A modern, needs-based defence force
The government this week announced a comprehensive plan to build a modern, efficient and high quality defence force to meet New Zealand's strategic needs. About $2 billion will be spent in the next 10 years upgrading the army and reconfiguring the air force and navy. Prime Minister Helen Clark and Defence Minister Mark Burton said a key objective was that New Zealand contribute usefully to international operations in which it engages. The main components of the plan will be a joint approach to structure and operations to improve co-ordination between the Army, Navy and Air Force; a modernised Army with new equipment placing it in the first tier of forces internationally; a practical Navy fleet with vessels better matched to New Zealand's security interests and needs; a refocused and updated Air Force; and a sustainable funding plan to provide financial certainty. Net operating funding available for the Defence Force will increase by over $300 million over the next five years and around $700 million over the next ten years. A feature is the disbanding of the RNZAF air combat arm. Helen Clark says New Zealand cannot afford modern combat aircraft and the weaponry needed to equip them, and also maintain adequate army and navy capabilities. Scrapping the 17 Skyhawk and 17 Aermacchi jets will free up nearly $900 million for other defence priorities in the next 10 years. The government's defence statement and accompanying releases and documents are available on this site
Govt announces Budget environment package
Upgrading of huts and toilets on public conservation land is among work to be carried out under new funding announced by the Government this week. Conservation Minister Sandra Lee said Department of Conservation funding was hitting a new high' with an $8.27 million increase in the 2001/02 year, taking the department's overall funding to $226.35 million. Marine funding is increasing $3 million to $8 million; money for biodiversity is going up by $2 million to $6 million; the protection of threatened species through pest and weed control is being boosted by $5 million to $13.5 million; and there is extra money for biosecurity measures. Sandra Lee said extra Budget funding was focused on achieving the goals of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy and is spread amongst the Department of the Conservation, the Ministry for the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (Biosecurity) and Ministry of Fisheries. The full package is available on this suite
Enza to lose monopoly on export apples
Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton announced this week that Enza, the former Apple and Pear Marketing Board, is to lose its market dominance after a government decision in principle today to open up export opportunities for pipfruit growers. Jim Sutton said the apple and pear export regulations would be revoked from 1 October this year. The decision would give growers a choice of exporters whom will all compete on an equal footing. The minister said it had become increasingly clear that the "halfway house'' situation where Enza had a statutory dominant position and other groups could only export if permitted by an independent committee was clearly not sustainable long-term. Enza had initiated two lots of court action against the current export regime already this year, which had the potential to disrupt marketing programmes until the court actions were discontinued. Mr Sutton says most of the country's 1500 apple and pear growers support the move
Police recruiting targets minority groups
Police Minister George Hawkins has agreed to funding for an advertising campaign designed to attract between 600 and 700 new police recruits by 30 June 2002. George Hawkins said the new recruitment campaign, which begins today, will particularly target women, Maori, Pacific Island and Asian peoples. The minister said it was essential that the Police reflect the makeup of the community. Optimum targets have been set for each of those minority groups and George Hawkins said he was looking forward to seeing how this campaign improves their representation.
Helen Clark to Korea and Crete
Helen Clark leaves tomorrow for visits to Korea and Greece. The visit to Korea from 13 to 16 May, will focus on the opportunities New Zealand has to expand economic and other links with one of Asia's biggest and most dynamic economies. Korea is New Zealand's fifth biggest export market. Helen Clark will be meeting with President Kim Dae Jung and other ministers. A delegation of business people drawn from those sectors with the potential to benefit substantially from a deeper economic relationship with Korea are accompanying the PM. On 17 and 18 May Helen Clark and a small delegation of business people will visit Athens, before attending the 60th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Crete from 18 to 20 May. On Crete the PM will be joined by veterans of the battle, the four winners of a student essay competition, an NZDF honour guard, and a Maori concert group.
Govt welcomes fall in unemployment
Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey has welcomed a fall in unemployment, as measured by the Household Labour Force Survey. Figures for the March 2001 quarter were released on Thursday. They show unemployment at its lowest level in 13 years. The seasonally adjusted rate for the quarter was 5.4 per cent, down 0.2 per cent on the previous three-month period. Employment growth over the quarter is static, but up 2.3 per cent (or 41,000 new jobs) for the year to March 2001. Steve Maharey says the fall in unemployment is largely attributable to a decrease in labour market participation. He noted that fulltime employment has increased, while part-time employment and under-employment have fallen, and that more people are working longer hours for better pay, or moving into education and training to improve their skills for a return to the workforce.
New national park established
Prime Minister Helen Clark and Conservation Minister Sandra Lee visited Stewart Island this week to announce the government's decision to accept a recommendation by the New Zealand Conservation Authority to create the country's fourteenth national park, to be known as Rakiura National Park. The ministers said the gazetting of Rakiura National Park would protect one of the most pristine areas of New Zealand wilderness for the enjoyment of future generations. They said Stewart Island is geologically and scientifically unique. Unlike so much of New Zealand's two main islands, very little of Stewart/Rakiura Island has been modified by human impact. This makes the island an untouched jewel in the conservation estate, Helen Clark and Sandra Lee said.
