Category: New Zealand Government

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Fleeing driver, Tasman

Minister of Police Stuart Nash has issued the following statement in response to the fatal crash in Tasman District this morning.
This crash is a tragedy for the families of those who have died and for the Police officers involved in the incident.
My sympathies are with all of those affected by this, including the other motorists and members of the public who stopped to help, and the emergency response personnel from ambulance and fire services.
Police have to make instant decisions based on the circumstances in front of them at the time, and the road and traffic conditions as well.
Fleeing drivers are always a highly challenging law and order event for Police. Currently they deal with about 300 of these complex situations every month.
Police are currently working closely with the IPCA to review their policies and practices around these unpredictable events and I have asked for an update on progress in this review which is due to be completed later this year.
I also extend my sympathies to the families of five others who have died on the roads this weekend. Our road toll is too high and police are working hard to improve safety and prevent death and injury for all road users.
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: He Rā Maumahara: national commemoration recognises New Zealand Wars for the first time

The inaugural national commemoration of the New Zealand Wars has been held in the Bay of Islands, attended by Crown/Māori Relations Minister Kelvin Davis, Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Carmel Sepuloni and Associate Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson.
A local komiti, Te Pūtake o te Riri, Te Tai Tokerau, hosted the He Rā Maumahara commemorations which began on Friday and finishes today. Ministers attended a dawn ceremony at Te Maiki Hill this morning, followed by a remembrance service for the fallen at Christ Church in Russell. 
Minister Davis said it is the first time a national commemoration has recognised the New Zealand Wars, which led to the loss of 3000 lives across the country.
“Today also marks the 173rd anniversary of the battle at Kororāreka. This conflict and those that followed had enormous impacts on the families and communities involved on both sides.
“Through the commemoration we gain a deeper understanding of the Northern War and the other wars that collectively shaped relationships between Māori and the Crown.”
“An important part of any relationship is that it is based on mutual understanding and respect for each other. In order to understand who we are as a nation it is vital that we recognise and learn about our past and the events that shaped who we are today.”
Minister Sepuloni described it as an important day of remembrance for those who were caught up in these conflicts.
“The history and stories of the New Zealand Wars will continue to be shared and remembered at events like today, where these stories can be commemorated at a national level. It is an honour to be with the local community to hear their kōrero on how the battles of the Northern War shaped the Far North as we understand it today.
“Māori and non-Māori, born and bred New Zealanders, and recent migrants – no matter who you are – we all stand amongst the places and histories that have shaped our country. Events like this encourage people to come together and reflect on the past but also to think about who we are now as a people, how far we’ve come and what we want for the future.”
Minister Jackson said it’s only right that the inaugural commemoration of this part of our history should be hosted by Te Tai Tokerau.
“While the trauma and devastation of these wars and conflicts have left painful memories for many, there has been limited public recognition.
“Contemporary historians, and the airing in the Waitangi Tribunal by tribal and whanau claimants of the historical injustices that were committed by the Crown, is a history that has been brought to the fore by an emerging generation eager to do the right thing.
“This is an opportunity to respectfully share our stories and to weave our communities together, for both Māori, Pākeha and all New Zealanders.”
The battle of Kororāreka, which erupted on 11 March in 1845, occurred against the backdrop of Hone Heke’s well known protests at the flagpole at Kororāreka (Russell) and precipitated later armed conflicts, including at Puketutu, Ohaeawai and Ruapekapeka, now known as the Northern War.
The commemoration was supported by Te Pūtake o Te Riri, the Wars and Conflicts in New Zealand Fund, administered by Te Puni Kokiri.
 
Notes for editors
11 March is the anniversary of the Battle of Kororāreka. The battle was the first in the Northern War and the beginning of a series of wars and conflicts that raged throughout New Zealand until 1872.
Every year local hapū and the Kororāreka/ Russell community commemorate this event by raising the Kara (flag) on Te Maiki Hill at dawn and hold a remembrance service.
In the early hours of 11 March 1845, several hundred Ngā Puhi warriors attacked Kororāreka (Russell). Hōne Heke and Kawiti were key figures in the attacking forces.
Heke wanted the Māori-language version of the Treaty of Waitangi to be honoured. He also wanted to preserve Māori independence and chiefly authority in the face of what he saw as increasing interference by the government.
Heke did not wish to harm the settlers, most of whom were evacuated to the ships Victoria and Active, which were anchored in the harbour.
The battle saw between a dozen and 20 men killed on each side.  The British ships sailed for Auckland next day, effectively surrendering Russell to Heke and Kawiti.
Te Pūtake o te Riri | Wars and Conflicts in New Zealand Fund supports whānau, hapū and iwi to promote and deliver activities and events that commemorate the New Zealand Wars. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Minister for Women to lead New Zealand Delegation at the UN Commission on the Status of Women

Hon Julie Anne Genter, Minister for Women, leaves today to lead the New Zealand Government Delegation at the Sixty-Second Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
“I will be proudly representing New Zealand at the UN in New York and working to ensure that New Zealand continues to lead the world in advancing women and girl’s rights,” Ms Genter said.
“125 years after women fought and gained their human right to vote in Aotearoa, we still have issues such as the gender pay gap to address.
“I look forward to hearing from other countries with what they are doing to address gender equality issues.
“Our participation at CSW is an opportunity to help lift New Zealand’s performance, and to support the Pacific region, in improving the lives of women across the Pacific region and globally,” Ms Genter said.
CSW is the principal global policy‑making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women. This year’s theme is “Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls.”
Ms Genter will deliver New Zealand’s National Statement in the General Discussion forum at CSW.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Ngāti Rangi signs settlement with the Crown

The Crown has signed a deed of settlement with Ngāti Rangi, settling the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of Ngāti Rangi, the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little has announced today.
Friends and whānau gathered at an emotional deed signing ceremony at Raketepauma Marae in the Ruapehu District today. 
“Today is significant for the people of Ngāti Rangi, and for all of New Zealand. I would like to acknowledge the enormous amount of work that has been achieved by the Central North Island tangata whenua and the government to get us to this point.
“Ngāti Rangi say that they have always been a friend of the Crown. Through this settlement the Crown aims to rebuild its relationship with Ngāti Rangi, and reinforce that it is based on mutual respect and honour.
“The Ngāti Rangi deed of settlement outlines a range of redress to be provided to the iwi, including a Crown acknowledgement and apology, cultural redress including a statutory recognition and governance arrangements for the Whangaehu River, and financial and commercial redress with a total value of $17 million. 
“Ngāti Rangi is one of the iwi that will take part in the collective negotiations over Tongariro National Park, due to commence later this year.
“Legislation to enact the deed will be introduced to Parliament later this year,” says Andrew Little.
Notes on the redress
The deed of settlement, and a summary, will be published at: www.govt.nz/treaty-settlement-documents/ngati-rangi/
Cultural redress includes special recognition of the connection between Ngāti Rangi, other local iwi, and Te Waiū o Te Ika (the Whangaehu River) and a new framework for governance over the river and its catchment. 
Defence Force land at Waiouru will be vested in Ngāti Rangi who will then gift it back to the Crown for the people of New Zealand. 

Ngāti Rangi gifting to the Crown a contemporary harakeke piece (at left) by Keita Tuhi and Kia Tomoana representing the vibrant colours of Ruapehu and the sky, Raketepauma Marae, 10 March 2018.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Minister wishes Kiwi Para athletes success for PyeongChang

Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni wishes New Zealand’s Para athletes the best of luck as the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games commence this weekend. 
 “On behalf of all New Zealanders I wish the team the very best as they represent us on the world stage in South Korea,” Minister Sepuloni said.
 “Like many Kiwis across the country I will be following our Para athletes’ progress with great interest and I know the team will do us proud competing in the coming days. 
 “Corey Peters, Adam Hall and Carl Murphy continue to show themselves as ambassadors and inspirational role models to all New Zealanders with their talent, commitment and hard work taking them to the top of their sports.
 “A special congratulations to our proud flag bearer Corey Peters selected to lead the New Zealand team into the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium overnight. 
 “I also applaud the hard work, training and dedication of the support team, their coaches and officials in helping prepare the athletes for this event.
 “New Zealand has a great tradition of achievement in the Paralympics, which all New Zealand can be proud of.
 “I look forward to congratulating our Para athletes in person when we officially welcome them home,” Ms Sepuloni said.
 The 10-strong team of three Paralympians and seven support staff are among an estimated 670 Para athletes from 45 countries competing at the games. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New Zealand welcomes US-North Korea talks

Disarmament and Arms Control Minister Winston Peters says the New Zealand government welcomes the United States willingness for talks with North Korea, and North Korea’s reported openness to discuss denuclearisation.
“New Zealand remains firmly committed to denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, and we have always encouraged all parties to continue to work toward this goal,” says Mr Peters.
“It has always been our position to advocate for a diplomatic solution. That’s why we welcome an indication that these high-level talks may proceed,” he says.
ENDS

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Foreign Affairs Under-Secretary to travel to Chile, Peru, and Colombia

Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau is travelling to Latin America this week. He will represent New Zealand at the inauguration of the President-elect of Chile, Sebastian Piñera, and formally open New Zealand’s Embassy in Colombia.
“I look forward to representing New Zealand at the President’s inauguration this weekend and meeting a wide range of senior political figures from across Latin America,” says Mr Tabuteau.
“The opportunities for New Zealand in Latin America are exciting and we are looking to strengthen our relations in the region,” he says.
Mr Tabuteau will also travel to Peru to meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Congressional Peru-New Zealand League, and to speak at the Pacific Alliance Observatory at the University of the Pacific. 
He will then travel to Bogotá, Colombia to formally open New Zealand’s newest Embassy, and undertake political consultations with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“Our new Embassy in Colombia shows we are committed to deepening our engagement with the region,” Mr Tabuteau says.
ENDS
Contacts: Talani Meikle, Ministerial Adviser, 021 195 4309

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New Joint Ministerial Statement on Closer Defence Relations with Australia

Minister of Defence Ron Mark has today met with his Australian counterpart Senator Marise Payne in Wellington for the annual Defence Ministers’ Meeting.
“New Zealand and Australia have a very close Defence relationship,” says Mr Mark.  “This is currently on display in Papua New Guinea where New Zealand and Australian Defence personnel are working hard to deliver aid to the earthquake stricken highlands, and in all the deployments around the world where we stand side by side”.
“Today’s meeting was a great opportunity to discuss shared security concerns, and to explore ways to work better together.  Today, as alliance partners, we are also releasing an updated Joint Statement on Closer Defence Relations.
“The statement acknowledges our mutual commitment to working side-by-side effectively and efficiently for our shared security interests, and sets out the guiding principles that underline our partnership.  It also reiterates our commitment to the South Pacific and our close friends in the region,” says Mr Mark.
Refreshed Closer Defence Relations between New Zealand and Australia will follow six principles:
We are sovereign, independent states working together both regionally and globally for our mutual security.
We share an interest in promoting and projecting a region that is secure, open and prosperous, with a particular focus on our cooperation in South Pacific;
Our defence and security partnership is open, based on mutual respect, and enduring;
We will work together to deliver capability in the most cost-effective way;
We will develop and harness the skills of our people and to enhance cooperation; and
We will focus on, and commit resources to, practical collaborative activities to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. 
The statement can be found here https://defence.govt.nz/publications/publication/anz-joint-statement-on-closer-defence-relations 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Rare bat on the road to recovery

One of New Zealand’s rare bats is on its way to recovery after successful large-scale predator control in Fiordland, according to a new science report released by Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage today.
The New Zealand Threat Classification System report on the conservation status of New Zealand bats updates the last review in 2012.
The most significant change is the move of southern short-tailed bat from ‘threatened’ to ‘recovering’, largely due to DOC’s sustained control of rats, possums and stoats in its last mainland habitat, Ms Sage said.
“Numbers of short-tailed bats in the Eglinton valley in Fiordland National Park have steadily grown from about 300 to more than 3000 since predator control began more than a decade ago.”
The Eglinton is the last known South Island mainland site for this bat subspecies, which is also found on pest-free Whenua Hou/Codfish Island. 
The population of long-tailed bats in the Eglinton is also growing at a similar rate.
The picture is not as good for bats in other areas, particularly the North Island, Ms Sage says.
“The status of our North Island long-tailed bats has worsened since 2012 and they are now grouped with their South Island counterparts in the highest threat category of ‘nationally critical’.”
Previously the North Island long-tailed bat was assessed separately as being in a lower threat category but new genetic research has confirmed just one species.
The new threat assessment confirms that where bat forest habitat is safe and predators are suppressed, our only native land mammals can recover.
“Yet in many areas populations of both bat species continue to decline due to the threat of rats, stoats, possums and cats, and clearance of lowland forest and large old trees where bats roost.”
The effects of wasps and potential effect of kauri dieback on roost trees is also of concern.
New Zealand has two species of bats—the long-tailed bat and short-tailed bat, of which there are three subspecies. A third species—the greater short-tailed bat—is thought to be extinct.
The threat status of the central and northern short-tailed bat subspecies (found in the central and northern North Island) remains the same as in 2012—both are declining.
Bats can fly up to 30 kilometres from their roosting areas to forage and a colony range over more than 100 square kilometres.  This can make them seem more numerous than they actually are.
Further information
DOC administers the New Zealand Threat Classification System, which draws on expertise from the wider science and conservation community.
Conservation status of New Zealand bats:
 http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/nztcs21.pdf
http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/bats-pekapeka/