Category: New Zealand Executive Government

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Minimum Wage increases this weekend

Around 164,000 Kiwi workers and their families will be better off following the increase in the Minimum Wage that takes effect from 1 April, says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway.
“The Government is committed to improving the wages and conditions for working New Zealanders, and we are making good on our commitment with this increase in the minimum wage by 75 cents to $16.50 per hour on 1 April.
“The rise in the minimum wage is estimated to inject $129 million into the economy through the pockets of low income workers, circulating back into the economy because people on lower incomes are more likely to spend their wages on essential items like doctor’s visits, keeping on top of bills, buying more healthy food – things that far too many Kiwis struggle to afford.
“Now’s the right time to act: The best time to raise the minimum wage is while the labour market is strong and tightening; Government forecasts unemployment will keep falling towards 4 per cent over the next three years, while average wages will rise about 3 per cent a year over that time due to a tight labour market.
“In announcing this move in December last year we have signalled clearly to employers our plans to incrementally raise the minimum wage and spread the increases as evenly as possible each year, taking economic conditions into account, on our pathway toward a $20 p/h minimum wage by 2021.
“This consistency minimises potential negative effects of increasing the minimum wage too sharply.
“The starting-out rate and training wage will continue to be at 80 per cent of the minimum wage, increasing to $13.20 per hour.
“Raising the minimum wage is part of this Government’s ambitious agenda to improve pay and conditions for Kiwi workers, and ensuring those on lower incomes get to share in our economic prosperity,” says Iain Lees-Galloway.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Feedback on ring-fencing rental losses

Revenue Minister Stuart Nash is encouraging feedback on a proposal to change the rules around ring-fencing losses on residential properties.
An Issues Paper has been released by the Inland Revenue Department that proposes ring-fencing losses in an effort to level the playing field between speculators and investors, and home buyers.
“Changes would make the tax system fairer by ensuring that investors could not offset their losses on some property investments against their other income,” Mr Nash says.
“At the moment, tax is applied on a person’s net income, which means if a property investor makes rental losses those losses reduce their overall income, and therefore their  tax liability.
“The persistent tax losses that many property investors declare on their investments indicate that they rely on capital gains to make a profit.
“In conjunction with the recently announced extension to the bright-line test, ring-fencing losses from rental properties would make property speculation less attractive and level the playing field between property investors and home buyers. The time is right to test the detail of this proposal with investors and other stakeholders.
Mr Nash says ring-fencing losses would be a useful tool to dampen property speculation. “This measure would not preclude any solutions the Tax Working Group may come up with in relation to housing”.
“I encourage the public to make submissions to Inland Revenue before the deadline of 11 May 2018,” Mr Nash said.
For more information, including how to make a submission, see http://taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Further tenancy review exemptions to be considered

Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford is pausing periodic tenancy reviews of public housing tenants while he considers whether the groups of tenants exempt from the process should be widened.
Tenancy reviews determine whether a person or family still needs public housing and makes sure they are in a house that meets their current needs. They are on hold until the end of June.
“While public housing is not intended to be a house for life, it’s important we recognise that some vulnerable groups of tenants will continue to need secure public housing and support for a long time,” Phil Twyford says.
“I want to make sure that all our most vulnerable groups of tenants are recognised and protected; they should not be asked to do a tenancy review.
“It is important that tenancy reviews involve those tenants who are ready to move towards more independence, not those who need the security of long term public housing.”
Currently, the only public housing tenants exempt from periodic tenancy reviews are people 75 and older; people whose house is modified for their needs such as wheelchair access; households working with a Children’s Team in the Ministry for Children Oranga Tamariki; and those with an agreed lifetime tenure with Housing New Zealand.
While exemption criteria are being considered, the hold on tenancy reviews will protect those, who could be exempt under new criteria, from taking steps to leave their housing in the meantime.
The Ministry of Social Development is contacting tenants already in the review process to let them know they do not need to do anything more for the time being.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Govt to hold road safety summit

The Government will hold a Local Government Road Safety Summit in Wellington on 9 April, as it moves to make safety a top priority for transport investment, says Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter.
“As we head into the Easter break a hundred people have already been killed on our roads this year – a 56 percent increase since 2013. My top priority in transport is to stop so many New Zealanders dying on our roads,” Ms Genter said.
“I urge people to take care on the roads this Easter Weekend and to drive responsibly.
“We know that the vast majority of serious crashes result from simple mistakes on the road. This highlights the importance of driving fresh and not taking risks, as well as the need for Government to do it’s bit to make our roads safer to drive on.
“On April 9, the Government will hold a Local Government Road Safety Summit so we can hear directly from Councils about the barriers to, and opportunities for, improving the safety of our roads.
 “This is just the start of a long-term Government commitment to embedding road safety in transport thinking, spending, design, and operations to make our roads safer for everyone.
“For too long, basic safety improvements and maintenance has been starved of funding while the previous Government poured money into a handful of pet motorway projects.
“The Government is looking to boost investment for safety improvements like median barriers, passing lanes, and intersection upgrades on local and regional roads.
“Road deaths are not an inevitability. Twenty years ago, Sweden had the same level of road deaths as New Zealand. Today, after heavily investing in safety, it is one of the safest countries in the world to drive in. If we had the same fatality rate as Sweden, 255 people who died on our roads last year would be alive today,” Ms Genter said.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Pacific excellence recognised at Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards

Excellence and achievement in commerce, the arts, sports, community and leadership among Pacific youth is being celebrated tonight at the prestigious 2018 Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards. 
Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio says the awards provide an opportunity for high achieving Pacific youth in New Zealand to be recognised for their important contribution to the country by the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern.
The nine exceptional individuals aged between 17 and 24 will be presented awards by the Prime Minister at a ceremony held at the Fale o Samoa, in Mangere, hosted by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
“It’s my expectation that these recipients and all those who have gone before contribute to making New Zealand a far better and caring country for all New Zealanders,” Aupito William Sio says.
“Each of their respective awards recognises their contribution to society, as well as excellence in their academic work, or demonstrating a skill in business. 
“The Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards recognises and celebrates Pacific youth success while also creating a network of young emerging Pacific leaders, showcasing Pacific talent to key stakeholders.  
As one of the fastest growing and youngest populations in New Zealand, the Government is committed to ensuring the Pacific community thrives and to help individuals achieve their goals and aspirations.  
The 2018 award winners have also been offered personalised leadership development opportunities through the Ministry’s partnership with Leadership New Zealand.  
“I want to grow the next crop of Pacific leaders who are not only achieving excellence in their respective fields, but who are also prepared to give back to their community and hold fast to their heritage of languages and culture.
“Being a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards not only makes their families and communities extremely proud and empowered, but it opens new doors for them, while offering new opportunities for their careers and lives.  
“Congratulations to all the winners tonight and to your families for providing support.  We are all incredibly proud of what you have achieved,” Aupito William Sio says.  
 
The 2018 Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Award winners are:  
· Air New Zealand – Leadership and Inspiration Award (supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) – Asena Tolungamaka, 23, studying law is of Tongan descent, from Auckland.   
· Ako Aotearoa – STEM Award – Lupesina Koro, 18, studying a conjoint Engineering and Commerce degree of Samoan and Tokelauan descent, from Auckland.  
· Auckland Council – Community Star Award -Teri Tuuau, 22, studying law is of Samoan descent, from Auckland.  
· BNZ – Commercial and Corporate Award (supported by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples) – Hazel Umaga, 24, studying business is of Cook Island, Maori and Samoan descent, from Auckland.   
· Creative New Zealand and Massey University – Arts and Creativity Award – John Belford-Lelaulu, 24, an architect who owns the social design business MAU Studio is of Samoan descent, from Auckland.  
· Deloitte – Business and Entrepreneurship Award – Taylor McDonald, 21, completing a conjoint degree in business and design of Samoan and Maori descent, from Auckland;  
· New Zealand Institute of Sport – Sports and Fitness Award – Monique Lawrence, 19, fitness student of Samoan descent, from Auckland.  
· New Zealand Institute of Sport – Sports and Fitness Award – Elena Euese, 19, fitness student of Samoan descent, from Auckland.  
· Pacific Cooperation Foundation – International Scholar Award – Charlie Sofe, 21, engineering student studying in Christchurch is from Samoa.   
Further Information can be found here.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Justice Minister moves on year and day rule

Justice Minister Hon Andrew Little’s Crimes Amendment Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today.
“The Crimes Amendment Bill updates the law by repealing three obsolete provisions in the Crimes Act which do not reflect how the criminal law should operate in today’s New Zealand.
“The year and day rule’ and spousal immunity from prosecution for accessory after the fact will be removed. In addition, the offence of blasphemous libel will be repealed.
“These are somewhat minor changes in the context of our criminal law code that should have happened a long time ago. A more thorough review of the Crimes Act is underway but won’t be completed until 2019.
“This Government is committed to ensuring the criminal code in New Zealand is fit for purpose, reflects current attitudes on the place of the criminal law, and does not prevent those who break the law from being held to account.
“The Bill repeals the law which protects people who help their spouse or civil union partners evade justice. This protection creates an anomaly.  It does not apply to other people in close personal relationships who are protecting someone. There is no justification to continue this immunity from prosecution where a person deliberately obstructs justice.
“The Bill repeals ‘Blasphemous Libel’ which has not been prosecuted in New Zealand since 1922 and raises potential Bill of Rights Act concerns.
“This provision is seen by many as an archaic and obsolete provision that has no place in a modern society that protects freedom of expression.
“The Bill also repeals the ‘year and a day rule’ which prevents people from being prosecuted for causing the death of a person who dies after that length of time.
“With advances in medical science and life support machines that may keep victims alive for longer than a year and a day, there is no justification for this rule.  It dates to medieval times and has been repealed in other Commonwealth countries so it’s timely that New Zealand catches up and removes this outdated law.
“The rule, along with a range of other factors, was a potential bar to prosecution in the CTV building collapse following the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. In that case the cause of death may have related to faulty building design which occurred many years prior to the building collapse.
“Tidying up criminal law to keep it relevant is paramount to this Government. The Bill has been referred to the Justice Committee for consideration and is open to public submissions,” says Andrew Little.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: The Pacific Reset and Papua New Guinea’s perspective

Introductory remarks at the address by Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato
New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, 
28 March 2018
 
The Pacific Reset and PNG’s perspective
Good afternoon. Sir Doug Kidd, Maty Nikkhou-O’Brien, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your introduction.
It is a pleasure to meet again Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato.
We had an opportunity to meet together on the margins of the APEC meeting in Vietnam early this year, and have just concluded a very useful bilateral discussion in the Beehive.
First, let me put on the record the New Zealand Government’s condolences to the people of PNG for the loss of life and for all those affected by the recent earthquake.
It was a significant event with the rescue efforts compounded by the challenging terrain and remoteness of the Highlands region.
A time of crisis is a time when neighbours help.
New Zealand assisted in the early stages of the rescue efforts, particularly with the deployment of its C-130 aircraft carrying relief supplies.
We will continue to stand with Papua New Guinea during the recovery and reconstruction effort.
Earlier this month our government announced that New Zealand would provide an additional three million dollars in earthquake relief to Papua New Guinea.
This includes up to $1.5 million for New Zealand NGOs working with local partners to deliver ongoing emergency relief and early recovery activities in the Highlands.
There is much work to be done with your recovery and we wish you well
As mentioned, Minister Pato and I have just concluded a productive bilateral meeting here today.
It was timely a discussion.
It has been an opportunity to deepen New Zealand’s relationship with the largest and most strategically located country in the Pacific.
From our perspective Papua New Guinea is unique geographically. It is the only Pacific Island country that has land border with Asia and sits at a critical strategic crossroads between the two regions.
As you may well be aware, this comes while New Zealand is seeking to reset its engagement with the region.
There are a number of reasons why we have adopted a Pacific reset.
New Zealand is a Pacific country, linked to the Pacific by history, geography, common interests, politics, and demographics. 
Pacific prosperity and security matters to us here in New Zealand as much as it matters in Papua New Guinea.
Our region is also challenged by an array of social and environmental problems which must be understood and confronted.
As well, the Pacific is an increasingly viewed as a contested strategic space by a range of external actors.
All these dynamics, and a change to New Zealand’s relative influence, motivates us to adopt a re-energised approach.
New Zealand has five principles to how it will chart its regional diplomacy.
The five principles are:
exhibiting friendship, including honesty, empathy, trust and respect;
demonstrating a depth of understanding of the Pacific, drawing on the expertise in both the region and New Zealand
striving for solutions of mutual benefit
pursuing collective ambition with Pacific partners and external actors
and seeking sustainability by focusing on the region’s long-term goals
APEC
And just finally, before I pass the floor to Minister Pato.
Papua New Guinea’s hosting of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation this year should not be undervalued. It is without doubt a significant event for the region and PNG. It is also a daunting task.
In conclusion, New Zealand is committed to working with our Papua New Guinea colleagues to help achieve a successful meeting.
We are working in partnership with PNG to provide a range of assistance, including for security, police training, and protocol.
And we intend to build on Papua New Guinea’s groundwork of a ‘Pacific version’ of APEC when New Zealand hosts in 2021.
Thank you.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New Zealand to host APAIE 2021 conference

Education Minister Chris Hipkins is pleased to announce that New Zealand has been successful in its bid to host the Asia-Pacific Association of International Education (APAIE) Conference and Exhibition in 2021.
“I want to congratulate the universities who worked together to put forward this successful bid. This is great news for our international education sector as international education adds considerable richness to New Zealand,” Chris Hipkins says.
“We are an outward-looking trading nation and in the last two decades, we have actively welcomed international students to our cities and study here.
“We value their contribution to our universities, our research and our communities. We know that international education offers opportunities for young people to study here and for our young people to study abroad. That’s why we want our international education sector to have a strong future.
“International education is New Zealand’s fourth largest export earner, contributing $4.5 billion annually to our economy and supporting 33,000 jobs, it directly supports the wellbeing and living standards of all New Zealanders.
“We are putting effort into ensuring we have the right policy and immigration settings, and our priorities are reflected in the International Education Strategy which is currently being developed,” Chris Hipkins says.
The conference theme is “innovation for sustainable futures” and will focus on building links between APAIE and universities in the South Pacific region.
The conference will be held in Auckland at the New Zealand International Convention Centre, which will be completed in 2019. The event is expected to attract some 2000 delegates.
University of Auckland will host the event and the other seven universities will co-host.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Plans to reinstate skills leadership role to ITOs

Education Minister Chris Hipkins is encouraging the public and the sector to have their say on the Government’s intention to restore the skills leadership role of industry training organisations (ITO).
“The previous Government removed the legislative mandate for ITOs to provide skills leadership for their industries. As industry-owned bodies with a standards-setting role, ITOs have a unique contribution to make in identifying skills needs, and in promoting training to employers and employees,” Chris Hipkins says.
“ITOs are in regular contact with employers (of all sizes) and employees through their role of arranging training. They also understand skills requirements and the broader tertiary education sector.
“Those are all key strengths. That’s why the previous Government’s decision to take away this legislative role from ITOs was a mistake – it was a short sighted move.
“This government is looking at how best to meet New Zealand’s skill needs. That’s why we are reviewing vocational education more broadly as part of the Government’s education work programme.
“But, ahead of that, it is clear that ITOs have a unique role to play in terms of providing skills leadership. I have asked the Ministry of Education to consult on this proposal.
“It’s important that we use this opportunity to identify more clearly, in legislation, the leadership role ITOs should play, taking into account others’ feedback,” Chris Hipkins says.
More information about this and other issues being considered in upcoming legislation can be found at http://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/consultations-and-reviews/issues-being-considered-for-legislation-in-2018/

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: ‘COOL’ policy to be scrapped under proposed changes

Consultation has begun on six items to be included in upcoming legislation.
“One of the key things we are looking to do is get rid of the deeply unpopular provision to provide for the establishment of communities of online learning – the so-called COOL,” Education Minister Chris Hipkins says.
Under a 2017 amendment to the Education Act 1989, which is not due to come into effect until 31 December 2019, any school, tertiary institution, or private entity can apply to become a COOL.
“This Government is committed to delivering high quality online learning for all students. But the previous Government ploughed ahead with the legislation for online providers despite experts and education professionals raising a number of concerns.
“We are proposing to do away with a policy that enables private entities to become accredited as COOL and make a profit out of it. These COOL also aren’t required to employ registered teachers or teach the national curricula. That doesn’t line up with this Government’s vision of a high quality public education system.
“Sitting on the select committee that considered this legislation, I also heard significant concerns that gave even National MPs pause that kids with additional learning needs may be shuffled away from schools and into COOL even if it’s not the best option for them.
“Decisions about the future of online learning shouldn’t be made in isolation. I want new provisions around distance learning opportunities to be considered within broader strategic discussions with the sector around modernising the education system,” Chris Hipkins says.
Aside from repealing the start-up of COOL, the Ministry of Education is seeking the public and educators’ views on a number of other issues including: 
•           protecting the public interest in Education Council decision making
•           establishing a College of Educational Leadership
•           making student welfare a registration criteria for private schools
•           ensuring appropriate safety and police vetting requirements
•           reinstating a skills leadership role for industry training organisations
More information about each of these issues can be found at http://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/consultations-and-reviews/issues-being-considered-for-legislation-in-2018/
The Cabinet paper on these proposals and a Ministry of Education report on COOL can be found at: www.education.govt.nz/issues-being-considered-for-an-education-bill