Category: New Zealand Executive Government

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Women take the lead this world IP day

World Intellectual Property (IP) Day will be marked with an event giving centre stage to women known for their innovation and creativity.
Victoria Spackman will MC a panel event where Bernadette Casey, Kat Lintott, Lucy Morris and Hīria Te Rangi will speak to the day’s theme: Powering Change – women in innovation and creativity. The event was organised in partnership between the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ), the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys (NZIPA) and the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ).
World IP Day is an international initiative by the World Intellectual Property Organization to celebrate the role of intellectual property, with this year’s focus being women in innovation.
Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Kris Faafoi says World IP day is a good time to highlight the importance of intellectual property and its role in New Zealand’s economic development.
“And this year it’s especially pleasing to be here in our creative capital Wellington building on that theme by hearing from women who have done great things.
“As well as their current work – from re-using waste to create new products to building sensors to create healthier homes – these women who will continue to create ground-breaking innovations in the coming years. They will inspire new innovation – and, I hope, lead more women into creative, rewarding new endeavours.”
New Zealand has continued to take a prominent role in IP, with the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) recently ranked for the second year running as number one in the world for its online capabilities by well-known industry publication World Trademark Review.
“This means that protecting ideas by registering patents, trade marks, industrial designs and plant variety rights with IPONZ is easier than ever, and businesses can turn their focus to realising the potential of their innovations,” Mr Faafoi says.
Note: The World IP Day panel event will take place at 5.30pm at Royal Society Te Apārangi, 11 Turnbull Street, Thorndon, Wellington. Ginny Anderson MP will speak for Mr Faafoi at the opening of the event.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Environment Minister to meet Australian counterparts

Environment Minister David Parker will meet his Australian counterparts in Melbourne tomorrow to discuss policy issues in their portfolio areas.
“This is an excellent opportunity to engage with my Australian counterparts on our common challenges such as climate change, waste management and biodiversity,” David Parker says.
“It is important that we keep up with the latest policy developments in Australia and work with them on aligning our approach to environmental issues with international aspects.”
The annual meeting of Australian Environment Ministers involves State and Federal ministers, including Australian Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg.
David Parker will update the meeting on developments in New Zealand and will also hold one-on-one talks with Minister Frydenberg.
New Zealand has a standing invitation to attend as an observer and has attended at Ministerial level twice, the last time in November 2016.
David Parker, who holds the portfolios of Trade and Export Growth and Economic Development, will also meet the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Melbourne-based Consul General and Trade Commissioner and NZTE contacts for an update on NZTE activities in Australia.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Appointment of Judge of the High Court

Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Wellington Queen’s Counsel Francis Cooke as a Judge of the High Court. 
Justice Cooke becomes the third generation of his family to be appointed to the bench.  He is the son of Lord Cooke of Thorndon ONZ, KBE, PC, QC, and the grandson of Justice Philip Cooke QC, MC. 
Justice Cooke graduated with an LLB (Hons) from Victoria University in 1989 and an LLM from the University of Cambridge in 1990 before joining the UK office of international law firm Ashurst Morris Crisp as a foreign solicitor.   
In 1992 he returned to New Zealand and commenced practice as a solicitor at the Wellington office of Chapman Tripp.   
In 1994 Justice Cooke left Chapman Tripp to join the independent bar.  He was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 2004. 
Justice Cooke has argued a number of significant cases before the higher courts involving questions of public importance, including the leading Supreme Court decisions concerning the proposed extension to Wellington Airport, the challenge to the Ruataniwha Dam Project and the Quake Outcasts case. 
He has also appeared in many leading commercial cases at all levels of the New Zealand Court system, including the Privy Council, and has been involved in a number of public inquiries. 
He has acted as external counsel to the Transport Accident Investigation Commission since 1999, and was junior counsel assisting the Commission in the “Winebox” inquiry between 1994 and 1997. 
Justice Cooke is a trustee of the Douglas Wilson Advocacy Scholarship Trust and a member of the New Zealand Pegasus Scholarship Committee. He has been associated with Wellington arts and particularly classical music, and in 2014 became the Chair of the Orchestra Wellington Board. 
The new Judge will sit in Wellington. The swearing in ceremony will be on 4 May 2018 at 4pm.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Gisborne gets first tree in the ground

Forestry Minister Shane Jones has today planted the first tree in the One Billion Trees planting programme at a primary school in Tairāwhiti.
Minister Jones, Associate Minister of Agriculture Meka Whaitiri and Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon each planted a native tree at Manutuke School this afternoon. Interim head of forestry at MPI, Julie Collins, and Cindy Wills, the school’s board of trustees’ chairperson, also attended the ceremony and planted a tree.
“While a lot of work has already been under taken on the One Billion Trees programme, today marks the official start of what will be a ten-year effort to get one billion trees in the ground across New Zealand,” Shane Jones said.
“This Government is committed to its tree planting ambitions, which will help create sustainable jobs in our regions and help meet our carbon emissions targets. The planting programme will also help landowners, particularly Māori, use their land more sustainably and will help combat erosion issues.
“I’m making good on my word to plant the first tree in Tairāwhiti – the first place to see the sun. I’m proud to be in Tairāwhiti today with my ministerial colleague, Meka Whaitiri, who went to school at Manutuke.
“The five symbolic natives that we planted – Kōwhai, Tōtara, Kahikatea and Puriri and Matai – are just the start for Tairāwhiti, which has huge afforestation potential.
“Gisborne has the worst eroding land in the country because of poor soil quality and the increasing frequency of adverse weather events.
“Twenty-six per cent of the district’s land is susceptible to severe erosion, compared to 8 per cent of land around the rest of the country. The One Billion Trees programme will see some land in the region able to be retired or used to regenerative native bush and return land to a productive and sustainable state,” Shane Jones said.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Remembrance tree planting programme launched

Forestry Minister Shane Jones has today launched Matariki Tu Rākau, a remembrance tree planting programme in recognition of the men and women who have served in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
Part of a series of initiatives to mark the 100-year anniversary of the end of the First World War, this will see communities across the country plant up to 350,000 trees during Matariki this year to recognise our armed forces personnel.
“Just under 30,000 men and women have died in action since the beginning of the First World War,” Shane Jones said.
“Planting of the trees will occur over the month of Matariki, and will be carried out on various types of land, such as Marae, public parks, and places of remembrance.
“The Ministry for Primary Industries and Ministry of Culture and Heritage will work with Local Government New Zealand, the Returned Services Association, and iwi to identify specific plots of land suitable for planting and prepare appropriate signage.
“This is another initiative in the One Billion Trees planting programme and will mostly be native trees. We will work with nurseries across the country to source the trees and the initiative will focus on encouraging public participation in planting.
“We want to see families and the wider community getting involved in recognition to the NZDF personnel who have proudly served their country. It would also potentially provide an opportunity for communities to recognise special groups such as the Maori Battalion,” Shane Jones said.
The Ministry for Primary Industries will partner with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Ministry of Defence, New Zealand Defence Force, Te Puni Kokiri, iwi and the Returned Services Association and is in discussions with Local Government New Zealand to deliver the initiative.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Additional members for Digital Advisory Group

The final seven members of the Digital Economy and Digital Inclusion (DEDI) Advisory Group have been announced.
Broadcasting, Communications, Digital Media and Government Digital Services Minister Clare Curran established the Group earlier this year to advise the Government on how it can build the digital economy and reduce the digital divides.
“We now have 15 people with a wide range of skills and expertise, from across a variety of sectors, on the DEDI group. They will help us ensure all New Zealanders have affordable access to digital services and the skills and desire to be fully involved in our digital world,” Clare Curran said.
“I’m committed to making sure no-one is left behind by the pace of technological change which is affecting the way we work, learn, relax and interact with each other.
“There was an overwhelming response from people with the skills, vision and enthusiasm to join the group who want to help all New Zealanders take full advantage of the opportunities provided by digital technology.
“Creating a blueprint for digital inclusion will help ensure New Zealand businesses and all Kiwis have access to connectivity, as well as the foundational skills and motivation, to thrive in their online lives.
“The 15 members have been appointed for a period of 12 months and I expect to meet with them next month to discuss the Group’s work programme for the year. There’ll also be opportunities for people with different sector-specific expertise to be part of this work and shape the way we tackle digital divides,” says Ms Curran.
The seven new members of the Digital Economy and Digital Inclusion Advisory Group are:
Amber Craig: Councillor at Internet NZ, Trust Chair of Whare Hauora, and Chair of Women Who Get Shit Done. Experience working in the ICT sector as a solutions architect. Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitane
Cathy Hardinge: Founder and CEO of Digital Seniors, and Capability and Change Consultant
Robyn Kamira:  Founder and CEO of UAV company Incredible Skies Ltd and technology company Paua Interface Ltd. Board member of Institute of IT Professionals and Hi-Tech Awards Judge.
Gregory Morgan: Head of Digital Solutions and Innovation at Auckland Libraries and member of Library and Information Association of NZ Aotearoa. Former board member and committee chair of Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.
David Moskovitz: Serial entrepreneur, angel investor, company director, philanthropist, mentor, software developer, and lexicographer on the Dictionary of NZ Sign Language and several Māori dictionaries. Involved in interfaith community. Blogs at dave.mosk.nz.
Damon Odey: Mayor of Timaru District Council and lead Mayor for the digital connectivity work programme for the Canterbury Mayoral Forum.
Michael Taitoko: CEO and co-founder of Takiwā, a digital analytics and data visualisation firm.
They will join the eight members below, appointed in March 2018:
Frances Valintine (Chair) – Founder and Chairperson at The Mind Lab, and Founder/CEO of Tech Futures Lab
Potaua Biasiny-Tule – Co-Founder of Digital Natives Academy, Digital Basecamp, 4 Company B, and CEO/Managing Director of TangataWhenua.com
Jordan Carter – Chief Executive of InternetNZ
Kaila Colbin – Co-founder and Chair of Ministry of Awesome, Curator of TEDxChristchurch and SingularityU NZ and Australia Summits, Deputy Chair of CORE Education, Director of ChristchurchNZ
Brenda Leeuwenberg – Head of Innovation at NZ On Air, Board Member of Women in Film & Television, and Director of Nomad8
Rohan MacMahon – Management consultant and involved in business development for digital technology companies. Previously Strategy Director at Crown Fibre Holdings
Victoria MacLennan – Co-chair of NZRise, Managing Director and CEO of OptimalHQ Group, Trustee and Board Chair of Code Club Aotearoa, Chair of the Digital Skills Forum, Investor and Director.
Chris O’Connell – Director of Heartland Connectivity Taskforce Ltd, extensively involved with broadband rollout.
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Agriculture Minister heads to Australia

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor heads to Brisbane today to meet with his Australian Government counterparts.
Mr O’Connor will attend the annual Agriculture Ministers’ Forum (AGMIN) from 26-27 April to discuss common approaches to biosecurity, climate change and international trading conditions.
He will meet with Australia’s Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources and the equivalent ministers from Australian states and territories.
Discussions at the sixth AGMIN will centre on the similar issues and opportunities facing the agricultural sectors in Australia and New Zealand.
“As significant exporters of agricultural products Australia and New Zealand face similar aspirations and challenges in world markets. We both produce high-quality products in demand from consumers around the world, but global conditions are volatile and biosecurity is a top challenge,” Damien O’Connor says.
“During the talks we will look for new opportunities for our two countries to work together to support our agricultural sectors.”
New Zealand and Australia have a Trans-Tasman Action Plan on Foot-and-Mouth Disease Preparedness where the two countries share intelligence on risk, collaborate on training opportunities and share specialised skills.
Another example of Trans-Tasman collaboration between our primary sectors is in biosecurity where both countries are signatories of the International Animal Health Emergency Reserve Agreement and can exchange experts in the event of an animal disease incursion. As part of the current Mycoplasma bovis response Australia has provided New Zealand laboratory staff and epidemiologists.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: NZSL Board Appointments open

Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni is encouraging people from the Deaf community and NZSL users to put themselves forward for the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Board now that the appointments process has opened.
“The NZSL Board is focused on making it easier for deaf people and NZSL users to use sign language and on removing barriers to sign language use. We’re looking for people from the community who can help us achieve those goals,” Ms Sepuloni said.
“This is a routine appointment process, which takes place every three years, to offer the opportunity for people to join the NZSL Board.
“It is also important that the NZSL Board, fluent NZSL users with the majority being Deaf, reflects the Deaf community and NZSL users it serves by having a good balance of gender, age, ethnicity and a range of skills. I want to ensure a wide range of people know about the role and how to apply.
“This is the first time board elections have been held since the establishment of the NZSL Board in 2015. Five of the ten positions on the NZSL Board are available. The remaining five positions will be open for appointment in 2019.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of the current NZSL Board members. Their efforts, as the first board, have contributed significantly to developing a strong foundation for providing strategic direction and expert advice to government and the community on NZSL,” Ms Sepuloni said.
Application and process details are available online at
http://www.odi.govt.nz/nzsl/2018-board-appointments/
Applications open today, with the process closing 4pm, Monday 14 May 2018.
 
  

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Financial Markets Authority board appointments announced

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi today announced the appointment of Professor Prasanna Gai to the Financial Markets Authority Board.
“Professor Gai, who is currently Professor of Macroeconomics at the University of Auckland, has extensive international academic and high-level policy experience in financial market issues, and will add a valuable dimension to the Board’s work.”
Current board member Campbell Stuart has been reappointed for one year.
“Mr Stuart has been a very effective contributor to the FMA Board over the last three years, particularly in technical market-related matters. I am pleased the Board can further benefit from his expertise,” says Mr Faafoi.
The FMA has an important role as the statutory regulator for our financial markets. Its main objective is to promote and facilitate the development of fair, efficient and transparent financial markets in New Zealand, and a principal function is to promote the confident and informed participation of businesses, investors and consumers.
 

Background  
Established by the Financial Markets Authority Act 2011, the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) is New Zealand’s main statutory regulator for our financial markets and discharges statutory functions under a range of Acts, including the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 and Financial Advisers Act 2008.
Professor Prasanna Gai is currently Professor of Macroeconomics at the University of Auckland. He is serving a four-year term on the Advisory Scientific Committee of the European Systemic Risk Board. He was Special Adviser to the Governor of the Bank of Canada and was a Senior Adviser on financial stability at the Bank of England. In 2011, Professor Gai conducted a formal review of the monetary policy process at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Professor Gai has been Professor of Economics at the Australian National University and a Visiting Fellow of All Souls College, University of Oxford.
Campbell Stuart was first appointed to the FMA Board in 2015. He is a registered chartered accountant who has worked in stockbroking and funds management for the last 30 years. He spent the last 17 years with UBS New Zealand. Mr Campbell served on the NZX Disciplinary Committee for nine years and was Vice Chairman of the NZX. He is currently Director of Aspiring Asset Management.
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Proposed changes to Takeovers Code

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi today released for public consultation an exposure draft of changes to the Takeovers Code.
“The draft proposes a number of relatively minor changes to the Takeovers Code, which combined, greatly improve clarity, efficiency and transparency.
“One of the more significant proposals will allow communications relating to takeovers to be conducted electronically,” says Mr Faafoi. 
“Other changes aim to ensure information disclosed to shareholders is clear and consistent, and that shareholders are fully informed about the entity which has a controlling interest.”
The proposals follow on from consultation undertaken by the Takeovers Panel in 2016, and changes to the Takeovers Code recommended by the Takeovers Panel in 2017.
You can find more information on the exposure draft and making a submission on MBIE’s website here.
Submissions close 25 May 2018.