Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced an $11 million boost to global agricultural research.

“New Zealand is a world leader in international agriculture research and we want to help meet global food needs in ways that are positive for the environment,” Mr Brownlee says.

“New Zealand is committing $11 million over two years to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), a network of research institutes around the world that focus on agriculture, forestry and fishing. 

Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett and Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Brownlee have announced that New Zealand will contribute up to $6 million to redevelop Honiara’s Multi-Purpose Hall and sports facility.

“Honiara has a large, young, urban population and ensuring they have access to sporting and educational facilities is important for the future of Solomon Islands,” Mrs Bennett says.

New Zealand is committed to helping Colombia achieve its target of being landmine free by 2021, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

Mr Brownlee is currently in Colombia to attend the Pacific Alliance Summit in Cali.

“New Zealand has allocated a $1 million contribution over three years to support the nation’s continued demining effort,” Mr Brownlee says.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced the renewal of an agreement between New Zealand and Cuba that will boost medical assistance in Pacific countries.

The Cooperation Arrangement was first signed between New Zealand and Cuba in 2015 and enables Cuban doctors to receive language training in New Zealand before providing medical services in the Pacific Islands.

Mr Brownlee says the agreement – funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme – has been renewed for three more years.

Finance Minister Steven Joyce and the Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Gerry Brownlee have today announced plans to simplify and improve the EQC scheme for New Zealanders.

“EQC has provided huge support to New Zealanders following the Christchurch, Seddon, and Kaikōura earthquakes,” Mr Joyce says.

“This review has provided us the opportunity to consider how the scheme could work more effectively for future natural disasters.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee will today travel to Cuba to meet with his counterpart before attending the Pacific Alliance Summit in Colombia.

On June 27, Mr Brownlee will visit Cuba to meet Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla.

“This visit will help to strengthen New Zealand’s interests in the Latin American region, which is home to about 625 million people,” Mr Brownlee says.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced New Zealand will provide a workshop in Barbados to help upskill the Caribbean in disaster risk management.

“New Zealand knows that having the right people with the right skills in place before an event happens is essential to responding to it effectively, and this is what we will be sharing with the Caribbean,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Like the Pacific, the Caribbean is largely made up of small island states, vulnerable to natural disasters.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced a significant boost to support Pacific island countries comply with international anti-money laundering standards.

New Zealand is providing $3.6 million to the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering.

“The Group is a collaborative international organisation committed to the effective implementation and enforcement of international standards against money laundering and the financing of terrorism,” Mr Brownlee says.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has today announced three senior appointments to oversee New Zealand’s involvement in Expo 2020, being held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Ex-Chairman of Kensington Swan lawyers, Clayton Kimpton, has been appointed as New Zealand’s Commissioner-General to Expo 2020 and prominent business leaders, Dame Julie Christie and Christopher Luxon, have been appointed to a wider steering group.

New Zealand's next ambassador to China will be Clare Fearnley, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee announced today.

“New Zealand’s relationship with China is one of our most important. In its 45th year, it encompasses areas as diverse as economic, trade, climate change, defence, legal, cultural and educational cooperation,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Two-way trade reached a new high of $23 billion in 2016, and both sides have set the ambitious target of $30 billion by 2020.

Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Brownlee has today named diplomat Mark Sinclair as New Zealand’s new Ambassador to Mexico.

“Mexico is an important partner for New Zealand as we look to establish a stronger New Zealand presence throughout Latin America,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Mexico has consistently been one of our largest trading partners in the region, and we share a strong commitment to trade liberalisation and regional economic integration.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced diplomat Carl Worker as New Zealand’s next Consul-General in Hong Kong, a role he has held previously.

“New Zealand has a close relationship with Hong Kong with thriving trade, investment and finance links,” Mr Brownlee says.

“As New Zealand’s 10th largest export market with total exports of $1.15 billion last year, Hong Kong is an important commercial and investment market for New Zealand companies.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced diplomat Rupert Holborow as New Zealand’s new Ambassador to Germany.

“New Zealand enjoys an excellent relationship with Germany, with extensive political, trade, scientific and tourism links,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Germany is an influential member of the European Union, and we work together closely at the United Nations on global issues such as human rights, disarmament, security and climate change.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee says he’s had productive discussions with lobby group OzKiwi today about the concerns some New Zealanders living in Australia have.

“We discussed a range of issues affecting New Zealanders in Australia and reassured them that the National Government is interested in their concerns and take them seriously,” Mr Brownlee says.

“When I met with my Australian counterpart Julie Bishop in May, we agreed to consult more closely on domestic policies that affect our respective citizens.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee is encouraging all New Zealanders heading overseas to register with SafeTravel.

SafeTravel was launched in 2006 and is the official source of advice for New Zealanders living or travelling overseas.

“The site also allows travellers to register their contact details and travel plans so we can reach out to them in case of an emergency or to provide them with updated advice,” Mr Brownlee says. 

Contrary to an inaccurate Amnesty International press release and subsequent media reports, the New Zealand government has not been ordered to investigate the allegations made in the book Hit & Run, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

The Government has received a list of issues from the United Nations Committee Against Torture as part of a routine reporting process.

“We’re one of 161 parties to the Convention Against Torture to receive such a list and we have two years to respond to this seventh periodic report,” Mr Brownlee says.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee says it’s a shame the Green Party has chosen to play petty politics over today’s motion in Parliament to mark the 30th anniversary of New Zealand’s nuclear free legislation.

“The Green Party’s insistence that the motion include reference to ongoing United Nations negotiations for a Convention on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is unfortunate,” Mr Brownlee says.

“The Convention is a matter for another day but today was about marking an important anniversary for New Zealand.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee today named diplomat Chris Langley as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Brazil.

“Brazil is a global player on issues of importance to New Zealand, and we work closely together on a range of international issues including global trade, international security and climate change,” Mr Brownlee says.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has today welcomed the appointment of a New Zealander to an important role at the United Nations.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has confirmed the appointment of New Zealander Jan Beagle to the position of Under-Secretary-General for Management for a term of four years.

“This is a significant role with the United Nations given the new Secretary-General‘s reform priorities. It is one of a handful of very senior roles within the UN Secretariat,” Mr Brownlee says.

New Zealand will provide $750,000 to support landmine clearance in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced.

“New Zealand has a long history of involvement in Afghanistan, including support for renewable energy and agriculture projects, as well as the deployment of the New Zealand Defence Force to Bamyan,” Mr Brownlee says.

“The funding, announced today, will see about $750,000 given to the United Nations Mine Action Service.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has today handed over four amphibious boats to the Fiji National Disaster Management Office at a ceremony in Suva.

“New Zealand and Fiji have agreed to trial the Sealegs boats in emergency response situations and natural disasters,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Amphibious boats do not require infrastructure to launch, which means the emergency responders will be able to get the vessels in the water more quickly and operate more effectively in flooded urban environments.

Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed the announcement that United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit New Zealand next week.

Secretary Tillerson will meet with Prime Minister Bill English and Minister Brownlee in Wellington on June 6.

“New Zealand and the United States enjoy a long-standing friendship,” Mr Brownlee says.

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee will travel to Fiji today to meet with Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.

“I last visited Fiji in December 2014 as Defence Minister and am looking forward to discussing a range of matters with Prime Minister Bainimarama,” Mr Brownlee says.

“These will include regional issues, our Defence and disaster risk reduction ties, and New Zealand’s aid and development programme.

New Zealand will provide $200,000 to support emergency relief efforts in Sri Lanka following floods and landslides caused by torrential rains, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced. 

“Floods and landslides in Sri Lanka have affected almost half a million people, with a death toll of more than 150 and many people missing,” Mr Brownlee says.

“New Zealand is committed to supporting the people of Sri Lanka at this difficult time.