Health directors appointed
The appointment of 79 new health directors was announced this week. The new directors will augment the existing Hospital and Health Services boards, providing a wider range of skills and a greater mix of local, Maori and Pacific members as the boards prepare for their more extensive roles as District Health Boards. Training and briefing of directors is scheduled for early September.
Defence purchasing decisions announced
The government has made its announcement about the first round of significant defence purchasing decisions. The announcement follows earlier indication that priority will be given to the re-equipment of the New Zealand Army. The government's defence policy follows the general direction set out in the Defence Beyond 2000 report of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Select Committee.
Government welcomes Governor-General-designate
The government this week welcomed the announcement that the Queen has approved the appointment of Dame Silvia Cartwright to succeed Sir Michael Hardie Boys as Governor-General of New Zealand. Sir Michael Hardie Boys will compete his term in March and Dame Silvia will be sworn in as Governor-General in April.
Fines On-Line
The government has launched a new site that allows people to pay court fines by credit card over the Internet. Fines On-Line has been developed by the Department for Courts to give people easy access to information about fines, request a check for any court fines they might have, and to pay fines on-line. The site is one of the first e-government sites in New Zealand to provide on-line payment facilities, and one of the few sites world-wide to take fines payments on-line.
Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commissioners Announced
The government this week announced the appointment of members to the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission. The Commission retains four current members and introduces seven new members; June Jackson, June Mariu, Ken Mason, Robert McLeod, Maui Solomon, Toro Waaka and Hon Koro Wetere. The minister welcomes the new members and has paid tribute to the outgoing members of the Commission.
Singapore Closer Economic Partnership briefing paper issued
A briefing paper summarising the Singapore Closer Economic Partnership agreement was issued this week. The briefing paper aims to alleviate concerns expressed about the agreement. The agreement is to go to Cabinet next month.
