the safest food in the world, but it is still common for foodborne illnesses to peak over the summer months,” Mrs Goodhew says.

“It is easy to forget simple food safety practices when you are outdoors enjoying picnics, barbeques, and camping trips.

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has welcomed the announcement of successful applicants to deliver Pacific programmes for TVNZ.

TVNZ today named its preferred independent companies to produce Māori and Pacific programmes. These include a new company employing current TVNZ staff as the preferred applicant for long-running Tagata Pasifika and Tiki Lounge for Fresh.

“I congratulate the successful bidders who have taken this opportunity to showcase Pacific talent,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.

Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has congratulated a group of young ethnic New Zealanders who have completed a programme aimed at building future public sector leaders.

Fifty-five young people from 24 different ethnic groups completed the Young Leaders Programme this year and many have already gained jobs in government departments.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss has welcomed the Cycling Safety Panel’s final report, which has 35 recommendations for central and local government.

“Over the last decade, an average of nine people a year have died while cycling on our roads,” says Mr Foss. “The Cycling Safety Panel was formed earlier this year in response to a coroner’s call for an expert panel to make recommendations on improving cycling safety.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is currently updating Civil Aviation Rules to better manage the safety risks of the use of remotely piloted aircraft (or drones), says Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss.

“New Zealanders are increasingly using remotely piloted aircraft, so it is important we have good regulation to manage the safety risks those aircraft can bring. The Government is committed to having regulation flexible enough to accommodate the growing use of the technology,” says Mr Foss.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has welcomed Air New Zealand’s announcement today that they are opening up a new route to South America.

Air New Zealand will start flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina three days a week from December 2015. The service is Air New Zealand’s first to South America.

“South America offers significant potential for the New Zealand tourism industry so I am pleased Air New Zealand has decided to start flying there,” says Mr Key.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed the recommendations of the Review of Statutory Interventions in State and State Integrated Schools.

The Working Group set up to conduct the review has recommended the Ministry of Education and schools work more closely together.

“We’re committed to raising educational achievement for five out of five kids so we need to make sure all schools operate successfully. The vast majority do, but a small number experience difficulties so they need extra support.

Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew today welcomed five officials from the Chinese Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) who are in New Zealand for a ten week scholarship programme.

“This scholarship programme reinforces New Zealand and China’s commitment to food safety, and strengthens mutual understanding of each other’s food safety systems,” Mrs Goodhew says.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says the 10 year anniversary of the passing of the Smoke-free Environments Act is a good opportunity to look forward to further gains in tobacco control.

Mr Lotu-Iiga will today host an event in Parliament to mark the 10th anniversary of the law which bans smoking in bars, clubs, casinos, restaurants, and school buildings and grounds. It also banned the display of tobacco products at point of sale and increased the power of judges to punish retailers caught repeatedly selling tobacco to minors.

Associate Social Development Minister Jo Goodhew is reminding students to apply for their 2015 Student Allowance and Loan by Tuesday 16 December.

“More than 60,000 students have applied for allowances and loans in the last two months. This is a good start, but with one week to go we’re aiming to exceed the 90,000 students who had applied by 16 December last year,” Mrs Goodhew says.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed an agreement between the Ministry of Education and NZEI to jointly work on ways to help raise educational outcomes.

Ms Parata says there will be focus on communities of learning, greater collaboration, improved transition through the education system for children, and better career pathways for early childhood and primary teachers.

“I have consistently said the door remained open to NZEI after it withdrew from the work around our $359 million Investing in Educational Success initiative.