Site Updates - beehive.govt.nz

• Thousands of campers flock to DOC campsites
• December quarter benefit numbers released
• Healthline helping more Kiwis sooner
• Minister extends her condolences to school community
• Minister extends condolences to families
• Groser welcomes new OECD-WTO report on international trade
Thousands of campers flock to DOC campsites

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 04:38 PM PST

Kate Wilkinson | Conservation

Thousands of New Zealanders have taken time out to camp and relax in Department of Conservation campsites around the country this summer, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says. DOC manages more than 300 campsites from Kapuwairua (Spirits Bay) in Northland to Rakiura/Stewart Island. The most popular campgrounds in the North Island are Maitai Bay (Northland) and Waikawau Bay (Coromandel) with 30,000 visitors (bed-nights) for the 2010/2011 season. In the South Island Totaranui is the most-used with 29,000 users for that period. ...

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December quarter benefit numbers released

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 03:01 PM PST

Paula Bennett | Social Development

The number of people on benefits in New Zealand is the lowest it’s been at the end of a December quarter since 2008. Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the number of people on benefits decreased by nearly 12,000 in the last twelve months. “But with 339,095 people on benefit in New Zealand, there is much more work to do.” “We are very much in a transitional phase with the first stage of Welfare Reform currently being implemented and the second stage yet to begin,” says Mrs Bennett. ...

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Healthline helping more Kiwis sooner

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 02:58 PM PST

Tony Ryall | Health

More New Zealanders are using the free 24-hour health advice phone line, with nearly 400,000 Healthline calls answered last year – 40 per cent more calls than four years ago. “The increased number of calls shows what a valuable service Healthline provides to New Zealanders,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall. “When someone is sick or hurt, especially our children, people often worry and need reassurance they are doing the right thing. ...

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Minister extends her condolences to school community

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 02:22 PM PST

Hekia Parata | Education

Education Minister, Hekia Parata, has extended her condolences to Chair Greg Hollister-Jones and Principal Eoin Crosbie of Bethlehem College over the deaths of participants in their mission partnership programme in Kenya. Brian and Grace Johnston and Caitlin Dickson died in a minivan accident while travelling to the small village of Mahanga. “I have conveyed my condolences to Greg and Eoin this morning, extending to the school community and families during this time,” says Ms Parata. ...

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Minister extends condolences to families

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 12:43 PM PST

Tony Ryall | Health

Bay of Plenty MP and Health Minister Tony Ryall has expressed his sympathy to the family of Brian and Grace Johnston who were killed in a bus accident in Kenya this week. “Grace and Brian were active and well liked members of the Bay of Plenty community and they will be sorely missed. “I pay tribute to Brian Johnston’s long and dedicated service to Bay of Plenty health services - yesterday would have been his 26th anniversary at Bay of Plenty District Health Board. ...

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Groser welcomes new OECD-WTO report on international trade

Posted: 16 Jan 2013 12:15 PM PST

Tim Groser | Trade

Trade Minister Tim Groser has welcomed the OECD-WTO’s estimates of “Trade in Value-Added” at the launch of the new database in Paris. “This new data estimates trade in value-added terms, which helps convey the interdependencies of global value chains and reveal who ultimately benefits from trade,” Mr Groser says. “Engaging internationally is crucial to all countries’ future prosperity. New Zealand is especially well connected to global value chains in the agriculture and food sectors.” ...

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ENDS

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Arguably Reassuring: Inspector-General Finds GCSB "Arguably" Legal

Of the 88 individuals:

• 15 cases involving 22 individuals did not have any information intercepted by GCSB.

• another four cases involving five individuals were the subjects of a New Zealand Security Intelligence Service warrant and the GCSB assisted in the execution of the warrants. The Inspector-General is of the view that there were arguably no breaches and the law is unclear.

• the Bureau only provided technical assistance which did not involve interception of communications, involving three of the individuals, so no breach occurred.

• the remaining cases involved the collection of metadata, and the Inspector-General formed the view that there had arguably been no breach, noting once again that the law is unclear.
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