Trade Minister Todd McClay will visit China and Hong Kong for a series of trade discussions, and participate in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial meeting in Cebu, Philippines. While in Cebu, Mr McClay will meet bilaterally with his counterparts from a number of other negotiating parties to discuss both the RCEP negotiations and wider trade issues.“Consistent with the Joint Statement on RCEP issued by Leaders in September, I will continue to encourage my counterparts to aim for a modern, comprehensive, high quality and mutually beneficial economic partnership with commercially meaningful outcomes. “If RCEP is successfully concluded, it will…

Finance Minister Bill English has launched an online portal aimed at giving a clearer picture of high-value infrastructure investments opportunities throughout Australasia. Together with Australian Treasurer, Scott Morrison, Mr English has launched the Australia New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline (ANZIP) in Sydney today. About 25 New Zealand-based projects and about 90 Australian-based projects are listed - from government agencies, local authorities, State-owned enterprises and publicly-listed companies. All projects listed are valued at over $100 million and have either recently started or are yet to get underway. Mr English says the launch of ANZIP signals a joint commitment to building a more…

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced an appointment to the Takeovers Panel, the regulator of the corporate takeovers market. Nathanael Starrenburg has been appointed as a new member of the Panel for a five-year term, from 25 October. “Mr Starrenburg has a strong background in corporate and transactional law. His practical experience in securities law compliance and equity capital markets transactions will add considerable value to the Takeovers Panel,” Mr Goldsmith says. Mr Goldsmith also acknowledges outgoing panel member David Flacks. “I would like to thank Mr Flacks for the significant contribution he has made to the…

As questions mount over the Air Force’s Boeing 757’s being used as the Prime Minister’s private jet, New Zealand First can reveal that the government ignored 2010 advice to sell them. “At $31,000 an hour to fly, the Prime Minister’s luxury fleet of Boeing 757’s were deemed poor Value For Money in a 2010 high-level report,” says New Zealand First Deputy Leader and Defence Spokesperson Ron Mark. “Strangely, the recommendation to sell the 757’s and charter Air New Zealand instead, were one of the few recommendations not adopted from the Defence razor gang led by Dr Sir Roderick Deane and…

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced the appointment of diplomat Michael Burrell as High Commissioner to South Africa. "New Zealand is placing increasing priority on our relations with Africa," Mr McCully says. "Our relationship with South Africa is based on our shared Commonwealth history, respect for democracy, strong links between our people, and close sporting ties. “We are also continuing to grow our trade and investment links, and a significant aspect of the High Commissioner’s role is to support New Zealand business develop export markets in South Africa.” Mr Burrell is currently the Director Sustainable Economic Development at the Ministry…

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English will lead New Zealand's Ministerial delegation to the annual Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF) in Sydney tomorrow. Mr English will be accompanied by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy, Trade Minister Todd McClay, Customs Minister Nicky Wagner, and Commerce Minister Paul Goldsmith. “The Forum brings together over 200 chief executives from the largest trans-Tasman companies to engage with both Governments on initiatives to strengthen our $24 billion trade and economic relationship,” Mr English says. “Seventy five per cent of New Zealand exporters generate income in Australia, so it is vital…

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has appointed diplomat Lyndal Walker as New Zealand’s new Ambassador to the Netherlands, to be based in The Hague. “The Netherlands is an important partner for New Zealand in Europe and The Hague is the seat of multilateral institutions like the International Court of Justice,” Mr McCully says. “The Netherlands is our fifth largest trading partner in the European Union, and is a strong source of foreign investment into New Zealand. “In addition to these economic ties, more than 25,000 Dutch tourists visit New Zealand annually and over 150,000 people of Dutch descent now live in…

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced that the New Zealand Research Institute of Viticulture and Oenology (NZRIVO) has been selected to become the first new Regional Research Institute. “The NZRIVO, which will be based in Marlborough, will undertake new research activity and collaborate with other domestic and international research institutions to support the growth and continuing success of New Zealand’s wine and viticulture industry,” says Mr Joyce. The Government will provide funding of $12.5 million over four years for the new institute with additional funding from industry, and it will operate as a private, independently governed organisation.…

“This intensive eight-day programme, Te Tira Toi Whakangao, is part of the Government’s push for more export growth and high-value jobs for Māori,” Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says. “Innovation and technology careers and businesses offer a path to doing that. We need to connect Māori to the best programmes that connect themn to jobs and income growth. Much of this happens at a whanau and community level. But this programme offers it on a global scale which is huge. “Māori-owned technology is an area with huge growth potential. The start-ups and established technology companies taking part in this…

  Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges leaves for Singapore today to attend International Energy Week. The global event brings together 28,000 representatives of the energy industry, Governments and non-government organisations from across the Asia-Pacific region and from around the world. Discussions will focus on the future of energy supply and ensuring people across the region have access to reliable energy. Mr Bridges will take part in panel discussions at the Singapore Energy Summit, the Energy Access Forum, the Asia Clean Energy Summit and the Gas Asia Summit. “Globally we are seeing low oil, gas and coal prices but at…

New Zealand has been ranked the top country in the world for doing business in the World Bank’s 2017 Doing Business Report - up one place from last year and up from third in 2014. The report, which examines regulations that enhance or constrain business activity, assesses 190 countries and ranks them according on the impacts of their regulatory environment on business. “This is the first time New Zealand has topped this list. For the past two years we have ranked second after Singapore, and in 2014 we were third behind Singapore and Hong Kong,” Mr Joyce says. The report…