Associate Transport Minister Tim Macindoe will tomorrow travel to Germany to attend the 2017 International Transport Forum (ITF) Summit of Transport Ministers.
The Summit is being held from 31 May -2 June and will bring together members from approximately 57 countries to explore the trends shaping transport governance and to identify the most pressing challenges in the global transport sector.
“I look forward to being able to further strengthen the connections we have with our international counterparts and to be part of shaping the transport policy agenda on a global level,” Mr Macindoe says.
Mr Macindoe will be speaking on a panel focusing on the regulation required for automated and autonomous driving.
“Among other benefits, if automated and autonomous vehicles are adequately managed they have the potential significantly to improve road safety and reduce road trauma in New Zealand, so it is vital to be part of this global discussion.
“During the panel session I will be looking both to promote New Zealand’s regulatory framework, which allows and encourages innovation, and to learn from the experiences of other members.”
Mr Macindoe will also attend meetings with ministers and technical experts from a range of countries.
| Abeehive release || May 29, 2017 |||
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (“Southern Glazer’s”) — the largest North American wine and spirits distribution company — today announced that it is expanding its existing distribution agreements with Delegat, a leading global super premium wine company. With the new agreements, Southern Glazer’s will be distributing Delegat brands in 15 additional markets. As a result, Southern Glazer’s will be Delegat’s exclusive distributor partner in a total of 32 U.S. market.
In addition to the 17 markets that were already represented by Southern Glazer’s, Delegat is adding Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Washington D.C.
“We are excited to extend our business relationship and represent Delegat’s world-class super premium wines across our unmatched national network,” said Mel Dick, Senior Vice President of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and President of the Company’s Wine Division. “This significantly expanded relationship further enhances our world-class wine business and enables us to introduce these great wine brands to a broader base of Southern Glazer’s customers.”
“Delegat’s Oyster Bay and Barossa Valley Estate wines are poised for growth in light of strong consumer demand for super premium brands,” added Steve Slater Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Company’s Corporate Wine Division. “Leveraging this trend, and with our new national alignment, we are confident that we can accelerate Delegat’s presence within Southern Glazer’s key national account customer base.”
“Delegat USA has worked very successfully with Southern Glazer’s over the past decade to achieve strong growth with our category leading brands Oyster Bay and Barossa Valley Estate,” said Graeme Lord, Managing Director of Delegat Group Limited. “Extending our relationship with Southern Glazer’s will provide a powerful distribution platform across 32 markets in the United States. We are looking forward to working with Southern Glazer’s to serve our customers, grow distribution and realize the significant growth potential of Oyster Bay and Barossa Valley Estate.”
| Delegats release || May 25, 2017 |||
There’s something about the crisp smoky air in Hanmer.
There’s no other place like it. In winter, it is heaven...strolling to the thermal pools in the still cold atmosphere and, after an hour of blissful soaking, ambling back up the hill, taking in the dizzy aroma of the smoke from many of the burning house fires. Our ‘home’ on St James Ave is toasty when we talk inside. We rack open a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and put our feet up by the fire. We feel so relaxed and make plans for things to do tomorrow.
During a yummy Powerhouse Café cooked breakfast we considered going mountain-biking, jetboating, horse trekking, quad biking through forests, rafting, golfing or fishing but instead choose the easy way out with a simple round of mini golf.
Skipping too much junk food recreation, we decide to walk to the summit of Conical Hill. It starts off steep but it is a breeze and so peaceful, taking 20 minutes or so through the giant conifer trees, Oregon and pine, listening to the constant whistle of bellbirds till we get to the lookout at the top. It’s a stunning view.
With the air cooling down fast on our return, we headed back to the pools and slipped into our private thermal pool looking out to the native ferns. The water temperature was 40°C...divine.
Shut your eyes. Imagine lazing in the giant hot tub with your partner. The sun is setting over picture postcard snow-capped mountains. Not a sound can to be heard but the occasional native bird chirp. Mmmmm.
We found out the iconic award-winning attraction sees more than half a million visitors annually. It has an array of thermal pools to suite all desires; aqua therapy, atmosphere, heat or adventure and boasts a luxurious spa with 12 treatment rooms, including a couples’ rooms.
In a bizarre dichotomy of experiences we’re shifted from moments of blissful relaxation to pure intense adrenaline as we head to the hydro slides. Hanmer has the South Island’s only SuperBowl ride which offers a cool two-person tube experience for those keen to share the rush.
It’s thirsty work relaxing so we quaffed down a pint of lager at Monteith’s Brewery Bar and munched on a tray of chips, sweet bay scallops and tiger prawns.
On our final night we enjoyed the best restaurant in town – Malabar. They say it’s a restaurant that’s broken rules because it embraces Asian and Indian cooking. They say people first eat with their eyes and then their mouth – this is what Malabar is trying to achieve.
The quality of the food and service at Malabar was first rate and we had the most pleasurable and most authentic Murgh Makhani (butter chicken) we’ve ever tasted in New Zealand. Front-of-staff Gurjeet as extremely polite, helpful, passionate and both a credit and asset to the restaurant. We will return.
Hanmer, this tiny slice of NZ paradise is a popular tourist area or get-away resort because it’s largely a place to blob out and wash away any of life’s pressures. Leafy Hanmer – hot in summer and sometimes snowy in winter – is a place for lovers, for romantic weekends and a place to unwind.
| A makeLemonade release || May 28, 2017 |||
The lives of rural New Zealanders are at risk every day because of poor connectivity and inequitable health services, a rural health leader says.
Dr Martin London, chair of the Rural Health Alliance of Aotearoa New Zealand (RHAANZ), says government needs to help remove barriers so rural people’s health be considered just as important as those who live in cities.
RHAANZ has 47 national member organisations encompassing rural health providers, agribusiness groups, universities, rural community groups and local government. This week it held a series of national rural conferences and meetings in Wellington.
Later, London met Health Minister Jonathan Coleman outlining RHAANZ’s priorities for improving health services in rural areas: rural wellbeing, rural connectivity, rural research and policy, rural health services and the rural health workforce.
“We reminded him that with at least 600,000 people living in rural regions, effectively New Zealand’s second largest city, we are an important constituency from an economic and political perspective.
“Overseas evidence links health and wellbeing to economic productivity. Intuitively this will apply in NZ so it is an imperative rural people receive their fair share of publicly funded health services and have equitable access to health services.
“We asked him to reinstate rural proofing across all government departments and we want to fast track a new definition of rurality as it pertains to health services in New Zealand. These are two of the most important ways we can hold policy makers to account for equitable health outcomes for rural people.
“Mobile blackspots remain a serious issue across rural New Zealand, especially in case of emergencies. Poor broadband connectivity is a barrier to education and the slow pace of UFB and RBI2 roll-outs are dampening progress, production and innovation,” London says.
The responses to major disasters such as last year’s Hurunui-Kaikoura-Marlborough earthquake show what can be done in an innovative way to bring services to rural areas. Much can be learned from these adverse events and needs to be carried over into business as usual. It’s just a pity it takes a major earthquake to do it.
“We also know there are simply unrealistic expectations placed on the rural health workforce especially in regard to emergency and after-hours services. Our rural health workforce is ageing, tired and burnt-out and we need better retention and recruitment. We need greater workforce flexibility, nurse practitioners and pharmacists for example, as a key way to improve access to health services for rural people.
“We also need to make our small towns liveable so that people want to come and to stay. If we can make our rural communities vibrant again many of our issues will be solved,” London says.
“We want a national virtual health care service for rural New Zealanders, bringing services closer to rural people and helping rural people to age in their own homes. The technology and expertise is there. We need, in an election year, evidence of the political will to see it happen.
“Agriculture and tourism are the powerhouses of our economy. Each year, more than two and a half million tourists visit rural New Zealand. In 2011-2012, $40 billion, or 19 percent of GDP, was generated directly or indirectly by the agri-food sector.
“The Government needs to work with our ideas on rural health and social services if it wants the sector to thrive,” London says.
“We will meet Minister Coleman again at the inaugural Health Hub at the annual Mystery Creek Fieldays in the Waikato next month.”
| A MakeLemonade release || May 28, 2017 |||
New Zealand’s horticulture industry has been valued at a record NZ$8.7bn, with more than NZ$5bn in exports
iwifruit and wine are leading New Zealand’s growing horticulture industry, with the country exporting a record NZ$5.1bn in produce in the year to June 2016.
Accounting for around 10 per cent of New Zealand’s merchandise export income, the record value is up 19 per cent on last year, according to the latest issue of Fresh Facts, published by Plant & Food Research.
Total fresh fruit exports increased 35 per cent to NZ$2.6bn, with kiwifruit exports up 42 per cent to NZ$1.7bn, apple exports up 23 per cent to NZ$692m. Blueberries and cherries saw increased of 50 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively, while avocado exports dropped to NZ$82.6m due to a smaller export volume.
Peter Landon-Lane, CEO of Plant & Food Research, said the value of New Zealand’s exports from horticulture has increased 50 per cent since 2010.
“The horticulture industry’s success is based on efficient production and supply systems, cultivars that meet global consumer requirements for novelty and taste, and strong branding of New Zealand products,” Landon-Lane said. “This focus on capturing value across the supply chain means we can continue to produce more and better food for ourselves and consumers around the world.”
New Zealand exported fruit, vegetables and flowers to more than 124 countries in 2016, compared to 117 countries in 2010, with Asia the leading market for New Zealand horticulture exports at NZ$1.9bn – more than twice the value of any other region.
The total horticulture industry is worth NZ$8.7bn, with New Zealanders spending NZ$1bn on fresh and processed fruit, and NZ$1.3bn on vegetables over the year.
“It’s exciting to see the horticulture industry is on track to meet its goal of NZ$10bn by 2020,” said Mike Chapman, CEO of Horticulture New Zealand. “Our keen understanding of the global consumer and the commitment to quality at every stage of the value chain means our produce commands a premium in the marketplace, and this is reflected in the outstanding growth of the industry.”
| A n Asia Fruit release | May 25, 2017 |||
The Reserve Bank and Financial Markets Authority have welcomed the release of a new code to promote good practice in the international foreign exchange market.
The new Global Code of Conduct for the Foreign Exchange Market was released in London by the Bank for International Settlements last night. It was developed by central banks and foreign exchange market participants from 16 international jurisdictions.
“The code of conduct applies to both those buying and selling foreign exchange and is a principles-based code rather than a rules-based code,” said Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Grant Spencer.
“It aims to create greater confidence in the foreign exchange market and ensure it is functioning in the interests of all market participants.
“To comply with the code, firms will have to take practical steps such as training their staff and putting in place enhanced policies and procedures. Certainly the Reserve Bank would be following the code of conduct in its foreign exchange dealings,” concluded Mr Spencer.
Garth Stanish, FMA Director of Capital Markets, encouraged industry participants to adopt the code.
“The code is relevant to all parts of the wholesale FX industry that fall within the FMA’s conduct regulation. We support its objectives, which include the promotion of a robust, fair, liquid, open, and appropriately transparent foreign exchange market.”
More information:Read the Global Code of Conduct for the Foreign Exchange Market
| A RBNZ release || may 26, 2017 |||
Synlait Milk (NZX: SML; ASX: SM1) has welcomed Antony Moess to the Senior Leadership Team as General Manager, Manufacturing.
With more than 20 years’ international experience in the dairy industry, Mr Moess has worked in a number of countries including New Zealand, South East Asia and the Middle East.
"Antony has held a number of senior roles throughout his career and we are looking look forward to utilising that experience in our Senior Leadership Team," says John Penno, Managing Director and CEO.
Most recently Mr Moess was based in Singapore as Fonterra Brand’s General Manager Operations and Supply Chain for Asia, Middle East and Africa.
He was responsible for the strategy and performance of manufacturing and supply chains across nine operating companies and in this role he implemented best practice manufacturing systems and processes across the region.
Prior to this he spent several years overseeing the manufacturing network strategy and operations excellence programs for 29 sites, nine of which were third party manufacturers.
"Antony has a real passion for leading manufacturing operations. His vast experience will add to our existing capability and his ability to focus on both his team and operational demands will be well received," said Dr Penno.
Mr Moess holds a Bachelor of Food Technology and a Post Graduate Diploma of Business and Administration from Massey University.
He will begin at Synlait in mid-July.
| A Synlait release || May 26, 2017 |||
On 25 May, Finance Minister Steven Joyce delivered the National-led Government’s ninth Budget.
This Budget delivers for New Zealanders because it comes from a Government that cares about people and knows how to get things done.
It shares the benefits of growth by improving public services and investing in the infrastructure needed for a growing country, reducing debt and lifting incomes.
New Zealand’s economy is performing solidly and annual growth is expected to average around 3 per cent over the next five years. We’re also on track for growing surpluses and falling debt.
That translates to more jobs and higher incomes and gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to raise living standards for all New Zealanders.
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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