Trade Minister Todd McClay today released a new TPP factsheet outlining how TPP specifically recognises the Treaty of Waitangi, as well as other areas of significance for Māori including opportunities for Māori exporters.
“There is a lot of misinformation out there about TPP,” Mr McClay says.
“Nothing in TPP will prevent the Crown from meeting its obligations [...]

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee has welcomed news that Iraqi troops who were trained by the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) Building Partner Capacity mission in Taji were part of the force that has retaken the city of Ramadi from Daesh (ISIL).
“The success of these troops results from their commitment to the training programme they have [...]

Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has congratulated the Pacific recipients of appointments and awards in the New Year 2016 Honours.
Among those who have been recognised are former All Blacks Keven Mealamu and Ma’a Nonu, both made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
“These men are positive role models for young Pacific people and [...]

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Education Minister Hekia Parata have congratulated the twelve New Zealanders who are recipients of New Year’s Honours for their services to education.
“I’d like to congratulate the 2016 recipients for the valuable contribution they’ve made to education in New Zealand and internationally,” Mr Joyce says. “It’s great [...]

Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee says formalising the East and North Frame development agreement between the Crown and Fletcher Residential enables the large residential build to get underway in central Christchurch.
The agreement means Fletcher Residential’s work programme will begin by October next year with the first area of new homes being built on [...]

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss is urging Kiwis to stay safe on the water this festive season.
“Heading to the beach, river or lake is all part of a Kiwi summer and great fun for the whole family, but it’s important to remember that keeping yourself and your loved ones safe requires a little preparation,” Mr [...]

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the National Maternity Monitoring Group (NMMG) 2015 Annual Report shows the quality of maternity services in New Zealand is continuing to improve.
“It’s important that new mothers and babies receive high quality care across New Zealand,” says Dr Coleman.
“The NMMG Annual Report shows there’s a growing momentum within the maternity professions [...]

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the opening of the Margaret Mahy Family Playground today provides a central location for a summer of family fun in Canterbury.
“The playground has been under construction since April and is now ready for children of all ages,” Mr Brownlee says.
“There are plenty of activities for children and space [...]

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy will depart for Argentina tomorrow to attend the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) conference.
“This will be a valuable opportunity to meet with my counterparts from Latin America, the US, Canada and the Caribbean, to discuss some of the issues and opportunities facing the agricultural sector across the world.
“Some [...]

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has signed a Strategic Plan on Promoting Agricultural Cooperation between New Zealand and China today.
The plan was signed with his counterpart, the Chinese Minister of Agriculture Mr Hang Changfu.
“This is an important agreement which will encourage cooperation and the sharing of knowledge to benefit both countries,” says Mr Guy.
The [...]