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28 January 2010
PM acknowledges Fitzsimons' significant contribution
Prime Minister John Key says Jeanette Fitzsimons' contribution to politics in New Zealand has been significant and will leave an important legacy.
The Green MP today announced she will retire after 13 years in Parliament.
"Jeanette has been the cornerstone of the Green Party and her hard work and expertise will be missed.
"Her passion for the environment, coupled with her warm and engaging nature was a fearsome combination.
"She has been a trailblazer in New Zealand politics but never let the political process distract her from her core values.
"This is a rare and commendable attribute.
"Jeanette will be missed. Not just by those sharing her political views, but by all members of Parliament who have been touched by her hard work, humanity and humility.
"I wish her well in her retirement. She has done much to deserve it."
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26 January 2010
Changes to Ministerial responsibilities announced
Prime Minister John Key today announced three changes to ministerial responsibilities aimed at ensuring strong focus in key portfolios over the year ahead.
Steven Joyce becomes Tertiary Education Minister, allowing Anne Tolley to fully focus her efforts on the Education portfolio, and in particular the implementation of the Government's national standards policy.
Kate Wilkinson becomes Conservation Minister, a portfolio in which she is currently Associate Minister. This change reflects the fact that Tim Groser is frequently out of the country representing New Zealand's interests in the Trade and Climate Change fields.
Mr Groser, because he has primary ministerial responsibility for the international negotiations aspects of Climate Change, will have a change in title and becomes the Minister Responsible for International Climate Change Negotiations.
"More than a year into this parliamentary term, I am very pleased with how Ministers are working, both individually in their portfolios and together in Cabinet.
"These changes will help ensure that the government continues its progress towards implementing key election policies such as national standards in literacy and numeracy.
"I want to thank Mrs Tolley and Mr Groser for their contribution in the portfolios that today they are handing over to colleagues. In both Tertiary Education and Conservation, they leave sound foundations for their successors to build on," says Mr Key.
All changes take effect from Wednesday 27 January. There is no change in the Cabinet rankings.
The revised Cabinet List is attached.
Cabinet list update 260110 (DOC, 66 Kb)
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22 January 2010
Happy New Year!
CLICK HERE TO WATCH MY LATEST VIDEO
It’s great to be back on deck after a few weeks’ break. I hope you managed to get a bit of time off over Christmas and find some decent weather.
We’ve had a busy start to 2010 with our first Cabinet meeting of the year, and the visit of Prince William.
I really enjoyed meeting the Prince and spending some time with him at official events while he was here. His visit provided a tangible sense of our ongoing links to the monarchy, and a great chance for New Zealanders to see and get to know this fine young man. And it really added to the official opening of the Supreme Court.
See photos from Prince William’s visit here.
THREE STRIKES – SAFER COMMUNITIES FOR KIWI FAMILIES
Click here to watch my policy update video.
On Tuesday I announced that National and Act have agreed on law changes that ensure the country’s worst repeat violent offenders will receive the maximum allowable sentence for their crimes.
The new sentencing regime in our Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill includes a “three-strikes” policy. This will target violent offenders who show continued disregard for the law.
The first offence will bring a standard sentence and warning. The second offence will bring a jail sentence, in most cases, with no parole and a further warning. The third offence, will result in the offender being given the maximum sentence in jail for the crime, with no parole.
The new regime will help keep the worst repeat offenders behind bars for longer. It will also deter criminals from committing further crime by escalating the severity of their sentences.
National is determined to make our communities safer for Kiwi families. We are determined to reduce the number of crime victims. And we are determined to make life tougher for violent criminals. The Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill is an important step towards that goal.
BUILDING A WORLD-CLASS TAX SYSTEM
Last year National managed to guide New Zealand through the global recession while living up to our election commitments. In 2010, we’re focused on unleashing New Zealand’s potential for growth, and lifting the wages of New Zealanders.
On Wednesday, the Tax Working-Group issued its report on New Zealand’s tax system. The report identifies several issues with the structure, coherence, and sustainability of the current tax system. It also puts forward some options to fix them.
Tax policy can play an important role in lifting economic growth and productivity. We want to make sure our tax system rewards effort, encourages savings, and helps families to get ahead. Fairness is a big part of that. We will carefully consider the Working-Group’s report as part of our decision-making for Budget 2010.
BOOSTING TOURISM IN OUR REGIONS
Yesterday I announced that eight tourism marketing groups around the country will share $5 million in tourism funding to market their regions. This will be matched with funding from Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) and the private sector to create a $10 million marketing fund, aimed largely at Australia.
This joint venture fund will see RTOs and Tourism NZ working together to maximise their marketing impact. It’s a great opportunity for our regions to use their distinctive selling points to attract Australian visitors, while tying their marketing in with our 100% Pure brand.
FROM THE DIARY
I really enjoyed spending some time in Christchurch yesterday, officially opening AMI Stadium. Stadium Christchurch – as it will be known for the 2011 Rugby World Cup – is the first of New Zealand’s major stadiums to complete redevelopment for the tournament.
I also visited QEII stadium one year out from the 2011 International Paralympic World Championships. As patron, I’m looking forward to the Championships and to watching our disabled athletes compete with the very best paralympians in the world.
I’m in Ratana today with several Cabinet ministers and National MPs, to celebrate the life of Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana and the birth of the Ratana movement.
On Sunday I’ll be at the Aotea Centre in Auckland to mark the 60th anniversary of India’s Republic Day with some of our Indian communities, before heading to the Trans-Tasman Touch Rugby tournament at Waitakere’s Trusts Stadium.
Best wishes
John Key
Prime Minister
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21 January 2010
Tourism regions to share $5 million for marketing
Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, John Key, has announced that eight groups will share $5 million to market their regions.
This fund will be matched with Regional Tourism Organisations (RTO) and private sector funding to create an unprecedented opportunity to create a $10 million marketing fund, which will be particularly focused on Australia.
The joint venture funding of $10 million will see RTOs and Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) work together in order to maximise marketing impact.
"New Zealand is a collection of beautiful but diverse regions, each with its own unique attractions. This is an opportunity for those regions to use their distinctive selling points to attract Australian visitors while ensuring it is coordinated with TNZ's 100% Pure New Zealand campaign.
"It is also a valuable opportunity to market experiences, seasons and occasions that are unique to a region," Mr Key says.
The funding will go towards raising the profile of the following regions;
- Auckland ($1,000,000)
- Hamilton/Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Dunedin ($250,000)
- Destination Rotorua Tourism Marketing ($600,000)
- Central Park (Rotorua, Taupo, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Ruapehu, Coromandel) ($442,000)
- Wellington, Wairarapa, Taranaki and Marlborough ($1,000,000)
- Canterbury ($775,000)
- Queenstown and Lake Wanaka ($463,000)
- Ski Tourism ($370,000)
- RTO Campaign Tracking research($100,000)
Attached: Summary of RTO proposals
RTO update (doc, 40 Kb)
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20 January 2010
Policy Bulletin: Three Strikes
"One of the reasons National was voted into office was because New Zealanders trusted us to take a hard line on criminals. Thats why, yesterday, I was pleased to announce that National and Act have agreed on changes to the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill."
