Prime Minister John Key has today announced Rotorua MP Todd McClay will be appointed as a new Minister outside Cabinet, following the resignation of Peter Dunne.

Mr McClay was elected into Parliament in 2008 and was made the Chair of the Finance and Expenditure Committee last year.

“Mr McClay will be the new Revenue Minister and Associate Health Minister,” Mr Key says.

“The role of Associate Conservation Minister will be discontinued and those responsibilities will be assumed by the lead Minister – Dr Nick Smith.”

“I look forward to welcoming Mr McClay to the Executive. He has proven himself to be a valuable member of the National Party Caucus over the past four-and-a-half-years,” Mr Key says.

Mr McClay will be sworn in at Parliament at 9am tomorrow by the Governor-General.

Prime Minister John Key today released David Henry’s report into the unauthorised disclosure of Rebecca Kitteridge’s compliance review of the GCSB, and announced that he has accepted the resignation of Peter Dunne as a Minister.

Mr Henry’s report was delivered to the Prime Minister on the evening of Wednesday, 5 June.

“When I announced the terms of reference for the inquiry I made it very clear that I expected all Ministers and their staff to fully cooperate,” Mr Key says.

“In this situation, a sensitive government document was leaked to a reporter and that is a very serious matter.

“The report shows that Mr Dunne has not met all of the requests for information from the inquiry.

“I am extremely disappointed with what has taken place. I expect my Ministers to always uphold the highest standards, and to be held to account for their actions.

“I have met with Mr Dunne to discuss the matter. He has advised me that he remains unable to fully meet the inquiry’s requests, and accordingly, he offered, and I have accepted his resignation as a Minister.

“I am deeply saddened by these events. Mr Dunne has had a long distinguished career in Parliament and has made a significant contribution as a Minister over many years.

“He has been a great partner for the National Party in Government. But fundamentally, the public have high expectations of Ministers and so do I,” Mr Key says.

Mr Key announced that Deputy Prime Minister Bill English will be Acting Minister of Revenue until a decision is made about the permanent portfolio allocation. In the meantime, Mr Dunne’s associate Ministerial responsibilities will revert to the relevant lead Ministers.

“Mr Dunne has advised me that he intends to continue to meet the terms of United Future’s confidence and supply agreement with the National Party.

“Finally, I would like to thank David Henry for a thorough and professional inquiry,” Mr Key says.

Attached: PDF David Henry Report and Appendices
Henry Report.pdf (pdf 1.94 MB)

Prime Minister John Key today announced Government funding to expand Fonterra and Sanitarium’s KickStart Breakfast programme, and a grant to KidsCan to boost a variety of the charity’s initiatives.

“By teaming up with Fonterra and Sanitarium, and deepening our support for KidsCan, we are building on the existing strengths of these organisations, while keeping the costs to taxpayers down,” says Mr Key.

“The most enduring solutions to help vulnerable children and families happen when communities are stepping up – not just government.”

Mr Key says the expanded KickStart Breakfast programme will increase from two to five mornings a week in decile one to four schools, with a view to gradually rolling the programme out to all those schools wanting and needing the programme.

“This is a simple breakfast, and one generations of New Zealanders have grown up on – Weet-Bix and milk.

“The Government is putting up 50 per cent of the costs, with the other half being matched in value by Fonterra and Sanitarium. These organisations will continue to distribute the breakfasts to schools.

“The total cost to the Government is up to $9.5 million over five years. Both the Government, and Fonterra and Sanitarium, have made an initial five-year commitment to this expanded programme,” says Mr Key.

“I’d like to make one thing clear – the Government believes parents have the primary responsibility for providing their kids with the basics, including a decent breakfast and a pair of shoes.

“But the fact remains that some children are going to school hungry and therefore not in good shape to learn.”

Mr Key says the grant to KidsCan - $1.5 million over three years - will be targeted to its clothing and healthcare programmes.

“This Government has a positive and long-standing relationship with KidsCan, and we are pleased to be extending this partnership. Since 2009, we have made grants to KidsCan to support its work, alongside the philanthropic funding it receives.

“The grant from the Government will go towards shoes, raincoats, lice treatment and other basic, essential healthcare needs. KidsCan already has the networks to reach vulnerable children and families, and the funding boost will help KidsCan continue its great work,” says Mr Key.

“We want to strike a balance between looking after the kids in genuine need, against creating dependency.

“I believe the Government’s funding initiatives for KickStart Breakfast and KidsCan strike that balance,” says Mr Key.

“Both of these funding agreements harness the energy of Government, the corporate sector and the community. We see that as the best way forward to help vulnerable families.”