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Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today launched the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, which aims to enhance primary sector production and productivity while maintaining and improving land and water quality.

The National Science Challenges are dedicated to breaking new ground in areas of science that are crucial to New Zealand’s future.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has welcomed the launch of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision’s new website, which makes archive film and audio recordings available to all New Zealanders.

“This important website connects New Zealanders with their heritage in an exciting and accessible way,” Ms Barry says.

Kiwis’ use of government generated data is growing, says Land Information Minister Louise Upston.

New figures show another 7,650 users registered to download free government data from the Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) Data Service in 2015, boosting the service’s total number of registered users to more than 20,000.

Trade Minister Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand has released the legally verified TPP text, in its capacity as Depositary of the Agreement. 

“This is the final version of the Agreement, which will be signed by TPP countries in February. New Zealand looks forward to hosting this important event,” says Mr McClay. 

New Zealand released an earlier version of the text on 5 November 2015.

“As Depositary, New Zealand will also release French and Spanish versions of the text.”

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed a report which shows apprentice numbers and completion rates are both up, following the major industry training reforms of 2012/13. 

The Ministry of Education report on workplace training NZ’s Workplace-Based Learners: 2014, shows a shift to apprenticeships and away from lower level traineeships. At the same time, completion rates have increased.

Trade Minister Todd McClay today announced the early release of the National Interest Analysis (NIA) for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). 

“This document comprehensively analyses what TPP means for New Zealand, across the entire Agreement,” says Mr McClay.

“It finds that entering TPP would be in New Zealand’s national interest, adding an estimated $2.7 billion to GDP by 2030.”

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed figures released today that show a greater proportion of degree-level domestic graduates are completing qualifications in STEM-related subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths.)

“It’s important that we grow the number of graduates in areas where there is real industry demand,” Mr Joyce says.  “Producing more engineering, ICT and science graduates will help alleviate actual and potential skill shortages in these key areas.”

Changes announced last year to discourage people from refusing reasonable social housing offers come into effect from today. 

“Too many people have been refusing offers of social housing properties without a good reason and this is delaying others from getting into homes that suit their needs,” Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

Last year saw the highest number of people switch electricity retailers since 2011, says Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges.

In 2015, 419,000 consumers switched providers, compared to 388,000 in 2011 when the ‘What’s My Number’ campaign began, resulting in potential savings of more than $24 million last year.

More than 1.8 million consumers have switched providers since 2011, with total estimated savings valued at $207 million.

The December 2015 Social Housing Register shows that better understanding applicant’s particular needs is housing more vulnerable people, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

Today’s release of the latest quarterly figures show a decrease of 345 from the December 2014 Register to 4,619 applicants. Of this, 1,143 are already housed and are seeking to transfer to a different property. 

The December 2015 quarter also saw 1,760 new tenancies started, the most of any 2015 quarter.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says SmartGate reached a new record during its busiest holiday period with 100,941 passengers using it in the second week of January.

“This is the highest number of passengers to use SmartGate in one week, since it was introduced in 2009. It’s great to see travellers embracing the technology,” Ms Wagner says.

In light of recent and increasing commentary on the use, access to and funding of cannabis based medical products, attached is a fact sheet on the definition, current availability, status and authorisation process around the use of these products for therapeutic purposes. Further information can be found on the Ministry of health’s website at: http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/medicines-control/medicinal-cannabis

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says the number of people receiving a benefit is continuing to decline year on year with a 2.5 per cent drop in the number of people receiving a main benefit between December 2014 and December 2015.

“The number of people receiving a main benefit has fallen by almost 7,800, or 2.5 per cent in the last 12 months,” Mrs Tolley says.

“Sole parents continue to lead the way, with a 5.7 per cent drop or 4,154 fewer people receiving Sole Parent Support compared to the same time in the previous year.”

Trade Minister Todd McClay can now confirm that the Government is planning to host the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in New Zealand on Thursday 4 February.

“New Zealand has issued invitations to TPP Ministers to sign the Agreement in Auckland.

“Signature will mark the end of the TPP negotiating process,” says Mr McClay.

“Following signature, all 12 countries will be able to begin their respective domestic ratification processes and will have up to two years to complete that before the agreement enters into force.

Trade Minister Todd McClay today released a new TPP factsheet outlining how TPP specifically recognises the Treaty of Waitangi, as well as other areas of significance for Māori including opportunities for Māori exporters.

“There is a lot of misinformation out there about TPP,” Mr McClay says.

“Nothing in TPP will prevent the Crown from meeting its obligations to Māori.

Widespread drought conditions in the South Island mean the medium-scale event classification will be extended until the end of June, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

“Extra funding of up to $150,000 will go to local Rural Support Trusts with $40,000 of this going to the North Canterbury Trust,” says Mr Guy. 

Speaking with farmers at a sheep and beef farm in Weka Pass, Hurunui, Mr Guy acknowledged this is the third time the classification has been extended.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges says the launch of a new international air service out of Wellington is a significant development for Wellington Airport.

Singapore Airlines announced the new service today which will operate between Wellington and Singapore, via Canberra, four times a week.

“This new service opens up two new international connections and creates the first ever, non-stop connection between New Zealand and Canberra and the first direct service (operated with a single flight-number) between Wellington and Singapore,” Mr Bridges says.

Ministers Bill English and Simon Bridges have announced that the proposed alternative Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) flag will fly alongside the current New Zealand flag on the Auckland Harbour Bridge from Friday 22 January.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge will be the latest in over 250 sites around the country that have the alternative flag on-loan from the Flag Consideration Project to display beside the current flag, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says.

Around 100 young people who have overcome significant challenges have been selected for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and are participating in the programme this week.

Youth Minister Nikki Kaye says the programme, personally spear headed by the Prime Minister, held annually since 2010, is a great opportunity for the young people, aged 14-17, from Auckland, to be recognised for their personal achievements and community contributions.

Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says he is looking forward to celebrating Chinese New Year with communities around the country.

“2016 is the Year of the Monkey, the ninth animal on the Chinese zodiac calendar. New Zealand’s Asian communities, and the wider community, look forward to the lunar new year with much excitement,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“It is a time for renewal, for families to come together and for celebration.”

Duty Minister Nikki Kaye has welcomed the next stage in the historic nuclear deal between Iran, the Five Permanent (P5) members of the United Nations Security Council, and Germany.

“The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has now verified Iranian compliance with the deal and this will clear the way for the lifting of UN sanctions against Iran,” Ms Kaye says.

“New Zealand hopes this agreement can form the basis for building trust, opening a new chapter of cooperation in the Middle East.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the appointment of three new members to the boards of the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS), and the New Zealand Forest Research Institute (Scion).