New Zealand awarded hosting rights for 2011 Rugby World Cup
The Prime Minister joined members of the New Zealand Rugby Union in front of the International Rugby Board in Dublin to present the successful NZRU bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Sport and Recreation Minister Trevor Mallard estimates it will attract around 60,000 visitors to New Zealand, generate an extra $408 million to the economy, plus an extra tax take exceeding $90 million. Mr Mallard says planning for the event now moves to the next stage. The government and NZRU will make cash contributions towards costs of $20 million and $10 million respectively. The cost of bidding is estimated at $3.2 million to date, with the government contributing half.

Planning for an influenza pandemic
A planning framework that would form the basis of New Zealand's response to a potential influenza pandemic was released this week. In unveiling the sketch plan, Health Minister Pete Hodgson said The New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Action Plan, Appendix III of the National Health Emergency Plan: Infectious Diseases is being developed by the Ministry of Health, with wider government sector input to address critical areas of a national pandemic response. This is a working document to assist government agencies, District Health boards and communities across New Zealand with their planning," Pete Hodgson said. As the document is not final, Mr Hodgson said more work is being done by the Health Ministry and other government agencies to flesh out details of the plan. Mr Hodgson said no one knows exactly how a possible influenza pandemic would play out, but it is important to plan for the possibility of a significant impact on New Zealand.

PM to CHOGM
Leaders from 53 Commonwealth countries, including Prime Minister Helen Clark gather in Malta from 25-27 November for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The Prime Minister will also address the Commonwealth Business Forum on arrival in Malta on 24 November. The leaders' summit has a broad agenda - trade, development, governance, combating terrorism/promoting tolerance and networking for development are the major themes for the retreat sessions. A key objective for this CHOGM will be to make a strong statement urging all WTO Members to work together to ensure that sufficient progress is made in Hong Kong in December to enable the successful conclusion of the Doha Round of trade negotiations next year. The fight against terrorism, will also be discussed at the meeting. Helen Clark said she was interested in possible synergies between our own support for regional interfaith dialogue and the Commonwealth's consideration of promoting religious tolerance. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will attend a Foreign Ministers meeting that precedes CHOGM.

Glowing report card
The latest report-card on New Zealand schools shows students are leaving school better equipped for employment or further education, Education Minister Steve Maharey said this week. The Schools Report 2004, looking at the performance of New Zealand schools, shows students are more likely to leave school with a qualification, and are performing to higher standards than ever before. There were also improvements in standards of literacy and numeracy, Mr Maharey said. Other highlights from the report include: The percentage school leavers with an NCEA Level 3 qualification or Scholarship, increased by 18.9 per cent since 2002, the percentage of school leavers with low levels of attainment dropped by 30 percent from 2002, suspension rates declined - a project which worked with 86 schools with high suspension rates has reduced the number of suspensions by 40 per cent since 2000 and the international standing of New Zealand's education system remains high, with students consistently performing at or above the OECD average.

One million receive meningococcal vaccine
New Zealand's largest ever mass immunisation campaign has resulted in one million young people receiving their first dose of the Meningococcal B vaccine. Health Minister Pete Hodgson said vaccinating young people in schools across the country has been a major effort. The campaign has involved 2,600 schools, 750,000 students and the cooperation of tens of thousands of staff members. Nationally, 95 percent of Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme consent forms were returned, with 89 percent of those parents/caregivers opting to have their children immunised at school. Others also consented to vaccination but had it done at their doctor's office and in community clinics.

NZ Red Cross to Pakistan
A contingent of New Zealand medical staff is going to provide relief in the earthquake-affected northern region of Pakistan. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said reports out of Pakistan suggested the situation was still serious. Access to medical treatment was vital before the severe winter season set in. The medical staff - all trained nurses - will be stationed at Abbottabad, where a multinational Red Cross hospital is treating earthquake victims and helping prevent the spread of infection and disease. Up to ten New Zealanders, have left for or will travel to Pakistan in the next few days. The group range from experienced delegates to first-timers, and they will spend up to six months in Pakistan. The work is funded out of New Zealand's $1.5 million contribution to the earthquake relief effort.