Prime Minister John Key has joined the rest of New Zealand in congratulating the New Zealand Breakers on their historic victory over the Cairns Taipans in the Australian National Basketball League.

“The Breakers have gone from strength to strength throughout the competition and have pulled off some memorable wins – and tonight’s champion performance caps off a fantastic season," says Mr Key.

The Breakers’ 71-53 victory is the first time a New Zealand-based team has won an Australian A-grade sporting competition.

“This is a huge accomplishment and the investment in the side over the past eight years is now reaping rewards. It’s also great to see a team with so much Kiwi talent in the ranks take out this title," says Mr Key.

“The players from overseas have also embraced playing in New Zealand and their loyalty to the club has helped pull together an excellent team.

“Coach Andrej Lemanis and the team thoroughly deserve their victory. I look forward to congratulating members of the team and management in person should the opportunity arise when I return to New Zealand," says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the announcement of a telethon to support the Government’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, the official, global fundraiser for the recovery effort for Christchurch and the Canterbury region.

Rise Up Christchurch – Te Kotahitanga will be a 12-hour event on May 22 – three months after the February 22 earthquake. All funds raised will go to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

“There has been a huge outpouring of support from around the world in the wake of February’s tragic earthquake,” says Mr Key.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for people to continue to throw their weight behind the Christchurch community.”

Mr Key congratulated organisers for creating the event.

“In the aftermath of both September’s and February’s earthquakes, there has been a huge number of people and organisations volunteering their time to help Christchurch. This event characterises that generosity, and I know a lot of people are donating their time and expertise to make the event a success.”

The telethon will be broadcast from Christchurch’s CBS Arena and centres from around New Zealand by Maori Television.

John talks about his upcoming trip to France and the UK where he will attend the Royal wedding and have meetings with the Queen, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and UK PM David Cameron, as well as a number of other officials. He also talks about newly announced plans for a West Coast events centre and this week's announcement of inflation data. As always, comments are welcome on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pmjohnkey ) and on the website (www.johnkey.co.nz).

Prime Minister John Key has today recognised the severe impact on Canterbury tourism by the February 2011 earthquake with a funding boost.

The Ministry of Economic Development (MED), Christchurch City Council (CCC), and Christchurch International Airport (CIAL) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to help Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism (CCT) that is worth an additional $1.6 million.

The funding boost breaks down to $625,000 from MED, $625,000 from CIAL, and $350,000 from CCC (which is additional to core council funding of $2.2 million).

“This is a collaborative approach that is designed to help CCT stabilise its business and operations and rebuild existing tourism and travel activity,” says Mr Key.

“Despite the severe impact of the earthquake, CCT has played a vital role in helping Canterbury’s tourism industry to recover, but this would be impossible to continue without additional funding.

“Christchurch is the gateway for South Island tourism and must be supported. I would like to thank CIAL and CCC for their contribution to the recovery of the industry in Canterbury and the wider South Island.”