NZ, Australian and UK Treasury heads meet

The heads of the New Zealand, Australian and United Kingdom Treasuries will meet in Hawke's Bay from 16-18 February.

The Tri-Treasury Conference is being hosted by the Secretary to the New Zealand Treasury, John Whitehead, who will be joined by Secretary to the Australian Treasury, Dr Ken Henry, and the Permanent Secretary, HM Treasury UK, Sir Nicholas Macpherson.  The three heads of department will be supported by officials from their respective agencies.
Minister of Finance Hon Bill English will be joining Mr Whitehead, Dr Henry and Sir Nicholas for dinner on Wednesday, and Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key, has a lunch engagement with them on Friday.

It is the first time the leaders of the three countries' treasuries have held such a gathering.

The programme includes briefings and discussions on a range of economic and financial issues.  They include the global growth outlook; the macroeconomic environment and challenges; state sector strategy; the European debt crisis; microeconomic reform; environmental sustainability; and international integration.

Political journalist and commentator Colin James will also be briefing the conference.

It is being held at Black Barn, Havelock North.