Two things can always be guaranteed in the third week of February in Dunedin. The first is that the weather will be fabulous and the second is the returning students get up to a certain number of hi-jinx as they return to the city for the start of the academic year.
It’s always great to have them back. They are the lifeblood of our city and provide a colour and atmosphere that is frankly missing over the Christmas recess.
Last year we had the disappointing behaviour on the day of the Freshers toga party and the Students Association and the University have taken some steps to prevent the sort of mass gathering events that give rise to public disorder. I support those initiatives. That’s not to say that I’m a wowser and I fully expect, if not encourage, students to let their hair down during Orientation Week. It’s just important that their rights to have fun don’t impede on other Dunedinites’ rights to go about their business without being impeded.
Thursday 25 February is Clubs day at the University of Otago and my colleague Simon Bridges and I will be supporting the Young Nats at their stand in the Clubs and Societies building. Feel free to come along and meet the second sexiest in Parliament. Simon will also be there!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wellington Not The Only Show In Town
I notice that Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson has started a petition to the New Zealand Rugby Union requesting that the NZI International Sevens remain in Wellington as it is the best venue to host the event in New Zealand.
Not so fast Mr Robertson – indeed when he stands in front of the mirror saying “Mirror, mirror on the wall who’s got the best stadium of all?” it will only be for another year that the mirror replies “Wellington”.
The Forsyth Barr Stadium at the University Plaza in Dunedin, once completed, will be without doubt the most impressive stadium in the county.
Wellington will probably continue to be the sevens venue for the foreseeable future, but it should not consider itself to have a mortgage over the Sevens for all time. It certainly isn’t the show in town and Dunedin will be well positioned to be the venue for the NZI Sevens in future years.
Not so fast Mr Robertson – indeed when he stands in front of the mirror saying “Mirror, mirror on the wall who’s got the best stadium of all?” it will only be for another year that the mirror replies “Wellington”.
The Forsyth Barr Stadium at the University Plaza in Dunedin, once completed, will be without doubt the most impressive stadium in the county.
Wellington will probably continue to be the sevens venue for the foreseeable future, but it should not consider itself to have a mortgage over the Sevens for all time. It certainly isn’t the show in town and Dunedin will be well positioned to be the venue for the NZI Sevens in future years.
Ash Wednesday in Dunedin – 24 February
Although in Wellington today, I’m advised that Dunedin is completely shrouded in smoke and ash from the Mt Allen forest fire. More than 400 hectares of pine forest in Mt Allen has burnt so far, and the smoke and ash from the fire has drifted over the city.
In my previous life I was a member of the Dunedin Civil Defence and Rural Fires medical advisory committee and saw first-hand the excellent work that Neil Brown and the team at the DCC Civil Defence do. I'm sure they will have the fire under control as soon as is practically possible.
In my previous life I was a member of the Dunedin Civil Defence and Rural Fires medical advisory committee and saw first-hand the excellent work that Neil Brown and the team at the DCC Civil Defence do. I'm sure they will have the fire under control as soon as is practically possible.
Members Bill Withdrawn from Ballot
This week I withdrew the New Zealand Public Health and Disability (Change of Electoral System for District Health Boards) Amendment Bill from the Members Bill ballot. The Bill sought to amend the voting system for district health boards from a single transferrable vote (STV) system to a first past the post (FPP) system.
The next DHB elections are scheduled for October this year. If the Bill was drawn in the next few weeks it would no doubt have been either before the Health Select Committee or being debated by the House at the time of the election. This could have been a confusing factor in that election so I have decided to defer the Bill for 12 months and reintroduce it into the ballot after the elections are over.
The next DHB elections are scheduled for October this year. If the Bill was drawn in the next few weeks it would no doubt have been either before the Health Select Committee or being debated by the House at the time of the election. This could have been a confusing factor in that election so I have decided to defer the Bill for 12 months and reintroduce it into the ballot after the elections are over.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
ACC Levies Finalised
ACC Minister Nick Smith has announced that levies will rise next year. However, these increases will be considerably less than those recommended by ACC.
These levy increases are necessary because ACC’s claims costs have increased by 57 per cent in the past four years. We’re moderating the increases by pushing out the full funding date to 2019, pulling back on extensions to the scheme made by the Labour Government, and putting in place a wide range of cost-saving measures.
Setting the levies has been a difficult balance between minimising the cost increases and families and businesses, keeping the pressure on ACC to better manage its costs, and ensuring ACC’s long-term sustainability. I believe we’ve struck the right balance.
These changes will help get ACC back on a more sustainable path and protect our 24/7, no-fault accident insurance programme.
For more information: www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+announces+201011+acc+levy+rates
These levy increases are necessary because ACC’s claims costs have increased by 57 per cent in the past four years. We’re moderating the increases by pushing out the full funding date to 2019, pulling back on extensions to the scheme made by the Labour Government, and putting in place a wide range of cost-saving measures.
Setting the levies has been a difficult balance between minimising the cost increases and families and businesses, keeping the pressure on ACC to better manage its costs, and ensuring ACC’s long-term sustainability. I believe we’ve struck the right balance.
These changes will help get ACC back on a more sustainable path and protect our 24/7, no-fault accident insurance programme.
For more information: www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+announces+201011+acc+levy+rates
Helping prevent child abuse
This Government is taking action on preventing child abuse.
The statistics in New Zealand must change. Vulnerable young babies and toddlers are at greatest risk of abuse, as they are completely dependent on the adults who care for them.
The ‘Never, Ever Shake a Baby’ campaign, launched on 6 December, is part of a wider programme to protect young children. We are starting with this multi-media campaign, raising awareness about the vulnerability of young children, and making sure every New Zealander understands why you must never, ever shake a baby.
We need every New Zealander to take a stand on this issue, and look out for the children who can’t look out for themselves.
More information:
http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/newsroom/media-releases/2009/pr-2009-09-03.html
The statistics in New Zealand must change. Vulnerable young babies and toddlers are at greatest risk of abuse, as they are completely dependent on the adults who care for them.
The ‘Never, Ever Shake a Baby’ campaign, launched on 6 December, is part of a wider programme to protect young children. We are starting with this multi-media campaign, raising awareness about the vulnerability of young children, and making sure every New Zealander understands why you must never, ever shake a baby.
We need every New Zealander to take a stand on this issue, and look out for the children who can’t look out for themselves.
More information:
http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/newsroom/media-releases/2009/pr-2009-09-03.html
Energy sector moves will benefit consumers
Measures to improve the New Zealand electricity system will give consumers confidence that power bills will not keep skyrocketing.
Our reforms, introduced this week, will also increase security of supply, and ensure effective and streamlined governance.
Power bills climbed rapidly during the previous government’s term, well above the rate of inflation. We also faced many power shortages in dry years.
Among our initiatives is a requirement for generators to compensate consumers if consumers are asked to save electricity through a national conservation campaign.
The Electricity Industry Bill will improve retail competition, while ensuring that signals for investment in new generation are clear.
More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/energy+sector+transformation+benefit+consumers
Our reforms, introduced this week, will also increase security of supply, and ensure effective and streamlined governance.
Power bills climbed rapidly during the previous government’s term, well above the rate of inflation. We also faced many power shortages in dry years.
Among our initiatives is a requirement for generators to compensate consumers if consumers are asked to save electricity through a national conservation campaign.
The Electricity Industry Bill will improve retail competition, while ensuring that signals for investment in new generation are clear.
More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/energy+sector+transformation+benefit+consumers
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