Sympathy and concern following London explosions
Prime Minister Helen Clark expressed shock following news of terrorist attacks in London. She was in contact with New Zealand's High Commission soon after reports that bomb blasts had struck London's underground rail and bus systems. Helen Clark asked our High Commission to convey the sympathy and deep concern of the New Zealand government and people to the office of British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The NZ High Commission is taking calls from within the United Kingdom. Contact numbers for those trying to locate family and friends are: For New Zealanders in New Zealand: 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733276) and Kiwis outside the country: +64 4 495 8111.

New fund for significant community projects
Prime Minister Helen Clark this week unveiled a new $32 million Significant Community-Based Projects Fund to support large projects and events of regional and national significance. Spread over four years, the money was allocated in this year's Budget. Helen Clark said the fund is designed to help established groups with legal entity status that cannot get funding for large yet worthwhile community projects. Although the Lottery Grants Board puts more than $100m a year into community projects the board cannot also support big capital projects. The new fund will have specific criteria, to enable clear decisions when government is asked to help progress large projects that have stalled due to lack of funding. The projects need to have a range of benefits contributing to regional and/or national outcomes, particularly in the areas of arts, culture and heritage; sport and recreation; tourism; conservation and the environment; and economic development. Applications open in October.

OECD report positive about New Zealand
Finance Minister Michael Cullen this week welcomed the latest OECD review of New Zealand. The report says the economy's strong performance over recent years and the accompanying lift in living standards have put New Zealand on track to achieving the government's objective of returning to the top half of the OECD. Dr Cullen said he agreed with much of the analysis - particularly the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline: "Further out, the country will not be immune to the spending pressures of an ageing population and difficulties in constraining increases in health care coverage and costs. Against this backdrop, it would be regrettable if spending on tax initiatives were implemented that significantly weakened the long-term fiscal outlook." The report was optimistic in describing New Zealand's prospects as "bright, with potential growth projected to remain comfortably above 3 per cent a year over the medium term."

Superannuation changes fairer for older New Zealanders
Prime Minister Helen Clark confirmed two law changes to introduce fairer rules for some superannuitants. The first change allows all married Superannuitants with partners in long-term residential care to claim the single rates of NZ Super. This clears up a current anomaly, which excludes some Superannuitants with partners in care. The government will also, from 1 July 2006, extend eligibility for the $19.67 a week Living Alone Payment to all superannuitants who are living alone. The payment is currently denied to a small number of superannuitants who live alone because they receive a modest contribution to household expenses from either their family or partner in care. Helen Clark said the Labour government was committed to ensuring that all superannuitants could live in dignity and participate in society.

Students earning higher qualifications
More students are staying longer at school and leaving with higher qualifications under the government's work and investment in education, Education Minister Trevor Mallard said this week. Statistics show that fewer students, including Māori and Pacific students, are leaving school without a qualification. In 2004, 32 per cent of all students left school with NCEA level 3 or University Entrance, compared with 27 per cent in 2002. Trevor Mallard said groups that traditionally lag behind in educational achievement are also improving. The number of Māori and Pacific students leaving school with qualifications also improved markedly between 2002 and 2004. The government's work in education is paying off for students, and the statistics show success in raising education standards in New Zealand schools.

Huge funding boost for early childhood education
Prime Minister Helen Clark said more than 3000 early childhood education (ECE) services this week start to benefit from a $33 million funding boost. A total $185 million is being paid out in the July instalment, covering an eight-month period. This compares with $152 million in the corresponding instalment period last year. Helen Clark said the payments that ECE services are receiving this week underline the government's commitment to making quality early childhood education more accessible and more affordable for all New Zealand families. Education Minister Trevor Mallard said that by 2008/09, government expenditure on ECE would rise to $694 million - a massive 140 per cent increase since 1999. Earlier in the week, Trevor Mallard opened the second round of applications under the Discretionary Grant Scheme, which is designed to help fund new centres, and expand existing ones. This year's Budget added $28.4m to the fund over the next four years, with the fund having $18.59m for the 2005/06 year.