Rugby World Cup 2011 has been a phenomenal event with the final outcome that every Kiwi was hoping for. The Cup is ours again, after 24 long years.
There have been celebrations up and down the country, and there will be more to come over the following months.
The success of our handling of this major tournament has demonstrated that New Zealand is a very capable host for large-scale international events. More than 5,000 volunteers around the country put their hand up to help out.
The tournament has also done wonders for lifting our international profile as a tourism and business destination. To this end the Government was proud to fund the REAL New Zealand Festival, Sector Showcase, and Business Club to support this.
The Reserve Bank has estimated an economic gain to New Zealand of $700 million, so we will continue to see benefits from the tournament.
More information, click here.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Service Academies getting results for students
An Education Review Office evaluation shows improved participation, behaviour, and academic achievement for students enrolled at Service Academies.
The military-focused academies offer courses such as leadership and outdoor education while students work towards achieving at least NCEA Level 1 literacy and numeracy. Students are motivated to learn new skills and earn qualifications, giving them a real chance to succeed. Many of the young people involved are Maori and Pasifika and come from low-decile schools.
Service Academies are part of National’s wider Youth Guarantee initiative. By the end of 2012 there will be places for 10,000 16- and 17-year-olds who are at risk of dropping out of education.
More information, click here.
The military-focused academies offer courses such as leadership and outdoor education while students work towards achieving at least NCEA Level 1 literacy and numeracy. Students are motivated to learn new skills and earn qualifications, giving them a real chance to succeed. Many of the young people involved are Maori and Pasifika and come from low-decile schools.
Service Academies are part of National’s wider Youth Guarantee initiative. By the end of 2012 there will be places for 10,000 16- and 17-year-olds who are at risk of dropping out of education.
More information, click here.
National makes the public safer with stronger bail laws
New Zealanders have a right to feel safe in their homes and their communities. That’s why National is staying strong on crime and making bail laws stronger.
Strengthening bail laws fulfils National’s 2008 election promise to review aspects of the bail system. It builds on the work we achieved in our first 100 days in office to reverse Labour’s decision to make it easier for defendants to get bail.
Changes will be included in the Bail Amendment Bill which will be introduced to Parliament next year. These changes will reverse the burden of proof to target defendants arrested for the worst crimes and those at the highest risk of offending while on bail.
These changes will get the balance right between public safety and a defendant’s right to be considered innocent until proven guilty.
More information. click here.
Strengthening bail laws fulfils National’s 2008 election promise to review aspects of the bail system. It builds on the work we achieved in our first 100 days in office to reverse Labour’s decision to make it easier for defendants to get bail.
Changes will be included in the Bail Amendment Bill which will be introduced to Parliament next year. These changes will reverse the burden of proof to target defendants arrested for the worst crimes and those at the highest risk of offending while on bail.
These changes will get the balance right between public safety and a defendant’s right to be considered innocent until proven guilty.
More information. click here.
Free after-hours doctor visits for under-sixes
The Government is extending free doctor visits for children under six to include after-hours visits.
After-hours fees for under-sixes average about $17 but can be nearly $100. District Health Boards will work with local GP networks and after-hours clinics to roll out the scheme.
Currently 87 per cent of under-sixes, including 95 per cent of low-income household children, receive free doctor visits during the day.
As with the daytime free under-sixes scheme, there may be some clinics which do not take part. DHBs will ensure there are alternatives available within a reasonable distance. Parents shouldn't be put off taking young children to the doctor because of the cost.
The scheme will cost $7 million a year which will come from existing budgets. National’s excellent management of the health budget has led to improvements in health care.
More information, click here.
After-hours fees for under-sixes average about $17 but can be nearly $100. District Health Boards will work with local GP networks and after-hours clinics to roll out the scheme.
Currently 87 per cent of under-sixes, including 95 per cent of low-income household children, receive free doctor visits during the day.
As with the daytime free under-sixes scheme, there may be some clinics which do not take part. DHBs will ensure there are alternatives available within a reasonable distance. Parents shouldn't be put off taking young children to the doctor because of the cost.
The scheme will cost $7 million a year which will come from existing budgets. National’s excellent management of the health budget has led to improvements in health care.
More information, click here.
Government on track for surplus
Treasury this week released the Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU). It forecasts average annual growth of about 3 per cent between 2012 and 2016, more than 150,000 new jobs over the forecast period and strong growth in wages and household incomes. This reaffirms National’s commitment to building a stronger economy based on more exports, and delivering more real jobs.
National is committed to balancing the books sooner. The Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update shows we are on track for a return to surplus in 2014/15 with our economy continuing to pick up pace. The economy has now grown in eight of the past nine quarters and growth in the first half of this year has been stronger than forecast in Budget 2011 in May. Getting back to surplus as soon as possible is one of the most important things the Government can do to lift national savings and rebalance the economy towards our productive sectors.
This year's PREFU is in stark contrast to that delivered three years ago, which revealed a decade of deficits and sharply rising debt. The Government has worked hard to turn those forecasts around, while managing the many challenges we have faced along the way.
It's crucial we stick to our programme of responsible financial management and policies that build a more competitive economy if we are to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.
More information, click here.
National is committed to balancing the books sooner. The Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update shows we are on track for a return to surplus in 2014/15 with our economy continuing to pick up pace. The economy has now grown in eight of the past nine quarters and growth in the first half of this year has been stronger than forecast in Budget 2011 in May. Getting back to surplus as soon as possible is one of the most important things the Government can do to lift national savings and rebalance the economy towards our productive sectors.
This year's PREFU is in stark contrast to that delivered three years ago, which revealed a decade of deficits and sharply rising debt. The Government has worked hard to turn those forecasts around, while managing the many challenges we have faced along the way.
It's crucial we stick to our programme of responsible financial management and policies that build a more competitive economy if we are to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.
More information, click here.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Update on Rena
The Government, Maritime New Zealand, and experts and volunteers are continuing in their efforts to get oil off the Rena and reduce the environmental impact of this disaster.
Some oil has been successfully taken off the Rena and experts are continuing in their efforts to pump oil off the ship.
Protecting the environment is at the forefront of the Government’s response. We’ve got to get as much of the oil safely off the ship and restore the affected beaches, estuaries, and rocky shorelines.
Further down the track the issue of compensation and who pays for this disaster will be decided. The Prime Minister has made it clear that the owners of Rena will be expected to pay up and contribute to the clean-up efforts.
The Government is also looking at a temporary compensation package for those affected by the situation such as local businesses.
Currently two investigations are looking at why the grounding happened so it can be avoided in the future and also looking at whether further prosecutions for any wrongdoing are necessary.
The National-led Government is doing all we can to try and reduce the harm of this disaster. We’ll continue to put every available resource into the clean-up and recovery efforts.
More information, click here.
Some oil has been successfully taken off the Rena and experts are continuing in their efforts to pump oil off the ship.
Protecting the environment is at the forefront of the Government’s response. We’ve got to get as much of the oil safely off the ship and restore the affected beaches, estuaries, and rocky shorelines.
Further down the track the issue of compensation and who pays for this disaster will be decided. The Prime Minister has made it clear that the owners of Rena will be expected to pay up and contribute to the clean-up efforts.
The Government is also looking at a temporary compensation package for those affected by the situation such as local businesses.
Currently two investigations are looking at why the grounding happened so it can be avoided in the future and also looking at whether further prosecutions for any wrongdoing are necessary.
The National-led Government is doing all we can to try and reduce the harm of this disaster. We’ll continue to put every available resource into the clean-up and recovery efforts.
More information, click here.
New strategy to open doors to India
National has launched the NZ Inc India Strategy, which sets ambitious goals and clear direction over five years towards realising the potential of our relationship with India.
India has emerged as a major Asian power, and its growth rate is second only to China’s among the world’s major economies. Two-way trade between New Zealand and India is worth more than $1.2 billion a year. India has also become our third-largest source of international students, and our 10th largest source of visitors.
Only by lifting our economic performance can we create jobs, and boost incomes for our hard working Kiwi families.
This is the first of many NZ Inc country and regional strategies, which will bring government agencies together to work collectively. We are developing, strategies on China, the US, Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the European Union.
More information, click here.
India has emerged as a major Asian power, and its growth rate is second only to China’s among the world’s major economies. Two-way trade between New Zealand and India is worth more than $1.2 billion a year. India has also become our third-largest source of international students, and our 10th largest source of visitors.
Only by lifting our economic performance can we create jobs, and boost incomes for our hard working Kiwi families.
This is the first of many NZ Inc country and regional strategies, which will bring government agencies together to work collectively. We are developing, strategies on China, the US, Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the European Union.
More information, click here.
Drug Court pilot announced
A Drug Court pilot will be established in Auckland to deal with offenders with severe alcohol and drug dependencies.
This is in response to the Law Commission’s recommendation in their review of the Misuse of Drugs Act that a Drug Court pilot be set up, subject to a full analysis of the likely cost-effectiveness and availability of funding.
Funded by National’s $10 million investment package for drug and alcohol treatment, the pilot will run for five years. It will use a pre-sentence model by way of adjournment and deferral of sentencing. It will deal with approximately 100 offenders a year.
This delivers on priorities in the Drivers of Crime strategy which includes reducing alcohol-related harm and improving the availability and accessibility of alcohol and drug treatment services.
For more information, click here.
This is in response to the Law Commission’s recommendation in their review of the Misuse of Drugs Act that a Drug Court pilot be set up, subject to a full analysis of the likely cost-effectiveness and availability of funding.
Funded by National’s $10 million investment package for drug and alcohol treatment, the pilot will run for five years. It will use a pre-sentence model by way of adjournment and deferral of sentencing. It will deal with approximately 100 offenders a year.
This delivers on priorities in the Drivers of Crime strategy which includes reducing alcohol-related harm and improving the availability and accessibility of alcohol and drug treatment services.
For more information, click here.
National invests additional $10 million for alcohol and drug treatment
National is committed to reducing harm from alcohol and drug abuse. That’s why we’re investing a further $10 million into alcohol and drug treatment.
This investment will be funded from alcohol excise revenue and will be in addition to the $120 million which is already spent on alcohol and drug treatment services each year.
Our additional investment goes hand in hand with the Government’s work to reduce alcohol-related harm through the Alcohol Reform Bill and the Drivers of Crime strategy.
The package will pay for increased use of alcohol screening, alcohol and drug services for youth, programmes for drink-drivers aimed at reducing repeat drink driving, community-based treatment and training and workforce development for frontline workers.
More information, click here.
This investment will be funded from alcohol excise revenue and will be in addition to the $120 million which is already spent on alcohol and drug treatment services each year.
Our additional investment goes hand in hand with the Government’s work to reduce alcohol-related harm through the Alcohol Reform Bill and the Drivers of Crime strategy.
The package will pay for increased use of alcohol screening, alcohol and drug services for youth, programmes for drink-drivers aimed at reducing repeat drink driving, community-based treatment and training and workforce development for frontline workers.
More information, click here.
KiwiSaver auto-enrolment to go ahead
National will go ahead with KiwiSaver auto-enrolment in 2014/15 subject to returning to surplus. This is another step in National’s programme to build genuine national savings.
Our focus remains on returning to surplus and starting to repay debt which is part of our plan to build long-term economic growth to create jobs, lift incomes, and raise living standards to help all New Zealanders get ahead.
As signalled in Budget 2011, we believe there is merit in a one-off KiwiSaver auto-enrolment exercise, where people in the workforce not already in the scheme would be signed up with the ability to opt out.
With about 1.8 million members, KiwiSaver funds are expected to rise rapidly – from about $8 billion this year to $25 billion by 2015 and almost $60 billion in 10 years. Auto-enrolment will accelerate that growth.
More information, click here.
Our focus remains on returning to surplus and starting to repay debt which is part of our plan to build long-term economic growth to create jobs, lift incomes, and raise living standards to help all New Zealanders get ahead.
As signalled in Budget 2011, we believe there is merit in a one-off KiwiSaver auto-enrolment exercise, where people in the workforce not already in the scheme would be signed up with the ability to opt out.
With about 1.8 million members, KiwiSaver funds are expected to rise rapidly – from about $8 billion this year to $25 billion by 2015 and almost $60 billion in 10 years. Auto-enrolment will accelerate that growth.
More information, click here.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Bowel screening pilot launched
The National-led Government has launched a $24 million, four year bowel screening pilot at Waitemata DHB in Auckland. Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in New Zealand. If detected and treated early, there is a very good chance of survival.
The $24 million pilot will provide vital information to help determine whether a bowel screening programme should be rolled out across the country.
In the first phase, 500 people from two GP practices will be randomly selected and invited to take part. They will be posted a simple test kit to complete at home and send back. People will be offered a colonoscopy if their test result shows they need further investigation.
Once the pilot is in full swing, about 1300 invitations and test kits will be sent out every week. The pilot will be strictly monitored and independently evaluated.
More information, click here
The $24 million pilot will provide vital information to help determine whether a bowel screening programme should be rolled out across the country.
In the first phase, 500 people from two GP practices will be randomly selected and invited to take part. They will be posted a simple test kit to complete at home and send back. People will be offered a colonoscopy if their test result shows they need further investigation.
Once the pilot is in full swing, about 1300 invitations and test kits will be sent out every week. The pilot will be strictly monitored and independently evaluated.
More information, click here
Earthquake levy rise realistically reflects costs
This National-led Government is committed to rebuilding Christchurch and supporting the people of Canterbury.
The Earthquake Commission levy is being increased to ensure EQC can meet its long-term costs and continue to provide disaster cover around New Zealand.
The levy will rise from February next year, to help rebuild the EQC’s Natural Disaster Fund and to more realistically reflect EQC’s operating costs.
This will add about $2.65 a week to most homeowner’s insurance bill.
Raising the levy for those who benefit from earthquake insurance cover is the fairest way to ensure EQC can meet its long-term costs.
More information, click here
The Earthquake Commission levy is being increased to ensure EQC can meet its long-term costs and continue to provide disaster cover around New Zealand.
The levy will rise from February next year, to help rebuild the EQC’s Natural Disaster Fund and to more realistically reflect EQC’s operating costs.
This will add about $2.65 a week to most homeowner’s insurance bill.
Raising the levy for those who benefit from earthquake insurance cover is the fairest way to ensure EQC can meet its long-term costs.
More information, click here
More social workers in schools and on the frontline
The number of social workers in low-decile schools and on the frontline has been increased by the National-led Government.
The Social Workers in Schools programme, which covers 285 schools, will be expanded to all decile 1-3 schools. The total number of schools with social work support will increase to 673.
There will also be an increase of 10 per cent in the number of frontline care and protection social workers. This is an additional 96 social workers to support at-risk kids and help give them the protection and security they deserve.
Focusing on vulnerable children is an absolute priority for National. This investment in more social workers will provide more specialist support to help tackle child abuse and neglect.
More information, click here
The Social Workers in Schools programme, which covers 285 schools, will be expanded to all decile 1-3 schools. The total number of schools with social work support will increase to 673.
There will also be an increase of 10 per cent in the number of frontline care and protection social workers. This is an additional 96 social workers to support at-risk kids and help give them the protection and security they deserve.
Focusing on vulnerable children is an absolute priority for National. This investment in more social workers will provide more specialist support to help tackle child abuse and neglect.
More information, click here
Update on Rena
A container ship grounded on the Astrolabe reef, east of Tauranga, on Wednesday 5 October. It was carrying 1360 containers and had 1700 tonnes of heavy diesel oil on board.
The Government is doing everything it can to reduce the environmental impact of this situation.
So far about 350 tonnes of oil has leaked into the sea, some of which has reached Tauranga's beaches. Some containers have fallen overboard and there are large cracks in the ship which could cause it to sink.
Maritime New Zealand is leading a massive clean-up with around 500 people on the beach. There are six vessels patrolling the harbour picking up debris and there are two vessels preparing to use booms offshore should this be possible.
Three salvage experts were winched down to the Rena today. The barge Awanuia is putting new mooring arrangements in place to allow for the safer transfer of oil.
The salvage company Svitzer is responsible for collecting the containers in the water. The Police and Fire Service are helping recovering containers that have reached the shoreline. The oily waste is being collected by two approved waste companies.
The Government is putting every available resource into the clean-up and recovery efforts, and this will continue.
More information, click here
The Government is doing everything it can to reduce the environmental impact of this situation.
So far about 350 tonnes of oil has leaked into the sea, some of which has reached Tauranga's beaches. Some containers have fallen overboard and there are large cracks in the ship which could cause it to sink.
Maritime New Zealand is leading a massive clean-up with around 500 people on the beach. There are six vessels patrolling the harbour picking up debris and there are two vessels preparing to use booms offshore should this be possible.
Three salvage experts were winched down to the Rena today. The barge Awanuia is putting new mooring arrangements in place to allow for the safer transfer of oil.
The salvage company Svitzer is responsible for collecting the containers in the water. The Police and Fire Service are helping recovering containers that have reached the shoreline. The oily waste is being collected by two approved waste companies.
The Government is putting every available resource into the clean-up and recovery efforts, and this will continue.
More information, click here
ACC levies cut for workers and businesses
National has announced ACC levy reductions of more than half a billion dollars a year for workers and businesses.
This is because of the huge improvements in ACC's finances from deficits of $7.2 billion under Labour to surpluses $6 billion under National.
The levy reductions will save households $340 million a year, and save businesses $247 million. For someone on the average wage that's a saving of $170 a year. This is money that will go back into the pockets of hard working New Zealanders, helping our economic recovery.
This is another example of National delivering better value for taxpayers and improving public service performance.
More information, click here
This is because of the huge improvements in ACC's finances from deficits of $7.2 billion under Labour to surpluses $6 billion under National.
The levy reductions will save households $340 million a year, and save businesses $247 million. For someone on the average wage that's a saving of $170 a year. This is money that will go back into the pockets of hard working New Zealanders, helping our economic recovery.
This is another example of National delivering better value for taxpayers and improving public service performance.
More information, click here
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