John Key
Release

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the announcement that His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will attend the New Zealand Battle of the Somme commemorations in Longueval, France.

The Prince of Wales will attend the wreathlaying at the New Zealand Battlefield Memorial at the Caterpillar Valley War Cemetery on 15 September. 

The Government will be represented by Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and Ambassador to France James Kember.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has announced he will travel to New York this month during New Zealand’s second term as President of the United Nations Security Council, which starts today and runs until the end of September.

“Chairing the Council will give New Zealand a role in ensuring it addresses key international security issues and we are committed to ensuring it focuses on those that are most pressing,” Mr Key says.

John Key Prime Minister
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Prime Minister John Key will travel to Laos next week for the East Asia Summit, before heading to the Federated States of Micronesia for the Pacific Islands Forum.

“The East Asia Summit brings together leaders from across the Asia-Pacific to discuss ways to address important regional and international issues including maritime security and counter terrorism,” Mr Key says.

“It also provides an excellent opportunity to meet with the leaders of some of our most important economic and security partners to further those ties.” 

John Key Prime Minister
Speech

It’s always a good sign when a service provider takes steps to upgrade their offering without some complaint or customer pressure to improve.

That’s what’s happened here – the policy community has decided to lift their game without being asked to.

I initially wondered why we needed the Policy Project – I was pretty happy with the service I was getting.

 But there is always room for continuous improvement and innovation.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key today announced details of the state farewell that will be held for the Governor-General, Lieutenant General The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, who completes his term of office on August 31.

The state farewell will take place Wednesday, August 24 at Parliament starting at 11.40am with the arrival of the Governor-General’s motorcade on the forecourt of Parliament.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has today announced the establishment of a new ministerial portfolio, Minister for Vulnerable Children.

The new portfolio will come into effect in April 2017 with the establishment of the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki.

“The care and protection of vulnerable children and young people is a priority for this Government and the establishment of a new stand-alone, child-centred ministry is a reflection of that,” Mr Key says.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key today introduced a bill to update the legislative framework and improve the transparency of New Zealand’s intelligence and security agencies.

The New Zealand Intelligence and Security Bill 2016 is the Government’s response to the first independent review of intelligence and security presented to Parliament in March 2016 by Sir Michael Cullen and Dame Patsy Reddy.

John Key Prime Minister National Security and Intelligence
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Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has today announced the Government has set aside $2 million to extend the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail from Turoa to Ohakune.

The proposed new trail will be partially funded through the National Cycleway Fund, and is part of the Manawatū-Whanganui Economic Action Plan which aims to boost the region’s economy, increasing jobs, income and investment.

“The proposed new trail will be up to 20km long and link with the existing Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail - one of New Zealand’s Great Rides,” says Mr Key.

John Key Tourism Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has acknowledged Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler, who has today announced he is resigning after nearly seven years in the job.

“Kevin has done an outstanding job,” says Mr Key. “Kevin and his team have done a great job marketing New Zealand through different channels, which has seen the industry go from strength to strength and become our top export earner.

John Key Tourism Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the announcement that His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will visit New Zealand from November 7 to 9.

“I am delighted to welcome King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima back to New Zealand on their first official state visit as King and Queen,” Mr Key says. 

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key today announced applications are open for further funding to maintain and enhance the quality of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

This is the fifth round of funding through the Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund.

“This funding is part of the Government’s $8 million investment over four years to ensure the Great Rides are maintained to their current world-class standards,” Mr Key says.

John Key Tourism Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has today announced Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai will visit New Zealand in the second week of August.  

Prime Minister Salwai and his delegation will attend a series of events in Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga, including an official welcome at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on 11 August, followed by a wreath laying and bilateral talks.

“This will be Prime Minister Salwai’s first official visit to New Zealand as Prime Minister,” Mr Key says.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has today announced the Government has adopted the goal of New Zealand becoming Predator Free by 2050.

“While once the greatest threat to our native wildlife was poaching and deforestation it is now introduced predators,” Mr Key says.

“Rats, possums and stoats kill 25 million of our native birds every year, and prey on other native species such as lizards and, along with the rest of our environment, we must do more to protect them.”

John Key Prime Minister
Speech

Good afternoon.

It’s great to be here today, at the Zealandia wildlife sanctuary in the heart of our capital city.

It’s an important place for New Zealand and it tells an important story.

It shows that, as Sir Paul Callaghan said shortly before his passing, we can bring back our native wildlife to our main islands.

This was once thought to be impossible.

But Zealandia has been remarkably successful in achieving its conservation goals, and inspiring many similar efforts around the country.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key today announced Tonga Prime Minister Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva will visit New Zealand later this week.  

“I am very pleased to welcome Mr Pohiva to New Zealand on his first official visit as Prime Minister,” Mr Key says.

“New Zealand and Tonga have a strong relationship, built around our long history of cooperation and the significant Tongan population in New Zealand.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key says the United States has accepted an invitation to send a ship to attend the Royal New Zealand Navy’s 75th anniversary later this year.

“Vice-President Joe Biden confirmed in our discussions today that the US has accepted the invitation and intends to have a ship represent the US Navy at this event,” Mr Key says.

“We are naturally pleased the US is taking up the invitation. It is a further demonstration of the strength of our close relationship, our friendship and our shared values.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key had a positive meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta today.

“New Zealand and Indonesia have a strong and growing relationship,” says Mr Key.  “Indonesia is our 13th largest trading partner. It has a population of over 250 million people and has significant human and natural resources so we see great opportunities to work together more closely in a number of areas.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has conveyed his condolences to the President and Prime Minister of France following the tragic attack at a Bastille Day celebration in Nice.

“The fact this attack was directed at innocent people celebrating their national day makes it particularly horrific.  No one should have to worry about such violence when going about their daily lives.

“I know the thoughts of all New Zealanders will be with the victims and their families at this sad time.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has met with French President François Hollande and French Prime Minister Manuel Valls in Paris, and attended Bastille Day commemorations.

“France and New Zealand have a strong and a longstanding relationship,” says Mr Key. “The meetings with the President and Prime Minister were a good opportunity to discuss a number of areas of mutual interest.

“We discussed the global economy and the potential effects following the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has today congratulated Theresa May on becoming Britain’s new Prime Minister.

“I have written to Theresa May to congratulate her and I hope to be able to talk to her personally in the coming days.

“The United Kingdom and New Zealand have a long standing and close relationship. The trade and economic links between our two countries are already strong and we have shared interests in a number of areas, including global defence and security.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key had a successful meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Rome today where they discussed a wide range of issues including the regional economy, trade and counter terrorism.

“This is my first visit to Rome as Prime Minister and I am encouraged by the warmth and wide ranging cooperation that characterise our relationship with Italy,” says Mr Key.

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the announcement that United States Vice President Joe Biden will make an official visit to New Zealand next week.

“New Zealand places great value on its relationship with the United States and the Vice President’s visit is an opportunity to discuss key regional and international issues,” Mr Key says.

“Vice President Biden’s visit will allow us to discuss ways we can work closer together on issues like economic and trade ties, as well as international peace and security matters.”

John Key Prime Minister
Release

Prime Minister John Key has tonight congratulated Malcolm Turnbull on forming an Australian Government.

"I have been in regular contact with Prime Minister Turnbull since the election and have now congratulated him on retaining office,” says Mr Key

“Australia is our closest neighbour and biggest trading partner and like Prime Minister Turnbull I believe our countries should work even more closely together.

“Mr Turnbull and I have a strong and established working relationship which has seen both our countries benefit.

John Key Prime Minister