Nine of New Zealand’s brightest executives and managers have been awarded a Prime Minister’s Business Scholarship to study at a leading international institution, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

Mr Key says the recipients will bring back invaluable skills and experience to New Zealand.

“The Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships recognise the potential, talent and achievements of some of our future business leaders. I am pleased to be able to offer these outstanding people the opportunity to study at some of the world’s best learning institutions.”

The scholarships are designed to encourage business owners, senior managers and executives of internationalising firms to develop their leadership skills and to help build business capability back at home.

“The scholarships assist members of the business community who are adding real value to New Zealand’s economy and who have the potential to add even more. They will learn about, and bring back, a range of business skills to help their firms thrive in an international environment,” Mr Key says.

The recipients of the 2010 Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships are:

• Marina Hirst-Tristram of Nelson, Marketing Manager, Tasman Bay Food Group
• Robbie Allan of Auckland, Strategy Executive at NDA Group
• Jasper Holdsworth of Gisborne, Managing Director, Pultorn Composites Ltd.
• Ben Campbell of Auckland, Market/Product Manager at Access Pacific Ltd.
• Adam Muldoon of Wellington, Wind Development Manager at Meridian Energy
• Martin Cox of Auckland, Investment Manager at HRL Morrison and Co.
• Simon Limmer of Mount Maunganui, General Manager, Zespri Global Supply
• Gregory Managh of Auckland, General Manager at EBOS Group Ltd.
• Carol Ward of Tauranga, Director of Corporate and Grower Services at Zespri International Ltd.

For further details and winners’ biographies, go to www.med.govt.nz/scholarships.

This edition of the regular video journal is dedicated to discussion of the Pike River Mine tragedy.

29 November. The Prime Minister announces a Royal Commission to investigate the Pike River Mine tragedy.

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the graduation of the first military-style activity camp under the National-led Government’s Fresh Start youth justice legislation.

PM encourages fresh start for young people

Mr Key met the first 10 graduates and their families at a milestone ceremony in Christchurch to mark the completion of the camp.

“I’m impressed with the way the 10 young men who graduated today have stepped up to the challenge presented to them,” says Mr Key.

“Each of these young men has the potential to turn his life around, and this camp has given them all some tools to make that happen.”

Under Fresh Start, serious young offenders can be ordered by the Youth Court to attend military-style activity camps. The camps reinforce self-discipline and personal responsibility and utilise New Zealand Defence Force facilities. The youths who attend also receive continued mentoring, treatment and support for up to a year.

“I want serious young offenders to have every chance to turn their lives around and reach their true potential,” Mr Key says.

“These camps are tough – and that is how they should be. They also give young people the skills they need to change their behaviour and move into the workforce so they can make a positive contribution to our communities.”

The military-style activity camp is the first step in the MAC programme and participants now move into the community phase. During this phase the group remains under supervision orders and have an individual transition plan to help them settle back into their communities.

“This Government introduced Fresh Start legislation to hold young offenders to account and encourage self responsibility,” says Mr Key.

“The next phase is critical, but these young men will get the support and encouragement they need to keep moving forward,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key announced today that Cabinet has agreed to establish a Royal Commission on the Pike River mine tragedy.

The inquiry will have broad terms of reference enabling it to examine and report on the causes of the explosions at the mine and subsequent loss of life, as well as all aspects of the safety regulatory regime and rescue operations that applied at the mine.

The Royal Commission will be chaired by Justice Graham Panckhurst, a sitting High Court judge. Two other Commissioners with relevant expertise in mining and safety regulation will also be appointed.

“The circumstances and cause of the deaths of 29 men in the Pike River mine need to be understood so that we can do everything we can to make sure this tragedy isn’t repeated,” Mr Key says.

“We owe it to the families of the men who perished in the Pike River mine to find out what happened, and I believe a Royal Commission is the best way to do that.

“Royal Commissions are reserved for matters of very significant public interest and the Pike River mine tragedy is one of those.

“The Royal Commission will start work as soon as is practical after the details of its make-up and its terms of reference are finalised.”

“Later this week the families, friends and colleagues of the 29 miners who died will mourn them at a National Remembrance Service in Greymouth,” Mr Key says.

“It is important that we take every step we can to get the answers that these people, and all New Zealanders, need about what happened at Pike River.”

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