Senior Labour Party MP David Parker has emerged as a linchpin in the new coalition Cabinet, taking the pivotal economic development, environment and trade portfolios that will connect him to key ministers in both the New Zealand First and Green parties.

| A Beehive release  ||  October 25,  2017   |||

Inland Revenue’s new IT system, implemented in February for their GST services, has been a disappointment, says the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union.
According to official data from IRD, the time spent handling GST related enquiries increased by 50% when the system was first introduced in February earlier this year. As of August, months after implementation, there was still a 20% increase in wait times compared to the previous year.

Matthew Rhodes of the Taxpayers’ Union says, “The point of investing in a new IT system was to make services more efficient at IRD, but this data shows taxpayers are receiving a worse service after the new system was introduced.”

"Many callers can’t even get to the hold tone. When the system was introduced in February, it faced so much pressure that nearly 2000 callers to the GST line were disconnected without even being put on hold. In the two months prior to implementation, that didn’t happen once."

“Over 10,000 calls to the GST line were disconnected in May because IRD systems simply couldn’t cope. Inland Revenue either needs to train existing staff more thoroughly, or bring in additional staff during months they know will be busy. How the IRD is proposing to cut 1,500 jobs in this environment is astounding.”

| Source:  Taxpayers Union  ||  October 25,  2017   |||

Leading New Zealand technology developer, Gallagher, has won Product of the Year at the annual Australian Security Industry Association (ASIAL) awards in Melbourne. The winning product, Gallagher’s innovative Class 5 Intruder innovative Class 5 Intruder Alarms System, is designed for the high security market. Since its release in May this year, the Class 5 Alarms technology has received significant global attention and has been deployed around the world to protect the high-value assets and IP in data-centres, government and military facilities.

“As technology develops at a rapid pace, there is increasing demand for high security solutions capable of standing up to sophisticated attacks” said Steve Bell, Chief Technology Officer – Security, for Gallagher. “We’re extremely proud of the innovation behind our products, and are thrilled to have that recognised with this latest award from Australia,” said Bell.

Source:  Gallagher ||  October 25,   2017   |||

 Apple, the world's biggest technology company, has bought New Zealand wireless power developer PowerbyProxi for an undisclosed sum.  The change in ownership was confirmed by an Apple spokesman in an email, but he refused to provide any details or the terms of the agreement. Fairfax Media reported Apple senior vice president of hardware engineer Dan Riccio said the "team will be a great addition as Apple works to create a wireless future". PowerbyProxi officials were not immediately available for comment.

Company's Office filings show Samsung Investment Corp, the global investment arm of the Samsung Group owns 9.6 percent of the company, which was spun out of the University of Auckland, paying US$4 million for its stake in 2013. PowerbyProxi director Michael Pachos, who is also on the SVIC board, declined to comment on the sale to Apple, but did congratulate the PowerbyProxi team on his Linkedin page saying "I am proud to have been an investor and board member of PowerbyProxi."

Source:  ShareChat - read the full article  ||  October 25,  2017   |||