Hon Max Bradford
Minister for Enterprise and Commerce

6th August 1999

EMBARGOED UNTIL MIDNIGHT

Five Steps Ahead Policy Launch

The Government's Five Steps Ahead programme will be launched simultaneously in five centres on August 18, Enterprise and Commerce Minister Max Bradford announced today.

"The launch of the policy package is to be simulcast with an interactive link-up between television studios in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and through an outside broadcast facility at a hotel in Palmerston North.

"In addition, the policy launch will be available live on the internet and later on video," Mr Bradford said.

The launch in each centre will be attended by key representatives from the education, business and research sectors, the media and at least one Government Minister.

Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, Research, Science and Technology Minister Maurice Williamson and Associate Finance Minister Lockwood Smith will attend the Auckland launch.

Mr Bradford and Treasurer Bill English will host the Wellington launch.

Food and Fibre Minister John Luxton and Minister for Crown Research Institutes Simon Upton will attend the Palmerston North launch. Education Minister Nick Smith and Associate Education Minister David Carter will host the Christchurch launch and Finance Minister Bill Birch the Dunedin launch.

The policy package release is the culmination of an extensive public consultation programme which the Government carried out to identify what needed to be done to ensure New Zealand was positioned to prosper in the knowledge-based economies of the 21st Century.

More than 2000 people from the education, business and research sectors attended 25 forums held around the country to give the Government feedback on its five step plan for future prosperity.

"Five Steps Ahead is a comprehensive and integrated policy package that will address issues relevant to all New Zealanders. It will be of special interest to the education, business and research sectors," Mr Bradford said.

No further details will be released until August 18.

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