Seniors Minister Tracey Martin today released a discussion document and opened consultation on a new positive ageing strategy.

TOKYO - Trade ministers of 16 countries that account for 30 per cent of global trade have re-affirmed their resolve for a regional trade deal that will benefit economies at different levels of development.

BusinessNZ is welcoming a new reference book that offers an insight into the New Zealand business scene.

E tū says thousands of its members are expected to benefit from the Government’s Families Package, which cames into effect 1 july.

The package includes:

• widening eligibility for key benefits including Working for Families which will increase for many
• wider access to the Accommodation supplement and an increase for eligible people in expensive locations such as Auckland and Hamilton
• a Winter Fuel benefit
• A lift in the Family Tax Credit and an increase in the abatement threshold.
• Best Start payments for families with a new baby.
• The implementation of the package also coincides with the extension of Paid Parental Leave to 22 weeks.

“The Government is committed to addressing child poverty in this country and the only way to do that is to lift the family income,” says E tū Industry Coordinator, Jill Ovens.

“That’s what this package does in many different ways, including crucially in the child’s first year of life, and for three years for those on low incomes. $3,000 a year will make a huge difference towards giving children a really good start,” she says.

Jill says the extension of paid parental leave will also benefit children by giving parents, whether the father or the mother time to strengthen the bond with their baby.

“That’s all about giving parents choices,” she says.

Jill says the changes are complex and members should check the details of the package to establish their correct entitlements.

A fledgling New Zealand agritech company run by a rising Kiwi entrepreneur who has worked for Rocket Lab has raised $8 million, from Silicon Valley venture capital firm Data Collective, which is likely to result in massive changes to the nation’s burgeoning dairy industry.

NZTech Women will this month launch 100TechWomen which will feature a collection of inspiring stories from New Zealand’s brightest female tech talent from around the country.

Lisa, an orchard operations assistant at Bostock NZ has emerged victorious against seven other entrants to be named Hawke’s Bay’s Young Fruit Grower of 2018.

After the Federation’s AGM on Friday 29 July, the Federation is pleased to advise that Clive Glover is now President and Keith Brown is Vice President.

Smart packaging technologies featuring unique digital codes could boost online and off-line grocery, according to Tetra Pak.

Boeing has revealed a concept design for a hypersonic aircraft that could reach most locations in the world within one to three hours.