Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key today announced applications are open for further funding to maintain and enhance the quality of the New Zealand Cycle Trail. This is the fifth round of funding through the Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund. “This funding is part of the Government’s $8 million investment over four years to ensure the Great Rides are maintained to their current world-class standards,” Mr Key says. “Already $3.2 million has been approved for 37 projects across 18 Great Rides. The projects include surface enhancements, safety barriers, an underpass installation, track re-routing and storm damage…

A $25 million package of three road access improvements to Napier port has today been announced by the Government as one of the first actions of Matariki – the Hawke’s Bay Economic Development Strategy. Improving access to the port has been identified through the development of the strategy and its accompanying regional action plan as a key contributor to Hawke’s Bay’s economic growth. “This connection is one of the three or four key pieces of infrastructure for Hawke’s Bays future prosperity,” says Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce. “I am pleased we are able to announce this funding as one of…

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley and Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell today announced Project 1000; a scheme to provide 1000 new jobs for currently unemployed Hawke’s Bay workers over the next three years. Project 1000 is part of Matariki – Hawke’s Bay Regional Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 2016, which aims to accelerate job growth and raise incomes in the region. “The Project 1000 initiative brings together businesses, iwi, local authorities, training providers, and central government to support the creation of 1000 new jobs for local people who are not currently participating in the Hawkes Bay economy,” Mrs…

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have today launched a comprehensive plan to diversify and grow the Hawke’s Bay economy, increasing jobs, income and investment in the region. Matariki – Hawke’s Bay Regional Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 2016 aims to make Hawke’s Bay the most innovative region in New Zealand, the leading exporter of premium primary produce and a hub for business growth. The plan has been developed by local and regional authorities, iwi and business leaders with support from central government agencies. “Economic growth in Hawke’s Bay is gathering pace, and the…

More than half a million people will be employed in construction-related occupations by 2021 in support of New Zealand’s building boom, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith say. The ministers today released the National Construction Occupations Projections report, which shows construction-related occupation numbers are expected to hit 539,500 in the next five years, up 10 per cent from 2015. “The construction industry was the largest contributor to annual employment growth last year, with 27,500 more people employed,” Mr Joyce says. “232,000 people now work directly in the construction industry, while…

Trade Minister Todd McClay has today reiterated that the Government has sought and received assurances from the Chinese Government that any competition issues would not impact on trade between the two countries. Mr McClay is responding to reports that retaliatory action could be imposed if an investigation is launched into allegations of steel dumping. “On my return from Indonesia I asked my office for a full review of the broader issues around this matter. “I want to make it clear today that there have been discussions and limited correspondence over the past few months as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs…

  New forest harvesting technology revealed today in Nelson sets its sights on further increasing safety in steep land harvesting operations, Associate Primary Industries Minister Jo Goodhew says. The new ‘tele-operation’ technology provides out-of-harm’s way operation of a purpose-built tracked feller-buncher forest harvester, from the safety of a separate operator cabin and console. The breakthrough is part of Steepland Harvesting, a 6-year, $6 million Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and a consortium of forestry companies and contractors, led by Future Forests Research Ltd (FFR). “The successful development, installation and demonstration of the tele-operated…

Foreign Minister Murray McCully travels to Laos this week to attend the ASEAN-NZ Ministerial Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 23rd ASEAN Regional Forum. “New Zealand has long-standing ties with ASEAN and we enjoy close cooperation with member states across a range of regional issues,” Mr McCully says. “The East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum play an important role in addressing the political and security challenges we collectively face, such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, and disaster response and preparedness.”          

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has today announced a $35 million investment over four years for ‘Entrepreneurial Universities’, a new initiative to attract world-leading entrepreneurial researchers to New Zealand to further strengthen our universities and our broader fast-growing innovation ecosystem. “Entrepreneurial Universities is all about attracting more of the world’s leading researchers and their teams to locate their labs here and base themselves in New Zealand,” Mr Joyce says. “We are especially wanting to recruit people with an established record in innovation and entrepreneurship in the top ‘maker’ disciplines, to help grow the pipeline of excellent innovative…

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has today announced the Prime Minister’s Scholarship programme for international study with be extended to Latin America, as well as Asia. The Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Latin America will complement the successful Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia initiative. Under that programme 751 scholarships for Kiwi students to study in Asia have been awarded since it was implemented in 2013. “The Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia have seen New Zealand students gain valuable study and business experience offshore, learn about some of New Zealand’s most important trade partners, and bring back valuable skills…

​Trusted Trans-Tasman exporters will be rewarded with fast-tracked customs processing at Australian and New Zealand borders under a new arrangement between the two countries. The Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection and New Zealand Customs Service (NZ Customs) signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) last Friday, to recognise the supply chain security programmes of both countries. Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg, and NZ Customs Comptroller, Carolyn Tremain, met at the World Customs Organization’s sessions in Brussels to sign the MRA. Commissioner Quaedvlieg said the arrangement would benefit members of the Australian Trusted Trader (ATT) programme and the…