Site Updates - beehive.govt.nz - 28 Nov 2012
• Government welcomes report on fracking
• McCully appoints High Commissioner to Tonga
• High Commissioner to Samoa appointed
• Family Court reform set to begin
• Minister welcomes Judicature Act review
• Changes to CMA Bill reflect Pike River
report
• Speech notes to NetSafe NZ Conference
2012
• Health and safety a priority in oil and gas
production
• Minister welcomes opening of Tongariro
tracks
• Govt measures continue to put pressure on P
trade
• Creating a one-stop shop for Kiwi businesses
• Great progress on new national health
targets
New era begins for National Library
•
Government welcomes report on fracking
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 05:13 PM PST
Phil Heatley | Energy and Resources
Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley and Environment Minister Amy Adams have welcomed the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s interim report on her investigation into hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The interim report finds that the environmental risks associated with fracking can be effectively managed, providing that the best operational practices are implemented and enforced through regulation. ...
McCully appoints High Commissioner to Tonga
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 04:33 PM PST
Murray McCully | Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced the appointment of career diplomat Mark Talbot as High Commissioner to Tonga. “Tonga is New Zealand’s closest independent neighbour and we work closely on a number of key matters, especially in relation to the Pacific Islands Forum,” Mr McCully says. “Mr Talbot’s trade negotiations skills and experience supporting two successful Pacific Islands Forums will prove invaluable.” ...
High Commissioner to Samoa appointed
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 04:32 PM PST
Murray McCully | Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today named New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Samoa as career diplomat Jackie Frizelle. “New Zealand and Samoa have a strong and unique relationship – one that was cemented 50 years ago with the Treaty of Friendship,” Mr McCully says. “Ms Frizelle has extensive experience in the Pacific and will bring an impressive mix of strategic and practical skills to her new role.” ...
Family Court reform set to begin
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 03:50 PM PST
Judith Collins | Justice
Justice Minister Judith Collins has today introduced legislation to Parliament to modernise the family justice system and make it more accessible to those who need it most. Ms Collins says the Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill is the first important step to creating a modern and accessible family justice system that is more focused on the needs of children and vulnerable people. “It is important to concentrate on putting the needs of children first, and our reforms will support parents to resolve their simple parenting and relationship issues outside court. ...
Minister welcomes Judicature Act review
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 03:34 PM PST
Judith Collins | Justice
Justice Minister Judith Collins today tabled in Parliament the Law Commission’s report Review of the Judicature Act 1908: Towards a New Courts Act. The Judicature Act forms part of New Zealand’s constitution and is one of the oldest pieces of legislation on our statute books. It provides much of the legislative foundation for the higher courts of New Zealand, including the Court of Appeal. “We are focussed on creating a modern, accessible and people-centred justice system. ...
Changes to CMA Bill reflect Pike River report
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 03:32 PM PST
Phil Heatley | Energy and Resources
Cabinet has approved further changes to the Crown Minerals (Permitting and Crown Land) Bill currently before the Commerce Committee, Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley says. A Supplementary Order Paper recommends changes to current legislation to strengthen the Bill in light of the report of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy. The Royal Commission’s report endorses the proposals being progressed through the current review of the Crown Minerals Regime and reflected in the Bill being considered by the Commerce Committee. ...
Speech notes to NetSafe NZ Conference 2012
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 03:29 PM PST
Judith Collins | Justice
Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today – it’s great to here. I’d like to start by acknowledging NetSafe NZ and the terrific work it does to promote confident, safe and responsible use of online technologies. I’m sure you’ll agree that the way we use and interact online has changed markedly over the past 20, 10…even 5 years. ...
Health and safety a priority in oil and gas production
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 03:26 PM PST
Christopher Finlayson | Labour
New regulations will ensure that health and safety is a priority in the growing petroleum exploration and extraction industry, Acting Minister of Labour Christopher Finlayson announced today. New regulations are being introduced to strengthen management of oil wells over the whole life of the well, including managing hazards that could cause a major accident, and minimising the likelihood of an uncontrolled release of oil and gas. Operators will also be required to prepare and submit safety cases to the regulator for assessment before commencing any new operations. ...
Minister welcomes opening of Tongariro tracks
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 02:27 PM PST
Kate Wilkinson | Conservation
Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson has welcomed plans to re-open the Tongariro Northern Circuit and part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing on Thursday. The tracks to Emerald Lakes and Oturere Valley will also be opened on Thursday morning. “Department of Conservation staff have worked hard since last week’s eruption at Mt Tongariro’s Te Maari crater to see what tracks can be opened and when,” Ms Wilkinson says. ...
Govt measures continue to put pressure on P trade
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 02:20 PM PST
John Key | Prime Minister
Government agencies’ sustained crackdown on methamphetamine (‘P’) is continuing to stifle the spread of the drug among New Zealanders, Prime Minister John Key says. “When I launched the Government’s plan to tackle P in 2009, this country had one of the highest proportion of P users in the world. At the time, I said this Government would confront the P problem using the full force of our arsenal. ...
Creating a one-stop shop for Kiwi businesses
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 01:24 PM PST
Steven Joyce | Economic Development
Fledgling New Zealand businesses will be able to secure their company name, domain name and trade mark from one search with a new product launched today by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. ONECheck is an online search tool that delivers more efficient, user-friendly government online services to New Zealand businesses. Until now, people have had to search three different websites to check the availability of their new business name. ...
Great progress on new national health targets
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 12:46 PM PST
Tony Ryall | Health
The latest national health target results, released today, show district health boards (DHBs) have made great progress on the new increased immunisation and shorter waits for cancer treatment targets. “This is the first time chemotherapy wait times have been included in the cancer target,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall. “All DHBs have achieved the new target with every patient receiving their radiotherapy and chemotherapy cancer treatment within the four week international gold standard. ...
New era begins for National Library
Posted: 26 Nov 2012 12:43 PM PST
Chris Tremain | Internal Affairs
The reopening of the National Library heralds a new era in connecting New Zealanders with the documentary heritage of their country, says Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain. The National Library building on Molesworth Street was officially reopened by Prime Minister John Key early this morning. “The National Library has undergone an amazing transformation. It’s a state of the art space which embraces technology – it’s an exciting and vibrant place to spend time in,” says Mr Tremain. ...
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