John talks about the growth agenda driving the National-led government, with particular focus on a new announcement about broadband in rural communities, and the mining debate, which he says can be resolved in a way that enhances economic growth without risking the environment. He then talks about the cyclone in Fiji and the Solomons and New Zealand's part in the recovery there before moving on to the science awards he recently made and the important place of science in the economy. He also talks about the decision to award $300,000 to support the All Whites (and what's really involved in that grant). 

The Government is giving the All Whites' FIFA World Cup finals campaign a $300,000 boost, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

The cash injection will help New Zealand Football capitalise on the All Whites' second-ever trip to the finals, and assist in the promotion of football domestically.

"The FIFA World Cup finals are a massive event," says Mr Key.

"The All Whites' campaign provides a tremendous opportunity to ramp up interest and enthusiasm for football here, while also promoting New Zealand on a huge world stage.

"The Government's funding will also help New Zealand Football identify talented 17- and 18-year-olds and train them in coaching and leadership skills. They will then help run a series of football festival days through clubs and schools to promote football to young Kiwis."

Mr Key says New Zealand Football will be able to use some of the funding to hire a temporary media manager to help the team cope with the massive worldwide media interest in the FIFA World Cup.

"In addition, New Zealand Football's website will be revamped to become the All Whites' homepage, ensuring all New Zealanders will be able to receive the latest news on the team's South African campaign," says Mr Key.

This week I talk about a number of the things we're doing to boost science and innovation in New Zealand, improvements to tertiary education, and the 200th new police officer for Auckland.

 

OPENING CLEARVIEW SCHOOL

The Prime Minister and Amy Adams MP with schoolchildren and staff at Clearview Primary School in Rolleston, near Christchurch, for the school's official opening yesterday. See more photos of the PM on his Facebook page

BOOSTING SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

Science and innovation are important. They're one of the keys to growing our economy, raising wages, and providing the world-class public services that Kiwi families need. I'm determined to make New Zealand science more effective.

Lifting the profile of science

On Tuesday - at the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium in Auckland - I met some of our most brilliant scientists. I was there to announce the first Prime Minister's Science Prizes, a $1 million annual prize pool we introduced in last year's Budget. Our scientists are doing some great research and these prizes will help raise the profile of their work.

The top award, the Prime Minister's Science Prize, went to a research team from Industrial Research Limited for its world-leading work on high temperature superconductors. Other prizes went to the country's top science teacher, a young scientist embarking on scientific study, an emerging scientist at PhD level, and a science communicator. Click here to learn more.

Encouraging innovation in food

New Zealand's export base relies on our food and beverage industries. We want to encourage them to create more value from their products and boost our economy. That's why, yesterday, Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee announced that we are investing $21 million to set up a network of open-access food development facilities around the country.

Smaller businesses in the food industry need access to equipment that helps them develop, test, and prove new products, but it's often not economic for firms to build their own facilities. The Food Innovation Network will be a collaboration with industry, research and education providers, and local government. It will help provide the facilities our food businesses need to grow.

Improving Crown Research Institutes

Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) can be powerful engines of growth. We want them to deliver greater benefits for New Zealand and get more research and knowledge into our businesses. Last week a taskforce on CRIs reported to the Government. It's been looking at how we can get more value out of the investment we make in scientific research. We'll be responding to the taskforce's report soon.

In February I announced that science and innovation will be a priority for new government spending. We'll have more to say about that in the Budget.

Feeding the world - and tackling carbon emissions

Last Wednesday in Palmerston North I launched the Government's Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Centre with Agriculture Minister David Carter. The centre will work to find practical ways of helping Kiwi farmers and growers cut carbon emissions. It will make a big contribution to the New Zealand-led Global Research Alliance which is due to hold its first meeting in Wellington in April.

New Zealand is a leader in agricultural science. With the centre and the Global Alliance, we have a great opportunity to pool our expertise with other countries, and help feed the world's growing population - while tackling carbon emissions.

LIFTING ACHIEVEMENT IN TERTIARY EDUCATION

National is determined to address urgent problems in the tertiary sector, and make sure that students - and taxpayers - get more out of their investment in tertiary education. There are more than 6000 different qualifications in New Zealand. And in too many courses, more than half the students drop out or fail. Meanwhile, many students rack up interest-free loans for courses they can't or won't pass.

This week Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce laid out the Government's priorities for the sector. We want to improve the relevance of qualifications, improve course completion rates, and link student loans with academic progress. Learn more here.

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS FOR KIWI FAMILIES

On Tuesday I called into the Counties-Manukau Police headquarters to welcome their 200th new recruit.

In the 2008 election campaign we promised to put 300 extra police on the streets of South Auckland by the end of this year, and another 300 around the country by the end of 2011. We're on track to hit those targets. The new police in South Auckland are already making a difference. Locals tell me they're seeing more police on the beat and less trouble in their neighborhoods.

FROM MY DIARY

I'm in Pukekohe today, heading to the Pasifika Festival tomorrow, and starting Auckland's Round the Bays on Sunday. Then I'll be at the world famous Kumeu Show. Next week Parliament is sitting again and we'll be getting stuck into our busy legislative agenda.

Best wishes,

John Key
Prime Minister

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Thanks for your comments on the whaling debate.  I want to make a couple of things clear.

New Zealand is anti-whaling.  That is why we are working hard at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) for a diplomatic solution.

The Government is participating in the negotiations at the IWC because we believe it offers the best prospect for bringing whaling under international control and substantially reducing the number of whales killed.  During the previous 20 years, whaling quotas have increased ten fold, from 300 in 1990 to 3,000 for 2010. The current system is not working. 

New Zealand has not endorsed any particular proposal. The mandate of the New Zealand delegation at the IWC participating in the negotiations is to see if they can find a diplomatic solution that the New Zealand Government and people of New Zealand can consider. 

If the diplomatic solution fails and talks break down, then New Zealand will have to consider if it wants to join Australia in any legal action that might be taken, and that decision will be made in due course.  However, at this point New Zealand is still working through the meetings that are taking place at the IWC. 

Here are a couple of interesting comments on the whaling negotiations:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10631021

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/opinion/editorials/3420779/Editorial-Stop-the-slaughter-any-way-that-works

The Government's promise to put 300 Police officers on the beat in Counties-Manukau by the end of 2010 is well on the way to being fulfilled, with the district's 200^th recruit now lining up for duty, Prime Minister John Key said today.

Meeting the newest recruits at the Counties-Manukau Police District Headquarters with Police Minister Judith Collins, Mr Key says the boost in officers for the area is already making a positive impact.

"Provisional statistics suggest crime in the region is dropping and, while crime can never be completely eliminated, the feedback the Government is receiving indicates extra officers are making a big difference.

"Business owners and residents in South Auckland are saying they're now seeing more Police and less trouble around their businesses and neighbourhoods.

"The Government believes all Kiwis should feel safe and secure in their homes, workplaces and out in public. One of the most effective ways to achieve that is to ensure we have a highly-visible and highly-effective Police force.

"Already, people in Counties-Manukau are noticing a change for the better, which is a tribute to the skills, enthusiasm and determination of both seasoned officers and our newest Police College graduates."

In addition to the extra officers in Counties-Manukau, the Government is committed to providing the rest of the country with a further 300 Police by the end of 2011, says Mr Key.