Items filtered by date: Tuesday, 02 December 2014

Dec 21, 2017  -   The continual stream of reports discussing the future of the Port of Auckland continue to highlight the value of the port to the city and to the wider economy, says EMA’s CEO Kim Campbell.  "If anything, the current stream of reports show that we don’t need more reports," says Mr Campbell.

"What we need is a plan and that was outlined in the Port Future Study that was finally adopted by Council a couple of months ago.

"The Auckland Council’s continual asking for more reports because they don’t like the answer is not the solution; but it is a waste of money.

"For example, there have been two reports that found the right thing to do to accommodate the large cruise ships that we want in Auckland was the proposed dolphin structure with a fixed walkway.

"The first report was completed by the Port, but Council didn’t like the answer so commissioned an independent report from the Auckland Harbourmaster - same result and a waste of time and resources.  "Just build the thing.

"Now we’ve got the anti-port groups complaining that there are two different reports placing different values on the worth of the cruise ships to Auckland. It doesn’t matter. The reports use different methodology, so come up with different answers. But both reports show the gains for the city are significant."

Mr Campbell said another report obtained under the Official Information Act by Radio New Zealand (RNZ) , also highlighted the value of the car industry to the Auckland Port and the cost of shifting it elsewhere.

"Do we really want Auckland to give away some or all of the 10,000 jobs highlighted in the report? Does Tauranga or Northland want to, or have the money to invest almost $200 million to take over the trade? And why did RNZ have to resort to the OIA to get the report out of Council?"

Mr Campbell pointed to the Port of Auckland’s recently-released plan to guide its investment for the next 30 years as the answer.

"The Board and the management of the Port of Auckland accept that a move will occur in the next 20-30 years but until a suitable alternative is found, funded and consented the Port must continue to operate as a key component of Auckland and New Zealand’s import and export infrastructure.

"The Port has a plan to put most of the cars in a multi-storey car park fronted by a concept for an outstanding legacy building. It has a plan to add just 13 metres to an existing wharf to accommodate the general cargo issues it currently faces and when that’s combined with the proposed dolphin structure, the cruise ships are also managed.

"And while we are getting on with that, can the Council and the Government please just get on and agree the solution for the America’s Cup bases, before that boat sails out of the harbour," Mr Campbell says.

| An EMA release  || December 21, 2017   |||

Dec 21, 2017  - Taranaki engineering specialist Carac Group has beaten hundreds of other New Zealand companies to secure the Buy NZ Made Ultimate Hero Award for 2017 – confirming it as one of the most innovative and successful New Zealand Made companies in the country.

Each month over the past year, the Buy NZ Made Campaign has awarded monthly Hero status to 12 companies who have not only succeeded in doing a fantastic job promoting their NZ Made status but who have also excelled in other key commercial areas such as sustainability, employee satisfaction, innovation, domestic and international growth and diversification into new markets. All have stood out as outstanding New Zealand companies and represent the best of New Zealand Made business.

The 12 companies were voted on by the public over the month of November, with Carac Group securing the outright victory with remarkable results in taking its Kiwi-designed and engineered products to new markets all over the world, as well as domestically. Its innovative approach in designing ground-breaking trailer and towing products amongst other things was matched by an impressive ability to identify, define and exploit potential markets globally - something it has been doing with repeated success for the past three decades.

Of particular note was the remarkable story of its TrackGrip traction enhancer for vehicles which is now blazing a trail in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia as well as New Zealand and has massive further future potential.

“I am absolutely elated. We are so excited and I just didn’t believe it when we received the phone call," explained founder John Burling. "We have always been very proud of our NZ Made status and tell the world we are 100% Kiwi at every opportunity we can. It's especially rewarding to be recognised for our innovation, which we have always believed is a key ingredient for making any Kiwi company successful on the world stage."

As the Ultimate Hero, Carac will receive a trophy and certificate, artwork displaying their Ultimate Hero status and an advertorial in a magazine of their choice (from a selection of approved magazines) that includes information about their award, Buy NZ Made and other content of their choice.

Buy NZ Made announced 12 monthly winners during the past 12 months and will continue the initiative as a way to highlight and reward great New Zealand Made companies.

| A NZMade release  ||  December 21, 2017   |||

Follow this link to submit your news to MSCNewsWire . . .

Renowned as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, this coast to coast rail adventure will take you through the Southern Alps, over massive viaducts, river valleys and gorges.

The ‘Tornado 10th Anniversary Tour’ provides a taste of the very best that Britain has to offer from the highest quality local cuisine both on board and at carefully selected destinations en route, to the unsurpassed attention to detail in each cabin. - 

Dec 21, 2017  -  The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the December 2017 quarter shows strength in many parts of the economy although with some risk from business sentiment and future wage pressures.

The manufacturing and services sectors are performing strongly and consumer confidence is high, BusinessNZ Chief Executive Kirk Hope said.  "Business confidence took a recent hit, although it has recovered somewhat since the election."Key indicators such as net debt levels are forecast to remain at relatively low levels by international standards.

"On the international scene a general recovery is underway, with accelerating growth in Europe, Japan, China and the US.

"Here at home a healthy GDP growth rate of around 3 per cent is forecast out to December 2019. "In a context of relatively strong economic growth, there are however risks relating to business uncertainty around future wage pressures and proposals for agricultural emissions and water charges."

The BusinessNZ Economic Conditions Index sits at 3 for the December 2017 quarter, up down 1 on the last quarter and down 11 on a year ago.

The Economic Conditions Index tracks 33 economic indicators including GDP, export volumes, commodity prices, inflation, debt and business and consumer confidence.

The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the December 2017 quarter is here on www.businessnz.org.nz.

Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000  For those looking to embody the true spirit of ‘The Great Race’ weekend, why not camp? We have everything you need to make this a great weekend getaway on the one-and-only Mount Panorama.

The world famous IceHotel constructed to a new design each winter entirely from ice and snow is one of Sweden’s and one of the world’s most extraordinary buildings. Spend two nights in this breathtakingly beautiful hotel while enjoying a range of thrilling winter activities.

Dec 21, 2017  -   The Reserve Bank today registered China Construction Bank Corporation to provide banking services in New Zealand. China Construction Bank Corporation is incorporated in the People’s Republic of China and will operate in New Zealand as a branch. A New Zealand subsidiary of the China Construction Bank Corporation has been registered to provide banking services in New Zealand since July 2014. There are now 25 registered banks in New Zealand. More information: Register of banks.

| A RBNZ release  ||  December 21, 2017   |||

Dec 21, 2017  -  By AAP | 21.12.2017 08:05 AM | ANZ has had the sale of its New-Zealand finance business UDC Finance to Chinese logistics company HNA Group blocked by a regulatory body. The lender says New Zealand's Overseas Investment Office had declined HNA's application to buy the business for $NZ660 million ($A626 million), and unless HNA can get the decision overturned the sale will not proceed.

ANZ will assess its options for the UDC business but says there is no urgency given the strength of the lender's current capital position following the recent sale of its life insurance arm.

Dec 21, 2017  -  Construction is one of New Zealand’s biggest industries and predicted to grow for some time to come. Large and increasingly sophisticated building projects need well trained and qualified staff to run smoothly and efficiently - or risk costly mistakes.  Ara Institute of Canterbury has responded to this increasing complexity in the construction sector by launching new qualifications that prepare graduates with the critical thinking skills and initiative to lead the way as construction managers and quantity surveyors. The new Bachelor of Construction, specialising in construction management or quantity surveying, and Graduate Diplomas in Quantity Surveying (QS) and Construction Management (CM) (Level 7) have been approved by NZQA and are awaiting final approval from TEC to commence in 2018. Programme Leader at Ara Keith Power has many years of experience in quantity surveying and in teaching. “The construction industry told us this is what they need,” he said. “Construction is changing very rapidly with new technology and systems. Construction companies are increasing their productivity on increasingly complex jobs. Staff need to be better equipped for the future.” “Most of the construction company employers, and a lot of their staff, have passed through Ara or its predecessor CPIT. We are trusted to train quantity surveyors and construction managers for the realities of the construction industry. Running a building site, or managing the cost of a project, means dealing with the materials, staff, sub-contractors and technology – it is increasingly innovative, and there are new ways of setting projects up from the very start. Our qualifications take graduates a step further to really future proof their work with courses such as advanced contracting and law, cost planning and BIM (Building Information Modelling), property development, plus elective choices that allow students to choose the specialised areas they would like to explore.” The new qualifications are flexible to allow for part time study while working by using a blended delivery approach with online learning and two-day block courses. Full time study is also available using work-integrated industry placements to provide students with experience in an industry setting. Ara will continue to offer the New Zealand Diploma in Construction and Power expects many diploma graduates to upgrade to the degree. Those qualified in other areas, such as civil engineering, can enrol in the graduate diploma to move into specialising in CM or QS. It worth investing in upskilling, he says. “There are excellent employment prospects in QS and CM. The construction industry has moved on from the boom and bust, cyclical nature of the past, to steadier workflows forecast for the future.” For more information go to www.ara.ac.nz or phone 0800 24 24 76.

| An ARA frelease  ||  FDecvember 21, 2017   |||