Prime Minister Bill English has announced Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will make an official visit to New Zealand this week.
Prime Minister Turnbull, Treasurer Scott Morrison and Industry Minister, Senator Arthur Sinodinos, arrive in Queenstown for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ meeting on Friday 17 February.
New Zealand’s Finance Minister Steven Joyce and Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges will also join the meeting.
“I am looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Turnbull to Queenstown. His visit continues the tradition of holding trans-Tasman Leaders’ meetings early in the year,” Mr English says.
“This visit will be a good opportunity to discuss global economic trends and our shared interest in advancing the trade agenda in the Asia-Pacific.
“We will also review progress towards our trans-Tasman economic integration ambitions.
“We will continue discussions on the situation of New Zealanders in Australia, particularly following Prime Minister Turnbull’s welcome announcement in 2016 of a pathway to citizenship.”
During the visit, the two Prime Ministers will engage with business leaders from both countries and lay a wreath at the Arrowtown War Memorial.
| A Beehive release | February 13, 2017 ||
Following the announcement of Managing Director, Michael Brockhoff's retirement from MaxiTRANS, the trailer builder has appointed Dean Jenkins as his replacement, effective 1 March.
According to MaxiTRANS, Jenkins (pictured) brings two decades of industry experience to the role, most recently as COO and Executive Director of leading engineering business, Weir Group.
Chairman of MaxiTRANS, Robert Wylie, said the Board was delighted to appoint a senior international executive of Jenkins' calibre and experience to the role.
"Dean has over 20 years' executive experience in managing transport and manufacturing businesses. He has a strong track record of successfully leading large, complex and truly global companies, driving change and improvement throughout his career," Wylie said.
"This in-depth international transport and engineering experience and leadership capability means he is ideally suited to build MaxiTRANS' next phase of development to generate superior value for shareholders."
Previous to his role at Weir Group, Jenkins also was CEO of UGL Rail, Australia's largest supplier and maintainer of rolling stock with operations in Hong Kong, New Zealand and supply chain in China.
He also spent 11 years in senior leadership roles with Qantas, including the position of Group General Manager/Head of Engineering, Material and Logistics.
Jenkins said he was delighted to have been appointed to the position of Managing Director of MaxiTRANS.
"I am excited about the prospect of leading MaxiTRANS and working with the Board and the leadership team to build the company's competitive position. The company has strong brands and enduring customer relationships which provide a strong platform to generate growth opportunities right across the business," Jenkins said.
| A Trailer release | February 13, 2017 ||
The changing of the Health and Safety legislation has come and gone (10 months ago,) and it’s been an interesting space to watch, Gordon told MSCNewsWire.
Apart from the wake up and realisation that WSNZ now mean business many business have been looking for quick fix solutions. The hawkers of the $3000 20th century paper based systems are still out there but its pleasing to see that many proactive businesses are now looking for software or 21st century solutions to manage this important. compliance responsibility.
Ironicaly this could be a health & safety issue in itself as the adding of more bulk to the already bulging files could cause these very shelves to tumble and fall! Not a good look and oh so hard to fight your way around!
| A Hasmate release by Gordon Anderson | Monday 13 February 2017 ||
Vist www.hasmate.co.nz for a look at their 'paperless' alternative
Broom to Boardroom Career Path Praised & Recommended for Public Sector Take up .
The MSC Newswire service sector panel again this year highly commended the New Zealand service sector for the way in which it consistently presented a cheerful and helpful approach to customers. The retail sector was singled out for special praise.
Panelists singled out the way in which the grocery and hardware multiples especially infused their staff work with a sense of promotion scope and therefore opportunity.
The multiples were also praised for their staff selection procedures which at the outset and regardless of age or formal qualifications obviously identified two key personal elements---aptitude and attitude.
In the technical category of proficiencies observed the panel included inventory/re-stocking, along with IT and credit and cash-handling skills, and also product knowledge.
Also singled out was what the panel described as a “broom to boardroom” career path, meaning that staff were presented at the start with the opportunity of a through career path starting with everyday chores and culminating at top management.
The multiples were praised for blending their own mix of on-the-job training with targeted tertiary academic study.
The panel considered that the multiples had struck the optimum balance between applied and theoretical induction and training.
In this survey the panel evaluated both New Zealand and foreign-owned multiples.
Also singled out for mention was the way in which the multiples had integrated staff of all ages.
The panel identified employment selection based on age as elsewhere a continuing New Zealand personnel problem.
The panel made special note of the way in which the multiples offered opportunities to mothers returning to the work force.
The survey was empirical and based on impressions gained nationwide.
The panel suggested an official and formal study of the way in which the multiples had successfully solved the problem of blending basic operating technical skills with people skills. Elements could and should be implemented in the public sector, the panel advised.
| From the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. || Monday 13 February, 2017 ||
In an encouraging announcement, US President Donald Trump has revealed plans to rebuild America’s airports to make travel a more pleasant experience.
In Chicago, Trump told United Airlines chief executive Oscar Munoz and representatives of Delta, Southwest, JetBlue and airports from around the US, of his plans to revitalise America’s airports.
America led the world in airports and air travel but has paid the price for establishing infrastructure early. Some of its airports are tired and dated. They have been eclipsed by gleaming new facilities in places like Guangzhou and Mumbai.
President and chief executive of Airports Council International – North America, Kevin Burke, told the Chicago Tribune that Trump focused on ways to enhance the travel experience.
At Chicago’s massive O’Hare International Airport, airlines have already agreed to build up to nine new gates to help improve on-time performance. The only downside: the cost (about USD 300 million) is likely to be met through fees added to the cost of plane tickets.
New York LaGuardia Airport is also set to be redesigned and largely rebuilt, at a cost of about USD 4 billion.
Trump reportedly did not disclose exactly how he proposed raising the money for his airport improvement scheme, but it is a good signal and will no doubt be discussed at this year’s IPW travel mart, due to be held this year in Washington DC.
Trump added that he thought the US Federal Aviation Administration would function better if run by a pilot.
| EGlobal | February 13, 2017
New Data Reveals Dramatic Bottom Line Impact
On Tuesday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco heard arguments from the Department of Justice and opposing attorneys from the states of Washington and Minnesota before they decide the fate of President Trump’s executive order banning travel to the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries.
They can ultimately choose to reinstate the travel ban or uphold the lower court’s ruling on the temporary stay, which would likely result in an appeal to the Supreme Court. However, both scenarios result in a loss for the travel industry and the economy.
Last week GBTA polled both its U.S. and European members to assess the impact of President Trump’s travel ban. In Europe, nearly half of travel professionals reported expectations for their company to reduce business travel over the next three months and 31 percent of U.S. respondents agreed.
Based on the most recent industry data available as of February 8, 2017, the following is the estimated impact:
We say it time and again. Business travel drives lasting business growth and is a leading indicator for jobs and the economy at large. Upholding the travel ban will clearly cause a rippling effect through the travel industry, ultimately hurting the economy. It also unleashes travel disruption like we saw when the order was first implemented. While the White House’s stated goal was acting in the interest of national security, it did not give the civil servants responsible for implementing the ban any chance to do so effectively. There was too much uncertainty and a lack of clarity around the executive order, leading to general confusion. The net effect was that business travel bookings were delayed or canceled.
There is no question that security is of the utmost importance. However, instead of closing our borders, the United States should continue to pursue and focus on expanding security programs like the Visa Waiver Program, which facilitates information-sharing among governments to ensure properly vetted travelers, making us all more safe and secure.
Upholding the lower court’s ruling is also a losing situation for the business travel industry. The initial impact has already been felt and the uncertainty it will create as we await an appeal to the Supreme Court will continue to make its mark. Advanced bookings will likely slow as travel professionals cannot be sure if and when the ban will be reinstated. Meetings and events may be cancelled altogether.
The cloud of uncertainty could leave a lasting economic impact. Large corporations and small businesses alike will suffer. The biggest driver of our economic recovery of the past seven years from the most recent downturn was international outbound travel. U.S. businesses found top line growth and business opportunity from new markets all over the world.
We urge the Trump administration to pause this travel ban action, reassess its path forward with key stakeholders and preserve both our national security AND our economy for the future.
| A Global Business Travel Association release | February 9, 2017 ||
Qatar Airways is latest airline to touch down on the shores of New Zealand.
Flying direct from Doha, Qatar Airways is the World’s longest commercial flight covering a total of 14,535km with a flight time of approximately 17 hours and 30 minutes. The Auckland – Doha route is operated by a Boeing 777-200 LR. This new route provides easy connectivity to Europe, offering one stop-off in Doha. For those not travelling to Europe, Qatar Airways offers more than 150 destinations in six continents for travellers to choose from.
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SHANGHAI, Feb 10 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed to work together to support free trade and globalisation when they met in New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, China's foreign ministry has said in a statement.
The pair met on Thursday and discussed launching negotiations to upgrade an existing bilateral free trade agreement and cooperate in sectors such as infrastructure, tourism and judicial enforcement, said the statement published late on Thursday on the ministry's website.
"Hand in hand, we should protect the international trade system, build the open economy, and try to start upgrading the negotiation of the free trade agreement," it quoted Wang as saying.
New Zealand was the first Western country to sign a free trade agreement with China in 2008. China is now New Zealand's largest goods export partner, with New Zealand exports to China at NZ$12.2 billion ($8.54 billion) in the year to June, 2016.
During the meeting, English also welcomed Chinese enterprises to invest in New Zealand, while Wang said he hoped New Zealand could support China's One Belt, One Road initiative with its infrastructure projects.
The Chinese foreign ministry also said that English spoke highly of Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the 2017 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, which offered a vigorous defence of globalisation and signalled Beijing's desire to play a bigger role on the world stage.
It did not say whether the two had discussed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact.
New Zealand and Australia have said that they hope to salvage TPP by encouraging China and other Asian countries to join the trade pact after U.S. President Donald Trump kept a promise to abandon the accord.
China has been playing up its role as a steadying force from global trade to climate change amid a turbulent start by new U.S. President Donald Trump, whose first weeks in office have been marked by media feuds and protests. (Reporting by Brenda Goh; Editing by Michael Perry)
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242