30 June.

Phyllis Callaghan & Shannon Leef run a film & digital company in Gisborne and are mentoring young Maori men from Gisborne Boys High through film & media studies. This year they won the Move Fest Competition, which enabled them to visit Weta workshop. they have also done previous projects including fundraising in Africa.

The students are all Maori and are seniors at Gisborne Boys High School who take part in a mentoring programme, run and organized by a local digital film company, Murray Sam Holdings Limited.   Every Friday the boys get to write, direct, produce, edit and act in their own movies, docos and news.  The programme has been running for three years and the boys are able to access their credits for media through Gateway.   There are currently 10 boys on the programme. Former successes have gone onto work for TVNZ and one has got an NPC contract with Taranaki rugby..  They have won numerous movie competitions, including; 2006 and 2008: Over-all Movie fest winners (Trip to Weta Studios) 2006 MOVIE: Horror Movie 101.   2008 Movie: GAME. CUT 2007: Winner of best documentary – Toredo Worm,the worm was responsible for collapsing the Nuhaka  bridge. CUT 2007: Best performance for Tumatauenga: Te Hokinga Mai (Also winners of the ANZAC short film competition, Rangatahi section). 2007: Finalists for the Gisborne Region: 48 hours competition. 2007 2009.  Presenting and fronting commercial products, which Murray Sam Holdings make. 2009: V 48 seconds film comp (Awaiting the results).

Teachers attending: Craig Callaghan and Shannon Leef.

Students attending: Wayne Costain; Jessie Fleming; Hayden Stuart; Rick Nepe; Harley Roberts; Ashley Brown; Brandon Manuel; Perenu Callaghan; Chance Ria

30 June. In this edition of John's regular video journal he talks about winter and tourism.

The Disability Issues portfolio has been transferred from Paula Bennett to Tariana Turia, Prime Minister John Key has announced.

In addition, Pansy Wong will be appointed Associate Minister for Disability Issues. The changes take effect immediately.

"The change has come after a request from Paula Bennett for the transfer of the portfolio to another Minister so she can better concentrate on the Social Development and Employment portfolio," says Mr Key.

"There are big challenges in this portfolio, especially given the increasing workload on the Ministry of Social Development from unemployment.

"The National-led Government is determined to do all it can to help people who have lost their jobs and assist them to find new employment.

"Tariana Turia immediately accepted the important Disability Issues portfolio when I approached her to see if she was interested.

"There are many synergies between this portfolio and her other portfolios, and I believe she will do an excellent job."

Paula Bennett says this is not a decision she has made lightly.

"The impact of this recession on the lives of New Zealanders is becoming clearer, and I am determined to do all I can to help those who have lost their jobs find new employment."

Prime Minister John Key will lead an official delegation to four Pacific Islands next week.

The visit, over four days, will take in Tonga, Samoa, Niue, and the Cook Islands.

Mr Key says the purpose of the visit is to reinforce the already close links New Zealand has with its Pacific neighbours.

“The impact of the global economic crisis on the Pacific and priorities for the Pacific Island Forum in Cairns in August will also be under discussion.”

Mr Key will meet with the King of Tonga, His Majesty George Tupou V, Tongan Prime Minister Sevele, Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa, Niue’s Premier Talagi, and Cook Islands Prime Minister Marurai.

Joining the Prime Minister on the RNZAF flight will be Maori Party Co-Leader Dr Pita Sharples, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Georgina te Heuheu, and members of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee.

Also in the delegation will be Manukau Mayor Len Brown, Porirua Mayor Jenny Brash, Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, and Pacific Island youth and sport representatives including Michael Jones and Va’aiga Tuigamala.

The delegation leaves Tuesday 7 July and returns Friday 10 July.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister, John Key has today announced that the Government will invest $1 million in this year’s inaugural Winter Games.

The event, which will be the Southern Hemisphere’s largest winter sports event, will be held at several venues around the Otago region in August.

The event will be known as the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games, in line with Tourism New Zealand’s successful international brand.

The biennial games will take place at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona, Snow Farm, Naseby and Dunedin from 21-30 August. It will feature alpine skiing, free skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and demonstration sports.

“We are serious about attracting and developing world class events. This is a great example of an exciting, home-grown event with huge potential.

“The tourism spin-offs in terms of visitor numbers and spending will be significant.

“This event will showcase some of our most spectacular scenery and we believe the benefits will extend well beyond the Otago region”.

The event will put New Zealand’s pristine winter landscape on 350 million television screens around the world and attract 800 of the world’s elite winter sports athletes, many of whom will go on to the Winter Olympics. It is expected to generate $50 million into New Zealand’s economy in the first year.

“New Zealand has a growing reputation as a world class events destination, and this $1 million investment from the Major Events Development Fund demonstrates this Government’s determination to see that reputation enhanced.”