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Hon John Banks

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10 June, 2013

Speech to 'The Biz' Wellington SME Event

Good evening; I am very pleased to welcome you all to the beautiful Trentham Racecourse here in Upper Hutt. I know that having this ‘Biz’ event will inspire you to greater things in your business.

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4 June, 2013

Partnership Schools | Kura Hourua to open in 2014

The passing of the third and final reading of the Education Amendment Bill in Parliament this afternoon, paves the way for the first Partnership Schools | Kura Hourua to open at the start of the next school year.

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15 May, 2013

Partnership Schools/Kura Hourua: funding focuses on raising achievement

Budget 2013 will provide $19 million in contingency funding to establish the first Partnership Schools/Kura Hourua with a focus on accountability and high educational outcomes for New Zealand children.

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14 May, 2013

Competition gives businesses a flying start

Small Business Minister John Banks says SME owners looking to grow their business should enter the ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition run by Business.govt.nz.

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26 April, 2013

SMEs encouraged to apply for the 2013 PM’s Business Scholarships

Minister for Small Business John Banks is encouraging small business owners to apply for the Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships.

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24 April, 2013

Greens Mislead Public About Partnership School Funding

Metiria Turei’s claim that Te Kotahitanga funding is being canned to fund Partnership Schools has no basis in fact, Associate Minister of Education John Banks said today.

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18 April, 2013

New initiatives to improve regulation

Regulatory Reform Minister John Banks today announced that the Government has agreed to two new initiatives to improve New Zealand’s regulatory performance.

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28 March, 2013

Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy

Small Business Minister John Banks today released the factsheet ‘Small Businesses in New Zealand’ that highlights the significant contribution small and medium-sized firms make to New Zealand’s economy.

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7 March, 2013

Hipkins Fails On Comprehension

Associate Education Minister John Banks today gave Labour’s Chris Hipkins an F for comprehension due to his poor understanding of the Government’s Partnership School draft contract.

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1 March, 2013

Partnership Schools Authorisation Board Established

Associate Education Minister John Banks today announced the establishment and appointment of members to the independent Partnership Schools Authorisation Board.

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18 December, 2012

Government focused on what matters to small business

Minister for Small Business, John Banks, has released the Government’s response to the Small Business Advisory Group’s 2012 report, addressing the eight recommendations the Group believed would make a difference to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

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5 December, 2012

Speech to Industry Training Federation's Labour Market Forum

The future is looking brighter for small business in New Zealand. Interest rates and inflation are at record lows. We are just starting to see the first positive signs of productivity growth since 2006.

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28 November, 2012

New members of Small Business Development Group announced

Announcing the appointment of the Small Business Development Group (formerly Small Business Advisory Group) today, Mr Banks welcomed twelve new members from a diverse range of industries in the economy and representing a number of regions.

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15 November, 2012

Submission process for Partnership Schools

As the Minister responsible for this policy, I warmly encourage everyone to participate in a crucial stage of its development. The legislation required for Partnership Schools to operate was introduced to Parliament last month. It is now at the stage where all New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, and organisations are able to have their say at Parliament. You are invited to make a written and, if you choose, oral submission to the Education and Science Select Committee.

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8 November, 2012

Business.govt.nz wins excellence in Business Support Awards

Small Business Minister John Banks today congratulated Business.govt.nz for winning the Government category at last night’s AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards.

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18 October, 2012

Education Amendment Bill – First Reading

I move that the Education Amendment Bill be now read a first time.

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15 October, 2012

Innovative education policy one step closer

The establishment of Partnership Schools|Kura Hourua is one step closer with the introduction of the Education Amendment Bill, Associate Education Minister John Banks said today.

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21 September, 2012

Business.govt.nz judged best site for small businesses

Small Business Minister John Banks has congratulated Business.govt.nz for winning their category at the NetGuide Web Awards for the second year running.

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29 August, 2012

Flying Start Business Plan Awards

It is a pleasure to be here today to award the supreme prize for www.business.govt.nz’s ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition.

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29 August, 2012

Flying Start For Canterbury Robotics Firm

Minister for Small Business John Banks today congratulated Invert Robotics - an innovative Canterbury robotics firm - for winning Business.govt.nz’s ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition.

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23 August, 2012

Regulatory Reform Bill and Regulatory Repeals Bill Pass

Two Bills which amend 13 pieces of legislation to reduce the compliance burden on business and repeal 31 Acts that no longer have any effect or are out of date passed their third and final reading today.

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23 August, 2012

Regulatory Reform Bill and Regulatory Reform (Repeals) Bill Third Reading Speech

The Regulatory Reform Bill removes unnecessary costs to business.

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23 August, 2012

Standards New Zealand's Meritorious Service Awards

Council members, Chief Executive Chin, and distinguished guests – tena koutou.

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3 August, 2012

Partnership Schools – another choice for parents

Associate Minister of Education John Banks says that the addition of Partnership Schools/Kura Hourua creates another education option for parents to choose from.

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2 August, 2012

Ministers announce framework for Partnership Schools/Kura Hourua

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister John Banks today announced the framework for the New Zealand Model of Charter School.

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1 August, 2012

Better economic performance through better regulation

A new system assessing the health of New Zealand’s regulatory regimes will help improve economic performance over the longer term, Finance Minister Bill English and Regulatory Reform Minister John Banks say.

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13 July, 2012

A flying start for business plan competition

Small Business Minister John Banks today congratulated the 51 entrepreneurs who have made it to the next stage of the Business.govt.nz Flying Start Business Plan Competition, sponsored by ANZ.

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6 July, 2012

Speaking up for Small Business

Minister for Small Business John Banks today announced that new members are being sought for the Small Business Advisory Group (SBAG).

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22 May, 2012

Another chance for Businesses to get a Flying Start

Small Business Minister John Banks today launched the Business.govt.nz second annual ANZ Flying Start Business Plan competition, with more than $80,000 worth of prizes up for grabs.

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15 May, 2012

Minister welcomes Small Business Advisory Group report

Minister for Small Business John Banks welcomed the release of the Small Business Advisory Group (SBAG) report ‘Thriving and Surviving in a Seismic Environment’, which contains eight recommendations for the Government to consider.

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