ACC levy reductions worth more than half a billion dollars a year to workers and businesses have been signed into law by Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae.
As announced last year, ACC’s $3.5 billion surplus in 2010/11 and continuing improvements in rehabilitation rates have enabled the reduction in levies that will save households $340 million a year [...]

More rural homes can say goodbye to dial-up internet following today’s launch of the first of 154 new broadband wireless towers, says Minister for Communications and Information Technology Amy Adams.
Ms Adams was on site at Eureka, near Hamilton, to see the tower launched as part of the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI).
“The new tower in [...]

Lower Government spending has offset lower than expected tax revenue, helping keep the Government’s finances on track in the six months to 31 December 2011, Finance Minister Bill English says.
The Crown accounts show tax revenue was $400 million below forecast and revenue $743 million lower overall. However this was offset by lower core Crown expenses [...]

Education Minister, Hekia Parata, today welcomed a new report showing New Zealand students are continuing to perform well compared with their overseas counterparts.
The OECD programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report assessed whether a country’s wealth had a bearing on attainment at school.
New Zealand was singled out as a top performer achieving better-than-average results despite [...]

Environment Minister Nick Smith today called for nominations for the 2012 Green Ribbon Awards which recognise the achievements of New Zealanders who are dedicated to protecting and improving our environment.
“The nominations should show how the work of an individual or organisation has contributed measurable environmental benefits, is innovative, goes the extra distance and has raised [...]

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says new air services arrangements with Japan build on the already strong relationship between the two countries.
“The arrangements New Zealand and Japan have negotiated will remove many of the current restrictions on services by the airlines of the two countries,” says Mr Brownlee.
“New Zealand has close ties with Japan, and it [...]

The Budget Policy Statement issued today confirms the Government’s clear economic plan for the next three years – including a return to budget surplus and starting to reduce net debt, Finance Minister Bill English says.
“The Government has a comprehensive policy agenda, which will guide Budget priorities over the parliamentary term,” he says.
The main priorities are:
• [...]

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to the Cook Islands today to meet with the Prime Minister and Cabinet members, and to conduct discussions regarding the Pacific Forum Leaders’ meeting to be held in Rarotonga in August of this year.
“New Zealand and the Cook Islands have a special and long standing relationship,” Mr McCully said.
“My [...]

Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson and Associate Finance Minister Jonathan Coleman said today’s High Court judgment on the judicial review of Shanghai Pengxin’s bid to acquire the 16 Crafar farms provides a new judicial interpretation of complex legislation.
The High Court considered the case on two grounds. These were:
1. Under section 16 (1) (a) of the [...]

Transport legislation to modernise and simplify the road user charges (RUC) system has passed in Parliament.
Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee said the Road User Charges Bill 2010 will reduce compliance costs for transport operators and ultimately reduce transport costs for businesses and exporters.
“This Bill represents the most significant reform of the RUC system since it was [...]