A Community Conservation Partnership Fund to support the work of voluntary organisations undertaking natural heritage and recreation projects was launched today by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith at the opening of the new Hoddy Estuary Park in Nelson.
“Thousands of New Zealanders contribute to conservation by building tracks, controlling pests, planting trees, and restoring native wildlife. [...]

ACC Minister Judith Collins says substantial levy cuts for employers and workers take effect tomorrow as a result of the Scheme’s excellent performance over the last few years.
“Tomorrow marks the fortieth birthday of the Accident Compensation scheme and it’s great that New Zealanders will be celebrating by keeping more money in their pockets,” Ms Collins [...]

The Government’s major investments in Tourism New Zealand and the screen industry are paying big dividends according to Associate Tourism Minister Todd McClay.
Results of NZIER research, released today by Tourism New Zealand, show that tourism marketing efforts are having a major impact on the number of visitor arrivals in New Zealand.
Arrivals were up by 7.3 [...]

Youth Affairs Minister Nikki Kaye has today announced one-off funding of $20,000 for 30 Flaxmere College students to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award programme.
“There have been difficulties for young people in Flaxmere and I want to ensure that more young people have opportunities to develop their leadership abilities and contribute to [...]

Five community housing providers are to receive $14 million from the Government and the Canterbury Community Trust (TCCT) to build 75 units in Christchurch, Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and TCCT trustee Sue McKenzie announced today.
“Housing is one of the most difficult challenges Canterbury faces in the wake of the earthquakes, with the loss of [...]

The 34th America’s Cup Regatta in San Francisco delivered a range of direct and indirect benefits for the New Zealand economy, according to two evaluation reports released today.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today released both an independent evaluation of the Government’s investment in Emirates Team New Zealand and an evaluation of New Zealand Trade and [...]

Customs Minister Maurice Williamson today announced $26 million of methamphetamine or ‘P’ was stopped from reaching New Zealand’s streets following a series of targeted operations in late 2013.
From August to November, Customs intercepted 11.5kg of methamphetamine and about 117kg of precursors that included 91.5kg of Contac NT, and just over 17.5kg of iodine, pseudoephedrine and [...]

Gambling is an industry which seems to be on the rise in virtually every country around the world just now, and New Zealand is no exception to that rule. Much of this rise has been fuelled by the popularity of online casino, which has enabled people who might have been wary of going to a [...]

New Zealand and the European Union (EU) have agreed to take steps to deepen their relationship including through a possible Free Trade Agreement following a meeting in The Hague.
Prime Minister John Key met with President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso and President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy during the Nuclear Security Summit.
“The EU [...]

The first monitoring report of the Auckland Housing Accord was released by Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith and Auckland Mayor Len Brown following their meeting in Auckland today, with both the Minister and the Mayor welcoming the progress being achieved.
“Housing supply and affordability remains one of the biggest challenges for Auckland and the wider New [...]