Site Updates - beehive.govt.nz

• Tertiary sector performance improves
• Deed of Settlement signed with Ngāti Koroki Kahukura
• Kiwi businesses benefit from EU recognition of NZ privacy law
• NZ welcomes Commonwealth Charter
• Govt extends support for exporters
• Digital literacy added to community education in schools
• NZ economy on track for moderate growth
• Reappointments to BSA
Tertiary sector performance improves

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 05:56 PM PST

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Tertiary education institutions have continued the trend of year-on-year improvements to their educational, organisational and financial performance, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says. The 2011 Tertiary Education Performance Report released today by the TEC reviews each tertiary institution’s performance in the 2011 year as well as how the sector is tracking to achieve the Government’s priorities for tertiary education. ...

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Deed of Settlement signed with Ngāti Koroki Kahukura

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 04:33 PM PST

Christopher Finlayson | Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations

The Crown has signed a deed of settlement for all outstanding historical Treaty claims with Ngāti Koroki Kahukura at Maungatautari marae near Cambridge, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson announced today. “The actions of the Crown led to the economic, social, environmental and cultural degradation of Ngāti Koroki Kahukura and their physical and spiritual resources,” Mr Finlayson said. The settlement includes financial and commercial redress of $3 million. ...

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Kiwi businesses benefit from EU recognition of NZ privacy law

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 04:07 PM PST

Judith Collins | Justice

Justice Minister, Judith Collins, and Trade Minister, Tim Groser, have welcomed the European Commission’s formal declaration that New Zealand privacy law provides an adequate standard of data protection for the purposes of European Union (EU) law. European Union countries can now send personal data to New Zealand for processing without the need for extra controls. Ms Collins says New Zealand is one of only five countries outside Europe to receive this level of recognition and trust and this is a vote of confidence in New Zealand’s privacy laws. ...

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NZ welcomes Commonwealth Charter

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 03:43 PM PST

Murray McCully | Foreign Affairs

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today welcomed the adoption of a Commonwealth Charter - a document that sets out the history, objectives, values, and principles of the Commonwealth. “New Zealand is an active member of the Commonwealth and a strong supporter of the values which bind the 54 member states,” Mr McCully says. “Aside from our British heritage, Commonwealth countries share a commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights. ...

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Govt extends support for exporters

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 03:39 PM PST

Bill English | Finance

Exporters will have access to improved support from the New Zealand Export Credit Office under changes announced by the Government today, Finance Minister Bill English and Trade Minister Tim Groser say. The NZECO, which is based in The Treasury, is the Government’s official export credit agency. It provides financial guarantees and trade credit insurance to exporters and banks. The main changes announced by the ministers today will: ...

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Digital literacy added to community education in schools

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 03:08 PM PST

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Digital literacy will be included as an educational priority area within the $13.8 million funding for Adult and Community Education in schools next year Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce announced today. Its inclusion within the scope of Adult and Community Education in schools expands the potential for digital literacy within foundation education in New Zealand. ...

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NZ economy on track for moderate growth

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 02:39 PM PST

Bill English | Finance

The economy remains on track for moderate growth over the next few years, despite growth predictably easing a little in the September quarter, Finance Minister Bill English says. Gross domestic product grew 0.2 per cent in the three months to 30 September. This took annual growth – from the September quarter 2011 to the September quarter 2012 - to 2 per cent, after revisions by Statistics New Zealand to reflect extra data. ...

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Reappointments to BSA

Posted: 19 Dec 2012 01:56 PM PST

Craig Foss | Broadcasting

Peter Radich and Leigh Pearson have been reappointed to the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) announced Broadcasting Minister Craig Foss today. Mr Radich has been reappointed as BSA Chair and Ms Pearson as a BSA member. Peter Radich is the senior partner in a Blenheim-based legal practice. He is currently a member of the NZ Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal and is a former Coroner. He was previously the chair of the NZ Law Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. ...

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ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On The 2013 Budget

Among Thursday’s main talking points:

We are apparently on track for a margin-of-error $75 million surplus, now in sight for 2014/15. But this sickly creature is hobbling out of the lab on the basis of all kinds of facilitative conjuring: such as trimming by $200 million the amount of new spending next time around.

With this strictly nominal surplus in sight, the 1984-ish justification for eternal austerity will have a news talisman: namely, getting Crown debt down to 20% of GDP by 2020. More>>

Budget Report, Lockup Audio & Images: Budget Day 2013 As always and especially after the managerial mishaps of the past few weeks and months, (e.g. Aaron Gilmore, the Mighty River Power share float, the GCSB mishaps) Budget Day 2013 was always going to be a pageant of reassurance... More>>

Budget 2013 Comment: Plain Sailing, But It's No America's Cup Pattrick Smellie: Compared to the last four budgets, this year's reflects an economy moving out of recession and into calmer waters... Yet if the fastest annual growth rate we can expect over the next two years is 3 percent - with the Christchurch rebuild in full swing - then you'd have to say New Zealand's underlying low-growth problem is far from fixed. More>>

Auckland Discord: Govt’s Power Hungry Housing Approach A Threat - Labour

Last week the Government said this, ‘The Government commits not to use any proposed or existing powers ... to override the council's planning and consenting processes’. But its housing Bill says this; ‘If an accord cannot be reached in an area of severe housing unaffordability, the Government can intervene by establishing special housing areas and issuing consents for developers’. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Housing accords legislation passes first reading - Legislation For Housing Accords, Land Supply - Housing package improves affordability, access
• Greens - Budget numbers show National’s failure on home affordability
• Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Budget 2013: Housing intervention needed
• Out-Link - Gareth Morgan: Response to housing problem limp-wristed
• Earlier, Pre-Budget - Auckland Accord announced

Extending Protest Ban, Relaxing Permit Rules: Govt Abuses Urgency To Extend Anadarko Amendment

The Government is trying to pass legislation under urgency which would make the Anadarko Amendment – which limits protest at sea – apply to an additional 1.7 million square kilometres, the Green Party said today. More>>

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• Parliament Today - Parliament Resumes To Pass Budget Bills
• Labour - Government to extend protest ban
• Greenpeace NZ - Oil Companies Lacking ‘Expertise’ and ‘Financial Ability’ Set to Be Handed Drilling Permits
• 2010 image via: Pacific.Scoop - Media watcher gives NZ press nil score card for China oil spill coverage