Category: New Zealand Executive Government

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Better deal for consumers a step closer as market studies Bill introduced

New legislation introduced to Parliament today will ensure New Zealand consumers get fair and appropriate treatment by encouraging competitive markets and honest business, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi says.
The Commerce Amendment Bill will enable the Commerce Commission to undertake ‘market studies’ research into the structure and behaviour of markets, and compel organisations and businesses to provide information.
“This Government wants to ensure that everyday New Zealanders are benefiting from an efficient and fair market – and to do that, we need to be sure markets are functioning as effectively as they can.
“Market studies are performed by more than 40 competition agencies worldwide. They provide governments with an in-depth understanding of how sectors and markets work and can be conducted if concerns arise, or there’s cause for investigation. If a market study shows there are issues preventing honest competition, we will address that.”
Under the new legislation, a market study can either be initiated by the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister or self-initiated by the Commerce Commission.
“I want the Commerce Commission to have more tools to protect consumers so I have asked officials to fast track this Bill to be operational by the end of 2018. I have been clear since taking on the Commerce and Consumer affairs portfolio that my top priority is to protect consumers and ensuring markets are working competitively is crucial.”
Mr Faafoi says that checks and balances will be in place to ensure market studies are used where there is a real need in the interest of consumers.
The Commerce Amendment Bill reflects the outcomes of a targeted review of the Commerce Act and a review of the effectiveness of the economic regulation regime for major airports.  In addition to the provision of a market studies power, the Bill introduced today repeals the little used cease and desist regime, introduces an enforceable undertakings regime, and makes amendments to improve the effectiveness of the regulatory regime for airports under Part 4 of the Commerce Act.
More information is available on MBIE’s website here.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Repatriation of New Zealand Service personnel to be expanded

The Government has extended an offer of repatriation to the families of all Service personnel, and their dependants, who were buried overseas after 1 January 1955.
“I know it’s incredibly important for the whanau of our Service personnel to know their loved ones are looked after,” says Minister for Veterans Ron Mark.
“I’m proud we have agreed to extend the offer of repatriation to the families of all Service personnel and dependents buried in Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, American Samoa, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Korea, after 1 January 1955. It is the right thing to do.
“Prior to 1955 it was Government policy to inter our fallen personnel overseas.  This changed, and between 1955 and 1971 personnel could be brought home at the cost of their family.
“Many families could not afford to bring their loved ones home and this caused pain and heartache, their families have lived with ever since.
“In 1971 the Government began picking up the bill.  But, it was not back dated to 1955 when the policy change occurred,” says Ron Mark.
Today’s announcement expands the decision made by the previous Government who offered repatriation for Service personnel buried in Malaysia and Singapore.
The Government has agreed to fund the repatriation and make a contribution of $1000 towards a memorial for those interred in a public or private ceremony.  If a family do not wish for their loved one to be repatriated, then the Government will continue to care for their grave overseas. 
“The New Zealand Defence Force are contacting families to discuss the next steps. They have also tabled a detailed plan to Cabinet for the repatriation which we have also approved,” says Ron Mark.
“The repatriations are planned to begin in May and all going well will be completed by October.  We want to make this process as dignified and as peaceful as possible for the families. I want to reassure them that the team from the Defence Force will take care of them, and their loved ones.  They are in good hands,” says Mr Mark. 
The total cost of the repatriations was originally expected to be $10m, but is now estimated to cost no more than $7m.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: SH1 Kaikoura to re-open both directions 24/7 next month

State Highway 1 between Picton and Christchurch will re-open for night-time travel from the end of April for the first time since the Kaikoura earthquake in November 2016, Transport Minister Phil Twyford has announced.
“Critical safety work on the coastal corridor is almost complete with the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery crew making a massive push over the next four weeks to reach this milestone.
“People driving between Picton and Christchurch can look forward to easier journeys from the end of April, with the Transport Agency confirming plans to re-open State Highway 1 (SH1) for night-time travel. This will restore 24-hour access via SH1 for the first time since the Kaikoura earthquake almost a year-and-a-half ago.”
The re-opening of SH1 at night, along with the alternate route (via state highways 63, 6, 65 and 7 through Lewis Pass), will give people two viable 24/7 options for travel around the upper South Island.
“This news will be welcomed by local communities, the freight industry and every day Kiwi drivers alike. I’m delighted that SH1 will soon be available to everyone day and night – bringing further social and economic benefits back to the region.
“It’s important for people to understand that work is still underway in the corridor to make it safe and resilient for the future, and that there will still be multiple worksites throughout 2018,” Phil Twyford says.
For further details, go to the NZTA website: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/sh1-north-and-south-of-kaikoura-to-re-open-247/
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Simplifying tax obligations

Legislation designed to simplify interactions with the tax system has passed its third reading in Parliament and now awaits Royal Assent.
Revenue Minister Stuart Nash says the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2017–18, Employment and Investment Income, and Remedial Matters) Bill sets the annual rates of tax for the 2017-18 tax year and implements four broad policy changes. It will:
Reform the administration of PAYE (wage and salary deductions) to require employers to provide more timely information to IRD
Reform the way banks and other institutions provide information to IRD about investment income
Modernise the taxation of employee share schemes  
Extend the bright line test on residential investment properties from two years to five years.
“This is a bill which benefits ordinary New Zealanders. In designing these measures, we were careful to take into account people’s unique circumstances,” Revenue Minister Stuart Nash says.
“The bill provides better income information to give more accurate Working for Families entitlements and it will also reduce the number of people getting into debt. The bill achieves this by providing Inland Revenue with accurate and more timely information from the payers of employment and investment income. 
“The other major aspect of this bill is to modernise and strengthen the tax rules relating to employee share schemes. We want to make sure that the tax treatment of employee share schemes is broadly similar to the tax treatment of other forms of remuneration.
The extension of the previous government’s bright-line test from two years to five years will help dampen property speculation and make homes more affordable. The extension means that profits from residential investment properties which are bought and sold within five years will generally be taxable. 
“This proposal will ensure that residential property speculators pay income tax on their gains and makes property speculation less attractive. We need investment which grows the economy and creates jobs, not the sort of investment which distorts the residential housing market. This measure will bring fairness back into the tax system,” Mr Nash said.
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Public housing for Asian seniors opens in Panmure

A new development of 36 public housing units specifically designed for Asian seniors will open in Panmure today, says Ethnic Communities and Associate Housing and Urban Development Minister Jenny Salesa.
The development has been built by the Chinese New Settlers Services Trust (CNSST), in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). MBIE’s Social Housing Fund provided capital funding of more than $5.2 million towards the project.
“CNSST Kotuku House will house Asian seniors in Auckland that face a number of social issues, including isolation, safety concerns and a lack of independent living options,” Jenny Salesa said.
“As the number of New Zealanders aged over 65 continues to rise, developments such as these will be increasingly in demand.
“The Chinese New Settlers Services Trust provides social services for more than 15,000 local Asian migrants each year and the opening of Kotuku House shows this group is responsive to the needs of its community.
“This Government is committed to increasing the supply of long-term public housing but we cannot do this alone. Working closely in partnership with our Community Housing Providers, such as the CNSST, will be critical in achieving our goals,” Jenny Salesa said.
CNSST’s Executive Director, Jenny Wang, says Kotuku House is just the start of what the Trust aims to achieve in the public housing space.
“The Trust is focussed on developing further social housing projects for local Asian seniors, and re-investing our housing surpluses back into social housing to meet the increased housing, social and cultural demands of the people we work with,” she said.
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New Tertiary Education Bill passes final reading

The passing of the third reading of the Education (Tertiary Education and Other Matters) Amendment Bill will see a range of changes to the tertiary education sector, Education Minister Chris Hipkins says.
“The Tertiary Education Commission will have new powers under the Act to monitor the tertiary sector and to hold providers to account for their use of public funding,” Chris Hipkins says.  
“To further address ongoing concerns about provider behaviour, the changes will see the introduction of a new offence provision for falsifying a student’s record and the penalty for this offence has increased to up to $50,000. 
“The Bill also allows wānanga to seek consent to use a protected term, such as a university or polytechnic, giving them the same rights that private training establishments (PTE) have in being able to apply to use this term.
“However, there is a tough test for applicants to use one of these terms. As part of this process, the Minister of Education will have to consult and consider the national interest.  
“Another significant change is that Community Tertiary Education Providers (CTEP) are recognised in the Act as a new type of private training establishment.
“CTEPs are not-for-profit community groups providing tertiary education for the public good. This change will allow the public to distinguish them from for-profit providers. 
“The changes build on the strong foundations of the tertiary education system. We will continue to work to a better, stronger, and fairer tertiary sector that equips New Zealanders for the 21st century,” Chris Hipkins says.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Regional fuel tax bill has first reading

The first reading of the Land Transport Management (Regional Fuel Tax) Amendment Bill is an important step towards helping Auckland meet its transport challenges, Transport Minister Phil Twyford says.
The Bill allows regions to apply for a regional fuel tax, initially for Auckland. The tax would be on petrol and diesel for a period of no more than 10 years.
Phil Twyford says this period of time gives the region the funding certainty it needs to plan and build major projects.
“This Bill will enable Auckland Council to seek funding for specific transport-related projects. Funds raised in the Auckland region can only be spent there.
“A regional fuel tax will allow Auckland Council to generate an extra $170 million a year as one contribution to the big transport investments the city needs.
“It will help fund the vital infrastructure Auckland needs to get moving. Its infrastructure can no longer support the massive population growth it’s had in recent years.
“This has resulted in lost time and productivity for so many Aucklanders. Auckland can no longer afford to do nothing. We need to create a world-class transport system in our biggest city, with better infrastructure and a wider range of transport modes to choose from.”
Under the Bill, Auckland Council must first consult with residents on the proposed projects it wishes to fund. It must then obtain Government approval before the regional fuel tax can be implemented.
“Despite advances in transport technology, every day people in Auckland struggle to get to where they need to go on time.
“This Bill is a chance to fix a problem people in Auckland face every day – a gridlocked transport system that is only getting worse,” Phil Twyford says.
The Bill will be referred to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee, which will call for public submissions. The law is expected to be passed in June, ready for a fuel tax to be put in place in the Auckland region from 1 July.
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Crown-Maori efforts to reduce reoffending

Police Minister Stuart Nash has launched the next step in a restorative justice programme that brings together Police, Justice sector agencies, community workers and Maori leaders to reduce reoffending and address causes of crime.
“Community Panels began as a pilot scheme in Christchurch in 2010 and were subsequently extended to become Iwi Community panels in three new areas. Over the past 6 months, they have been further extended and now operate in Gisborne, Hutt Valley, Manukau, Hamilton, Rotorua, Auckland City and Invercargill and are having positive impacts,” Mr Nash says.
“The Crown, community and iwi leaders such as Norm Dewes, Dr Kara Puketapu and particularly Kingi Tūheitia believe this initiative has a permanent part to play in efforts to reduce reoffending and encourage restorative justice.
“The panels have now been gifted the name Te Pae Oranga, which signifies resolution and facilitation, and the importance of supporting the well-being of the individual, their whanau as well as that of the victims. The new name symbolises a permanence for this Crown-Maori justice initiative. I expect to see Te Pae Oranga rolled out to more areas in the near future. 
Mr Nash and Kingi Tūheitia have tonight unveiled a carved pou to symbolise the combined efforts of those who work together on the Iwi Community panels.
“We have had some real successes with these panels, which hold people to account for their offending, work together to repair the damage caused and support the individual in making better decisions for an improved future. They are having a significant and positive impact on our communities and the lives of both offenders and victims.
“We want better long term outcomes for those who come to the attention of the justice system for relatively minor crimes, and also for the victims of this offending. Police can direct people who have committed low-level offences to a supportive environment where they are made accountable for the offending and can be connected with the services and support that address the underlying causes.
“If we want to truly address crime levels in New Zealand, we need to look at what else is happening in these people’s lives. The iwi panels also create direct savings to the government by reducing the number of cases going through the Courts, the amount of time Police spend dealing with low-level reoffending and the number of days people are held in prison, Mr Nash says. 
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New targets begin historic path to poverty reduction

New Zealand will take its next steps towards fulfilling new child poverty legislation by setting three year targets to reduce poverty and hardship among children, Prime Minister and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction Jacinda Ardern says.
“I want New Zealand to be the best place in the world to be a child, and for adults to be proud of how we treat our children.
“The Government has already set ambitious 10 year targets that will effectively halve the rate of child poverty using measures in my Child Poverty Reduction Bill.
“These three year targets will keep us on track for reaching those 10 year targets. Using the primary measures defined in the Bill, the three year targets are: 
On the before housing measure*: Reduce the proportion of children in low income households by 6 percentage points by 2020/21 – a reduction of around 70,000 children.
On the after housing costs measure*: Reduce the proportion of children in low income households by 4 percentage points by 2020/21 – a reduction of around 40,000 children.
On the material hardship measure*: Reduce the proportion of children in material hardship by 3 percentage points by 2020/21– a reduction of around 30,000 children.
“By meeting these targets, New Zealand will be well on the way to making a meaningful difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children. This is on top of the difference we will make with the extra support being given through the Families Package from 1 July this year – 384,000 families will be better off by an average $75 per week.
“This is about putting an end to a political era that tolerated hardship and poverty among thousands of our kids, and instead refocusing governments on what’s needed to ensure all kids have the opportunity to thrive. Our children deserve nothing less,” Jacinda Ardern said.
 More information on the Bill can be found here and on the ten year targets here.
 *The four primary measures of poverty and hardship in the Bill:
1.  Low income before housing costs (below 50 % of median income, moving line)
2.  Low income after housing costs (50% median, fixed line)
3.  Material hardship (using the EU’s standard threshold which going without things such as healthy food, warm clothes, or delaying going to the doctor)
4.  A persistence measure (for low income, material hardship or both. The data is not currently available for this measure)
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Unjust gay convictions one step closer to being wiped

A Bill demonstrating the Government’s ongoing commitment to right the wrongs of the past for those who were convicted of historical homosexual offences has passed its second reading says Justice Minister Andrew Little.
“The Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill introduces a scheme to expunge convictions for men for specific offences that were decriminalised by the Homosexual Reform Act 1986. To be wiped, the conduct must not be an offence under today’s laws.
“Nearly every single submission received expressed clear support for the intent of the Bill. I would particularly like to thank those submitters who shared their stories with the committee.
“The Justice Select Committee recommended a small number of changes to the Bill. These include minor technical changes, altering offence provisions to better align with other legislation and to ensure that people are not put under pressure to disclose their expunged convictions.
“The main purpose of the Bill is to create a statutory scheme for a convicted person, or a representative if that person is deceased, to apply for their conviction to be expunged remains unchanged.
“This Bill empowers those convicted and their representatives by providing an effective way to right the wrongs of the past,” says Andrew Little.