Government Press Releases

BusinessNZ praises Budget 2011 for focusing on skills for rebuilding Christchurch following the February earthquake. Funding for trades training will include more construction-related places being available at training institutions.

Budget 2011 will provide up to $42 million for trades training for the Canterbury region, Tertiary education Minister Steven Joyce says. Funding is being set aside for up to 1500 additional training places as part of a comprehensive cross-agency response to meet additional demand for labour for the reconstruction programme called “Skills for Canterbury”.

John Key announces when the Te Tai Tokerau by-election will take place.

Steven Joyce, Tertiary Education Minister announces that the 2011 Budget will allow for up to $42 million to cover trades training in Canterbury.

Prime Minister John Key states that Labour has resorted to gutter politics again by falsely asserting corrupt dealings to divert from having no answer to the big issues facing New Zealand.

John Key has stated that Budget 2011 will include changes to KiwiSaver, Working for Families, and student loans to ensure they remain affordable in the future. Budget 2011 will ensure growth is built on the foundation of savings, exports and productive investment.

Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia announces that the Government will invest $4million in a social change campaign called “Be. Accessible” which is aiming to change attitudes and behaviours around accessibility.

Georgina te Heuheu, Pacific Island Affairs Minister announces that more than 200 Pacific scholarships are being awards this year at the Pacific Health Workforce Awards in Auckland.

The Government is investing over $55 million to get more young people employed, into training schemes, and onto volunteer programmes. The initiatives are focused on providing skills and training for young people so they have the opportunity of developing a good career.

The sixth booklet in a Ministry of Health series about the health targets has been released, focused on work happening in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes management.

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the announcement of a telethon to support the Government’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, the official, global fundraiser for the recovery effort for Christchurch and the Canterbury region.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce is calling for road users to stay safe on the roads this Easter weekend.

The Department of Building and Housing (DBH) has announced the six kiwi-based companies chosen as providers of temporary accommodation in Christchurch.

Rugby World Cup Minister, Murray McCully, has welcomed progress on the development of Queens Wharf for the Rugby World Cup 2011, and confirmed the range of activities that will take place on the wharf during the tournament.

MAF has been closely monitoring the emergency situation in Japan following the destructive 11 March earthquake to ensure food imports from Japan to New Zealand are safe and suitable.

BusinessNZ welcomes vocational pathways. The Education Minister has announced new vocational pathways for the Youth Guarantee Scheme. The Youth Guarantee Scheme allows 16 and 17 year to study towards their NCEA in both schools and tertiary organisations.

Confirmation that the Otago Stadium will be the venue for Dunedin’s Rugby World Cup 2011 games means planning for the Tournament can now be finalised by the Dunedin City Council and all other agencies and stakeholders involved in the event.

Justice Minister Simon Power has introduced the Juries Amendment Bill, which includes a provision to remove the addresses of potential jurors from jury panel lists. The bill also addresses other concerns regarding who can serve on juries.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce is welcoming the roll out of integrated ticketing in Auckland with the new HOP smartcard launched in this city this afternoon. HOP will enable Auckland public transport users to access all public transport services with just one smartcard.

Access to businesses in the cordoned red zone of Christchurch city is being addressed by the National Controller, Civil Defence Minister John Carter said today.