Rt Hon John Key
Prime Minister
29 January 2013 Media Statement

PM Congratulates Sir Anand Satyanand On New Role

Prime Minister John Key today congratulated Sir Anand Satyanand on his appointment as Commonwealth Foundation Chair.

Sir Anand’s two-year appointment was announced today in London by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma.

“As a former Governor-General with an impressive record of public service, Sir Anand is well qualified for this role,” says Mr Key. “Sir Anand will be the first New Zealander to hold the position.

“He has had a long association with the Commonwealth, through delivering training for Ombudsmen, membership of the Commonwealth Trust, and contributions to the Commonwealth Law Bulletin.

“New Zealand is an active member of the Commonwealth and a strong supporter of its values. Like other Commonwealth countries, we share a commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

“As a development organisation, the foundation works to improve the lives of people across the Commonwealth.”

The foundation is one of the Commonwealth’s three intergovernmental agencies, alongside the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth of Learning.

ENDS

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Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>