Posted: 16 Jan 2013 04:38 PM PST
Kate Wilkinson | Conservation
Thousands of New Zealanders have taken time out to camp and relax in Department of Conservation campsites around the
country this summer, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says. DOC manages more than 300 campsites from Kapuwairua
(Spirits Bay) in Northland to Rakiura/Stewart Island. The most popular campgrounds in the North Island are Maitai Bay
(Northland) and Waikawau Bay (Coromandel) with 30,000 visitors (bed-nights) for the 2010/2011 season. In the South
Island Totaranui is the most-used with 29,000 users for that period. ...
Posted: 16 Jan 2013 03:01 PM PST
Paula Bennett | Social Development
The number of people on benefits in New Zealand is the lowest it’s been at the end of a December quarter since 2008.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the number of people on benefits decreased by nearly 12,000 in the last
twelve months. “But with 339,095 people on benefit in New Zealand, there is much more work to do.” “We are very much in
a transitional phase with the first stage of Welfare Reform currently being implemented and the second stage yet to
begin,” says Mrs Bennett. ...
Posted: 16 Jan 2013 02:58 PM PST
Tony Ryall | Health
More New Zealanders are using the free 24-hour health advice phone line, with nearly 400,000 Healthline calls answered
last year – 40 per cent more calls than four years ago. “The increased number of calls shows what a valuable service
Healthline provides to New Zealanders,” says Health Minister Tony Ryall. “When someone is sick or hurt, especially our
children, people often worry and need reassurance they are doing the right thing. ...
Posted: 16 Jan 2013 02:22 PM PST
Hekia Parata | Education
Education Minister, Hekia Parata, has extended her condolences to Chair Greg Hollister-Jones and Principal Eoin Crosbie
of Bethlehem College over the deaths of participants in their mission partnership programme in Kenya. Brian and Grace
Johnston and Caitlin Dickson died in a minivan accident while travelling to the small village of Mahanga. “I have
conveyed my condolences to Greg and Eoin this morning, extending to the school community and families during this time,”
says Ms Parata. ...
Posted: 16 Jan 2013 12:43 PM PST
Tony Ryall | Health
Bay of Plenty MP and Health Minister Tony Ryall has expressed his sympathy to the family of Brian and Grace Johnston who
were killed in a bus accident in Kenya this week. “Grace and Brian were active and well liked members of the Bay of
Plenty community and they will be sorely missed. “I pay tribute to Brian Johnston’s long and dedicated service to Bay of
Plenty health services - yesterday would have been his 26th anniversary at Bay of Plenty District Health Board. ...
Posted: 16 Jan 2013 12:15 PM PST
Tim Groser | Trade
Trade Minister Tim Groser has welcomed the OECD-WTO’s estimates of “Trade in Value-Added” at the launch of the new
database in Paris. “This new data estimates trade in value-added terms, which helps convey the interdependencies of
global value chains and reveal who ultimately benefits from trade,” Mr Groser says. “Engaging internationally is crucial
to all countries’ future prosperity. New Zealand is especially well connected to global value chains in the agriculture
and food sectors.” ...
ENDS