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Prime Minister Bill English and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated their commitment to the Trans-Pacific-Partnership (TPP) in a meeting in Tokyo today.

“Both New Zealand and Japan remain committed to seeing the TPP Agreement come into force, while at the same time ensuring there are opportunities for other economies to join,” Mr English says.

“The TPP remains valuable both economically and strategically for New Zealand. It will improve access for our exporters and lower tariffs around the Asia-Pacific.”

Prime Minister Bill English will travel to Japan next week to meet with Prime Minister Abe to discuss a range of global and regional issues, before travelling to Hong Kong to promote New Zealand’s economic and trade interests.

“I am looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Abe and discussing a wide range of issues, including trade and security, and initiatives our two countries are working on together in food, education, sport and defence,” Mr English says.

Prime Minister Bill English has this morning congratulated Emmanuel Macron on his victory in the French presidential election.

“The people of France have spoken and I congratulate Mr Macron on his victory,” Mr English says.

“I will write to Mr Macron shortly to offer my personal congratulations, along with those of the New Zealand Government, and my best wishes for his presidency.”

Mr English says New Zealand has a great deal in common with France, and the two countries share similar interests across a wide range of issues.

Prime Minister Bill English has paid tribute to His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and thanked him for his extraordinary public service.

Buckingham Palace has announced that Prince Philip will be stepping down from public duties from August this year.

“The Duke has had a tremendous career. He has dedicated his working life to supporting Her Majesty, and making a remarkable contribution to hundreds of military, charitable and philanthropic organisations throughout the Commonwealth,” Mr English says.

Prime Minister Bill English has announced the reappointment of Cheryl Gwyn as Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.

The reappointment is for a term of three years, commencing 5 May 2017.

“In the past three years Ms Gwyn has established the Inspector-General’s office as a strong, effective and independent oversight body for the intelligence community,” Mr English says.

The appointment of Ms Gwyn was made after consultation with Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee, as is required by statute.

Prime Minister Bill English has announced challenging new targets for the public service to ensure it continues to improve the lives of New Zealanders, as well as $321 million in funding for social investment initiatives to help our most vulnerable.

“The National-led Government is committed to improving the lives of New Zealanders through effective public services and targeted investment in the areas where we can make a real difference,” Mr English says.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

It’s a pleasure to be here today.

Can I start by acknowledging my Deputy Paula Bennett and paying tribute to the man who is responsible for pulling this year’s Budget together - Finance Minister Steven Joyce.

And can I say it’s a pleasure to lead a country that’s becoming more confident and sure of itself, and where we have so many positive choices.

New Zealand has an enviable international reputation.

Prime Minister Bill English has announced the election of National’s new whips following the National Party Caucus this morning.

Mr English says the new senior whip will be Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross. He was previously junior whip and replaces Tim Macindoe, who is now a Minister outside Cabinet.

The junior whip will be Taranaki King Country MP Barbara Kuriger who steps up from third whip.

The third whip will be Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey.

Prime Minister Bill English today announced the appointment of Gerry Brownlee as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nathan Guy as Minister of Civil Defence, Nikki Kaye as Minister of Education and Mark Mitchell as Minister of Defence.

The changes follow the resignations from Cabinet of Hekia Parata and Murray McCully.

In other changes Simon Bridges has been appointed Leader of the House and Nicky Wagner has been made Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration.

Mr Mitchell has been promoted to Cabinet.

Prime Minister Bill English has announced that Sir Bruce Robertson and Warwick Gendall have been appointed as Commissioners of Intelligence Warrants.

Sir Bruce has also been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants.

Sir Bruce has had a distinguished career as a High Court and Court of Appeal judge and has been the Commissioner of Security Warrants since mid-2013.

He has also held a range of other legal, public service, academic, community and sports appointments in New Zealand.

Changes squarely focussed on the protection of children and young people come into effect tomorrow, along with a range of measures to ease the burden on many families, Prime Minister Bill English says.

Working for Families, benefits and Superannuation will all increase on 1 April, while ACC work levies will be further reduced, for the second year in a row.

New Zealand and China will begin talks on an upgrade of the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries on April 25, Prime Minister Bill English announced today.

The announcement followed official talks between the Prime Minister and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Wellington today.

“The FTA with China has been an enormous success,” Mr English says.

Good morning.

Can I start by thanking the International Business Forum and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce for hosting this event.

And can I acknowledge your guests and my ministerial colleagues.

In particular I want to acknowledge Trade Minister Todd McClay, who along with Foreign Minister Murray McCully is doing an excellent job of promoting our interests overseas.

I think Todd and Murray would admit that some parts of that job are not too difficult.

After all, we have an enviable reputation around the world.

Prime Minister Bill English has today launched New Zealand’s updated trade strategy, Trade Agenda 2030, and reiterated the Government’s commitment to free trade.

The Prime Minister has also announced the Government’s ambitious goal of having free trade agreements cover 90 per cent of New Zealand’s goods exports by 2030, up from 53 per cent today, as well as investing $91.3 million over four years through Budget 2017 to help achieve this.

Prime Minister Bill English has condemned the terror attack in London today and expressed New Zealand’s condolences to the people of the UK.

“London is a place many thousands of New Zealanders have visited and called home, and where many more have friends and family based, so this attack feels very close to home,” Mr English says.

“We utterly condemn this act.

National Security and Intelligence Minister Bill English today welcomed the passing of legislation which updates the legislative framework and increases the transparency of the intelligence and security agencies.

Four Acts have been consolidated into a single comprehensive piece of legislation which clearly sets out the agencies’ powers, establishes a new warranting framework and builds on the robust oversight and accountability of the agencies.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will visit New Zealand next week.

Prime Minister Bill English announced today that he and Premier Li will hold official talks in Wellington, and that he and the Premier will also meet business leaders in Auckland during his visit from 26 to 29 March.

“The visit is an important opportunity to set the agenda for the next stage of our strong relationship and demonstrates our shared commitment to open trade and economic growth,” Mr English says.

Prime Minister Bill English today announced the appointments of Phil O’Reilly and Tenby Powell to the APEC Business Advisory Council, through to December 2019.

The Prime Minister also confirmed the extension of Katherine Rich’s appointment through till March 2019.

“Mr O’Reilly and Mr Powell both bring important skills to the organisation and will strongly represent the interests of New Zealand businesses on important trade and economic issues in the Asia Pacific,” Mr English says.

The Government will progressively lift the age of eligibility for NZ Superannuation from 65 to 67, starting in 20 years’ time, Prime Minister Bill English announced today.

“New Zealanders are healthier and living longer so adjusting the long-term settings of NZ Super while there is time for people to adapt is the right thing to do,” Mr English says.

The changes will be phased in from 1 July 2037 and will not affect anyone born on or before 30 June 1972.

Prime Minister Bill English has welcomed the visit to New Zealand this week of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Dr Rui Araújo.

“New Zealand and Timor-Leste have a special bond,” says Mr English, who will meet Dr Araújo in Auckland tomorrow.

“New Zealand has supported Timor-Leste since its decision to seek independence in 1999. More than 4000 New Zealand Defence Force, Police and other personnel have served there in the past 18 years.”

The annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ talks have taken the cooperation between our two countries forward in a number of areas, Prime Minister Bill English says.

Mr English met with Prime Minister Turnbull in Queenstown today to discuss common approaches to bilateral and international issues, including trade and science and innovation.

Mr English also thanked Mr Turnbull for Australia’s offer of support for those fighting the fires on the Port Hills in Christchurch.

“Australia is our closest friend and ally.

The Prime Minister has met with the Pike River Mine families today, saying he acknowledges their loss and suffering.

“The families want to recover their loved ones and ensure such a disaster never happens again and I accept they want to take every possible step to achieve this,” Mr English says.

“No matter how we try and achieve this, we must adhere to the improved workplace health and safety laws we passed in the aftermath of the Pike River Mine tragedy.

Prime Minister Bill English has announced Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will make an official visit to New Zealand this week.

Prime Minister Turnbull, Treasurer Scott Morrison and Industry Minister, Senator Arthur Sinodinos, arrive in Queenstown for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ meeting on Friday 17 February. 

New Zealand’s Finance Minister Steven Joyce and Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges will also join the meeting.

Honourable Members.

The National-led Government’s busy and ambitious policy agenda and legislative programme in 2017 will continue to back New Zealanders to succeed.

This is a Government focused on delivering more opportunities for people to get ahead.

It is a Government that backs New Zealanders who take risks to create new jobs and new businesses.

It backs New Zealanders who work hard so they can raise their families.

And it backs New Zealanders who need the Government’s support to improve their lives.