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Bill English

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Joined August 2007
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Finance 11 Apr 2013
Budget will confirm track to surplus in 2014/15

The Budget on 16 May will confirm the Government remains on track to surplus in 2014/15, Finance Minister Bill English said today.

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Politics 28 Jan 2013
Is that it?

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Finance 25 Jan 2013
Government finances improve on last year

Firm control of the Government’s expenses and an improvement in revenue has kept the Crown’s financial position broadly on track with forecasts in the five months to 30 November, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Export 20 Dec 2012
Govt extends support for exporters

Exporters will have access to improved support from the New Zealand Export Credit Office under changes announced by the Government today, Finance Minister Bill English and Trade Minister Tim Groser say.

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Economy 20 Dec 2012
NZ economy on track for moderate growth

The economy remains on track for moderate growth over the next few years, despite growth predictably easing a little in the September quarter, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Economy 18 Dec 2012
Government's economic plan remains on track

The Government’s economic plan to deliver a faster-growing economy, more jobs and a return to surplus remains on track, despite ongoing uncertainty in many parts of the world, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Technology 17 Dec 2012
Government App to be updated for HYEFU

The Government will increase the visibility and accessibility of its Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update tomorrow through its smartphone and tablet App, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Court 11 Dec 2012
Ministers welcome High Court decision on MRP

Finance Minister Bill English and State Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall today welcomed the High Court decision in favour of the Crown following last month’s High Court action regarding the sale of shares in Mighty River Power.

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Finance 5 Dec 2012
OBEGAL deficit close to forecast in October

The Government’s $2.87 billion operating deficit before gains and losses in the four months to 31 October was slightly larger than forecast, after core Crown revenue and expenses both came in below expectations.

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Finance 23 Nov 2012
NZ welcomes Australian move on portable super

Finance Minister Bill English has welcomed news that the Australian Senate has passed legislation allowing New Zealanders returning home from Australia to bring their retirements savings with them.

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Finance 7 Nov 2012
Accounts reinforce need for careful management

Crown accounts issued today, showing core Crown spending and revenue slightly below forecast for the three months to 30 September, reinforce the need for careful financial management, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Business 1 Nov 2012
Infrastructure report sets out 67 initiatives

  The Government’s Building Infrastructure progress report issued today sets out 67 infrastructure initiatives being undertaken to help build a more competitive economy, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Government 29 Oct 2012
Govt responds to housing affordability report

The Government agrees with the Productivity Commission that housing can be made more affordable, and has embarked on a wide-ranging programme to make that happen, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 24 Oct 2012
English welcomes demand for inflation bonds

Finance Minister Bill English has welcomed strong investor demand today for the Government’s first issue of September 2025 inflation-indexed bonds.

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Government 17 Oct 2012
Iwi participation in Government share offers

Iwi groups yet to complete their Treaty settlements will be offered the opportunity to participate in the Government share offer programme, Finance Minister Bill English and Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson say.

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Finance 10 Oct 2012
Crown's OBEGAL deficit halved in 2011/12

Higher tax revenue, lower core Crown expenses and a large fall in annual Canterbury earthquake expenses helped to halve the Government's operating deficit before gains and losses to $9.2 billion in the year to 30 June 2012.

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Finance 1 Oct 2012
English to visit UK, Germany and Japan

Finance Minister Bill English leaves tonight for overseas meetings with business, investment and political leaders, which will include the annual meeting of International Monetary Fund and World Bank governors in Tokyo.

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Finance 20 Sep 2012
Economy posts solid growth in first half of 2012

Gross domestic product data issued this morning confirmed the economy posted solid and broad-based growth in the first half of 2012, despite ongoing challenges in many parts of the world, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 19 Sep 2012
New chairman of NZ Super Fund board

Auckland-based company director Gavin Walker has been appointed as the new chairman of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund Guardians board, Finance Minister Bill English announced today.

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Earthquakes 18 Sep 2012
Govt confirms Earthquake Commission review

Finance Minister Bill English and the Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission Gerry Brownlee today announced a legislative review of the Earthquake Commission Act 1993.

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Environment 17 Sep 2012
"Shares plus" consultation round begins

Finance Minister Bill English will tomorrow attend the first hui in response to the Government’s commitment to engage with Iwi on the “shares plus” concept raised in the Waitangi Tribunal’s interim report.

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Finance 30 Aug 2012
Improvements to Public Finance Act introduced

Finance Minister Bill English today introduced the Public Finance (Fiscal Responsibility) Amendment Bill to Parliament, which sets out improvements to fiscal policy and management of taxpayers’ resources.

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Finance 24 Aug 2012
English to attend APEC meeting in Moscow

Finance Minister Bill English leaves next Monday for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) annual meeting of finance ministers in Moscow later in the week.

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Export 15 Aug 2012
Govt releases first progress report on Export Markets

Finance Minister Bill English and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce have today launched the first Business Growth Agenda progress report on Government actions to boost New Zealand exports.

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Government 8 Aug 2012
Ministerial Poverty Committee making progress

The Ministerial Committee on Poverty is working through a number of issues critical to improving the lives of low-income New Zealanders and their families.

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Finance 3 Aug 2012
English welcomes S&P ratings affirmation

Standard & Poor’s has today affirmed New Zealand’s long-term foreign currency rating at AA with a stable outlook, noting this country’s fiscal flexibility, resilient economy and strong political and economic institutions.

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News 2 Aug 2012
Government seeks information from Tribunal

The Government has written to the Waitangi Tribunal seeking further information on the Tribunal’s findings, recommendations and supporting reasoning with respect to its inquiry into national fresh water and geothermal resources.

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Economy 1 Aug 2012
Better economic performance through better regulation

A new system assessing the health of New Zealand’s regulatory regimes will help improve economic performance over the longer term, Finance Minister Bill English and Regulatory Reform Minister John Banks say.

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News 19 Jul 2012
Government appoints new Reserve Bank director

Finance Minister Bill English has appointed Rod Carr to the board of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

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Finance 6 Jul 2012
Responsible fiscal management in uncertain times

The Government will continue to responsibly manage its finances and build a platform for stronger growth in uncertain times, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 27 Jun 2012
Next steps in KiwiRail's Turnaround Plan

The Government has today announced that KiwiRail’s balance sheet will be restructured in another step towards putting the company on a more commercial footing under its challenging Turnaround Plan.

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Banks 26 Jun 2012
Graeme Wheeler to be appointed RBNZ governor

Finance Minister Bill English today announced his intention to appoint Graeme Wheeler governor and chief executive of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, after Alan Bollard’s second five-year term expires on 25 September 2012.

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Economy 21 Jun 2012
Economy grows more strongly in March quarter

The economy grew more strongly than expected in the March quarter, despite ongoing economic and financial market uncertainty in other parts of the world, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 19 Jun 2012
New Zealand extends commitment to IMF

New Zealand has joined other countries in extending its financial commitment to the International Monetary Fund so it has the capacity to deal with any significant disruption to the global economy, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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News 13 Jun 2012
Finance Minister to visit Sydney this week

Finance Minister Bill English travels to Sydney tomorrow for a two-day visit that includes meetings with Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan, along with business and economic leaders.

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Finance 8 Jun 2012
IMF endorses New Zealand policy direction

The International Monetary Fund’s 2012 staff report on New Zealand confirms its support for the Government’s economic plan and particularly its focus on getting back to surplus and increasing national saving, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 6 Jun 2012
Disciplined spending as tax revenue improves

Ongoing spending discipline and a better than forecast tax revenue have led to an improvement in the Government’s financial statements for the 10 months to 30 April, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Technology 29 May 2012
Budget 2012 app popular new initiative

The Government’s new smartphone and tablet app for Budget 2012 was downloaded more than 8,600 times and was New Zealand’s most popular free-download app on Budget day, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 25 May 2012
Remaining on track to Budget surplus in 2014/15

Budget 2012 sets out a programme of balanced measures to ensure the Government remains on track to return to surplus in 2014/15, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Economy 25 May 2012
Competitive economy, surplus at heart of Budget

Budget 2012 invests in building an innovative and productive economy that sells more to the world, supports more jobs, and delivers better public services while getting back to fiscal surplus, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 25 May 2012
Budget 2012 – Investing In Our Future

Builds a platform for growth, while returning to surplus in 2014/15 Returns the Budget to surplus in 2014/15, lifting national savings and reducing the need for Government borrowing.

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Government 25 May 2012
Budget frees up $4.4 billion for higher priorities

Budget 2012 has freed up $4.4 billion to invest in improving frontline public services and getting better results, while running a zero Budget, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Government 25 May 2012
Budget focuses on better public service results

Budget 2012 includes further steps towards an innovative, efficient public sector delivering better results for New Zealanders within tight financial constraints, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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News 25 May 2012
Future Investment Fund for modern infrastructure

Schools, health, science and innovation, and transport all benefit in Budget 2012 from the Future Investment Fund set up to invest proceeds from the sale of minority shareholdings in four SOEs and Air New Zealand, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Business 25 May 2012
Changes build on success of KiwiSaver

Budget 2012 makes changes that will further improve KiwiSaver and lift investor confidence, Finance Minister Bill English and Commerce Minister Craig Foss say.

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Technology 22 May 2012
Budget 2012 goes high tech with new app

The Government will launch a smartphone and tablet app for Budget 2012 on Thursday, providing more ready access to Budget material and helping to reduce the need for printed documents, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Banks 10 May 2012
Greater certainty for covered bond investors

A new legislative framework for the issuance of covered bonds by New Zealand registered banks will provide greater clarity for investors and depositors, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Employment 9 May 2012
Finance Minister welcomes income study

Finance Minister Bill English has welcomed a report from University of Otago researchers, which analyses changes in income and deprivation between 2002 and 2009.

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Finance 8 May 2012
Disciplined Budget will rein in deficit

The Budget later this month will confirm the path back to surplus in 2014/15, despite lower than forecast tax revenue in the Government financial statements in the nine months to 31 March, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 26 Apr 2012
Budget 2012 will confirm surplus in 2014/15

Budget 2012 will set out balanced decisions to ensure the Government remains on track to surplus in 2014/15, Finance Minister Bill English confirmed today.

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Finance 26 Apr 2012
Government to strengthen fiscal responsibility

The Government intends to strengthen the Public Finance Act so there are more checks and balances on ministers’ spending decisions and their long-term effects, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Export 24 Apr 2012
Govt receives international freight report

The Government has received the Productivity Commission's final report on international freight services and will provide a thorough response once it has considered it in detail, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Economy 19 Apr 2012
Australian investment and jobs good for NZ

The increasing number of Australian companies investing and creating jobs in New Zealand is good for the economy and will help increase incomes, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Politics 16 Apr 2012
More spending, borrowing – when will Labour learn?

Labour continues to make expensive spending promises it could not afford without borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars more from overseas lenders, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Diplomacy 13 Apr 2012
Chinese senior leader to visit New Zealand

The fourth-ranked Chinese leader, Jia Qinglin, will arrive in New Zealand on Sunday for a four day visit to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

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Diplomacy 13 Apr 2012
Vietnamese deputy leader to visit

Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will visit New Zealand for bilateral and business meetings over the next few days.

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News 11 Apr 2012
Trade, investment focus of Leadership Forum

Acting Prime Minister Bill English will lead New Zealand’s ministerial delegation to the annual Australian New Zealand Leadership Forum in Sydney, which starts tomorrow.

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News 11 Apr 2012
Govt receives housing affordability report

The Government has received the Productivity Commission's final report on housing affordability and will provide a thorough response once it has considered it in detail, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Deaths 8 Apr 2012
Acting PM pays tribute to Sir Peter Tapsell

RUATORIA — Acting Prime Minister Bill English has paid tribute to Sir Peter Tapsell, who passed away in Ruatoria on Thursday night.

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News 5 Apr 2012
Hong Kong CE to visit NZ exporters

Acting Prime Minister Bill English has announced that Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang will visit New Zealand exporters as well as meet our Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Trade next week.

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News 5 Apr 2012
Govt welcomes completion of AMI sale

The sale of AMI Insurance to IAG, completed today, will provide certainty for policyholders, strengthen the Canterbury insurance market and reduce the likely cost to the Crown, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 4 Apr 2012
Crown accounts reflect extra earthquake costs

An updated valuation of estimated Canterbury earthquake costs – including $450 million relating to the quake on 23 December 2011 – are reflected in the Government’s accounts for the eight months to 29 February.

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Finance 3 Apr 2012
Govt plan strikes the right balance, says IMF

Finance Minister Bill English has welcomed the International Monetary Fund’s assessment of the Government’s plan to return to surplus by 2014/15.

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Politics 5 Mar 2012
Govt introduces public share offer legislation

The Government will today introduce legislation supporting its mixed ownership programme, which will help get on top of debt and pay for priority new public assets like modern schools and hospitals.

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Finance 29 Feb 2012
Finance Minister to deliver Budget on 24 May

The Government will deliver Budget 2012 on Thursday, 24 May, Finance Minister Bill English announced today.

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Finance 23 Feb 2012
Running up $5-$7b more debt not the answer

Opponents of the Government’s mixed ownership programme need to explain to New Zealanders why it would be better to borrow an extra $5 billion to $7 billion from overseas lenders, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Maori 23 Feb 2012
Government completes Maori consultation

The Government has completed consultation with Maori on removing the mixed ownership companies from the State Owned Enterprises (SOE) Act and will make decisions on new legislation in coming weeks, Finance Minister Bill English and SOE Minister Tony Ryall said today.

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Finance 20 Feb 2012
Accounts show need for spending discipline

Lower Government spending has offset lower than expected tax revenue, helping keep the Government's finances on track in the six months to 31 December 2011, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 16 Feb 2012
Budget Policy Statement sets out clear plan

The Budget Policy Statement issued today confirms the Government’s clear economic plan for the next three years – including a return to budget surplus and starting to reduce net debt, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 27 Jan 2012
Focus on spending restraint, return to surplus

Core Crown tax revenue was about $500 million below forecast in the five months ending 30 November, reinforcing the need for ongoing spending restraint and responsible fiscal management, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 27 Jan 2012
Iwi consultation for partial SOE share floats

The Government has announced a series of hui to consult with Maori on legislative changes it considers are necessary for the float of minority shareholdings in four State Owned Enterprises to New Zealanders.

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Economy 22 Dec 2011
Solid economic growth amid global uncertainty

The economy posted solid growth in the September quarter, despite considerable global uncertainty, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 17 Dec 2011
Crown to manage AMI's earthquake claims

IAG's agreement to purchase AMI Insurance, announced today, will strengthen the Canterbury insurance market and reduce the Crown's liability, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 5 Dec 2011
Spending restraint needed for foreseeable future

Ongoing spending discipline and higher than expected corporate tax revenue have helped keep the Government's finances on track at a time of heightened global uncertainty, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 10 Nov 2011
Accounts show need for ongoing discipline

The Government remains committed to sound management of its finances and returning to surplus in 2014/15 as the economy continues to grow, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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News 6 Nov 2011
Deputy PM to attend APEC 2011 in Honolulu

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English will attend the 19th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders meeting on 13 November in Honolulu, USA.

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Finance 6 Nov 2011
Tougher consumer credit laws target loan sharks

The Government plans to overhaul consumer credit laws to protect unwary consumers being preyed on by unscrupulous credit companies, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 27 Oct 2011
Govt seeks better value from receivership assets

The Government has decided to set up a company to manage the recovery of the remaining assets of six finance companies placed in receivership while they had Crown guarantees, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Economy 25 Oct 2011
Government on track for 2014/15 surplus

The Government is on track to return to surplus in 2014/15, with the recovery continuing to pick up pace, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Government 18 Oct 2011
Govt to proceed with KiwiSaver auto-enrolment

The Government will proceed with KiwiSaver auto-enrolment in 2014/15 subject to returning to surplus, as part of its programme to build genuine national savings, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Earthquakes 11 Oct 2011
EQC levies rise to realistically reflect costs

Earthquake Commission (EQC) levies will rise early next year to help rebuild the commission's Natural Disaster Fund (NDF) and to more realistically reflect EQC's operating costs, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 11 Oct 2011
Commitment to cutting deficit, return to surplus

The Government remains committed to halving the budget deficit this year – and again next year – before returning to surplus in 2014/15, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 30 Sep 2011
Credit rating news reflects global issues

MASTERTON — Credit ratings news today reflects global concern about foreign debt in the current world economic environment, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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News 28 Sep 2011
Agreements enhance China-NZ relationship

Five new agreements signed today show the growing relationship between China and New Zealand, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says.

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Economy 22 Sep 2011
Economy still growing amid global uncertainty

The economy grew faster than forecast in the first half of 2011, but lower than expected growth in the June quarter shows the recovery remains patchy across different sectors, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Government 20 Sep 2011
Govt stands behind AMI policyholder support

The Government is standing behind its support agreement for AMI Insurance policyholders, as Treasury continues to work closely with the company on recapitalisation options, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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News 19 Sep 2011
Finance Minister to visit World Bank, IMF

Finance Minister Bill English leaves tomorrow for New York and Washington DC, where he will visit the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and meet Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.

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Economy 8 Sep 2011
Red tape moves to cut costs by $200 million

Government measures to cut red tape are on track to cut compliance costs for businesses and consumers by around $200 million a year, Finance Minister Bill English and Regulatory Reform Minister Rodney Hide say.

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Government 7 Sep 2011
More information on better public services

The Government today issued more information about its Better Public Services programme, which is focused on delivering better frontline services in areas that matter most to New Zealanders.

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Finance 31 Aug 2011
Strong NZ demand expected for SOE shares

A large and growing pool of New Zealand investment funds will ensure strong local demand for the Government's $5 billion to $7 billion mixed ownership programme, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 30 Aug 2011
EQC's earthquake liability revised upwards

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has increased its estimated Canterbury earthquakes liability by about $4 billion to $7.1 billion, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 18 Aug 2011
Feedback sought on options for tax fairness

Two issues papers released today for public consultation continue the Government’s focus on ensuring fairness in the tax system, Finance Minister Bill English and Revenue Minister Peter Dunne say.

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Economy 9 Aug 2011
Video briefing on the economy

Finance Minister Bill English talks about the US economy, the global debt problem, what it means for New Zealand and why our economy is relatively well-placed to weather any shocks in the pipeline.

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News 4 Aug 2011
Constitutional Advisory Panel named

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples today announced the 12 appointees to the Constitutional Advisory Panel.

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Economy 2 Aug 2011
NZ better placed to minimise US debt fallout

The Government has taken several steps to ensure New Zealand can minimise any fallout from the United States’ ongoing debt problems, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Finance 28 Jul 2011
Government welcomes GSFA review findings

Finance Minister Bill English today welcomed a largely positive review of the Government Superannuation Fund Authority (GSFA).

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Finance 25 Jul 2011
Govt toughens rules for non-bank finance firms

The Government is introducing legislation to further tighten the rules for non-bank deposit takers (NBDTs) – another step in lifting investor confidence in our financial institutions, Finance Minister Bill English says.

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Economy 15 Jul 2011
Finance Minister to attend Pacific Islands Forum

Finance Minister Bill English will attend the Pacific Island Forum economic ministers’ meeting next week in Apia, Samoa.

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