Category: MIL-Submissions

Auto Added by WPeMatico

Posted on

Employment News – Unemployment Rise Reflects EMA Member Sentiment

Source: EMA

The small rise in unemployment is beginning to reflect on-the-ground anecdotal evidence being shared by members of the Employment and Manufacturers Association (EMA).
“We have been talking to members throughout late June and July, and those looking forward were pretty pessimistic about hiring new people as they noticed a downturn in their forward pipelines for orders and work,” said EMA Head of Advocacy, Strategy and Finance, Alan McDonald.
Treasury announced a small rise in unemployment data from 3.4% to 3.6% earlier today. Figures also show liquidations are up 36% on last year, further contributing to unemployment.
“Where there have been vacancies our members report more people applying for vacant positions, a significant change from late last year when there were virtually no applicants and interviewees for most roles,” said Mr. McDonald.
“However, that’s still a bit patchy with technical skills still very difficult to find, and basic skills among those first entering the workplace lacking in terms of work readiness.
“The other concern is that since the start of the year, inquiries to our Adviceline service for assistance around restructuring and redundancies in the workplace have more than doubled.
“In June that was just under 100 inquiries in the month from businesses wanting to restructure and/or make people redundant.
“Our consulting team has also noticed a sharp increase in the volume of their work in redundancies and restructuring and our legal team is also fielding more inquiries in this area.”  
About the EMA: The EMA is New Zealand’s largest business service organisation dedicated to helping people and businesses grow. It offers advice, learning, advocacy and support for more than 7,600 businesses as members of the EMA, ExportNZ and The EMA’s Manufacturers Network. The EMA is part of the BusinessNZ network and its territory spans the upper North Island. The EMA also offers many of its services nationally to member businesses, and through its partners.
Posted on

Energy News – Flick Electric partners with Wellington Free Ambulance

Source: Flick Electric Co

Wellington-based electricity retailer Flick Electric is thrilled to announce the launch of its community support partnership with longstanding local organisation, Wellington Free Ambulance.
It is the first multi-year community partnership for Flick, marking a significant milestone for the power company which now serves over 32,000 customers, and representing Flick’s commitment to be deliberately on the side of New Zealanders.
As a company that is homegrown in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and headquartered in the city’s CBD, Flick takes immense pride in collaborating with Wellington Free Ambulance, which provides vital emergency services in the Greater Wellington and Wairarapa region. It is the only emergency service in this area and the only free ambulance service in Aotearoa.
Flick recognises the essential role played by Wellington Free Ambulance in safeguarding the community and is determined to support the organisation in maintaining their critical services.
Through this partnership, Flick will take on the role of electricity retailer for the Wellington Free Ambulance sites, providing them with access to affordable electricity. Flick will also provide funding, which will help Wellington Free Ambulance keep its services free of charge to anyone who needs them.
It is a collaboration grounded in shared values, with Wellington Free Ambulance’s mission to protect our communities and our most vulnerable people aligning closely with Flick’s ethos of championing fairness and standing up for what is right.
Neisha Ashaye, Chief Marketing Officer at Flick, says, “We’re incredibly proud to join forces with Wellington Free Ambulance. It’s an iconic organisation here in Wellington, and one that our local communities could not do without.
At Flick, we’re passionate about being on the side of Kiwis, whether they’re our customers or not. By partnering with Wellington Free Ambulance, we feel we can really make a difference in our home region, and we’re excited to support them in their exceptional and essential mahi.”
Claire Carruthers, GM Fundraising and Communications at Wellington Free Ambulance, says, “Our new partnership with Flick is fantastic on several levels. Their support will help keep our (rather large!) electricity bills affordable, and their donation helps us keep the ‘free’ in Wellington Free Ambulance.
They’re keen to support our annual Onesie Appeal too, and we’re excited to see the onesies they pull out for that! Supporters like Flick are absolutely essential in keeping our services running and we’re so grateful for their generosity.”
Posted on

Banking News – Westpac workers to strike next week over low pay

Source: First Union

Over 800 FIRST Union members who work at Westpac banks around the country have voted to begin strike action next week after rejecting a low pay offer following five months of bargaining.
Bill Bradford, FIRST Union organiser, said union members would nationally withdraw their labour during specific timeslots on Wednesday next week (July 9 th), with some branches voting to take full day strike action, and the specific times and any further dates would be notified to the bank and public in the coming days.
“Westpac workers have had a guts full of being given the runaround by billionaire bank bosses and are sick of waiting for progress in pay negotiations,” said Mr Bradford.
“Westpac took a billion dollars of Kiwis’ money in profit last year and sent it offshore to shareholders while simultaneously fighting to keep their own workers’ pay rises well below the cost of living.”
“Our members want real pay talks that progress rather than regress, and they want to be rewarded for their fair share of big profits after a decade of stalled wages.”
Mr Bradford said that union members would hold an additional vote this week on further partial strike action related to their social media restrictions.
“Workers should be free to share their opinions about low pay and conditions at work publicly without fear of disciplinary action,” said Mr Bradford.
“There’s a reason that the average Kiwi isn’t particularly keen on banks, and it’s being exemplified here in how these organisations deal with their own staff.”
“As one of the richest and most profitable companies operating in New Zealand, they have a moral and social obligation to support the communities they serve and profit from by investing in people.”
“That must start with the people who live in those communities and work for Westpac but are struggling to pay their rents and mortgages and eat properly at the moment.”
Mr Bradford said further details on next week’s strike actions would be provided in the coming days.
For further information:
Posted on

Local News – Have your say on regional plan to reduce waste

Source: Hutt City Council

Hutt City Council is inviting feedback on a draft regional plan to reduce waste.
Climate Change & Sustainability Committee Chair, Councillor Josh Briggs, says it’s important for councils and the community to unite to reduce waste across the Wellington region.
“All councils and our communities in the region are on this sustainability journey together so it is vital we deliver a unified approach to providing a more sustainable future for both Lower Hutt and the wider Wellington region.
“We want you to contribute to this mahi by letting us know what you think about how we’re looking at minimising our waste.”
Head Of Climate & Solid Waste at Hutt City Council, Jörn Scherzer, says: “This is a chance to have your say on the future of sustainability in Lower Hutt and throughout the Wellington region. All eight councils together have produced their own draft individual Local Action Plan, and we look forward to hearing from our community on about the ways we’re proposing to reduce waste.
“Every item that goes into your red-lid rubbish bin means more waste getting sent to landfill. We want to slow the growth of our landfills, and to reduce the emissions coming from them.”
  • Investing in new initiatives, such as diverting food waste from landfill.
  • Using strategic campaigns to reduce litter throughout the city.
  • Making it easier for people to get information on waste and climate-related topics.
  • Advocating to central government – smarter ways to produce less waste.
  • Working with Wellington Water to reduce and divert wastewater biosolids from landfill.
  • Demonstrating waste minimisation and circular economy principles in council facilities and activities.
  • Helping local businesses with free waste audits, presentations and supporting solutions.
Public consultation is now open and will close on Friday 1 September.
Posted on

Annual wage cost inflation remains at 4.3 percent – Stats NZ media and information release: Labour market statistics: June 2023 quarter

Annual wage cost inflation remains at 4.3 percent – Media release

2 August 2023

Wage cost inflation, as measured by the labour cost index (LCI), remained at 4.3 percent in the year to the June 2023 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

“Annual wage costs continued to increase at historically high rates this quarter, equal to the 4.3 percent annual increase last quarter,” business prices delivery manager Bryan Downes said.

Visit our website to read these news stories and this information release or to download CSV files:

CategoriesMIL-OSITagsMIL OSI
Posted on

Unemployment rate at 3.6 percent – Stats NZ media and information release: Labour market statistics: June 2023 quarter

Unemployment rate at 3.6 percent – Media release

2 August 2023

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in the June 2023 quarter, compared with 3.4 percent last quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ.

Unemployment, along with underemployment and the potential labour force, is one of the components that comprise underutilisation – a broader measure of spare labour market capacity than unemployment alone.

The underutilisation rate increased from 9.1 percent (revised) to 9.8 percent this quarter. The largest increase came from growth in underemployed part-timers, who wanted and were available to work more hours.

Visit our website to read these news stories and this information release or to download CSV files:

CategoriesMIL-OSITagsMIL OSI
Posted on

Development News – Fast-track approval for St Heliers residential development

Source: Environmental Protection Authority

An independent panel has approved consent to subdivide land and construct a housing development on Waimarie Street and Riddell Road, Saint Heliers, Auckland.
Sanctum Projects Limited made the application under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020.
The decision comes 123 working days after the application was lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority.
The Environmental Protection Authority is not involved in the decision-making. We provide advice and administrative support for the panel convener, Judge Laurie Newhook, and the expert consenting panels he appoints. 
Posted on

Social News – Age friendly fund now open

Source: Office for Seniors

Applications are now open for the Age friendly Fund, a programme that provides grants for projects that promote the inclusion and contribution of older people in community life.

The fund makes one-off grants from $5,000 up to $15,000 and applications are now being accepted until 24 September 2023.

The grants are open to any New Zealand council, community organisation, or registered non-profit organisation. All applications must be supported by the local council.

Grants can be applied for to start development of a local Age friendly plan or to implement a new project in support of an Age friendly plan.

Last year twelve organisations were funded to run projects that included intergenerational projects (from writing memoirs to weaving), preparation for retirement workshops, social interaction projects (involving one on one visits or group activities) and needs assessments to help inform Age friendly action plans. Details on all the projects we have funded can be found here Funding for age friendly communities | Te Tari Kaumātua (officeforseniors.govt.nz).

Office for Seniors Director, Diane Turner, said the grants are available to help communities prepare for an ageing population.

“In New Zealand, by 2034, there will be 1.2 million people aged 65+. It’s important that we prepare for the diverse needs of older people in New Zealand and embrace the opportunities that an ageing population and longevity brings.”

For more information on the Age friendly Fund, including the eligibility criteria and how to apply click here: https://officeforseniors.govt.nz/our-work/age-friendly-communities/funding-for-age-friendly-communities/

Posted on

Animal Welfare – “Game-changer for animals” – Government told to review all codes of welfare

Source: SAFE For Animals

The days of winter grazing and colony cages could be numbered, along with other practices inconsistent with the Animal Welfare Act 1999, following a ground-breaking report from the Regulations Review Committee.
The Committee has told the Government to conduct a prompt review of the process for developing secondary legislation under the Act, and whether all secondary legislation, particularly codes of welfare, are consistent with the intentions of the Act.
SAFE CEO Debra Ashton says the animal welfare framework in New Zealand is overdue for a shake-up.
“We need to wait and see what this review looks like, but this could be a game-changer for animals,” says Ashton.
“Take colony cages for example, which SAFE has been calling to be banned for years. They’re still in use, even though they breach the Animal Welfare Act. Clearly, the process right now for developing codes of welfare is deeply flawed.”
The Committee’s recommendation was in response to the New Zealand Animal Law Association’s (NZALA) report Farmed Animal Welfare Law in New Zealand . The Committee found the volume of complaints regarding inconsistencies between secondary legislation, like codes of welfare, and the Act, highlighted the need for a substantive review.
“NZALA and SAFE had to go to court to challenge the use of farrowing crates, which should never have needed to happen. Small cages where animals can’t even turn around are not in line with the intentions of the Act, which requires that animals have the ability to express normal patterns of behaviour.”
“Clearly, a lack of independent advice has led to this perverse situation where codes of welfare do not align with the Animal Welfare Act. Our expectation is that the Government appoints an independent Commissioner for Animals to conduct this review. The Commissioner should then have continued oversight of the enforcement and regulatory regime.”
Posted on

Human Rights – Kiwi-funded, climate-change innovation for drought-stricken Kenya

Source: ChildFund New Zealand

  • ChildFund appeals to New Zealanders to fund climate-change adaptation projects for drought-stricken Kenya
  • New solar-run reservoir holds over 1million litres of clean, safe drinking water
  • Children walk up to 12 kilometers to collect water for their families
In the face of increased threats from climate change, ChildFund is asking New Zealanders for donations to fund innovative projects to help already drought-stricken communities in Kenya to access safe, clean drinking water.
ChildFund programme manager Matt Fowler travelled to Emali, Kenya in July and visited a new ChildFund water reservoir that is run on solar technology and holds over 1million litres of clean, safe drinking water that is accessed by over 3,000 people.
“We are seeing every year now worsening drought through failed rains in Kenya that previously we saw every three to four years, this new ChildFund water infrastructure was installed in a bone dry looking riverbed, whereas in fact under this riverbed sand is holding a large amount of water that is now being captured and filtered through a porous sump tank and is a great example of a climate-change adaptation project,” Matt says.
“While drilling boreholes, laying water pipes and installing tanks remain as important project elements of increasing access to water, ChildFund is working more and more with communities on new solutions that are able to address large scale impacts of drought and climate change.”
The reservoir and tank system at Mulala has a solar-powered treatment plant that will pump the water, including to children, at four schools and over 500 households. ChildFund will work with the communities on ongoing maintenance of the equipment.
Matt visited Mulala Girls’ High School which is connected to the new reservoir and says the school, that has 800 students, had not had a clean water source before.
“I spoke with the principal at Mulala Girls High and she said that previously, towards the end of the day, the girls would not focus on learning because they knew they had to run to the borehole to get water after school, water that could make them sick but now they do not have to worry about that.”
Children can walk up to 12 kilometers to fetch water for their families in this area of Kenya, a task that usually falls on females and often is at the cost of valuable learning time at school.
Other projects in Emali include boreholes powered by solar pumps saving the community not only the cost of the diesel which previously was used to power pumps but also causing less pollution, along with automated water kiosks.
Working with communities in the Pacific, Africa, and Asia, on innovative solutions to provide safe, clean drinking water for children is a focus for ChildFund. ChildFund is asking Kiwis to donate to its new water and sanitation hygiene appeal to help fund more innovative projects and to help wash away the injustice of dirty water. Visit childfund.org.nz to make a donation.
About ChildFund: ChildFund New Zealand is a member of ChildFund Alliance, a global network focused on ending violence and exploitation against children, and promoting a world in which all children enjoy their rights and achieve their full potential. Please visit childfund.org.nz for more information.