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A new online one-stop-shop for tourism data will help businesses and regions take advantage of unprecedented growth in the industry, Associate Tourism Minister Paula Bennett says.

The New Zealand Tourism Dashboard brings together a range of tourism datasets produced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Statistics New Zealand.

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has today announced $162,000 over two years for the implementation of Taranaki’s International Education Strategy, through Education New Zealand’s (ENZ) Regional Partnership Programme.

Mr Joyce was in New Plymouth to launch the strategy, making Taranaki the latest region to benefit from government investment in international education, both at the local and national levels. It formalises the existing cooperation between Taranaki education providers and Venture Taranaki.

More than 6,000 referrals have been made to an innovative post-release support programme for short- serving prisoners and remandees, Corrections Minister Judith Collins says.

The reintegration programme, called Out of Gate, commenced in 2013 with $10 million from the Justice Sector fund. Due to promising early results, Corrections was granted another $5 million from the Justice Sector Fund in Budget 2015 to extend the programme. Corrections contracts with providers to support offenders immediately upon their release from prison.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says good progress has been made in the quarterly health targets with improvements across all six areas.

“The health targets are not just about numbers – they are about delivering better faster access to services,” says Dr Coleman.

“The latest quarterly update shows improvements in elective surgery rates, shorter stays in ED, faster cancer treatment, increased immunisation, better help for smokers to quit, and more heart and diabetes checks.

The Government has agreed to streamline consenting rules to help speed up the installation of the ever-popular Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) rollout, Communication Minister Amy Adams announced today.

The changes are part of the first phase of its Land Access Reforms to reduce delays and frustrations with getting properties connected to UFB. They follow on from the Land Access for Telecommunications Discussion Document released last year.

Thank you for your warm welcome.

It is a pleasure to be here today to officially launch the Bariatric Management Innovations Initiative. 

I would like to start by acknowledging those who have developed this initiative – Dr Caz Hales, Lecturer and Researcher, and Lesley Gray, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, both of the University of Otago; and Todd Bishop, General Manager of Essential HelpCare. 

Seven young entrepreneurs who will receive a total of around $121,000 through Opportunities for Young People funding were announced today by Youth Minister Nikki Kaye.

Ms Kaye made the announcement while attending the Young Enterprise Trust’s E-Day at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, where school teams came to share ideas for products and businesses and get tips and feedback from local business experts.

“This funding is to support young people with smart, achievable projects that will make a social or environmental difference,” says Ms Kaye.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced a further Defence Force flight to Fiji and $1.8 million in funding, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to relief efforts following Tropical Cyclone Winston to more than $2 million.

The $180 million investment into the rollout of Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) programme demonstrates the Government’s commitment to rebuilding a smart and sustainable Christchurch, Communications Minister Amy Adams says.

“As we mark the fifth anniversary of the Christchurch Earthquake, the Christchurch rebuild is gaining pace and the thousands of kilometres of fibre optic cables being laid under the city is transforming the way we work, learn and stay connected,” Ms Adams says.

As Christchurch’s new education network rises from the rubble, Education Minister Hekia Parata has praised all those involved in shepherding Christchurch’s kids through extremely difficult times.

“Despite the trauma of the 22 February 2011 earthquake and thousands of aftershocks, student achievement in the region has continued to rise. That’s a testament to the resilience, determination and hard work of students, parents, teachers, principals, boards and support staff,” says Ms Parata.

The Government’s wide-ranging support for Christchurch has ensured the city’s housing market is nearing recovery five years on from the Canterbury earthquakes, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett and Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith said today.

“Housing has been one of the most complex and challenging problems arising from the Canterbury earthquakes with the loss of 10,500 homes,” the Ministers say.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says that thousands of Cantabrians have received free counselling and support with their accommodation expenses since the earthquakes five years ago, and that help continues to be available for those that need it.

“We are well aware that for many people, young and old, the trauma continues especially around the anniversary and following the recent large earthquake on Valentine’s Day,” says Mrs Tolley.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government is committed to ensuring Canterbury DHB is well placed to deliver high quality services.

“Canterbury’s health workforce has demonstrated incredible resilience and determination since the earthquakes five years ago,” says Dr Coleman.

“The DHB has responded to the unique challenges as a result of the earthquakes with an internationally recognised integrated health system.

The Canterbury economy is continuing to strengthen and its economic infrastructure continuing to develop as the region positions itself for long-term growth post the earthquake rebuild.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says Canterbury currently has the lowest unemployment rate in the country at 3.9 per cent, compared with 5.3 per cent nationally. Since December 2011, employment in Canterbury has increased by 40,500 (14.1 per cent) compared with national growth of 8.1 per cent.

Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee says the people of Canterbury can be enormously proud of what they have achieved in the past five years.

“As we mark the fifth anniversary of the February 22 earthquake, it’s a chance to reflect on how far we have all come,” Mr Brownlee says.

“From a devastated city and communities so badly affected, people have gone from strength to strength and an exciting new city is taking shape.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has outlined the initial support that New Zealand will provide to Fiji as they respond to Tropical Cyclone Winston.

“Tropical Cyclone Winston appears to have caused major damage on the Northern Coast of Vitu Levu and sadly one person has now been confirmed dead,” Mr McCully says.

“New Zealand stands ready to assist the people of Fiji as they deal with the aftermath of Cyclone Winston and we are in close contact with the Government of Fiji.

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell has welcomed a new reo Māori strategy launched by Tainui today.

Tikanga Ora Reo Ora ­– outlines how the tribe will support iwi members to become fluent Māori language speakers. The strategy includes providing online learning tools and programmes to support whānau living outside of the tribal area.

“Tainui’s bold goal– for 80 percent of Waikato-Tainui iwi members to be fluent in its tribal reo and tikanga by 2050 – illustrates the commitment iwi have to revitalising te reo.

Good morning. As Minister Smith has just outlined, we have made a lot of progress over the last few years in improving how we manage our freshwater. But there is more to do.

We are an ambitious Government and we believe we can do better, economically and environmentally.

The consultation document we are releasing today sets out the next steps in this goal, with 23 initiatives.

New measures to improve the management of New Zealand’s rivers, lakes, aquifers and wetlands have been proposed today at the Bluegreens Forum in Tekapo, with a consultation document released by Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

“New Zealand has an abundance of freshwater but changes are needed to better manage water quality and improve efficiency of use,” Dr Smith and Mr Guy say.

The 23 initiatives in today’s document include:

Good afternoon everyone, it’s great to be with you all at my first Bluegreen conference!

I want to start by first acknowledging my predecessor Tim Groser. 

He’s someone I know our party and in fact all New Zealanders should be immensely proud of, from global leadership in Climate Change and trade, right through to his unique and encyclopedic knowledge of 18th Century Prussian military leaders.

I’d also like to acknowledge my Bluegreen colleagues, many of whom you have or will hear from this weekend. 

Prime Minister the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP and Prime Minister the Rt Hon John Key met in Sydney on 19 February 2016 for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting. Prime Minister Turnbull and Mrs Turnbull warmly welcomed Prime Minister Key and Mrs Key to Australia. Prime Ministers Turnbull and Key also welcomed the opportunity to engage with senior representatives of the Australian and New Zealand business communities.

Submissions on the first phase of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Review have now closed.  

The priority matters being considered in this phase relate to removing the transitional measure where emitters pay one unit for two tonnes of Carbon Dioxide.

“Following on from the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Government is focusing on ensuring our domestic settings are in the right place to help New Zealand meet our fair and ambitious 2030 target,” says Mrs Bennett.

Christchurch’s largest multi-agency project, the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, is now 12 months away from completion, and reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to the rebuild, says Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams.

“This $300 million investment is unique because for the first time, all essential regional justice and emergency services will be brought together under one roof, encouraging a more collaborative approach to delivering services and responding to emergencies.”

Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner is today signing a deed officially establishing the new Mackenzie Country Trust, which implements the vision and strategy of the 2013 Mackenzie Country Agreement.

“The establishment of the Mackenzie Country Trust provides a way forward for the Mackenzie Agreement and puts the future of the Mackenzie Basin firmly in the hands of local communities,” Ms Wagner says.