Category: New Zealand Government

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New Zealand Youth Awards 2018 Launch

Nominations are now open for the New Zealand Youth Awards 2018. These annual awards recognise and celebrate young New Zealanders who have achieved outstanding results, as well as those who have made a significant contribution in their communities, Minister for Youth Peeni Henare announced today. 
“The New Zealand Youth Awards 2018 builds on the success of previous years, and in 2018 we will recognise 18 rangatahi, nominated by their peers and communities, across six distinct award categories,” Peeni Henare said.
“The categories in 2018 recognise crucial skills and personal qualities such as leadership, empathy, working for the benefit of others and caring for our environment. As Minister for Youth, I want to take the time to honour our rangatahi on behalf of the communities they serve and represent.
“It is great to see young people at the forefront of leading initiatives and supporting their communities in areas such as the arts, culture, education, business and the environment.
“I want to encourage more young people to develop their natural leadership skills and mana. These Awards are both to inspire and give confidence to other young people that it could be them receiving an award next.” 
“This year, I am also excited to introduce the junior and senior Supreme Awards to recognise two outstanding young people who have tirelessly worked to advocate for and make a demonstrably significant contribution to address the current needs of young people in their community.
“I want to encourage all New Zealanders, across every community from Kaitaia to Bluff, to nominate someone who deserves recognition for their achievements.” 
“New Zealand is awash with committed, creative and talented young people who, through their own desire for social good, are leading innovative change and developing creative solutions right on our doorstep. The New Zealand Youth Awards are our opportunity to place the spotlight on these rangatahi and show off their leadership achievements and contributions to their communities. With our support, they will continue to achieve nationally and internationally,” Peeni Henare said.
Applications are now open and will close midday 26 April 2018. The award winners will be formally recognised at a celebratory event on 28 June 2018.
For more information on the New Zealand Youth Awards 2018, visit http://www.myd.govt.nz/young-people/new-zealand-youth-awards.html  .

Contact: Patisepa Helu 021 821 562
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Child poverty reduction target unchanged following Treasury’s revisions

The Government’s target, to reduce the proportion of children in poverty from 15% now to a world-leading 5% within ten years, remains unchanged following Treasury’s corrected and updated projections, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.
Meanwhile, the Government will prioritise improving the quality of data used to measure child poverty following Treasury’s correction to its coding error and updated child poverty projections, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says.
The review process by Treasury had two aspects. The first was to correct the coding error which overestimated its projections for the number of children lifted out of poverty by both the Coalition Government’s Families Package and the previous government’s Family Incomes Package. Treasury announced that correction today.
Treasury said its December projection that the Families Package would lift 88,000 children out of poverty by 2021 had been corrected to 64,000. The corresponding figure for the Budget 2017 Family Incomes Package was a fall from 49,000 to 33,000 children lifted out of poverty by 2021 – a proportionate fall for the two packages.
“The new results continue to indicate that the Coalition Government’s Families Package will have double the impact reducing child poverty than National’s poorly targeted and more costly tax cut package,” Grant Robertson says.
“The coding error does not impact what families will receive from the Families Package – 384,000 families will still be better off by an average $75 per week.”
The second aspect of the review was for Treasury to update the underlying data in its model from Stats NZ’s 2014/15 Household Economic Survey (HES) to 2015/16 numbers. During this process, problems with that data and for some other years were uncovered. Treasury turned back to pooling 2014/15 data with the 2012/13 HES, producing different numbers to the corrected figures – 54,000 and 27,000, respectively.
“Treasury has said that caution should be applied to using these numbers on their own due to the small underlying sample sizes, and says that they should not be used for benchmarking purposes. This is why we have made the decision to provide for stronger and larger data sets for these surveys, and we are working with Stats NZ on this,” Grant Robertson says.
“Best advice remains that about 14%-15% of children live in households earning below 50% of the median income before housing costs. This level of child poverty is totally unacceptable for a country like New Zealand,” Jacinda Ardern says.
“Our target to ensure this falls to below 5% of all children in 10 years’ time is unchanged by Treasury’s correction. This goal would see New Zealand achieve one of the lowest rates of child poverty in the world. I believe we have the opportunity and the moral obligation to ensure children are free from the burden of poverty,” Jacinda Ardern says.
Information about the Child Poverty Reduction Bill and Government poverty targets can be found here and here.
Note: The corrected projections, and the 15%-5% target, relate to the below 50% of the median income before housing costs measure of child poverty.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Funding to expand Bay of Plenty nursery

The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will provide up to $5.8 million over three years to allow a Bay of Plenty nursery to scale up production of forestry grade native seedlings, Regional Economic Development Minister and Forestry Minister Shane Jones announced today.

“With the Government committed to seeing one billion trees planted over the next 10 years, we need to work with nurseries and help them increase production to ensure enough seedlings – both exotics and indigenous – are available to be planted,” Shane Jones said.

“The funding we’re announcing today will allow Minginui Nursery to grow up to one million native trees every year and expand its current workforce from nine to 90.”  

The two-year-old nursery is owned by Ngāti Whare Holdings.

“It’s already involved in growing forest-grade podocarp species – rimu, totara, matai, kahikatea, miro – and kauri, and also has a large order book for manuka, kanuka and other pioneer species.”

“Minginui was planned as a forestry town by the Ministry of Works and was built in the late 1940s, but has experienced ongoing population decline since the closure of the sawmill in the late 1980s. Only about 1300 people now live in the area, with fewer than 300 living in the town itself.

“Community development is the key driver for the nursery’s move to increase its production of forestry grade native seedlings to an industrial scale.

“With the PGF’s help, Minginui Nursery can play its part in rejuvenating the region, contributing to employment and skills development and better social outcomes for the community.

“Ngāti Whare Holdings has already proven it can operate a nursery on commercial terms, employ and train local people and the Government is happy to partner with such businesses,” Shane Jones said.

The $1 billion per annum Provincial Growth Fund was officially launched on 23 February. For background click here.

Minginui Nursery

A successful nursery will provide opportunities for local people and help break the existing cycle of social welfare dependency in the town.

New nursery staff would be employed from the community and wider region.  

Ngāti Whare has developed a successful approach to getting local people into full-time permanent work through offering wrap around services, such as social and health services.

As well as employing locals, it’s expected the nursery could draw skilled people back to the town.

Growing one million native tree seedlings will involve the upskilling of current staff into leadership roles. Some have undertaken formal qualifications and have the potential to take part in nursery related research.

Educational providers are being approached to provide bridging programmes for prospective employees and all staff will go through on-going in-house training.

Te Puni Kokiri provided $130,000 last year to assist Ngāti Whare Trust to enable home ownership for locals in Minginui. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Transport Accident Investigators travel to Kiribati

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today announced that three New Zealand Transport Accident Investigators will assist with the investigation into the sinking of the MV Butiraoi in Kiribati.
“New Zealand was deeply saddened by the sinking of the MV Butiraoi in January this year and the large loss of life,” Mr Peters says.
“In response to a request from the Government of Kiribati New Zealand has agreed to provide funding to send three staff from the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission to assist Kiribati’s Ministry of Transport with the investigation. 
“The New Zealand Government is pleased to be able to assist Kiribati with their investigation. The Transport Accident Investigators will play a role in helping establish the causes of the accident and make recommendations for addressing safety issues.”
ENDS
Contact: Stephen Parker, Chief Press Secretary, 021 195 3528

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Cellphone service will support Minginui

Establishing cellphone services for Minginui will support the scaling up of the Minginui nursery owned by Ngāti Whare Holdings, from commercial to industrial size for the production of native forestry grade seedlings, Associate Minister of Agriculture, Hon Meka Whaitiri announced today. 
“Included in Hon Shane Jones announcement of $5.8 million from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is a contribution towards covering the costs to bring the cellphone service to Minginui village in the Whirinaki Forest which will be up and running shortly. 
“This coverage will enable the nursery to function effectively and efficiently in a modern competitive business environment and support this community,” says Meka Whaitiri, who has ministerial responsibility for primary sector skills development and Maori agribusiness. 
“This service will build on Ngāti Whare’s previous investment ($40,000) in the wireless broadband infrastructure that is already in place and Ngāti Whare’s  practice of investing in its social infrastructure. 
“The lift in staff at the nursery from nine employees to 90 creates opportunity for locals, many of whom will require training and skills development in order to be ready for employment.  Having technology solutions to support training will be vital. 
“The opportunity to develop science and technology skills while working and living in Minginui is also exciting and will equip locals with transferable skills across the primary industries. 
“I know, like Ngāti Whare does, the impact this can have on reinvigorating the community, improving social cohesion, supporting better outcomes, and lifting the goals their rangatahi set for themselves, Meka Whaitiri said.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Have your say on international climate guidelines

Hon JAMES SHAW
Minister for Climate Change
 

14 March 2018

  MEDIA STATEMENT

Have your say on international climate change guidelines
The Government is inviting input as it sets the priorities for New Zealand at international climate change negotiations.
At Paris in 2015, 174 countries, plus the European Union, committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global temperature rise this Century to well below 2 degrees Celsius.
At the end of this year (2-14 December), international negotiators meet in Katowice, Poland, for the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The purpose of COP24 is to work out the guidelines for how countries work together to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
From today, New Zealanders are invited to have their say on what they think New Zealand’s stance on those guidelines should be.
“Tackling climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our time,” says the Minister for Climate Change James Shaw.
“I’ve been clear that New Zealand will show leadership on climate change on the world stage, which is why we want to refresh our approach to international climate negotiations, and to hear from you about what you think is important in those negotiations.
“We need to lead by example at home and we also need to be clear about what we’re working towards at the international negotiating table.
“Having signed up to the Paris Agreement, the next step is to agree on guidance for countries as they go about implementing their national contributions to reducing greenhouse gases and limiting temperature rise, and that is what will happen in Katowice in December,” Mr Shaw says.
“There are a number of areas New Zealand has focused on already, including transparency, effective mitigation, integrity of carbon markets, agriculture, as well as gender and indigenous people’s issues,” he says.
Public submissions can be made by clicking here for more details.
Submissions are due by 3 April.
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Pacific artists to help chart future at Pacific Arts Summit 2018

Associate Minister for Pacific Peoples, and Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni will today open the Creative New Zealand Pacific Arts Summit 2018 at Te Papa in Wellington.
 The two day summit will involve more than 150 contemporary and heritage Pacific artists who will help chart the future of Pacific Arts by sharing ideas, experiences and their aspirations for the future.
A key aspect of the summit is informing the development of Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts Strategy, which will underpin its approach to supporting the long term development of Pacific Arts.
“The contribution Pacific arts make to the wider New Zealand arts community is significant, and it is growing,” said Carmel Sepuloni
“I am sure these two days will be full of constructive talanoa and inspiring ideas, which will help guide Creative New Zealand to support the ongoing development of a vibrant Pacific Arts sector.
“Pacific Arts make a major contribution to the unique cultural identity of our Pacific nation and are a touchstone that helps connect us all to our Pacific neighbours.
“I would like to commend the Arts Council, Creative New Zealand and its partners for putting together such a comprehensive programme that offers so many opportunities for artists to fono with other artists, arts organisations and stakeholders.
“It’s the right approach to enable the development of a future-focused, sector-led strategy that supports Pacific Arts to grow their important contribution to our unique cultural identity,” Carmel Sepuloni said. 
Creative New Zealand plans to complete its strategy later this year.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Helping international innovators connect, collaborate and undertake R&D in NZ

Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods has today formally launched the Innovative Partnership programme which aims to attract future-focused international innovators and firms to undertake R&D and develop their products in New Zealand.
 
“This Government is committed to developing New Zealand as a hub for high-value, knowledge intensive businesses that create value through innovation and R&D,” said Woods.
 
“The Innovative Partnerships programme, which is led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, engages with innovative companies that are pushing the boundaries of technology and solving the world’s big problems, and promotes the compelling advantages of working in New Zealand.
 
“These companies are then connected with the right people, businesses, agencies, research organisations and universities, as well as supported through navigating central and local governments,” says Woods.
 
The official launch of the programme comes after American innovator Kitty Hawk Corporation, operating in New Zealand as Zephyr Airworks, credited Innovative
Partnerships as part of the reason it is testing its revolutionary air taxi technology in New Zealand.
 
“International innovators are finding our unique expertise, resources and talent, together with our size and location, offer surprising advantages when it comes to turning ideas into reality.
 
“Zephyr Airworks’ presence in New Zealand will build capability in our own science system – partially in areas like software engineering, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, composite material, and aviation design.
 
“New Zealand has a long history of innovation and being at the front of change. Our future is still being imagined and we are determined to play an active role in shaping it for the better through new ideas, new innovations, and new ways of looking at the world,” said Woods.
 
The Innovative Partnerships programme is run by small team of experts dedicated to helping R&D players connect, collaborate and innovate in New Zealand.
 
While the programme is led by MBIE, multiple agencies across local and central governments work together to support and facilitate the elements that influence a decision to undertake R&D in New Zealand. More information on the programme is available on MBIE’s website.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Chatham Islands Waitangi Wharf opened

The new Waitangi Wharf on Rēkohu/Chatham Islands/Wharekauri was officially opened by Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin today.
 “This $52 million wharf upgrade is very significant for the Chatham Islands community, which relies on shipping for essential resources, like diesel for the electricity grid and fuel for air services,” says Minister Martin.
 “The increased operating capacity of the wharf will also have flow on effects for the local economy, with exports accounting for a significant proportion of the Chatham Islands income.
 “The upgraded wharf will make shipping more reliable, improve the health and safety of those that use Waitangi Wharf and improve animal welfare for exported livestock.”
 The wharf upgrade includes:
a 163 metre breakwater made of 4000 Xblocs (an interlocking concrete block designed to protect the wharf from the impact of incoming waves);
10,700 square metres of port area;
a 90 metre long cargo wharf;
a 35 metre fishermen’s wharf; and
water tanks for 100 cattle.
 The Minister said the project was logistically difficult given the Chatham Islands’ geographical isolation and challenging weather conditions, but it was delivered efficiently and cost effectively by a cross-government and industry partnership, led by the Memorial Park Alliance. The Alliance includes the Department of Internal Affairs, the New Zealand Transport Agency, HEB Construction, Downer, Tonkin & Taylor, and AECOM.
 “The opening of the Waitangi Wharf is the culmination of years of hard work from community groups, the private sector and government agencies. They should be congratulated for how they have worked together to deliver such an important project for the Chatham Islands,” says Minister Martin.
 ENDS
 Contact Richard Ninness 029 235 0423

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Appointment of Associate Judge of the High Court

Auckland Barrister Peter Andrew has been appointed an Associate Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today.
Associate Judge Andrew graduated from the University of Otago in 1984 with a BA and an LLB, and joined the Auckland Crown Solicitor’s office, Meredith Connell & Co.
 In 1990, after studying with the University of Kiel in Germany and graduating with an LLM in Public International Law, he joined the Auckland office of Russell McVeagh as a senior solicitor. He practiced in the employment law and commercial litigation fields.
 From 1993 to 1999 Associate Judge Andrew was a Crown Counsel in the Treaty Issues and International Law Team at Crown Law, representing the Crown in public law litigation in the courts at all levels, and as a member of the Crown negotiating team for Treaty of Waitangi settlements in relation to Ngāi Tahu and Tūrangi.
 He was the Treaty team leader and appeared frequently in the Waitangi Tribunal on historical and contemporary Treaty claims.
 In 1999 Associate Judge Andrew left Crown Law to join the independent Bar.  As a Barrister, he specialised in public law and civil litigation, including litigation over Treaty settlements and trust and equity litigation in the specialist Maori Land Courts. 
 He also has significant adjudication experience as a member of the Refugee Status Appeals Authority and the Weathertight Homes Tribunal.
 The new Associate Judge will be sworn in on 23 March 2018 and will sit in Auckland.