$5 million package to boost teacher numbers
Education Minister Trevor Mallard this week announced a $5 million package to encourage people into teaching, particularly into the secondary sector. The key points of the package are an unlimited number of allowances (of up to $10,000) for people willing to teach in hard to staff secondary school subjects including maths, computing, physical education and Maori; funding to help secondary trainees gain practical experience in isolated schools; more TeachNZ rural scholarships and an increase in the International Relocation Grant to encourage New Zealand trained teachers to return to New Zealand.
PM to Cook Islands celebrations
Prime Minister Helen Clark visited Rarotonga this week as New Zealand and the Cook Islands celebrated 100 years of association. The highlight was the signing of a declaration, which reaffirmed the close relationship between the two countries, a relationship that began when the Cooks were annexed to New Zealand in 1901. The Cooks opted for self-governance in 1965, but its people retain their automatic citizenship of New Zealand. Helen Clark signed the declaration wearing a hat and lais (shell necklaces) presented to her earlier in the day, and laden with ais (flower necklaces). The PM said that while the Cook Islands wish to remain in free association with New Zealand, the Pacific nation is free to opt for full independence at any time.
Sports' Academy signs sponsorship deal
Sports Minister Trevor Mallard this week launched the first major commercial partnership between the Academy of Sport and a private company. The Food Solutions Group, a subsidiary of the Kiwi Co-op, is to join the Academy of Sport as a commercial partner. The size of the deal has not been disclosed. Trevor Mallard said the deal is an example of how groups of high performers in sport and industry can work together for the good of the country and themselves. He said that as Minister of Sport it is exciting because the partnership is increasing the support for our high performance athletes and therefore ensuring ongoing and increasing success in New Zealand sport. The full release is available at www.executive.govt.nz/minister/mallard/
Govt moves to combat Aussie mozzy
Associate Biosecurity Minister Marian Hobbs has announced funding of $6 million over four years to combat the southern saltmarsh mosquito. The money will be used to eradicate the exotic mosquito in Napier, Gisborne, Mahia and Porongahau and to contain and control the spread of the mosquito in the Kaipara and Mangawhai areas. It will also enable enhanced disease protection measures in Auckland and Northland. Marian Hobbs says the mosquito is a known vector of the Ross River virus. Although no cases have been acquired in New Zealand, the minister says there will at times be people present carrying this virus, particularly travellers returning from Australian states where this virus is endemic. The government recognises this risk and the funding will allow the successful eradication work already underway to continue.
Govt moves to help job trainees
Youth Affairs and Associate Labour Minister Laila Harré this week introduced legislation that will stop employers paying trainees below the minimum wage. A loophole in the Minimum Wage Act exempts employers from paying minimum wage rates if an employment agreement includes a certain level of relevant training towards a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework. The new law will set a minimum level equivalent to the youth minimum wage, which is currently $5.40 an hour or 70 per cent of the adult minimum and due to increase to 80 per cent of the adult minimum in March 2002.
More help for children, youth and family services
The government this week outlined new plans for helping at-risk children. A blueprint for change, New Directions, was released on Wednesday. It follows a review in March of Child, Youth and Family by former Youth Court judge Mick Brown. The plan follows up recommendations to improve social work practice and increase co-operation with communities. Judge Brown and the government have singled out improving the culture and morale of the department's social workers, whom Judge Brown said had been battered by years of restructuring and negative public perceptions due to high profile cases. Social Services Minister Steve Maharey said the plan would be a circuit-breaker. The Budget included an increase in funding for CYF of $216 million and New Directions gives an indication of where the money is going.
Third central/local government forum
The third central government/local government forum was held on Thursday at Premier House, Wellington. After it a public consultation document on the review of the Local Government was released. Prime Minister Helen Clark and Minister of Local Government Sandra Lee said that the review of the Act would allow local authorities to better serve their communities. They said the proposals outlined in the document will not amount to a revolution in local government, but they will create the platform for longer-term changes in what local government does, how it goes about these activities, and how citizens can become more involved in making the decisions that affect their everyday lives. The consultation document is available from Sandra Lee's office.
Govt has numbers on super
Finance Minister Michael Cullen's said this week the government appeared to have the numbers to pass the $600 million superannuation fund into law. Dr Cullen had talks on Wednesday with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. The minister said he and Mr Peters had now broadly agreed to changes satisfying NZ First's desire to allow future governments to convert the scheme from a general fund used by the Government to individual accounts in the name of taxpayers. Officials are drawing up papers for an agreement that will be presented to cabinet on Monday for final approval.
