Assistance offered to Canterbury region
Military support has been offered to civil defence activities in the Canterbury region in response to severe weather conditions earlier this week, Civil Defence Minister Rick Barker announced after a visit to the region. Local Civil Defence staff and military personnel will work together to ensure residents are safe and prepared for the next weather change. Extra generators, two RNZAF Iroquois Helicopters, and UNIMOGs have also been made available to assist regional efforts. "Although a Civil Defence Emergency has not been declared, all and every assistance is on its way and we are constantly monitoring the situation in the region and will do what we can when we need to," said Mr Barker.

Government Funds Community Initiatives
Nine community-based projects will receive $1.5 million over the next three years Social Development and Employment Minister David Benson-Pope and Minister of Youth Affairs Nanaia Mahuta announced this week. The projects invest in proven community leaders in places as far south as Gore and as far north as Kaipara, and are to be funded from the Government's Community Initiatives Fund for up to three years. Many of the projects focus on the needs of young people in our communities, and investing in youth development initiatives like this will continue to support young New Zealanders to become the best they can be. A total of fifty-three applications were received this round. An external panel was appointed to review each application and recommend those for funding.

Free-to-air digital TV to begin roll-out next year
Government decisions announced this week pave the way for free-to-air digital television to begin transmission during 2007, says Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey. Plans for the new service have been developed by Freeview, a consortium of New Zealand's free to air broadcasters, including TVNZ, CanWest, Māori TV, Trackside and Radio New Zealand. New Zealanders will be able to access FreeView digital TV through a set-top box, with programmes broadcast through a combination of land-based and satellite services. Steve Maharey said the move to digital television is essential to securing the future viability of free-to-air broadcasting in New Zealand. "This government wants to ensure all New Zealanders are able to enjoy the benefits of digital television, and that public broadcasting remains a strong part of the free-to-air mix." The government is prepared to invest up to $25 million over five years to assist with the establishment of Freeview, with the bulk of costs to be met by broadcasters.

Road toll engagement launched
A major life-saving consultation project designed to reduce the road toll is beginning in July, says Transport Minister Annette King. The programme, involving engagement with stakeholders nationally, is aimed at finding the best ways to reduce the toll even further, and is one of the most important public engagement processes ever undertaken in New Zealand. The 'See you there - safe as' campaign seeks input from key stakeholders and communities to find ways to reduce the annual New Zealand road toll to no more than 300 deaths per year by 2010. Ms King says New Zealand has already made tremendous strides in reducing its road toll with by far most people obeying speed limits and drink drive laws, but further reductions in the road toll are very achievable and will have huge positive impacts on the health and happiness of all New Zealanders. To participate further visit www.transport.govt.nz.

Huge restoration project for Rangitoto and Motutapu
Rangitoto and Motutapu islands in the Hauraki Gulf are to be restored to their natural state in an unprecedented pest eradication project, Prime Minister Helen Clark and Conservation Minister Chris Carter announced this week. The Department of Conservation has allocated $595,000 over three years for the first stages of the project, which could take up to six years to complete. The initiative follows the successful eradication of introduced pests on another Hauraki Gulf island, Little Barrier (Hauturu), after an intensive two-year operation. DOC will be talking closely with all groups with an interest in the island, including iwi, throughout this work.