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Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed news that more people are succeeding in industry training programmes.

The new report New Zealand’s Workplace-Based Learners, released today by the Ministry of Education, shows that the industry trainees grew by 11 per cent in 2015. The credit completion rate rose from 69 per cent to 74 per cent, and qualification completion rates are higher than they have ever been, at 53 per cent.

The release of a proposed new spatial plan for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park has been welcomed by Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.

The Sea Change/Tai Timu Tai Pari marine spatial plan, designed to secure a healthy, productive and sustainable future for the Hauraki Gulf, is the result of three years’ work by the Sea Change group, representing mana whenua, councils, local conservationists, businesses, recreational fishers and the Government.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says that the use of the veto in response to a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Syria is cynical and disappointing.

“New Zealand co-sponsored a resolution with Egypt and Spain calling for a halt to the violence in Syria, humanitarian access to Aleppo, and the resumption of negotiations,” Mr McCully says.

A new 300-home development on part of the Point England Reserve has been announced today by Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith, with the Tamaki Redevelopment Company and Ngāti Paoa.

“The greatest constraint to resolving Auckland’s housing challenges is finding suitable land, particularly in close proximity to the central city. The Point England Reserve has been poorly used for decades, with 18 hectares of it used for grazing cows.

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga today welcomed the release of dual language resources for Pasifika new entrant students.

The resources comprise 100 dual-language flip books, audio and online resources in five Pasifika languages – Samoan, Tongan, Tokelauan, Cook Islands Māori and Niuean – and English, as well as supporting materials for teachers and parents.

John Key’s intelligence, optimism and integrity as Leader of the National Party and Prime Minister of New Zealand means he will be judged by history as one of New Zealand’s greatest leaders, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says.

“On behalf of the National Party, the Government and New Zealand I thank John for his years of dedicated and outstanding service to our country.

Just a few days ago I marked the anniversary of my eighth year as Prime Minister and my tenth as leader of the National Party.

Such an occasion seems a fitting time to not only take stock of the past 10 years, but to look forward.

Being leader of both the party and the country has been an incredible experience.

Along with my Cabinet and caucus colleagues, we steered the country through the global financial crisis which was arguably the worst recession since the Great Depression.

Prime Minister John Key has advised the Governor-General and his Cabinet and caucus colleagues that will he will resign as Prime Minister on December 12.

Mr Key’s expectation is that the National Party caucus will hold a special meeting on December 12 to select a new leader. After that he will travel to Government House to resign as Prime Minister. Mr Key expects that the Governor-General will appoint the new Prime Minister soon after.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes Pharmac’s major funding package with Roche for nine medicines which will benefit around 2,000 Kiwis. 

“Budget 2016 invests an extra $124 million over four years to enable Pharmac to provide increased access to new medicines,” says Dr Coleman.

Almost half a million kids are now benefitting from their school being part of Communities of Learning | Kāhui Ako, says Education Minister Hekia Parata.

“Another 32 Communities of Learning | Kāhui Ako have now been approved, taking the total to 180 across every region of the country,” says Ms Parata.

More than 150 households have taken up the offer of financial help to move from Auckland to other regions, improving their own living arrangements and freeing up valuable social housing for others.

In June, the Government introduced the grant of up to $5000 for relocation costs to help people who wanted to move from Auckland but otherwise could not afford to.

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says the uptake of the relocation grant has been so successful that more funds would be allocated to the scheme.

Education Minister Hekia Parata today welcomed the completion of the project to provide schools with fast, uncapped, Crown-funded internet.

“A total of 2431 schools are now connected to the $211 million N4L Managed Network, says Ms Parata.

“This is about providing schools and students across New Zealand with access to the vast world of learning resources available online.”

With the rollout completed, more than 789,000 students and teachers are using the N4L Managed Network for learning.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry today announced that New Zealand will take on a leadership role internationally, working with others to control and eradicate invasive alien species and protect native habitats.

The Minister has made the announcement at the International Convention on Biological Diversity which is currently meeting in Cancun, Mexico to consider the best way to meets targets to reduce the impact of invasive species on global biodiversity.

Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand education institutions stand to benefit following the signing of an education cooperation agreement in Iran today.

Mr McClay is leading New Zealand's first Trade Mission to Iran in more than a decade, and believes the visit has strengthened the New Zealand-Iran relationship following bilateral talks in Tehran.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew is welcoming International Volunteers Day tomorrow (5 December) and is acknowledging the contribution made by New Zealand’s volunteers.

“My heartfelt thanks goes to all of those who volunteer, in particular those who have given up their time to assist during the response to the North Canterbury earthquake,” Mrs Goodhew says.

The theme of this year’s Volunteers Day is ‘Together we can’, emphasising what can be achieved by communities working together.

Transnational criminal networks are targeting and recruiting people to act as drug couriers, by either duping or enticing them, and New Zealanders should be aware of the risks, says Customs Minister Nicky Wagner.

“Customs’ intelligence suggests older generations and the young and vulnerable are at risk are of being targeted by drug syndicates,” Ms Wagner says.

“This is not a new trend but we are aware of situations here and abroad that are of concern, and want to prevent New Zealanders from being preyed on.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a chance to celebrate the progress we have made to improve the lives of disabled New Zealanders, says Disability Issues Minister Nicky Wagner.

“This year’s theme, Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want, draws attention to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals and how these goals can create a more inclusive and equitable society for disabled people,” Ms Wagner says.

“Our government has been working hard to help us move towards a non-disabling society.

Redevelopment of Hamilton’s Meteor Theatre will receive $368,000 in Government funding, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has announced.

“The Meteor is an important part of Hamilton’s vibrant arts scene and a deserving recipient of this grant from the Regional Culture and Heritage Fund,” Ms Barry says.

“With the closure of the Founder’s Theatre, Hamilton needs its smaller venues to step up and carry the city’s touring and performing arts programmes.”

Two new members have been appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission Board, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has announced.

Pania Tyson-Nathan and Tom Greally will replace outgoing Board members Cameron Harland and Charles Finny.

“It’s an exciting time to be working in the New Zealand screen sector,” Ms Barry says. “I’m pleased to welcome these two new members to the Board, and am certain their diverse experiences and perspectives will be valuable.”

The Government has welcomed news that milk tankers and other essential freight will be given priority access in and out of Kaikoura on the inland road (route 70) from next week.

The NZ Transport Agency established a schedule of controlled access this week after control of the road was formally transferred to the Transport Agency by the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group.

Weather depending, the first trip by full milk tankers will take place next Monday.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins has today inspected the $19m upgrade of Invercargill Prison which will add another fifty years of life into the century old facility.

The Department of Corrections has just completed a three year, three stage refurbishment, providing significant health and security improvements to the prison that has the capacity to accommodate 172 prisoners on sentence and remand and 75 staff.

The project has replaced older facilities, created more space for trade and training programmes and earthquake strengthened some areas where required.

Auckland Queen’s Counsel Christine Gordon has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Justice Gordon graduated with a BA in History from the University of Otago in 1974 and completed an LLB from the University of Auckland in 1983. She joined Russell McVeagh McKenzie Bartleet & Co in 1984 and worked primarily in the area of resource management law.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has officially opened Coda’s new Intermodal Freight Hub in Otahuhu, one of the largest of its type in New Zealand.

The new facility will take containers of Fonterra products from plants in Whareroa and Pahiatua, and in return, send general freight from the Auckland region to Palmerston North.

“This new hub will help manage import, export and domestic freight in an efficient, safe and sustainable way,” Mr Bridges says.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed news that New Zealand is attracting a higher level of quality international investment in three key areas.

“The first report of the Investment Attraction Taskforce shows international investors and companies have increasing confidence in the New Zealand economy,” Mr Joyce says.

“We are seeing increased foreign direct investment, increased investment in international research and development, and more commitments from migrant investors.