“There is a lot of misinformation out there about TPP,” Mr McClay says.

“Nothing in TPP will prevent the Crown from meeting its obligations to Māori.

“As with all of New Zealand’s free trade agreements since 2001, TPP includes a specific provision preserving the pre-eminence of the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand.

“The value of the Māori asset base is now over NZ$40 billion, with significant ownership in key export sectors such as red meat, dairy, kiwifruit, forestry, and seafood.

“Maori therefore stand to benefit from the tariff savings under TPP on current exports across these sectors, which are estimated to be more than $200 million a year once the tariff commitments are fully phased in.

“New Zealand’s approach in its free trade agreements reflects the constitutional significance of the Treaty of Waitangi to New Zealand.

“The Treaty of Waitangi exception is in addition to the fact that the obligations in TPP have been designed so as not to impair the ability of governments to make legitimate public policy, including in health, education, and protecting the environment.

“Being part of TPP – which covers 36 per cent of global GDP, and takes 40 per cent of our exports – is strongly in New Zealand’s national interest.”

“The success of these troops results from their commitment to the training programme they have been involved in. New Zealand and Australian trainers can take some pride over the successful action by the recruits,” Mr Brownlee says.

“NZDF trainers have gone into a dangerous environment and professionally established a training operation which is upskilling large numbers of Iraqi troops to better equip themselves to fight.

“New Zealanders can be very proud of the work our troops are doing to professionalise the Iraqi security forces.”

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 for our wider community,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“It is not just their on-field exploits that we have admired over the years but their compassion for others and the time they are willing to put in, despite heavy commitments, to promote good causes and charity work.”

All Blacks assistant manager and mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to rugby and sport psychology.

“The Cook Islands community, in New Zealand and in the Pacific, will be proud of his achievements,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

Emeline Afeaki-Mafile’o was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and Lani Tupu and Hola Taue were awarded Queen’s Service Medals for their services to the Pacific community.

All three have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Pacific people and others in their communities.

“We applaud these members of our community for the positive effect they have and the work that will benefit future generations,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“Pacific people have much to contribute to New Zealand society and beyond, and this year’s honours recipients have helped bring our unique cultures into focus through their work.”

“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 to see some of the best being honoured for their services.”

“The tireless work of these honourees across early childhood education through to senior secondary and tertiary has helped ensure that New Zealand has a world-class education system. It’s wonderful that they’ve been publicly recognised,” Ms Parata says.

“These twelve people are fine examples of the passionate and dedicated people working in education to make a real and positive difference for young New Zealanders,” says Mr Joyce.

This year’s recipients for services to education are:

CNZM

Professor Max Wenden Abbott, for services to health, science and education
Penelope Elsie Simmonds, for services to education, sport and the community
ONZM

Professor Mere Anne Berryman, for services to Māori and education
Emeritus Professor Alan Russell Bishop, for services to Māori and education
Professor Helen May, for services to education
MNZM

Janet Elspeth Adams, for services to education
Norman Donald Campbell, for services to tertiary education
Larry Raynor Ching, for services to education
Graeme Herbert Daniel, for services to special education
Carolyn Gay Solomon, for services to education
John Stuart Taylor, for services to education

The agreement means Fletcher Residential’s work programme will begin by October next year with the first area of new homes being built on the corner of Latimer Square and Hereford Street, comprising an area of almost 3000 sq metres.

The residential development will be progressively built in 14 ‘superlot’ blocks, with the final area to be fully completed mid-2024.

“These developments signal the beginning of the new emphasis on populating our central city. We want a vibrant and busy CBD with at least 20,000 people living between the four avenues, and this is the Crown’s key contribution to that goal,” Mr Brownlee says.

“I’ve been very impressed with the level of private residential development that has already sprung up in reaction to the layout of the Blueprint. It supports our original new vision for a central city full of people who can live, work and enjoy hospitality and retail all within a stone’s throw in this exciting new environment.”

Steve Evans, Chief Operating Officer Housing, says Fletcher Building is delighted to have finalised the agreement with the Crown regarding the development.

“Our plan builds on our vision of creating communities, and in this instance bringing people back to live in the heart of Christchurch.”

“Now the agreement has been finalised and signed we will continue our detailed design work and hope to begin works on site in mid-2016. We will also be engaging with the wider Christchurch community in the coming months to both present the work done to date, and to allow public feedback to be provided.”

Stage One of the developments will involve four superlots; the corner of Latimer Sq and Hereford Street, the corner of Madras and Lichfield Streets, the area along Manchester Street between Hereford and Worchester Streets, and the former Orion building on Armagh Street, which will be developed into a retail and hospitality complex by February 2020.

“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 Foss says.

Skippers, every time you take a boat out:

Check you have the correct number of properly fitting lifejackets
Check the weather forecast
Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back
Avoid alcohol before and while on the water
Carry two forms of communication
“So far this year, 23 people have died in recreational boating accidents, including eight in kayaks or canoes,” Mr Foss says.

“Kiwis love kayaks and canoes — we have more than 300,000 of them — but they’re not just toys. I urge all parents, families and paddlers to take sensible precautions, just as you would with other boats.

“That includes wearing a lifejacket. Inexpensive lifejackets, designed specifically for use in kayaks and canoes, allow easy movement for paddling and still provide good flotation.

“Remember, if in doubt, don’t go out.”

For more information about recreational boating go to www.maritimenz.govt.nz

“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 to further develop quality improvement initiatives.

“The number of pregnant women enrolling with a lead maternity carer in their first trimester is continuing to increase, meaning more women are receiving appropriate maternity services from the beginning.

“Access to ultrasounds has also improved with more women now getting scans at the critical points of their baby’s development.”

The report also outlines the NMMG’s key focus areas for 2016, including:

Improving access to maternity services for rural women;
Continuing to develop clinical guidelines so women and their babies receive consistent care no matter where they live;
And improving pathways to mental health and alcohol and drug addiction services during pregnancy.
These improvements are being supported by the extra $103 million over four years invested in Budget 2012 to further develop maternity services.

The NMMG was established in 2012 by the Ministry of Health to oversee the maternity system and implementation of the 2011 Maternity Standards. The standards aim to provide safe, high quality services for all mothers and their babies through the journey from pregnancy and birth to postnatal care.

“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 for their parents to enjoy.

The playground features a four metre wide slide, double flying fox and a huge spider climbing net. Over the course of the next few months more components will be added to the playground and its constant evolution will enable the excitement to continue.

“The point of a playground in the heart of the city is to provide a fantastic destination for families to come and enjoy,” Mr Brownlee says.

“With the East and North Frame residential development soon to begin next door, the Margaret Mahy Family Playground will be an extremely popular place for inner-city dwelling families.

“The idea to develop this area came out of the original ‘Share an Idea’ campaign, which the Christchurch City Council ran soon after the quakes.

“When we took on the task of rebuilding the city we agreed that a place to play and relax in the centre of the city would be of huge value to families.

“Today we can say we have achieved that goal and I’d like to thank the people of Christchurch whose ideas and suggestions led us here.

“Our new city will be modern and busy, and this central city playground will be a unique aspect of it,” Mr Brownlee says.

“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 of the issues covered will include the work of the Global Research Alliance of which New Zealand is a major supporter, and the importance of water storage and management.”

Mr Guy will also visit Uruguay and Paraguay to meet with officials and his Ministerial counterparts.

“Latin America is one of the world’s fastest growing regions and New Zealand is serious about building relationships here. This visit will build on the highly successful trade mission led by the Prime Minister to this region earlier this year, which I was a part of.

“Agriculture is very important to all three of the countries I will be visiting, and we can all benefit from greater cooperation. New Zealand is recognised as an agribusiness leader and there is a real desire from other countries to learn from our experiences.”

As part of the trip Mr Guy will meet with New Zealand companies based in Uruguay and Argentina, and address the Institute for Meat Promotion of Argentina.

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 Plan sets out areas in which both countries can learn from each other, such as animal welfare and science, increasing productivity, and building skills and knowledge.

“This document will further build on the strong relationship that our two countries share, particularly in the agricultural sector.

“Since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement in 2008 our exports to China have nearly tripled, from $2 billion a year to $6.9 billion in 2012.

“Two-way trade between China and New Zealand has reached almost $15 billion. Our aim is to double bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2015 and we’re on track to achieve that goal.

“The Strategic Plan will open wider the channels for cooperation, including between our industry organisations and companies.

“There are already a number of business ventures between China and New Zealand in the primary sectors, with Fonterra looking to expand its milking operations in China.

“China is also keen to learn from New Zealand given our strong reputation for food safety and quality food products,” says Mr Guy.

This is believed to be the first visit to New Zealand by a Chinese Minister of Agriculture for over 30 years, and will be reciprocated later this year with a visit to China by Mr Guy.

Minister Han Changfu’s visit to New Zealand follows the successful visit by Prime Minister John Key to China earlier this month.

The agreement runs from 2013 – 2017 and can be updated at any time.