On Saturday night New Zealand trade minister Tim Groser issued a statement on behalf of the current eleven TPP countries formally welcoming Japan as a new participant in negotiations to conclude a Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. Here’s the link to the full statement.

Air New Zealand has won a major international award for best sustainable tourism practices. The airline was judged best at the World Travel and Tourism Council’s global summit in Abu Dhabi. Air NZ has managed to reduce its carbon emissions by 15% (142,000 tonnes) over the past five years, helping to reinforce the country’s 100% Pure brand and encourage more people to visit.

You can read the full story via the NZ Herald.

The Māori Electoral Option gives New Zealanders of Māori descent the opportunity to choose whether they want to be on the Māori Electoral Roll or the General Electoral Roll when they vote in the next two General Elections.

Acting Trade Minister Hon Steven Joyce has responded to Prime Minister Abe’s announcement on 15 March that Japan wished to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiation.