Government to review industry training arrangements
The government has announced a review of New Zealand's industry training arrangements, to be undertaken over the coming year. The terms of reference for the review were developed by the Ministry of Education and the Department of Labour in consultation with ITO, employer and employee groups. The review will examine uneven training coverage across some industries, the capacity and number of training providers and funding arrangements to support industry training. A discussion document will seek the views of the wider industry training sector on its release in 2001.
Pacific early childhood scholarships
The government has welcomed new scholarships to encourage Pacific early childhood educators. The forty Pacific scholarships announced this week will be offered each year to support students to study towards becoming registered early childhood teachers. Last year 20 per cent of Pacific 4-year-olds were missing out on early childhood education compared to just 2 per cent of European children. The teaching scholarships are the first offered for the early childhood sector.
NZ On Air, BSA appointments announced
Professor Albert Wendt has been appointed Deputy Chair of NZ On Air for a three-year term, the government announced this week. Also announced were the appointments of two new members to the Broadcasting Standards Authority for three-year terms. They are Professor Judy McGregor, head of Massey University's Communication and Journalism Department and Rodney Bryant,
communications coordinator for Dunedin City Council. They replace Lyndsay Loates and Joan Withers whose terms have expired.
Adverse medical events process to be reviewed
The government is to appoint an independent reviewer to look into processes for reporting and investigating adverse medical incidents. The review aims to ensure that new legislation, when finalised, better protects the public so patterns of adverse outcomes can be quickly identified by the responsible agencies, and responded to in a coordinated way. The reviewer would be required to review relevant legislation concerning the Health and Disability Commissioner, the Medical Council of New Zealand, the Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal and the ACC Medical Misadventure Unit, and report to the government by November 30.
New food standards welcomed
A draft new Joint Food Standards Code for New Zealand and Australia will benefit consumers, the food industry and public health, the government revealed this week. A special briefing on the proposed Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code was received this week from the Australia New Zealand Food Authority. The new code will make an important contribution to consumer food knowledge, and could lead to healthier eating by New Zealanders. The proposed Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code will be considered in November by the Health Ministers of New Zealand and Australia. Visit www.anzfa.govt.nz for more information.
A single housing solution
Housing New Zealand Ltd, the Housing Corporation and Community Housing Ltd will be brought together to form the new Housing New Zealand Corporation. The new organisation will provide a single gateway for state housing access and assistance, housing policy advice and specialist housing solutions. Housing New Zealand Corporation will commence operations as an integrated agency on 1 July 2001. The single organisation, with a single line of accountability to Ministers, will be better equipped to deliver effective and efficient housing services to low-income New Zealanders and community groups.
Industry New Zealand board appointed
The government this week announced an eight-member Industry New Zealand board with a strong private sector background. The board members are Craig Boyce, Shane Jones, Don Riesterer, Bridget Wickham, Maxine Simmons, Gregory Fortuin, David Maloney and Rex Jones. Members of the board were chosen for having a long and practical commitment to business and economic and regional development. Industry New Zealand comes into formal legal existence on 6 October.
