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Posted: 18 Mar 2013 07:15 PM PDT
Paula Bennett | Social Development
The National Government’s decision to introduce Social Workers in Hospitals is making a difference by better protecting
children says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett. When hospitals admit children or young people they’re concerned
about, or have previously been involved with Child, Youth and Family, a social worker engages with the family and
hospital staff. ...
Posted: 18 Mar 2013 06:36 PM PDT
Gerry Brownlee | Transport
Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee is calling on the Green Party to embrace the Government’s Roads of National
Significance programme following the most recent survey of their impact on congestion and the ensuing benefits to the
environment. “It’s early days, but already New Zealanders are getting great value for money from the Government’s
investment in the seven Roads of National Significance,” Mr Brownlee says. ...
Posted: 18 Mar 2013 05:52 PM PDT
Murray McCully | Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today congratulated his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, following his appointment
to the 12th National People’s Congress in Beijing. “New Zealand and China have an expanding bilateral relationship with
strong political, economic and cultural connections,” Mr McCully says. “Both New Zealand and China are interested in
cooperating on issues that affect the Asia-Pacific region. ...
Posted: 18 Mar 2013 05:48 PM PDT
Steven Joyce | Education
Minister Responsible for Novopay Steven Joyce today released the Technical Review into the school payroll system. Mr
Joyce says the aim of the Technical Review led by Murray Jack of Deloitte was to assess the stability of the Novopay
system, look closely at the data contained in it, and make recommendations. “I have repeatedly said that issues with
Novopay are complex and there is no quick fix. The findings of the Technical Review confirm that,” Mr Joyce says. The
Review’s key conclusions are that: ...
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Posted: 18 Mar 2013 05:47 PM PDT
Steven Joyce | Education
Minister Responsible for Novopay Steven Joyce today provided an update on progress with the Government’s Remediation
Plan to address issues with the school payroll system. Mr Joyce announced that a new dedicated Education Sector Payroll
Services business unit is being established in the Education Ministry to co-ordinate the Remediation Plan. The new unit
will be headed by former Chief Executive of Gareth Morgan Investments Group and former IRD Deputy Commissioner and
KiwiSaver Programme Director, Cathy Magiannis. ...
Posted: 18 Mar 2013 05:44 PM PDT
Steven Joyce | Education
Minister Responsible for Novopay Steven Joyce today announced a $6 million support package for schools designed to go
some way to meeting the costs of additional work caused by the Novopay system. “Schools are experiencing increased
administration workloads to manage the Novopay issues and they have requested financial relief. This $6 million support
package recognises the impact that Novopay has created for schools and will assist in addressing some of these issues,”
Mr Joyce says. ...
Posted: 18 Mar 2013 04:15 PM PDT
Chris Tremain | Internal Affairs
The number of online transactions with government continues to grow, with figures up for the second time since
measurements began says Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain. Figures released today show 38.6 per cent of New
Zealanders used secure online government services during the October to December quarter, up from 32.4 per cent for the
first quarter. When measurements started in June the figure was at 29.9 per cent. ...
Posted: 18 Mar 2013 12:49 PM PDT
Bill English | Finance
Finance Minister Bill English has welcomed the International Monetary Fund’s conclusion that the Government’s deficit
reduction programme strikes the right balance between supporting growth and limiting public debt. In its Preliminary
Concluding Statement (embargoed until midnight tonight NZ time), the IMF says New Zealand’s macro-economic policy stance
is appropriate and that the monetary policy should continue to be the first line of defence against adverse shocks. ...
Posted: 17 Mar 2013 09:34 PM PDT
Tony Ryall | Health
The first site work on Christchurch’s six hundred million dollar plus hospitals redevelopment project will start in a
couple of months says Health Minister Tony Ryall. “Cabinet has agreed to set aside around $500 million from the Future
Investment Fund for the largest and most complex building project in the history of New Zealand’s public health
service,” Mr Ryall says. “The total cost of the project is expected to be more than $600 million including a
contribution from Canterbury DHB. ...
Posted: 17 Mar 2013 09:30 PM PDT
Murray McCully | Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully held talks with his Afghan counterpart, Dr Zalmai Rassoul, in Wellington today.
“A new chapter in our countries’ relationship is about to begin, with New Zealand withdrawing its Provincial
Reconstruction Team (PRT) from Bamyan province in April, in line with the transition process,” Mr McCully says. New
Zealand has led the PRT in Bamyan since 2003 and has contributed to international counter-terrorism efforts and improved
security, development and governance in the province. ...
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Posted: 17 Mar 2013 09:23 PM PDT
John Key | Prime Minister
Prime Minister John Key will host Thailand’s Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra when she visits New Zealand later this
week. This is the first visit to New Zealand by Ms Shinawatra since becoming Prime Minister in 2011. Mr Key says New
Zealand’s relationship with Thailand is a close and warm one, and this visit underscores those close ties and looks
towards new areas of cooperation. “Our two countries have common views on many issues and I look forward to having
constructive discussions with Prime Minister Yingluck.” ...
ENDS