Category: New Zealand Government

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New Positive Ageing Strategy

The Government will develop a new Positive Ageing Strategy to shape the policies needed to help older New Zealanders live well, Seniors Minister Tracey Martin announced today.
“Like the rest of the developed world, New Zealand has an ageing population,” says Minister Martin. “That’s great news in that more of us are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. But it also means there are some things we have to consider as a country.”
Currently there are around 725,000 people aged over 65.  By 2036 there will be more than 1.2 million people 65 or older. Combined with the low birth rate, this means seniors will make up almost a quarter of the total population.
“We need a strategy to ensure that we are in a good position to deal with these demographic shifts and the wider changes that are happening in society, and that are going to happen.
“Along with having a positive environment for the individual people represented in these figures, our ageing population has implications for our economy, for employment and housing, health and aged care, and social services.
“Two key areas the strategy needs to examine are supporting seniors in the workforce and how businesses can better recruit and retain older people; and promoting housing options appropriate for older people.
“A lot of policy affecting older people is based on the majority of them owning their own homes and being mortgage free in retirement, but we now have a trend where home ownership rates are dropping.
“We also need to talk as a country about what it means to keep connections throughout our lives and stop people being isolated or lonely.”
The Minister said there would be public consultation before the strategy was developed to ask New Zealanders what they want from it. This would run from June until late August and include workshops throughout the country. 
“This is about finding out how people want to live as they get older, as well as how they are living now,” Mrs Martin says. “And for this to work properly, we really need to engage with the people who aren’t seniors yet, but who are going to be in the next 10 or 15 years.”
 ENDS
 Contact Richard Ninness 029 235 0423
 Note for editors:
 There is an existing Positive Ageing Strategy but it was created in 2001 and and the last action plan based on the strategy was completed in 2010. The Government has decided to develop a new strategy.
In 2001, when the last Positive Ageing Strategy was created, there were nearly 50,000 people aged 85+. Today there are more than 85,000 people who are 85 or older – 15% of the senior population.
That number is predicted to rise to 22% in 2036 and 27% in 2061.
The senior population is also increasingly diverse. 
By 2036 the number of Māori aged 65+ will almost triple from 2013 figures (to 105,000) the senior Pacific population will also triple (to 45,000), and there will be five times as many Asian NZers aged 65+ (164,000).
Seniors currently make up around 6.2% of the workforce.  By 2033 the number of seniors at work will nearly double and they will make up 10.6% of the workforce.
It is estimated that by 2061 seniors will contribute $31 billion to the economy through paid and unpaid work, up from $6.5 billion today.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Shipping must play its part in global effort to halt climate change

New Zealand today released a statement at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Greenhouse Gas reduction strategy negotiations in London, urging IMO member states to work towards a meaningful and effective outcome in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
“With the end of the negotiations imminent, New Zealand urges the IMO not to miss this opportunity to adopt a workable and effective strategy to bring rising greenhouse gas emissions from shipping under control,” Associate Minister of Transport Julie Anne Genter said today.
“The IMO strategy needs to be ambitious with appropriate measures implemented as soon as possible and it needs to apply to all IMO member states and all ships equally, regardless of which state a ship is registered in.
“Halting climate change and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement requires countries to work together for fair and ambitious outcomes.
“New Zealand was proud to sign the Tony de Brum declaration at the One Planet Summit held in Paris last December, confirming that international shipping must play a part in global climate action.
“Shipping is vital for Pacific countries, including New Zealand, and we all have a part to play ensuring that maritime trade happens in an environmentally friendly way,” said Ms Genter.
“The IMO strategy also needs to recognise and protect the interests of Pacific Island countries and territories,” said Minister for Climate Change James Shaw.
“In particular, this means helping to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees.
“A recent report by the OECD’s International Transport Forum shows that there are practical steps that can be taken now to reduce shipping emissions and shipping could be almost carbon free by 2035.
“We commend the leadership of Pacific Island states in encouraging ambitious outcomes from the IMO negotiations.
“With very little time remaining before negotiations conclude, New Zealand joins with Pacific Island states in urging all countries to redouble their efforts to ensure the IMO achieves a credible and ambitious result,” said Mr Shaw.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Prime Minister congratulates new Green Co-leader

Prime Minister congratulates new Green Co-leader
Prime Minister and Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern has today congratulated Marama Davidson on being elected Co-leader of the Green Party.
“I have called to pass on my congratulations to Marama this morning,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“The Green Party is a valued confidence and supply partner of this Government and I look forward to working with Marama to build a stronger, fairer and more inclusive country.
“This Government was formed around a consensus to make progress on the issues that matter most to New Zealand including an economy that delivers for everybody, a much stronger focus on the environment and a commitment to invest in our people.
“I am sure our work will be strengthened with the addition of Marama Davidson helping to leading this important work alongside me, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, and Green Co-leader James Shaw,” Jacinda Ardern said.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Boost for local government in new bills

 The Government is acting to restore the promotion of social, cultural, economic and environmental well-being of communities to the statutory purpose of local councils, says Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
Two new Bills, which are due to have their first reading in Parliament next week, also aim to re-introduce the ability of councils to collect wider development contributions and make it easier for them to bring in online voting.
 The Local Government (Community Well-being) Amendment Bill is the one designed to restore the “four well-beings” to the statutory purpose of local government and give councils back the ability to collect development contributions in order to fund increased demand for community facilities, such as libraries, sports grounds and swimming pools resulting from developments.
 Previous National-led administrations had unfortunately narrowed the statutory purpose of local government to focus only on service delivery and not broader community well-being.
“By inserting the four well-beings back into the Local Government Act we acknowledge the valuable role local leadership has to promote the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of citizens and communities,” said Nanaia Mahuta.
“We are confronted with various challenges as a country such as the impact of population growth, climate change and ageing infrastructure. Quality of life outcomes as well as regional growth and prosperity require a broader focus in the way councils meet the challenge of setting priorities and planning for the future.
“Re-inserting the power for the collection of development contributions to provide for community infrastructure and reserves will provide some relief to councils as we continue to work towards a broader range of funding and financing tools to assist local government.”
A second Local Electoral Matters Bill addresses the design, trial and analysis of new voting methods for local elections, and will make it easier to trial electronic voting, including online voting.          
“Modernising local electoral practices is an important part of encouraging and fostering civic participation in local government. This Bill aims to help councils use new tools to get more people involved in determining the make-up of their local councils.”
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Future of Hato Petera College up for consultation

Agreement has been reached to begin consultation about the possible cancellation of the integration agreement of Hato Petera College, says Education Minister Chris Hipkins. 
“Established in 1928, Hato Petera has played an important part in the lives of many students and whānau. However in recent years the college has struggled to attract students.
“Earlier this year, a Commissioner was appointed to take over the governance of the college. With only one student currently in attendance, the Commissioner has raised concerns about the sustainability of the school.  He is supportive of the decision that the proprietor of Hato Petera College, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, and I have now taken to initiate the consultation process.
“I acknowledge that this is an uncertain time for the student currently attending Hato Petera, her whānau and the community. But the role of Māori boarding schools has changed over the years.
“Despite the extensive work of the Commissioner, previous Boards of Trustees, teaching staff and the community, concerns about the College’s finances, human resourcing, curriculum and its low student numbers remain.
“There was a consultation process about the future of the college held in 2016, but the situation at the school has now changed and it is time to listen again to what the whānau and the Diocese want for the College.
“Following the consultation process, which will run until 14 May, the Ministry of Education will provide a summary of the feedback.
“Once I’ve had a chance to consider the feedback, a decision will be made about the cancellation of the College’s integration agreement,” Chris Hipkins says.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Investment in Taranaki Cathedral to create tourist drawcard

The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will invest up to $5 million in Taranaki’s Cathedral project to help transform the heritage icon into a nationally significant tourist drawcard, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced.
The region has identified the Cathedral Project as one of its key priorities in the action plan and has plans above and beyond restoring the building.
“The PGF support will help transform the cathedral into a tourism attraction that will showcase the sometimes turbulent story of European settlement in Taranaki and the relationship between Maori and Pakeha over 175 years,” Shane Jones said. 
“The Taranaki Cathedral has been at the centre of nationally important history and is rich with artefacts and stories. It has acted as a garrison and a centre of peace. Once restoration is complete New Zealand’s oldest stone church will offer visitors, both local and international, a rich and immersive experience.
“The project will use the site and buildings, professionally designed displays, audio visual guides and multimedia resources to tell this story, making a unique contribution to enhanced bi-cultural understanding and relationships in the future.
“As well as satisfying a growing local demand for real stories from New Zealand’s history, the enhanced Category 1 Heritage Building and its site have the potential to be a huge tourist drawcard for the region. The site’s existing wooden Vicarage will also be moved closer the Cathedral and repurposed as a community space.
“Visits to cultural institutions and historic places are a significant reason for many people to travel domestically and internationally, and this will be another unique offering for Taranaki’s visitor sector,” Shane Jones said.
The Cathedral project will complement the existing cultural infrastructure of Taranaki and create a compelling visitor offering, alongside Puke Ariki and Govett Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre, and the Taranaki Crossing Experience.
The aim is for construction to start in May 2019, with work taking up to 15 months.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Diversifying Taranaki through future food opportunities

The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will invest in identifying future food opportunities with the greatest potential to help transform the Taranaki economy, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced.
The PGF will provide $175,000 to identify and prioritise major food-related opportunities in the region, as well as help develop a business case on the viability of establishing a Taranaki food network.
“Both of these initiatives provide opportunities to diversify the local economy, create jobs and attract investment into the region,” Shane Jones said.
“A long list of food related initiatives already exists in Taranaki. This funding will allow the region to focus on assessing and developing the best of these opportunities.
“Establishing a Taranaki food network is in the region’s economic action plan and has the potential to strengthen local food businesses and foster value-added food production in the region.
“Taranaki has the natural advantages of rich, fertile soil and abundant rainfall. The region is primed to diversify land use and optimise technology to become a major smart and innovative high value food producer,” Shane Jones said.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Funding boost for entrepreneurs and innovators

The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will invest $100,000 to support Taranaki’s entrepreneurs and innovators, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau says.
The funding will contribute to a feasibility study into the creation of innovation precincts in the region.
“Taranaki has a small but growing entrepreneurial community,” Fletcher Tabuteau said.
“What these start-ups often need is a focal point, a sense of connection with others and a way to share ideas and knowledge.
“The feasibility study will investigate how a series of connected precincts, with a central New Plymouth hub, could support innovation and community engagement. While this is a small investment, it has the potential to lead to much bigger and better things.
“The proposed innovation precincts are anticipated to be in New Plymouth, Hawera, Stratford, Opunake, Waitara and Waverly/Patea and would include shared co-working and meeting spaces, incubator programmes, education and training delivery, and private sector participation,” Fletcher Tabuteau said.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Taranaki’s Action Plan to modernise its economy

The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will invest up to $20 million to help future-proof the Taranaki region by diversifying its economy, creating additional jobs and leveraging off the strong base the region has established through its oil, gas and agricultural sectors.
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau are in New Plymouth today for the launch of Tapuae Roa: Make Way for Taranaki Action Plan with the Taranaki region.
Taranaki’s economy has traditionally relied on the oil, gas and minerals industry, as well as dairy and energy, which make up about 40 per cent of the region’s GDP.
“The region is transitioning to a modern, high-value economy based on the skills, enterprise and knowledge of its people,” Shane Jones said.
“The PGF will fund up to $20 million for projects from the action plan, with the region itself contributing more than $16 million.
“Investment will be made into an ambitious proposal to enable more people to enjoy the beauty of Mt Taranaki and initiatives aimed at transitioning the region to meet global market trends, such as those in the energy sector. It will also create more opportunities to attract people to the region.
“The Action Plan identifies ‘four futures’ – energy, food, Māori economy and visitor sector futures. All of the actions combined will work to grow Taranaki’s talent and entrepreneurial mindset. Developing the skills and capabilities of the wider Taranaki community will form the strong foundation of a modern economy.
“It’s great to see the effort that has gone into this action plan and I’d particularly like to acknowledge the work of the governance group, which has worked hard to bring everyone together to make the most of the opportunities in Taranaki.
“Integrated regional leadership – working alongside central and local government, iwi/Māori, and business – is vital to the plan’s successful implementation and the future growth of the region,” Shane Jones said.
 
Provincial Growth Fund investments 

Announcement

PGF 

Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary

$5,000,000

Taranaki Crossing Experience

$13,340,000

New Energy Development Centre – business case

$100,000

H2 Taranaki Hydrogen Road Map

$50,000

Future Foods – Taranaki Hill Country initiative

$250,000

Future Foods – Major Food Opportunities

$125,000

Future Foods – Food Network

$50,000

SH43

$400,000

Taranaki Innovation Precincts

$100,000

Māori Education and Enterprise Stocktake

$100,000

Tapuae Roa Support

$210,000