Today I am hosting the Prime Minister in Dunedin and taking the opportunity to take him on what I think is his first ever visit to the Otago Peninsula. We will be visiting the world famous Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head, home of the only place where Royal Albatross nest near human communities.
August is usually the time when nesting chicks are fed up prior to leaving the nest in the spring so there should be plenty for him to see. We are also visiting the Natures Wonders facility which is a self funded conservation effort to ensure that the land is preserved for all future generations to enjoy. The focus is to protect penguins, fur seals and other wildlife in their natural environment. It may be too early in the day to view the yellow eyed penguins but there are plenty of other bird and sea life at this fantastic facility. We will also be calling in on the famous Larnach Castle. The three of these facilities are just some of the fantastic tourism opportunities on the Otago Peninsula described by the world famous botanist David Bellamy as “the finest example of eco-tourism in the world.”
The main purpose of the Prime Minister’s visit is to give out the annual Otago Daily Times Class Act awards to the two high performing students in each secondary school in Otago. This event sponsored by the Otago Daily Times celebrates all around excellence in sporting, cultural and academic achievement. Last year was John’s first attendance at this event and he was a huge hit with the students.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Southern communities speak on neurosurgery
Yesterday I was a member of delegations of Southern MPs that received a petition calling on the government to maintain neurosurgical services at Dunedin hospital as part of the South Island regional service. This issue has been bubbling away for most of the year and while South Island DHBs agree there should be a regional service, they can not agree whether all six surgeons should be based in Christchurch or whether the status quo should prevail which is four surgeons in Christchurch and two based in Dunedin Hospital.
Nearly 45,000 Otago and Southland residents signed the petition which is a huge show of support for the retention of the Dunedin based service. All of the MPs want the best level of care that can be provided and on the information I seen so far I am of the view that that should be retaining the surgeons in Dunedin. The Ministry of Health has set up an expert panel to consider the issue and they are due to report back to the Director General in November. After yesterday’s petition they can be under absolutely no illusions about what the people of Otago and Southland think should happen.
Nearly 45,000 Otago and Southland residents signed the petition which is a huge show of support for the retention of the Dunedin based service. All of the MPs want the best level of care that can be provided and on the information I seen so far I am of the view that that should be retaining the surgeons in Dunedin. The Ministry of Health has set up an expert panel to consider the issue and they are due to report back to the Director General in November. After yesterday’s petition they can be under absolutely no illusions about what the people of Otago and Southland think should happen.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Commitment to growing Kiwibank
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to Kiwibank. It has agreed to provide an uncalled capital facility to NZ Post so Kiwibank can continue to grow.
The uncalled capital is a vital plank in maintaining an AA- credit rating. The rating is needed if Kiwibank is to compete with the four main Australian banks, and expand into new sectors such as business banking. The bank has attracted more than 700,000 customers in eight years.
NZ Post will be able to call on the capital only in certain circumstances, such as Kiwibank experiencing a substantial shock event beyond its own resources and beyond the resources of its parent.
We're confident this will give NZ Post and Kiwibank the financial certainty they need to pursue their growth plans.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+support+nz+post+plans
The uncalled capital is a vital plank in maintaining an AA- credit rating. The rating is needed if Kiwibank is to compete with the four main Australian banks, and expand into new sectors such as business banking. The bank has attracted more than 700,000 customers in eight years.
NZ Post will be able to call on the capital only in certain circumstances, such as Kiwibank experiencing a substantial shock event beyond its own resources and beyond the resources of its parent.
We're confident this will give NZ Post and Kiwibank the financial certainty they need to pursue their growth plans.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+support+nz+post+plans
Securing our electricity supply
Prime Minister John Key flicked the switch on Transpower's second substation at Otahuhu this week, marking the completion of a $100 million national electricity grid project. The Otahuhu project provides a more secure power supply to Auckland and Northland.
We have increased spending on the national grid with investment of about $4 billion planned in the next five years. We’re giving businesses and consumers confidence in their electricity supply.
Boosting infrastructure is part of National’s plan to lift growth and create jobs. The new substation involved more than 300 people and over 300,000 work hours at a live substation. The Otahuhu work is the first of about $1.7 billion of transmission projects to reinforce Auckland’s network.
We are also spending $11 billion over 10 years on State Highways. We will soon rollout fibre to the home as part of our $1.5 billion ultra-fast broadband plan. And we are investing in rail, schools, housing and hospitals.
We have increased spending on the national grid with investment of about $4 billion planned in the next five years. We’re giving businesses and consumers confidence in their electricity supply.
Boosting infrastructure is part of National’s plan to lift growth and create jobs. The new substation involved more than 300 people and over 300,000 work hours at a live substation. The Otahuhu work is the first of about $1.7 billion of transmission projects to reinforce Auckland’s network.
We are also spending $11 billion over 10 years on State Highways. We will soon rollout fibre to the home as part of our $1.5 billion ultra-fast broadband plan. And we are investing in rail, schools, housing and hospitals.
Delivering on our plan for research and innovation
National is investing $144 million in two research and innovation projects under the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP).
The two partnerships involve a DairyNZ/Fonterra-led programme and a Silver Fern Farms, PGG Wrightson and Landcorp Farming programme. They support research, development and ultimately products, jobs and growth. The Government is funding almost half of the $321 million needed for the projects.
This is the kind of business innovation we have identified as one of the six drivers of economic growth.
All New Zealanders stand to benefit from the partnerships, as the dairy and red meat industries are pivotal to the success of our economy.
National is taking primary sector innovation to a whole new level and delivering directly on our economic growth plan.
More information:http://beehive.govt.nz/release/partnerships+deliver+government%e2%80%99s+growth+plan
The two partnerships involve a DairyNZ/Fonterra-led programme and a Silver Fern Farms, PGG Wrightson and Landcorp Farming programme. They support research, development and ultimately products, jobs and growth. The Government is funding almost half of the $321 million needed for the projects.
This is the kind of business innovation we have identified as one of the six drivers of economic growth.
All New Zealanders stand to benefit from the partnerships, as the dairy and red meat industries are pivotal to the success of our economy.
National is taking primary sector innovation to a whole new level and delivering directly on our economic growth plan.
More information:http://beehive.govt.nz/release/partnerships+deliver+government%e2%80%99s+growth+plan
A clear focus on work
National is working hard to get more people into work.
Our Future Focus package, which comes into effect on 27 September, rebalances incentives and obligations in our welfare system, and clearly focuses on work. 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.
Our extension of the 90-day trial scheme for new employees also encourages job opportunities and removes barriers to work. We know the scheme has been a huge success with employers of fewer than 20 people, with nearly 75 per cent of workers trialled under the scheme being taken on permanently.
National is growing a stronger economy, creating more jobs for New Zealanders, and making it easier for employers to take on staff.
Our Future Focus package, which comes into effect on 27 September, rebalances incentives and obligations in our welfare system, and clearly focuses on work. 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.
Our extension of the 90-day trial scheme for new employees also encourages job opportunities and removes barriers to work. We know the scheme has been a huge success with employers of fewer than 20 people, with nearly 75 per cent of workers trialled under the scheme being taken on permanently.
National is growing a stronger economy, creating more jobs for New Zealanders, and making it easier for employers to take on staff.
Helping young New Zealanders reach their potential
We’re opening nine Trades Academies around the country next year, providing trades and technology programmes for more than 800 secondary school students.
Trades Academies are an innovative way of keeping 16- and 17-year-olds engaged in education. Students can develop vocational skills and talents through trades and technology programmes.
The academies involve schools, tertiary institutions, industry training organisations, and employers. Students can earn both NCEA credits and a tertiary qualification, while gaining practical skills in the workplace.
Students will have more career choices, and will help grow our economy and productivity. National is delivering on our economic plan to lift education and skills, and investing in the education frontline.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nine+trades+academies+confirmed+2011
Trades Academies are an innovative way of keeping 16- and 17-year-olds engaged in education. Students can develop vocational skills and talents through trades and technology programmes.
The academies involve schools, tertiary institutions, industry training organisations, and employers. Students can earn both NCEA credits and a tertiary qualification, while gaining practical skills in the workplace.
Students will have more career choices, and will help grow our economy and productivity. National is delivering on our economic plan to lift education and skills, and investing in the education frontline.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nine+trades+academies+confirmed+2011
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