Prime Minister John Key today introduced a bill to update the legislative framework and improve the transparency of New Zealand’s intelligence and security agencies. The New Zealand Intelligence and Security Bill 2016 is the Government’s response to the first independent review of intelligence and security presented to Parliament in March 2016 by Sir Michael Cullen and Dame Patsy Reddy. “At the heart of this Bill is the protection of New Zealanders,” says Mr Key. “We have an obligation to ensure New Zealanders are safe at home and abroad. “Therefore it is vital our agencies operate under legislation which enables them…

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced that AgResearch and Massey University will jointly build New Zealand’s largest agri-food research centre in the Food HQ Precinct on the Massey University campus in Palmerston North. As part of AgResearch’s Future Footprint Programme, AgResearch and Massey University are investing $39 million in the Food Science Research Centre and the design for the new buildings is well underway. “The research conducted at the Centre will span the agriculture sector from farm to consumer, with a focus on dairy and red meat research,” Mr Joyce says. “The Centre will also support education…

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne has called on the New Zealand public to take the opportunity to have their say on the operation of Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). “New Zealand’s fire services have been operating under legislation that hasn’t seen significant change since the 1940’s. Our firefighters and the communities they serve deserve a fit for purpose, modern legislation that supports an integrated fire service to serve communities now and into the future. Fire and Emergency New Zealand, is a significant move towards strengthening, future-proofing and ensuring fire services remain connected to the communities they represent,” Mr Dunne…

Communications Minister Amy Adams says demand for the Government’s Ultra-Fast Broadband continues to grow as the rollout forges ahead. “More than one million households, businesses, schools and hospitals are now able to access Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) services. This means 2.4 million New Zealanders are now able to connect to UFB, which is an outstanding achievement this far into the build,” says Ms Adams. “There are now more than 830 new households and businesses connected to fibre every working day – more than one every minute – as New Zealanders realise the benefits of the Government’s investment in high-speed broadband.” Ms…

A tax Bill to simplify tax processes, reduce compliance costs for smaller businesses, and tighten foreign trust disclosure rules was introduced in Parliament today, says Revenue Minister Michael Woodhouse. “Business tax changes proposed in the Taxation (Business Tax, Exchange of Information, and Remedial Matters) Bill deliver on the Government’s Budget 2016 SME-friendly tax package announcement and will reduce compliance costs and make tax simpler for small businesses,” Mr Woodhouse says. “Changes include new business-friendly measures to simplify the provisional tax rules, which will provide a new pay-as-you-go option for small businesses to pay their provisional tax, from 1 April 2018.…

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has today welcomed figures that show a greater proportion of domestic degree-level students are enrolling in qualifications in STEM-related subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths). A report released today, What are they doing? The field of study of domestic students/learners analyses the fields of study of domestic students in the New Zealand tertiary education system over the past eight years. “The report shows there are more people enrolling and studying in qualifications for in-demand occupations that help strengthen and diversify New Zealand’s economy,” Mr Joyce says. “The Tertiary Education Strategy 2014-2019 set…

Figures released today by Statistics New Zealand show the number of filled jobs has grown strongly. The Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) shows an increase of 3.1 per cent in the year to June. “It’s great to see more people moving to areas where skills are required. There were an additional 10,000 construction jobs which was up 6.8 per cent. Construction is now at an all-time high and that trend is set to continue,” Mr Joyce says. Other areas that experienced increases were accommodation and food services which had an additional 14,000 jobs (11 per cent), health care and social assistance…

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has welcomed today’s announcement that the NZ Transport Agency will enter into preferred bidder negotiations with the Northern Express Group for the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway project north of Auckland. The 18.5km Puhoi to Warkworth motorway will form the first section of the Puhoi to Wellsford motorway project, one of the Government’s Roads of National Significance identified as being as key to economic growth. “Today’s news marks another step forward in the Government’s strategy of enabling economic growth in Northland and providing a safer, more reliable transport link between between Northland and the upper North Island…

A full-page advert in Saturday’s Singapore Straits Times for a two-day ‘Prime New Zealand Properties Expo’, shows how the government is denying reality over foreign buyers. “If foreign ownership is as small as the government claims it to be, then why would an outfit like Brooke International book a room at the Singapore Hilton and spend $20,000 on an advert for a New Zealand Properties expo?” asked the Rt Hon Winston Peters. “So what are the benefits of buying in New Zealand according to the advert? They are: ‘No stamp duty’, ‘No restrictions on resale to foreigners’ and ‘A lucrative…

Trade Minister Todd McClay is travelling to Laos today to participate in a series of Ministerial meetings in the capital city of Vientiane, including the fourth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) FTA Ministerial Meeting. “Following New Zealand’s hosting of the 13th RCEP round in Auckland in June, the Ministerial Meeting will review the overall state of negotiation and look to address key issues, including in services, investment and goods,” says Mr McClay. “I will continue to press my counterparts to ensure the negotiations deliver a modern, comprehensive and high quality agreement, consistent with the original vision of Leaders. “The countries…

As a trading nation, New Zealand has much it can be proud of. For two small islands of 4.5 million people, thousands of kilometers from distant markets, we produce high quality goods and services wanted by consumers all over the world.We've had a significant influence on world trade policy over the years. New Zealanders have played an influential role at the WTO helping shape the world's trade architecture.Previous New Zealand diplomats and Ministers, from Tim Groser and Phil Goff to Crawford Falconer and David Walker have all stamped New Zealand’s mark, promoting greater trade fairness. They've pushed countries to bring…