Category: New Zealand Government

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Minister for Trade and Export Growth heads to Paraguay then Chile for CPTPP signing

Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker will travel to Asunción, Paraguay before joining other trade ministers in Chile for the signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
“The CPTPP will help the Government’s efforts to create jobs and deliver a better standard of living for New Zealanders,” says Mr Parker.
The 11-nation deal will create new opportunities for international trade, including preferential access for the first time to Japan – the third biggest economy in the World – as well as to Canada, Mexico and Peru.
“CPTPP has increased in importance because of growing threats to the effective operation of the World Trade Organisation,” Mr Parker says.
Mr Parker will also sign a number of side letters with CPTPP partner countries to accompany the CPTPP.
His travel to Paraguay marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations with New Zealand.
“New Zealand and Paraguay share common interests across a range of areas, including agriculture and issues facing our indigenous peoples. There is significant scope to share information and deepen our collaboration,” says Mr Parker.
While in Paraguay he will also advance New Zealand’s interests in strengthening trade with Latin America. Paraguay is the current President of the Mercosur trading group made up of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
“I look forward to registering New Zealand’s interest in beginning exploratory discussions with Mercosur,” says Mr Parker.
“These discussions would allow us to identify whether there is mutual interest and benefit in negotiating a comprehensive, high quality free trade agreement.”
Mr Parker leaves on 6 March and returns on 10 March.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New Zealand explores ties with Mercosur

New Zealand is interested in strengthening economic ties with the Mercosur trading bloc, says Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker.
Mr Parker visited Paraguay, the current president of Mercosur, on 6-7 March.
He held talks with the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Marcos Medina and with Minister of Foreign Affairs Eladio Loizaga during the visit. He also held a working lunch with Paraguay’s new generation of leaders to discuss sustainable economic growth.
“As part of my visit I registered with Paraguay New Zealand’s desire to begin exploratory discussions with the Mercosur trading bloc,” says Mr Parker. These exploratory discussions would identify joint interests and strengthen New Zealand’s understanding of the benefits of a potential free trade agreement.
“An agreement with Mercosur could contribute to New Zealand’s track record of comprehensive and high quality free trade agreements,” said Mr Parker. There is also considerable potential to use a trade agreement to enhance cooperation across a range of important areas, including agriculture, labour and environmental standards.
Any agreement would reflect the Government’s progressive and inclusive trade agenda, which is currently being developed.
“A New Zealand-Mercosur agreement would also send an important signal about the value we place on a strong, rules-based international trading system”. 
Taken as a whole, Mercosur countries, which include Brazil and Argentina, have a combined GDP of US$2.42 trillion. “There is considerable value in developing stronger trade linkages with Mercosur,” says Mr Parker.
New Zealand is one of only two observer countries of Mercosur, a South American trade bloc comprised of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Forestry registration rights to be brought into Overseas Investment screening regime

Cabinet has agreed to changes to the treatment of overseas investments in forestry rights that will see them brought into the Overseas Investment Act screening regime.
At the same time a new streamlined approval path will be opened for overseas investors buying forestry rights that will make it easier to gain approval. 
Associate Finance Minister David Parker said that in recognition of the importance of quality overseas investment in forestry, this new streamlined approval path will also be available for investments in leasehold and freehold forestry land, which are already screened.
 “It is important to note that Māori hold a large percentage of forestry interests in New Zealand. It is not anticipated that this change will prejudice interests that Iwi have secured through the settlement process or fundamentally change the rights and interests of Māori in relation to their lands.” Mr Parker says.
 Mr Parker said the change needed to be made before the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) came into force. Mr Parker heads to Chile later this week to sign the CPTPP.
 “Making this change now will preserve policy options for future governments in relation to forests,” Mr Parker says.
 “Not making this change would mean future governments could not screen overseas purchases of our forests because there is little difference in effect between a long term lease and a long term forestry registration right. Both confer effective control of the forest and land.”
 Overseas investors will be able to purchase up to 1,000 hectares of forestry rights per annum, or any forestry right of less than three years duration, without OIA approval.
A standing consent system will also be developed, so quality forestry investors can make purchases of forestry land and rights without needing to seek prior approval of each individual transaction.
The counterfactual test, which has complicated forest purchases, is removed. Any existing commitments to provide logs to domestic customers are maintained.
 Ministers are finalising the details of the proposal and it will then be referred to Select Committee. There will be a short period for public consideration.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: More rangatahi to benefit from Youth Fund

Youth Minister Peeni Henare today announced the 31 successful projects that will receive a share of just over $182,000 to fund community projects led by young people, as part of Youth Fund 2018. 
Youth Fund supports young people to get involved in projects that will develop valuable skills such as decision making, leadership and peer mentoring and at the same time boost self-confidence to make a positive contribution to their community. 
This funding has been in place for nine years and is very significant to the Ministry as it is a youth-led initiative – by rangatahi, for rangatahi. The selection panel is made up of young people who assess the applications and make decisions on how the funding should be allocated. 
The projects this year will see young people get involved in community focused projects, mentoring platforms, leadership programmes, and internships. 
One particular project this year, Save and Help, will bring together a core group of ten young people who will buddy up with staff members and work alongside families in need from the community. This can include the young people cooking a meal for a family that is going through a tough time, helping an elderly person stack firewood, or simply painting a community fence. Up to 30 young people will be involved. This project will demonstrate how young people of today have such great community spirit and whanaungatanga.
“Another exciting project, Te Kopounga, will see rangatahi co-design a 12-week programme which will focus on media workshops, enterprise skills, work readiness, and cooking skills for young people Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET),” says Mr Henare.
“It is important that we invest in rangatahi, especially through projects that will allow young people to use their own initiative in making informed decisions and solving problems along the way.” 
“To the successful recipients of the Youth Fund 2018, I wish you all the best,” says Mr Henare. 
Details of the 31 successful projects can be found on MYD’s website.
Contact: Patisepa Helu 021 821 562

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Minister welcomes Canoe Racing training centre opening

Acting Sport and Recreation Minister Peeni Henare congratulates Canoe Racing New Zealand and the Waipa District Council on today opening the newly constructed High Performance Training Centre and Perry Community Water Sports Centre at Lake Karapiro, Cambridge. 
“It’s incredibly exciting to be here for the opening, with the added buzz around our elite women who won four medals at the World Championships last year competing in the NZCT Canoe Racing National Championship this weekend – and I’m sure the local community feels as inspired as I do,” Minister Henare says.
The shared facility aims to drive efficiencies and bring economic benefits to the region through events and programmes, while building on Cambridge’s ‘Home of Champions’ brand as the host of the Avantidrome and Rowing New Zealand High Performance Training Centre. 
“The model for this facility is a great example of how high performance athletes and community groups can share space and complement one another. The Government is proud to invest in this project, to provide a world class daily training environment for elite athletes and inspire our youth to be physically active and healthy. 
“Making the move from Auckland has been a collaborative effort to leverage the resources and capability that Rowing New Zealand, Cycling New Zealand and High Performance Sport New Zealand already have in place here in Cambridge, and I’d like to recognise Sport NZ as the funder for having the vision to bring these facilities together for tremendous mutual benefit.” 

Media contact: Patisepa Helu 021 821 562
 

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: New Zealand to host World Conference on Women in Sport

Minister for Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson and Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter today welcomed New Zealand’s successful bid to host the 8th International Working Group on Women in Sport secretariat from 2018 to 2022.
The honour will culminate with New Zealand hosting the 8th World Conference of the International Working Group on Women in Sport (IWG) in Auckland in 2022. The bid was a joint effort by Sport NZ, Women in Sport Aotearoa (WISPA), the NZ Olympic Committee and Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED).
“The vision of the IWG is sustainable sporting culture that enables and values the full involvement of women in every aspect of sport – a vision our Government shares,” Grant Robertson says.
“Hosting this influential event will provide an opportunity to connect New Zealand with the global conversation, highlight our achievements and focus our efforts and aspirations on achieving much more.”
“Tomorrow is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the immense achievements of women, and is a call to action to accelerate gender equity around the world,” says Julie Anne Genter.
“The hosting of the IWG World Conference and work of the Wonderful Group are reminders of the important role sport can play in this.”
Grant Robertson was in Auckland today to help launch the newly formed Wonderful Group’s ‘It Takes Two’ mentoring programme. The programme helps young women with ambitions to work in sport media by drawing on the experience of women already in the industry, in turn empowering these mentors to strive for leadership roles.
“Increasing the profile, participation and leadership contribution of women across our sporting sector is a key priority for the Sport and Recreation and Women’s portfolios,” Grant Robertson and Julie Anne Genter say.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: World-class canoe training centre opens in South Auckland

Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson today officially opened the Canoe Slalom New Zealand High Performance Training Centre at the Vector Wero White Water Park in Manukau, Auckland.
“This Centre is a world-class training environment for New Zealand. It was constructed as an add-on conversion to the existing Vector Wero White Water Park, opened in 2016,” Grant Robertson says.
“As well as its high performance aspect, the facility allows people of all ages and abilities to ‘give it a go’, aiming to cater for 15,000 children each year through kayaking, rafting and water safety sessions. These are important and valuable skills for our young people to learn.”
The opening celebrations included a pōwhiri with Tainui representatives, before Rio Olympic silver medallist Luuka Jones and World Championship bronze medallist Mike Dawson did a run of the course. A school group then took part in a Tamariki Rafting course. 
“The shared facilities approach will allow for a strong focus on activities for young people wishing to pursue white water sport through the Momentum Hub at Wero,” Grant Robertson says.
The project is a collaboration between Canoe Slalom New Zealand, Sport New Zealand, High Performance Sport New Zealand and Wero operator Second Nature Charitable Trust. In late January, the Park hosted the Canoe Slalom Oceania Championship. Sport NZ invested $250,000 in the fit-out to upgrade the course.

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Further aid to Papua New Guinea

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand will make a further deployment of aid to Papua New Guinea to help with the emergency response following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake last Monday.
A second RNZAF C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying emergency relief supplies will depart for Port Moresby on Thursday carrying mother and infant kits, family hygiene kits and tarpaulins. While in Papua New Guinea the C-130 will assist with the delivery of relief items to the affected Highlands region in partnership with Papua New Guinean authorities and other development partners.
“Sadly a number of people have lost their lives during this earthquake and New Zealand stands ready to help the people and Government of Papua New Guinea in the best way we can,” says Mr Peters.
ENDS
Contact: Alex Masters, Press Secretary, 021 809 186

Source: New Zealand Government

Headline: Marine protection off South Island coast

Two options to protect areas of ocean off the east coast of the South Island will be considered by Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage.
The Ministers today released the final report of the South East Marine Protection Forum. The Forum is an independent body established by the previous government in 2014. It includes representatives of Kāi Tahu as manawhenua, commercial and recreational fishers, tourism, science, the environmental sector, and the broader community.
The report provides two alternative networks of marine protected areas off the coast from Timaru in South Canterbury, to Waipapa Point in Southland.
In late 2016, the Forum consulted with the public, industry and stakeholders on 20 sites for possible inclusion in a network of marine protected areas.
“The Forum has worked hard to produce a thorough and comprehensive report. We would like to thank Forum members for their work over three years, their dedication to a collaborative process and the significant contribution the report makes to advancing marine protection,” Ms Sage said.
“There was strong public involvement in the Forum process with more than 2,800 submissions received during public consultation.”
Mr Nash acknowledged the work of the former Ministers for Primary Industries and Conservation who began the process in 2014.
“This has been a long and demanding process over three and a half years. While it has not always been easy for participants I acknowledge the time and effort that has been invested,” Mr Nash said.
“Forum members were given a challenging task and their final report and recommendations reflect the variety of perspectives on marine protection. They spent a great deal of time considering the best ways to protect our marine life and marine environments. I am grateful for their work and for the efforts of those who made submissions during the process.  
“I understand that some, but not all fishing representatives, subsequently asked for more work to be done after the recommendations had been finalised and agreed. I do not believe that is necessary. We are happy with the quality of the report and the robust and demanding process followed by the Forum.
“In the end the report reflects the diverse range of views. We will now carefully consider the Forum’s recommendations,” said Mr Nash.
The Forum has proposed two alternative networks to the Ministers:
Network 1 – covers 1267 km2 of the Forum region and includes 18 of the 22 coastal habitats in the Forum region, seven of 12 estuarine habitats and two biogenic habitats.
Network 2 – covers 366 km2 of the Forum region, includes 10 of the 22 coastal habitats, no estuarine habitats and two biogenic habitats.
“Marine protected areas (MPAs) are vital to protect important habitats and feeding areas for marine mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates,” Ms Sage said.
“New Zealand’s marine environment is 15 times larger than its land mass and it’s important this is safeguarded for future generations.”
The Forum’s report provides detailed recommendations. It also explains the broader cultural and customary contexts of the marine habitats, as well as the economic, social and environmental considerations it took into account. The Ministers will now work through the next steps, which involves consultation with colleagues and agencies.
The Ministers said it was not yet clear what steps would be needed if new marine protections are required for the South Island’s south east coast. Before any changes are made to existing protections, they would seek the views of all parties in Parliament and invite public submissions.
Further information
The Forum report is on the SEMPF website at https://south-eastmarine.org.nz/