Go to:

Latest Releases

10 February, 2012

Discussion paper reviewing 111 system released

Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams today released a discussion paper reviewing the 111 emergency calling system.

Read full release >>

10 February, 2012

Taking action to raise quality in early childhood education

Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced the establishment of two working groups to improve quality early childhood education for young children.

Read full release >>

10 February, 2012

Orange zone decisions hit final stretch

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced the re-zoning of a further 255 residential orange zone properties, 42 to green, which means their owners can begin the process of repairing or rebuilding, and 213 to red, which means the properties will be subject to Government offers of purchase.

Read full release >>

10 February, 2012

PM pays tribute to Lloyd Morrison

Prime Minister John Key has paid tribute to businessman Lloyd Morrison, who died this morning in Seattle.

Read full release >>

10 February, 2012

Opportunities for young Aucklanders applauded

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett welcomes a joint initiative to provide work experience opportunities for young people in Auckland.

Read full release >>

9 February, 2012

Consumer Law Reform Bill passes first reading

Consumer Affairs Minister Chris Tremain is pleased that the Consumer Law Reform Bill passed its first reading today.

Read full release >>

9 February, 2012

Report into CTV building collapse released

The release today of the technical report into the collapse of the CTV building in Christchurch will be a tough day for the friends and families of those who lost their lives in the building, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson said today.

Read full release >>

9 February, 2012

2012 proposed block offer released

Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley has welcomed the latest “block offer” process for awarding oil and gas exploration permits in selected areas, released today by the Ministry of Economic Development. The 2012 proposed block offer covers 25 areas.

Read full release >>

9 February, 2012

Racing Safety Fund open for applications

The Minister for Racing Nathan Guy has announced that applications for the next round of the Racing Safety Development Fund are now open.

Read full release >>

9 February, 2012

Steady progress in job numbers

The fall in unemployment from 6.6 per cent to 6.3 per cent in the December 2011 quarter is further evidence the economy is heading in the right direction, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says.

Read full release >>

9 February, 2012

Healthline clocks up 2.5 million calls

Health Minister Tony Ryall has joined the Healthline team celebrating the 2.5 millionth call to the free 24-hour health advice phone line.

Read full release >>

9 February, 2012

Learning results in raft of changes to better protect children

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says a Ministerial Inquiry into a case of serious abuse of a nine year old, has led to major changes.

Read full release >>

9 February, 2012

Decision on aerially assisted trophy hunting applications

Sixteen aerially assisted trophy hunting (AATH) concessions are to be granted by Associate Conservation Minister Peter Dunne under the Wild Animal Control Act.

Read full release >>

8 February, 2012

Privacy (Information Sharing) Bill passes first reading

Justice Minister Judith Collins has welcomed the first reading of a bill to improve information sharing between public service agencies.

Read full release >>

8 February, 2012

Assaults on Police, Corrections officers to be aggravating factor at sentencing

A bill which makes offending against Police and Corrections officers an aggravating factor at sentencing passed its second reading in Parliament today.

Read full release >>

8 February, 2012

Minimum wage increased to $13.50

The Government will increase the minimum wage from $13 to $13.50 an hour, Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson announced today.

Read full release >>

8 February, 2012

Minister welcomes Year of the Dragon

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins will join members of the Chinese community to mark the most important festival on the Chinese calendar this evening.

Read full release >>

7 February, 2012

Bill supporting identity verification service passes first reading

Internal Affairs Minister Amy Adams has welcomed the first reading of a bill that will make it easier for people to verify their identities to government agencies.

Read full release >>

7 February, 2012

Royal Commission into Canterbury building failures new reporting dates announced

The Governor-General has amended the reporting dates for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure caused by Canterbury Earthquakes, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Read full release >>

7 February, 2012

Pike River Royal Commission reporting date extended

On Cabinet’s advice, the Governor-General has extended the reporting date for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Pike River mine tragedy to 28 September 2012, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Read full release >>

7 February, 2012

Freephone number to empower consumers

Consumer Affairs Minister Chris Tremain says a new freephone number will help empower and protect consumers from being preyed on by unscrupulous loan companies.

Read full release >>

7 February, 2012

McCully condemns escalating violence in Syria

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has condemned the escalating violence in Syria and described the killing of 50 citizens in Homs by regime forces yesterday as “reprehensible.”

Read full release >>

6 February, 2012

PM marks beginning of Diamond Jubilee year

At Waitangi today to commemorate the 172nd anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Prime Minister John Key paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, whose Diamond Jubilee year also commences today.

Read full release >>

4 February, 2012

Unknown NZ Soldier Laid to Rest

A ceremony to rebury the remains of a New Zealand soldier was held at Messines Ridge British Cemetery near Ieper, Belgium on Friday 3 February.

Read full release >>

3 February, 2012

2012 Winston Churchill Fellows announced

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced the recipients of the 2012 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships.

Read full release >>

3 February, 2012

Benefit figures steady in January

The number of people on benefits in New Zealand remained relatively steady over the last month says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Read full release >>

3 February, 2012

Pay your fines or pay a further price, says Minister for Courts

A new advertising campaign that hits television screens on Sunday highlights new consequences for people that refuse to pay fines and reparation, Courts Minister Chester Borrows says.

Read full release >>

3 February, 2012

PM launches strategy to open doors to China

Prime Minister John Key today confirmed New Zealand was on track to doubling its two-way trade with China to $20 billion by 2015 at the launch of the NZ Inc China Strategy at the Cloud in Auckland.

Read full release >>

3 February, 2012

New $1.6 million police station for Rolleston

Police Minister Anne Tolley has turned the sod for a new police station at Rolleston, near Christchurch.

Read full release >>

3 February, 2012

Drive safe this Waitangi weekend

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee is calling for people to take care and drive safely this long weekend.

Read full release >>