Mark P. Williams

Lucky Numbers? PM Answers Questions on Convention Centre

Monday, 23 April 2012, 6:08 pm | Mark P. Williams

In today's Post-Cabinet press conference the Prime Minister summarised his trip to Indonesia and Singapore in terms of the Asia-Pacific region's importance for New Zealand markets and outlined his plans for the week ahead, including Anzac day. He ... More >>

Turia: Tobacco, Crafar Farms and the Gambling Act

Friday, 20 April 2012, 12:43 pm | Mark P. Williams

Tobacco, Crafar Farms and the Gambling Act Press Conference with the Hon. Tariana

Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia today made a statement on the proposal to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products.

The Minister said that she was very pleased that Cabinet had agreed to the consultation process and rejected the tobacco industry's claim that it would encourage young people to take up smoking. She added that she felt it was important More >>

New Zealand Soldier Dies in Afghanistan - No Comment on Circumstances

Wednesday, 4 April 2012, 1:38 pm | Mark P. Williams

Today the Defence Force held a press conference regarding the death of Corporal Douglas Hughes, aged 26, in Afghanistan yesterday. The Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Rhys Jones said Corporal Hughes sustained injuries in a non-battle related ... More >>

Zeroing In - Budget Target: Surplus by 2014-15

Monday, 2 April 2012, 6:13 pm | Mark P. Williams

Zero Budget: PM Press Conference Monday, 3 April 2012 Scoop Audio + Photos By Mark P. Williams More >>

Labour Stand Up - ACC Inquiry and Those Finland Comments

Tuesday, 27 March 2012, 11:35 am | Mark P. Williams

This morning, Labour Deputy Leader Grant Robertson answered questions from the press gallery. Asked what he thought of the conduct of ACC Minister Nick Smith regarding the case of Bronwyn Pullar he said that it would be perceived by the public as a ... More >>

Teapot Tape Verdict - No Charges but Taping Still Illegal

Monday, 26 March 2012, 4:23 pm | Mark P. Williams

Today the police announced the end of the police inquiry into the so-called "Teapot Tape" of the conversation between the Prime Minister John Key and Act Party leader John Banks during the election. More >>

David Shearer Calls for Full Inquiry

Tuesday, 20 March 2012, 1:42 pm | Mark P. Williams

David Shearer today called for an inquiry into the matter of Nick Smith writing a personal refrerence for the ACC on ACC headed paper. He called Nick Smith's actions a clear conflict of interest and said that he expected that the Prime Minister would ... More >>

Local Debt, Local Cuts: PM Announces Local Govt Reforms

Monday, 19 March 2012, 6:59 pm | Mark P. Williams

The Prime Minister and Local Government Minister Nick Smith today announced a raft of reforms to local government. The PM said that the Local Government Reform Bill placed central emphasis on efficiency within tight financial constraint. Both the ... More >>

Cuts and Results: PM Press Conference Monday 12th Mar, 2012

Monday, 12 March 2012, 6:48 pm | Mark P. Williams

Today the Prime Minister announced that his forthcoming speech at the Auckland Chamber of Commerce will include proposals for yet more public service restructuring. The Prime Minister stated that he wanted a results-focused public service sectoras it ... More >>

The Assault on Gaza - 11 March 2012

Monday, 12 March 2012, 5:16 pm | Mark P. Williams

This weekend has seen the bloodiest violence in Gaza for at least three years. We will be keeping a record of the attacks and reports on them as events unfold as a rolling blog. Scoop's correspondent in Gaza, Julie Webb Pullman, will be providing ... More >>

Mixing Ownership and Restructuring Diplomacy - PM Presser

Monday, 5 March 2012, 7:15 pm | Mark P. Williams

The PM began by discussing his visit to a Gracefield School in Lower Hutt with Amy Adams, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, to announce the rolling out of superfast broadband to a further 693 schools with around 230,000 students. ... More >>

Avoiding "The Debt Trap": Mixed Ownership Programme

Monday, 5 March 2012, 6:17 pm | Mark P. Williams

Today Hon. Tony Ryall, Minister for State Owned Enterprises announced the introduction of new legislation in support of the government's mixed ownership programme. He confirmed that the first initial public offering, for Mighty River Power, would take place ... More >>

Ministerial Inquiry: Sex Offender in Education Sector

Tuesday, 28 February 2012, 1:15 pm | Mark P. Williams

The Education Minister, Hon. Hekia Parata, today announced a Ministerial Inquiry into the employment of a convicted sex offender in the education sector. Ministers were informed that a convicted sex offender had been found in breach of their conditions ... More >>

Off Benefit and Into Work - PM Press Conference

Monday, 27 February 2012, 6:03 pm | Mark P. Williams

Prime Minister John Key is joined by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett to explain the government's new Welfare Reform Programme. The PM outlines the proposals before handing over to the Hon Paula Bennett to give more specific detail. Both the ... More >>

Labour's Reconnection: Review Seeks Grassroots & New Blood

Monday, 27 February 2012, 2:19 pm | Mark P. Williams

Today the Labour Party Leader David Shearer and Party President Moira Coatsworth held a press briefing on the forthcoming organisational review . They outlined the overall intent and direction for the review and then took questions on the record ... More >>

First Night of the Festival

Sunday, 26 February 2012, 7:52 pm | Mark P. Williams

Wellington Arts Festival’s outdoor events begin in impressive style with Arcane and Michael Tuffery’s First Contact. Scoop was there for the full spectacle. More >>

Proposed Changes to MFAT: Audio and Video

Thursday, 23 February 2012, 4:43 pm | Mark P. Williams

Today the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued its proposals for its future. The Ministry’s Chief Executive, John Allen, outlined the key areas of change. He described the proposal as an attempt to create a "flexible, fit for purpose, deeply ... More >>

Multimedia: PM on Quake Anniversary, Diseases, Stephen Fry

Tuesday, 21 February 2012, 9:18 am | Mark P. Williams

PM began with remarks on the forthcoming one year anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake and took questions on a variety of topics - PM was asked his opinion on whether he considered the recent High Court ruling to be a tightening of the law ... More >>

Scoop Images: Wellington Chinese New Year Parade 2012

Monday, 13 February 2012, 10:39 am | Mark P. Williams

On Sunday, Wellington held a street parade as part of its celebrations for the Chinese New Year. More >>

Mark P Williams: Waitangi – What Makes A National Day?

Tuesday, 7 February 2012, 3:16 pm | Mark P. Williams

Should Waitangi Day be seen as a national day when it provokes such diverse and divisive responses? That depends on whether you think unity should overrule differences of perspective and opinion. More >>