New Secure data centre Matai opened
As the Minister responsible for the GCSB I am pleased to announce that the Government’s secure digital storage capability has been boosted significantly with the opening of an all-of-government data centre Matai.
All New Zealand agencies will be able to process and store their sensitive data and information at the site safely and securely for at least the next 25 years.Most of the business done in New Zealand today is done by digital means and a secure storage capability has become essential government infrastructure.
The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) will operate the $326 million facility which shows the Government recognises the importance of data sovereignty and this is the reason for building this facility to process and store our most sensitive government information in preference to using other options such as cloud storage.
Security has been a big feature of this project, which includes the facility being hosted by the New Zealand Defence Force.
Careful planning and attention to detail has ensured that the new storage centre was completed on schedule and within budget.
The Prime Minister is optimistic
Our Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is just back from an extensive trip to China and to Europe. He had many successful and productive meetings with leaders promoting New Zealand as a great place to do business and an excellent source of high-quality food including meat, dairy and fruit and also a place to visit for a holiday or education.
While he was overseas, he confirmed that he is an optimist, and he is very optimistic about the economy in New Zealand and that a return to prosperity is close as exports and productivity climb.
I am with him on the need to be optimistic and to see challenges as opportunities. Whether its market conditions or weather conditions, we must remember that our efforts to anticipate, mitigate and take advantage of a situation with often sheer hard work, will eventually bring us a positive result.
When we do a job with commitment to excellence, we will benefit ourselves and our communities. Working hard with purpose helps our whole country to raise our level of productivity and this results in greater returns and more funds for the things that are important to our population like good health, excellent education, greater security and a better lifestyle for all.
When the Prime Minister met Chinese President Xi Jinping, he was assured that the China-New Zealand relationship has had its challenges over the past and recently too, but our mutual relationship is highly respected and at the forefront of China’s relations with the West.
Mr Luxon led a large group whose objective was to build on the trading relationship we have established with China and to promote New Zealand as a tourist destination and a place for Chinese students to come to school and university.
Changes to immigration will support this as Chinese travellers with valid Australian visas may enter New Zealand visa-free, and the need for a transit visa for Chinese travellers has been removed thus enabling “Southern Link” flights between China and South America, via Auckland.
The leaders also discussed security in the Pacific ocean and in the Indo Pacific acknowledge the need for ongoing open dialogue about these issues.
The passing of MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp ONZM
I acknowledge our parliamentary colleague Te Pāti Māori MP for Hauraki Waikato Takutai Tarsh Kemp who passed away on Thursday 26 June suddenly but following a severe illness. May she rest in Peace.
My best wishes to you and to the families enjoying the school holiday break,
