Nikki Kaye MP

It's been a tough year for our country with September's Canterbury Earthquake, the Pike River tragedy and now this latest, most devastating earthquake in Christchurch on 22nd February.  To the families from New Zealand and overseas who have lost loved ones in the earthquake, I offer my heartfelt sympathies at your loss.

All New Zealanders grieve with you and are thinking of you.

Many people want to know what they can do to support people in Christchurch. Cash donations are the best way to support people affected by the earthquake, as this is the quickest and easiest way to help organisations on the ground get exactly what they need.

The government has established an official appeal fund for the Christchurch Earthquake and the website is www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz.  For additional ways you can help Christchurch, click here.

More information about support for Christchurch is available in the Government Initiatives section below and I will be updating my website www.nikkikaye.co.nz regularly with information about the recovery and reconstruction effort.

Auckland Canterbury Earthquake Memorial Service

An outdoor memorial service for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake will be held in Auckland Domain on Friday, March 18.  The hour-long Auckland memorial service will take place at 7pm and will be held at the cenotaph.

Auckland Council is encouraging people who attend to light candles and lay flowers at the cenotaph.  Condolence books are currently at Auckland Town Hall and Auckland's libraries.

Please keep an eye on my website www.nikkikaye.co.nz for updates around this event.

Select Committee promotion

I am delighted to announce that I have been promoted to Deputy Chair of the Government Administration Committee in Parliament. With this privilege comes responsibility and I intend to work hard in this role as the most senior member of the Government on this committee.

Parliament has 14 Select Committees that deal with issues of legislation. Chairs and Deputy Chairs are elected through cross party support by members of each Select Committee.

The Government Administration Committee considers matters relating to civil defence, cultural affairs, fitness, sport and leisure, internal affairs, Pacific Island affairs, Prime Minister and Cabinet, racing, services to Parliament, State services, statistics, tourism, women's affairs, and youth affairs.

RadioLIVE spot

Tune in to RadioLIVE's 'Drive with Brent Impey' on Friday afternoons around 5.20pm most weeks to hear myself and Grant Robertson, Labour MP for Wellington Central discussing the political issues of the day.  Auckland 100.6 FM / 702 AM.

Rotoroa Island Opening

Last month Rotoroa Island in the Hauraki Gulf opened to the public for the first time in more than 100 years. The event was the result of a five-year project generously funded by a $30million-plus gift from New Zealand philanthropists Neal and Annette Plowman.

I was delighted to attend Big Gay Out again this year with the Prime Minister.  It was a wonderful day and a fantastic celebration of Auckland's LGBT community.

I am pleased that the Mayor of Auckland has supported my call for an economic feasibility study for a Mardi Gras. The full article can be found here.  I am hopeful that the study will deliver a positive result.

I have also asked GABA to convene a group of interested parties from the community and I believe that the success of having a celebration that builds on Big Gay Out will depend on the LGBT community and business involvement. The purpose of this group will be to assist with community engagement on a potential Mardi Gras project and to consider potentially setting up an organisation that represents the community's views for the future.  If you would like to be involved in this process please email aucklandmardigras@gmail.com for further information.

The Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label awarded to over 3450 beaches and marinas in 41 countries across the world. Blue Flag aims to create a sustainable marine environment, and environmental education is the most important of the five key areas (Environmental Education and Information, Water Quality, Environmental Management, Site management Practices, Safety and Services) marinas must work towards in order to achieve the Blue Flag.

I applaud both Auckland Council and Russell Mathieson and his team for taking on a voluntary but demanding programme in Blue Flag.  The Landing was approved as a Blue Flag marina late last year, enabling Blue Flag the opportunity to educate the thousands who use The Landing for launching and service. 

Government initiatives:

National Memorial Service to remember those affected

A national memorial service will be held on 18 March to allow people the chance to reflect on the huge impact of the 22 February earthquake. There will be a provincial holiday in Canterbury so people can attend the service if they wish. Legislation has been passed to make this possible.

The service will be at Christchurch's Hagley Park from 12.45 pm, with two minutes silence observed at 12.51 pm. This is an opportunity for the people of Christchurch to mourn together, and celebrate the lives of those who have been lost.

Prince William will attend the memorial service and also visit the families of those killed in the Pike River coal mine tragedy.

Stronger economy will help Christchurch

Helping support and rebuild Christchurch is among the most important things the Government will do this year, and into the future.

Treasury has provided a preliminary assessment of the earthquake's economic impact, and it is clear it will affect our economy and the Government's books significantly, through both increased costs, and reduced tax revenue.

The Government will balance these costs through a combination of a bit more debt in the short term, and taking a close look at our existing spending priorities. We will work through these issues carefully as we prepare for the 19 May Budget.

The earthquake has made it more important to press ahead with National's policies to build a faster growing economy based on savings, exports, and productive investment. Building a stronger national economy, more jobs, and higher incomes is the best way we can help the people of Christchurch. 

Ongoing support for Christchurch

The Government's initial Earthquake Support Package will help people get through the next few weeks while we consider medium-term solutions.

More than 6500 employers have taken up the Earthquake Support Subsidy, helping keep more than 37,000 staff in jobs. More than 3700 people have taken up the Job Loss Cover.

We've broadened the criteria for the support package to include large employers, and lengthened the payment period to six weeks. We recognise the widespread impact of the earthquake, and the work that needs to take place.

Civil Defence has paid more than $10 million in emergency payments to cover essentials such as food, clothing, petrol, and accommodation.

Jerry Mateparae welcomed as new Governor-General

The Queen has approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae to succeed Sir Anand Satyanand as Governor-General of New Zealand.

Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae is a highly regarded leader with a distinguished 38-year military career. He joined the New Zealand Army in 1972, and rose through the ranks, serving and commanding in a wide variety of roles.

Lieutenant General Mateparae will be New Zealand's 20th Governor-General. He will bring great mana and a wide range of qualities to this role, including judgment, energy, and an enthusiasm for encouraging excellence in others.

Benefit numbers down in February

The number of New Zealanders on a benefit went down by nearly 10,000 during February, to 344,060. There were 3779 fewer on an Unemployment Benefit, half of whom were young people.

It's a real positive that fewer people are on benefits. Our challenge now is dealing with the effects of the earthquake on unemployment, which are yet to filter through to benefit figures.

Work and Income offices continue to list around 1500 new jobs every week.