Minimum wage increased to $13.50

Elections: Time Running Out to Take Part in Electoral Commission’s MMP Review

Time is running out to have your say on improvements you’d like to see made to our MMP voting system. With only two weeks to go until the first consultation period of the MMP Review closes, the Electoral Commission has received more than 3700 submissions ... More >>

Christchurch: More Green Zoning And More Red Zoning

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced the final decision in almost 11 months of flat land residential zoning in Canterbury…

“It brings the number of residential properties zoned red because they are unsuitable for residential occupation to 7256.” More >>

Gerry Brownlee also announced the green zoning of 421 residential properties in the Port Hills, leaving 1679 houses still under review. More>>

ALSO:

• CERA - CBD Red Zone Cordon Reduction
• Labour - Southshore: A Divided Verdict
• Christchurch - Council Endorses Pausing Cathedral Demolition
• Awa Press - Christchurch protests for new leadership will continue
• Campbell - On The Government Is Ducking Responsibility For The Needs Of Christchurch
• Rutherford Foundation - New techniques used to investigate Port Hills rock falls

Budget 2012: Squeezing Every Drop Out Of A Zero Budget
The Government is trying to squeeze every drop of publicity out of its ``Zero Budget’’ ahead of its delivery next Thursday.More >>

Gordon Campbell On the Politics of Austerity: Later this month, New Zealand will be subjected to its second austerity Budget in a row. Zero budgeting is being presented as the only path of virtue. This is despite the fact that - elsewhere in the real world - it has been a very bad week indeed for the politics of austerity.More >>
Also

Housing: Social Housing Money Handed Out
People in need will get the most benefit from Government funding for new housing projects, to be developed by non-government providers. Housing Minister Phil Heatley has announced the successful applicants to the $25.3 million Social Housing Unit ... More >>

ALSO:

• Greens - Social Housing need – A ticking time bomb
• Labour - Housing a non-event on National’s policy calendar

Budget 2012: Prescription Charges Help Fund Health
Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the Government will increase the $3 prescription charge to $5 per item up to a maximum of 20 items from 1 January 2013. The savings will be reinvested in the health sector. More >>
Also:

• Announcement - PM's Post Cabinet Press Conference Held In Hospital
• Gordon Campbell - On the Rise in Prescription Charges
• Labour - User Pays Plan Confirms Failure
• Otago University - Public Health Expert Questions Prescription Charge Move
• Labour - Minister of Illness Misses the Mark
• NZ First - Don’t Increase Prescription Charges
• Govt - Budget 2012: $101m for Surgery, Cancer Services
• Govt -Budget 2012: Prescription Charges Help Fund Health
• Medicines New Zealand - Additional Investment in Health Welcomed
• Cancer Society - Good News for Cancer Patients!
• Pharmacy Guild - Payment Increase Expected
• NZMA - Extra funding for Surgery, Cancer Services Welcomed

Court of Appeal: Govt Should Pay Family Caregivers
The victory in the Court of Appeal for families caring for disabled family members should be taken notice of by the Government says Green MP Catherine DelahuntyMore >>

ALSO:

• NZ First - About Time For Landmark Disability Decision
• Labour - Government Should Drop Legal Action and Support Carers

Warm Up: Insulation programme reaches 150,000 houses
The Government’s programme to help insulate New Zealand homes has now reached the milestone of 150,000 insulated homes, Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley announced today. More >>


Also:

• Greens - Sensible Policy
• Maori Party - Proud to celebrate success of the Warm Up NZ