The Government today launched in Wellington a scheme to recycle soft plastics such as shopping bags as part of a national partnership with the retail sector and packaging industry. “This soft plastics recycling scheme is the next logical step for households in reducing waste. We have made huge progress, with most households now recycling paper, cardboard, glass, metal cans and hard plastic containers. Soft plastics which are used with shopping bags, frozen vegetable bags and hundreds of other products will now be able to be collected, re-manufactured and re-used,” Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith says. The initiative is funded through…

Communications Minister Amy Adams confirmed today that the Government has delivered on its commitment to make connecting to the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) network free for virtually every household. “I want as many New Zealand homes as possible to enjoy the benefits of the Government’s $1.6 billion UFB rollout. Under previous arrangements, almost all non-standard UFB residential connections were free until the end of this year. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to extend that agreement to the end of phase one the UFB build in December 2019 and intend to ensure similar provisions exist in contracts for UFB phase two,”…

Trade Minister of Todd McClay has established a trade policy dialogue with his United Kingdom counterpart, Secretary for International Trade Liam Fox in London today. "For New Zealand, this is about being ready to cement our formal trading relationship with our fifth largest trading partner, once the UK is in a position to negotiate independently of the European Union. "I discussed with Secretary Fox the importance of remaining closely engaged, particularly as New Zealand advances our priority of a free trade agreement with the European Union. "I thanked Secretary Fox for assurances that New Zealand's trade interests will not be…

Prime Minister John Key will lead a high-level business and education delegation to India next week, visiting Mumbai, New Delhi and Kochi. “India is a key partner for New Zealand. It is a leading source of skilled migrants, international students and tourists, and in the five years since I last visited our two way trade has grown by 41 per cent to $2.4 billion,” Mr Key says. “The India-New Zealand relationship will only continue to grow, and this visit will help drive New Zealand’s political and commercial partnership with the world’s third-largest economy.” In New Delhi, Mr Key will meet…

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced the creation of a new freshwater institute between NIWA and the University of Waikato. Te Waiora, Joint Institute for Freshwater Management (NIWA and the University of Waikato) will be on the university’s Hamilton campus and involve iwi, national and international partners. “This is a significant step forward in freshwater management in New Zealand, and will enhance our research capabilities and facilities to address future management of our freshwater resources and environments,” Mr Joyce says. “The Joint Institute will be a world-leading centre for interdisciplinary freshwater research and teaching. It will build…

Associate Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, and Employment, and Minister for Women, Louise Upston has today opened the inaugural Women in Trades Conference, where she’s encouraged more women to consider a career in the trades. “People need to push aside gender stereotypes and encourage young women to consider careers in trades where there is high growth and high demand, like building and construction.” Ms Upston said. The conference, hosted by Unitec and the Manukau Institute of Technology supports the Government initiative ‘Got a Trade? Got it Made!’ campaign which aims to raise awareness of on-the-job training and career opportunities in…

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge is investing $3 million in its Consumer Insights and Science of Food research programmes. “The research into high-value nutrition is hugely important in moving our food production from volume to value”, Mr Joyce says. “These projects will help product development that brings maximum returns for New Zealand food exporters.” The Consumer Insights research programme is focused on understanding consumers’ beliefs, perceptions, attitudes and behaviours. “Up to $1.5 million has been allocated to research the science of consumers, with a focus on health and wellness needs of…

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has announced that applications are now open for the 2017 Endeavour Fund with a series of roadshows to be held this week for potential applicants. “The Endeavour Fund is New Zealand’s biggest contestable scientific research fund”, Mr Joyce says. “$209 million in research funding was allocated in the just-completed 2016 round, and a similar amount will be invested in the 2017 round. “The Endeavour Fund invests in excellent research that has potential to positively transform our economic performance, create environmental sustainability and integrity, and help New Zealand society. “The roadshow sessions being run by…

New Zealand has helped make history today by ratifying the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett says. “By ratifying today, we are helping to get the Paris Agreement officially over the line, and demonstrated our commitment to global action on climate change. “Although New Zealand contributes only a small proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions, the early timing of our ratification enables us to join the group of countries that make up 55 per cent of global emissions - the minimum needed to get this agreement across the line. Our contribution counts. “A significant benefit of the Government ratifying…

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to Brussels this week for the signing of a new partnership agreement with the European Union and to attend a conference on the future of Afghanistan. “The Partnership Agreement on Relations and Cooperation (PARC) commits the EU and NZ to co-operation and dialogue across a broad range of issues,” Mr McCully says. “The PARC represents a significant step forward in New Zealand’s relationship with the EU and it is the precursor to a free trade agreement.” Minister McCully will also attend the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan which brings together representatives from up to 70…

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley and Corrections Minister Judith Collins have announced the launch of a new initiative to support more offenders into employment. Budget 2016 invested $15.3 million over three years for the trial, which is targeted at increasing the employment prospects of released prisoners. Work and Income case managers and professionals will work with prisoners from pre-release for up to a year to help them prepare, find and stay in employment to help reduce reoffending. “Released prisoners have been identified as one of MSD’s most complex and challenging groups,” says Ms Tolley. “Eighty per cent are still on…