Building National Identity 

NZ Officer to assist UN in Darfur

16.07.2008

The Government has approved a request from the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to redeploy a New Zealand military liaison officer from Sudan's capital Khartoum to Darfur, Defence Minister Phil Goff said today.

The New Zealand Army officer will assist over the next two weeks with planning of contingency measures for any withdrawal of UN personnel in the event of attacks against UN forces. This follows the killing of seven UN soldiers and wounding of 19 others in an attack in Darfur last week and the Int... more +

National party utterly bereft of ideas for Arts, Culture & Heritage

15.07.2008

Associate Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Judith Tizard says that it's utterly astonishing that the National Party's arts policy released today failed to have one original or creative idea, and has said it would not maintain funding in real terms.

"It is an ominous sign when the National Party announces that, given the chance, it would do nothing that Labour hasn't already done," said Judith Tizard.

"Just last week at an Auckland Film Summit Mr Finlayson refused to confirm that a National government would maintain funding for the ar... more +

National's ECE policy a giant step backwards

15.07.2008

Lynne Pillay, MP for Waitakere, said that she was appalled by the announcement of National’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Policy.

National's plan included the removal of the word ‘free' from the 20 hours free Early Childhood Education Policy instituted by the Labour government last year, and the rejection of the agreed goal of 100 per cent trained and registered teachers for children under two years of age.

Ms ... more +

Screen Production Incentive Fund

16.07.2008

Speech notes for address at event to celebrate the introduction of the New Screen Production Incentive Fund. Civic Theatre, AUCKLAND

Welcome and thank you for coming tonight.

As Minister for Arts, Culture, and Heritage I am very pleased you can be here to help celebrate the introduction of the Screen Production Incentive Fund.

As ... more +