Govt runs essay competition
Prime Minister Helen Clark announced this week that the winners of an essay-writing competition for secondary school students will travel to Europe in May for the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Crete. Details of the competition are being sent to schools and the winners will be announced in April. Participants will be required to write from the viewpoint of a New Zealand soldier of sailor who survived the battle, and is describing their experiences in a letter home. This year five young New Zealanders travelled to Turkey for the 85th anniversary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli after winning a similar competition. Helen Clark said she hoped to be part of the delegation that will travel to Crete.
IRD appointment welcomed
Revenue Minister Michael Cullen welcomed the State Services Commission appointment of David Butler as the new Commissioner of Inland Revenue. Mr Butler will resign his position as First Assistant Commissioner of Taxation in Australia to take on his new role in Wellington. Dr Cullen described Mr Butler as an extremely experienced public servant and tax practitioner. The minister thanked John Perham for leading IRD ably through this year as acting chief executive, and for bringing new momentum to the IRD's programme to improve its culture.
Govt achievements marked
Prime Minister Helen Clark and Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton released a 24-page booklet on Tuesday reviewing the achievements of the Labour-Alliance government's first 12 months in office. They say the report shows that the government is delivering on its promise to restore a sense of balance by making New Zealand a fairer, more equitable society, while also bringing back accountability to the political process. The report is available on the executive government website.
Boost for at-risk children
The Cabinet this week approved an extra $5.4 million to Child, Youth and Family for this financial year, to help it provide care for at-risk children. Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said the funding boost follows heavier than expected demand for care services. New funding will be distributed around the country based on population and socio-economic factors. The minister says the extra money will help care for children who have been abused and neglected, and ease the pressure on busy frontline social workers by providing them with more resources.
NZ to host disarmament meeting
Disarmament and Arms Control Minister Matt Robson announced this week that New Zealand will host a United Nations Asia-Pacific Regional Disarmament Conference in Wellington in March. The conference will take place at Te Papa.
The United Nations will invite around 35 overseas disarmament specialists to join New Zealand representatives at the conference. New Zealand is unique in having a separate portfolio, at Cabinet level, for disarmament and arms control.
DWI work plans launched
Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey launched the 2000/2001 regional plans for each of the Department of Work and Income's 13 regions on Wednesday. He says the regional approach will deliver more jobs and better tailor employment support to the needs of local labour markets. Increased local flexibility was the principal recommendation of the Hunn Report ordered by the government earlier this year to refocus DWI and improve its services. As an initial response, the department's13 thirteen regions were asked to prepare regional plans summarising the alternate employment approaches they intend to pursue to get more beneficiaries into paid work.
Waste minimisation strategy
A plan to help reduce the amount of waste generated nationwide has been unveiled by Environment Minister Marian Hobbs and Local Government New Zealand representative Don Riesterer. Towards a Waste Minimisation Strategy has been developed by a working group established in July this year. Marian Hobbs says the government acknowledges the importance of reducing waste and report has given the development of a waste minimisation process a good start. Comment on the report is now being sought. Copies are available from the Ministry for the Environment and from the Ministry for the Environment and Local Government New Zealand websites.
Health and Safety proposals
Labour Minister Margaret Wilson this week released a discussion paper looking at safety in the workplace. The proposals in the paper affect all employers and employees and are part of the review of the Health and Safety in Employment Act. Margaret Wilson says the government is determined to find solutions to the tragic toll of injury and death in New Zealand workplaces. Employers, managers, employees and unions can have a say about reforms the government is considering. A conservative estimate of the cost of work accidents in 1998/99 is $3.18 billion.
Regional development update
Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton said this week that officials will visit Northland before Christmas to progress a development package for the region. The minister says Northland is a high priority for regional development programmes. The Ministry will prepare a thorough assessment of the regional issues and opportunities, working with all the key players. Mr Anderton, who has just spent eight days visiting Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, says while overseas he encouraged overseas owners of New Zealand forests to increase their investment in wood processing in New Zealand.
