Making a great place even greater. Auckland is not just a great place to live and work. As New Zealand's largest city, it is also one of the main drivers of the economy. When Auckland does well, the country does well.

This week the Government announced major changes to the way the city is governed. From the end of next year, the city will have a new super authority and 20 to 30 local boards.

Auckland is made up of many diverse communities, and the government recognises that they must be well served by the new structure. It will balance the need for elected representatives to be able to think strategically on behalf of the whole region, and for local communities to have a strong voice on issues closer to home.

Members of the public will be able to have their say by making a submission to the Local Government Commission, which makes decisions on the structure and representation requirements of local government in New Zealand. The three commissioners are Gwen Bull, of Clevedon, Sue Piper, of Wellington, and former Timaru Mayor, Wynne Raymond QSO.

I'm confident the new structure will make a great place to live even better.

More money in people's pockets. Last week 1.5 million New Zealanders welcomed a little extra in their pay packets.

Personal tax cuts from 1 April saw the income of a worker on the average wage of $48,500 increase by $18 a week. A range of initiatives making it simpler and less expensive for small and medium sized businesses also took effect.

These changes form a central part of the Government's Jobs and Growth plan and will provide a shot in the arm for our economy at a vital time. The tax cuts are expected to inject an extra $1 billion into the economy in the coming year.

The tax cuts will not only stimulate the economy, but will put more money in people's pockets and encourage them to invest in their future.

We will remember them. Later this month, I will be attending the Anzac Day Service at Gallipoli in my capacity as Minister of Veterans' Affairs.

In recent years the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey has been the site of an annual pilgrimage of thousands of New Zealanders and Australians.

It will be an honour and a privilege to finally visit this place, where the battle that helped shape a nation took place.

On April 25, at Gallipoli and at dawn ceremonies around New Zealand, Kiwis will come together to reflect on the incredible sacrifices made in campaigns through the years so that we may live in peace.

Mayor Calum Penrose will deliver a few words on my behalf at the Dawn Service in Papakura.