Transport Minister Steven Joyce will take a proposal to Cabinet to make security cameras mandatory in all taxis operating in our major towns and cities.
The recommendation for cameras comes in a report from officials who investigated taxi security after the death of Auckland driver Hiren Mohini in late January. Mr Mohini’s death was the second of an on-duty taxi driver in 14 months. There have been a number of other serious assaults, with many taxi drivers no longer enjoying safe working environments – particularly at night and particularly in our main centres.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister+recommend+cameras+taxis
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Future Focus: Rebalancing obligation and support
For most people, a benefit should only provide temporary support until they can return to work.
The Future Focus welfare package announced last week delivers on National's pre-election commitments, and rebalances the expectations and obligations of our welfare system.
The changes aim to support those in genuine need, while also being fair to taxpayers.
Around 345,000 New Zealanders receive a benefit, and this year, will cost taxpayers more
than $7.6 billion - that’s $20.8 million a day. We want to ensure this money is spent effectively.
Research shows that children are always better off when parents are in work. Long-term
welfare dependency imprisons families to a life of low income with limited choices and
outcomes.
The changes will be introduced from October 2010.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/future+focus+better+work+approach
The Future Focus welfare package announced last week delivers on National's pre-election commitments, and rebalances the expectations and obligations of our welfare system.
The changes aim to support those in genuine need, while also being fair to taxpayers.
Around 345,000 New Zealanders receive a benefit, and this year, will cost taxpayers more
than $7.6 billion - that’s $20.8 million a day. We want to ensure this money is spent effectively.
Research shows that children are always better off when parents are in work. Long-term
welfare dependency imprisons families to a life of low income with limited choices and
outcomes.
The changes will be introduced from October 2010.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/future+focus+better+work+approach
Making environmentally sound choices
A geothermal power station near Taupo is the first project to be fast-tracked under National’s
streamlined Resource Management Act.
Part of our reforms was establishing the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to centralise
and streamline decision making on nationally significant proposals.
Contact Energy's proposed 240-megawatt station near Taupo could provide power for up to
180,000 Kiwi homes. National’s objective is to do these major projects once and do them
properly.
Under the amended RMA, Contact Energy applied directly to the EPA without a call-in from a
regional or territorial authority. A decision on the application must be made within nine months
of public notification.
Streamlining the RMA, and the establishment of the EPA are part of our strategy to encourage
the development of renewable energy.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/first+epa+request+referred+board+inquiry
streamlined Resource Management Act.
Part of our reforms was establishing the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to centralise
and streamline decision making on nationally significant proposals.
Contact Energy's proposed 240-megawatt station near Taupo could provide power for up to
180,000 Kiwi homes. National’s objective is to do these major projects once and do them
properly.
Under the amended RMA, Contact Energy applied directly to the EPA without a call-in from a
regional or territorial authority. A decision on the application must be made within nine months
of public notification.
Streamlining the RMA, and the establishment of the EPA are part of our strategy to encourage
the development of renewable energy.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/first+epa+request+referred+board+inquiry
Economy keeps growing
Economic activity grew 0.8 per cent in the December quarter, boosted by manufacturing
activity, up a healthy 4.5 per cent. This is the first growth in the sector for almost two years.
Retail, accommodation, and restaurants grew by 1.7 per cent.
The 0.8 per cent rise followed an increase of 0.3 per cent in the September 2009 quarter, and
is the third consecutive quarter of growth in the economy.
The Budget in May will set out National’s next steps to lift economic growth by tilting the
playing field towards productive investment, exports and new jobs.
We want to lift business confidence, increase incomes, and help New Zealand families get
ahead.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/recovery+strengthens+challenges+remain
activity, up a healthy 4.5 per cent. This is the first growth in the sector for almost two years.
Retail, accommodation, and restaurants grew by 1.7 per cent.
The 0.8 per cent rise followed an increase of 0.3 per cent in the September 2009 quarter, and
is the third consecutive quarter of growth in the economy.
The Budget in May will set out National’s next steps to lift economic growth by tilting the
playing field towards productive investment, exports and new jobs.
We want to lift business confidence, increase incomes, and help New Zealand families get
ahead.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/recovery+strengthens+challenges+remain
Foreshore and seabed - Getting the balance right
National is committed to ensuring that the interests of all New Zealanders in the foreshore and seabed are recognised and protected.
We believe the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 should only be repealed if a satisfactory replacement can be found.
The Government’s proposal is that no one owns, or can own, the foreshore and seabed. The name would be changed from ‘foreshore and seabed’ to ‘public domain’, or takiwā īwī whānui.
Our proposal would provide public access for all, and restore the right of Māori to go to court to establish customary title. It would assure respect for rights and interests, and existing use rights would be protected until the end of their term. Parts of the foreshore and seabed already in private ownership would not be affected.
Our bottom line has always been public access to the foreshore and seabed. But we also want to put in place a way for iwi to have their interests recognised.
A consultation document was released yesterday and I urge you to have your say. The document and information about making a submission can be found at www.justice.govt.nz.
Submissions clos at 5pm on Friday 30 April.
We believe the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 should only be repealed if a satisfactory replacement can be found.
The Government’s proposal is that no one owns, or can own, the foreshore and seabed. The name would be changed from ‘foreshore and seabed’ to ‘public domain’, or takiwā īwī whānui.
Our proposal would provide public access for all, and restore the right of Māori to go to court to establish customary title. It would assure respect for rights and interests, and existing use rights would be protected until the end of their term. Parts of the foreshore and seabed already in private ownership would not be affected.
Our bottom line has always been public access to the foreshore and seabed. But we also want to put in place a way for iwi to have their interests recognised.
A consultation document was released yesterday and I urge you to have your say. The document and information about making a submission can be found at www.justice.govt.nz.
Submissions clos at 5pm on Friday 30 April.
Boosting our economic potential
Economic growth matters. Only through lifting our economic growth can we create new jobs, boost wages, raise living standards, and provide the high-quality public services that Kiwi families need.
New Zealand is an energy-rich country. We have extraordinary renewable energy resources, such as wind, hydro, and geothermal power. And we have fantastic natural resources which could make a significant contribution to our economic prosperity.
Mining in New Zealand is already a $2 billion industry, which contributes to export receipts and government revenue. Including oil and gas, mining employs 6000 people - and the jobs are well paid.
Our mineral resources, even excluding coal and other hydrocarbon-based minerals, are estimated to be worth $194 billion.
However, much of that mineral potential is concentrated in public conservation areas with high conservation and cultural values.
The National-led Government has conducted a preliminary stocktake of land in Schedule Four of the Crown Minerals Act, where all mining other than minimum impact activity is prohibited. This reveals that if a very small proportion of these lands is responsibly developed, New Zealand could greatly benefit from increased jobs and growth.
We recently published this stocktake. It contains proposals to remove 7058 hectares of land from Schedule Four, including some areas in the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island, and the Inangahua sector of Paparoa National Park on the West Coast.
The 7058 hectares are just 0.2 per cent of the 3.5 million hectares of Schedule Four land. If development went ahead, only about 5 per cent of the land might actually be mined. This is as little as 500 hectares, which is smaller than an average New Zealand sheep and beef farm.
There are, broadly, three tests that need to be met if we’re going to extend our mining activities. We need to demonstrate that there would be an increase in investment and in jobs. We need to prove to New Zealanders that the economic benefits of extending mining will largely stay in New Zealand. And we need to prove that we can mine these areas in an environmentally responsible way.
We believe all three of those things are possible, and that will be at the core of the discussion we’ll be having with New Zealanders over the next five weeks.
I urge you to read the discussion document and make a submission. The document is available at the Ministry of Economic Development website www.med.govt.nz/schedule4. Submissions close at 5pm on Tuesday, 4 May 2010.
New Zealand is an energy-rich country. We have extraordinary renewable energy resources, such as wind, hydro, and geothermal power. And we have fantastic natural resources which could make a significant contribution to our economic prosperity.
Mining in New Zealand is already a $2 billion industry, which contributes to export receipts and government revenue. Including oil and gas, mining employs 6000 people - and the jobs are well paid.
Our mineral resources, even excluding coal and other hydrocarbon-based minerals, are estimated to be worth $194 billion.
However, much of that mineral potential is concentrated in public conservation areas with high conservation and cultural values.
The National-led Government has conducted a preliminary stocktake of land in Schedule Four of the Crown Minerals Act, where all mining other than minimum impact activity is prohibited. This reveals that if a very small proportion of these lands is responsibly developed, New Zealand could greatly benefit from increased jobs and growth.
We recently published this stocktake. It contains proposals to remove 7058 hectares of land from Schedule Four, including some areas in the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island, and the Inangahua sector of Paparoa National Park on the West Coast.
The 7058 hectares are just 0.2 per cent of the 3.5 million hectares of Schedule Four land. If development went ahead, only about 5 per cent of the land might actually be mined. This is as little as 500 hectares, which is smaller than an average New Zealand sheep and beef farm.
There are, broadly, three tests that need to be met if we’re going to extend our mining activities. We need to demonstrate that there would be an increase in investment and in jobs. We need to prove to New Zealanders that the economic benefits of extending mining will largely stay in New Zealand. And we need to prove that we can mine these areas in an environmentally responsible way.
We believe all three of those things are possible, and that will be at the core of the discussion we’ll be having with New Zealanders over the next five weeks.
I urge you to read the discussion document and make a submission. The document is available at the Ministry of Economic Development website www.med.govt.nz/schedule4. Submissions close at 5pm on Tuesday, 4 May 2010.
Gardies Closure
It is a sad day in scarfieville, with the news that iconic University of Otago pub the Gardens Tavern has been sold to the University and will soon close as a pub. The sale took place in the face of a student and Mark Ellis-led bid to raise community cash to purchase the Tavern and continue to run it.
I'm not surprised that the Gardies was put up for sale, or for that matter that the University bought it. The Gardies is in the middle of a dense residential area and has been unsuccessful in attempts to have its liquor licence extended past midnight at the weekend and 11p.m. on weeknights. This, combined with the changing drinking habits of students who pre-load at home prior to going out means that the market window for the Gardies was very small. Even if the Gardies was retained, the new owners would have had to think long and hard about the business model used and the products available to draw punters in.
The University will probably use the land for accommodation in a similar way to the post-grad accommodation at the former Abbey Lodge across the road. Further signs of confidence in the Uni's growth prospects. With the Bowler and Gardies now gone I hope there are sufficient watering holes for the increased numbers to go!
I look forward to the final party. Might have to go in disguise.....
I'm not surprised that the Gardies was put up for sale, or for that matter that the University bought it. The Gardies is in the middle of a dense residential area and has been unsuccessful in attempts to have its liquor licence extended past midnight at the weekend and 11p.m. on weeknights. This, combined with the changing drinking habits of students who pre-load at home prior to going out means that the market window for the Gardies was very small. Even if the Gardies was retained, the new owners would have had to think long and hard about the business model used and the products available to draw punters in.
The University will probably use the land for accommodation in a similar way to the post-grad accommodation at the former Abbey Lodge across the road. Further signs of confidence in the Uni's growth prospects. With the Bowler and Gardies now gone I hope there are sufficient watering holes for the increased numbers to go!
I look forward to the final party. Might have to go in disguise.....
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