Items filtered by date: Tuesday, 02 December 2014

The Employment Relations Amendment Bill is an attack on the rights of non-union workers, BusinessNZ says.

New Zealand Steel's lawyers, who are trying to have a government decision not to tax Chinese steel imports overturned by the …

Port of Tauranga, New Zealand's biggest port company, registered strong growth in container volumes in the first quarter, helping boost the Bay of Plenty economy, Westpac Banking Corp said in a report

If a week is a long time in politics, then eighteen months must represent an eternity in the New Zealand channel.

Liquid Voice has announced the immediate availability of Liquid Analytics. This new contact centre tool includes the latest generation transcription engine, developed by Speechmatics in partnership with the University of Cambridge, and uses deep neural networks to achieve an average accuracy of 85% on recordings. The Liquid Analytics transcription engine has been independently benchmarked and consistently outperforms other leading systems to deliver unrivalled operational insight to increase contact centre productivity and performance.

A fleet of up to 200 electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles will be made available to passengers for travel to and from Heathrow. The largest chauffeur-driven fleet of electric vehicles in the UK will be available from this summer as Heathrow attempts to improve air quality around the airport.

As part of its continuous review of its marine lubricants logistics offering, Shell Marine has expanded its distribution network into New Zealand, also adding three new key locations to its delivery options – in Indonesia, Spain and Chile.

DUBAI, U.A.E, 8 MAY 2018 - Emirates, the largest international airline in the world, today announced it will start a daily service between Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, and Dubai, from 1 October 2018.

An inclusive and comprehensive review of dairy industry legislation will help our biggest export sector get in shape for the future, says Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor.

The Government has released the terms of reference for a review of the 17-year-old Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001 (DIRA), which regulates Fonterra to protect the long-term interests of farmers, consumers and the wider economy.

“The Ministry for Primary Industries will consult widely throughout the review, including surveys and formal consultation later in the year and I encourage you all to get involved and have your say,” says Damien O’Connor.

“The review will allow us to take a strategic view of issues facing the dairy industry.

“In particular it will look at open entry and exit for farmers, the raw milk price setting process, contestability for milk, the risks and costs for the sector, and the incentives or disincentives for dairy to move to sustainable, higher-value production and processing.

“The whole dairy sector needs to look ahead to see what trends and potential disruptions are coming our way and get ahead of consumer trends.

“Only through a frank appraisal of the issues will we come to the right conclusions.

“In December last year I announced this Government would review DIRA as a matter of priority, in February we rolled it over to stop certain parts expiring, and today I release the terms of reference setting out the objectives, approach and timing of the review.

“The dairy industry will be fully consulted throughout the review so that any issues can be given full consideration before any changes happen.

“I look forward to receiving feedback from farmers, dairy processors, consumers and the wider public in the upcoming consultation process.

“A high-performing, innovative and sustainable dairy sector is vital to New Zealand’s economic wellbeing,” says Damien O’Connor.

Find the terms of reference here www.mpi.govt.nz/DIRA-review

A beehive release  ||  may 09, 2018   |||

Our ability to negotiate the best trade deals in the interests of all New Zealanders will be strengthened by a significant funding boost for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker said.

“This is an investment in the jobs and businesses that rely on exports. Facing threats of increasing barriers, New Zealand needs to fight harder than ever for open and free trade,” David Parker said.

Economists at MFAT estimate more than 620,000 workers, one in four, derive their livelihoods from exports.

“Those exports ensure we can earn the income that allows us to import the medicines, cell phones and vehicles that we do not make at home,” David Parker said.

But a rise in protectionist sentiment around the world and recent talk of trade wars make it more important than ever that New Zealand’s independent voice is heard and its diplomatic and negotiating presence is enhanced.

“It will also mean more resources to help us uphold existing rules in the WTO and work directly with our free trade partners.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced an operating expenditure increase of $150.4 million over the next four years, and an additional $40.3 million in capital expenditure. That will allow for an additional 50 foreign policy positions and the reopening of an embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.

The Government has an extensive negotiating agenda which requires more resources to deliver the best results for New Zealanders.

That includes the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, involving 16 countries with a total GDP of US $23 trillion, the Pacific Alliance trade bloc of Mexico, Peru, Chile and Colombia and making the case for a deal with the Mercosur free trade grouping of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

It is also hoped negotiations will start soon with the EU, which is our top trade priority.

At the same time we will be implementing – and possibly expanding – the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

“The Government has launched its progressive Trade for All agenda that recognises trade must benefit all, including small businesses, women and indigenous groups.

“Having an adequately-resourced ministry at home and internationally will contribute to the well-being of all New Zealanders,” David Parker said.

A beehive release  ||  may 08, 2018   |||