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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013
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march 2013
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Mammary Memories
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Consultation Changes to RMA Planning, Consenting, Appeals Systems? .... 3 Enduring Powers of Attorney Rules: Changes? ....................... 3 Revised Proposals on Auditing for Charities ............................ 3 Church Census Underway ........................................................ 4 Maori Electoral Option .............................................................. 4 Council Charging for Housing Developments: Options ............ 4 Child Restraints: Rules Amended ............................................. 5 Early Language Development: Survey ..................................... 5 Early Childhood Centres: ERO’s Review Process .................... 5 Review of Ban on Parallel Imports of Films .............................. 5 Threatened Status of NZ’s Aquatic Creatures .......................... 6 Foreign Charter Vessels: Changes to Regulations ................... 6 Funding of Hospital & Community Medicines ........................... 6 Historic Places Trust Consultations .......................................... 6 LINZ Consultation ..................................................................... 7 MPI’s System for Certifying Animal Products ........................... 7 Electricity Authority Consultation .............................................. 7 Regional Free Trade Agreement Consultation ......................... 7 NZTA: Recognising Hong Kong & Sth Korean Licences .......... 7 Wellington’s Homeless* People: Draft Strategy ........................ 8 Rural Northland in Drought ................................................................ 8
Rural Support Trusts ............................................................. 9 Rural Support Trust contact list ............................................. 9
How Well MPI Deals with Pest Incursions: OAG Report .......... 9 PSA Came From China? ........................................................ 10 OSPRI- NZ’s New Biosecurity & Pest Management Body...... 10 Technology Transfer in the Primary Industries: Report .......... 10 Rabobank Agribusiness Monthly February 2013 .................... 10 Latest Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot … ....... 10 … & a New Dairy Water Quality Agreement ........................... 11 ASB Rural Environmental Compliance Loan .......................... 11 Rural Property Update ............................................................ 11 Environment Minister to Decide About Milford Dart Tunnel ......................... 12 Surrendering Units in Emissions Trading Scheme: Changes . 12
Emissions Trading Scheme Basics ..................................... 12 Nature Space Volunteers Plant One Million Plants ................ 13 Funding Boost for Rotorua Organic Waste Recycler… .......... 13 … & Restoring Lake Rotorua: MOU ....................................... 13 New North Otago Reserve ..................................................... 13 Green Marketing – Hello Gen Y, Goodbye Baby Boomers..... 14 Health & Welfare New Workplace Health & Safety Agency................................ 14 Reducing Surgical Site Infections: New Plan .......................... 14 Sallies 2013 State of the Nation Report ................................. 14 Youth Mental Health & Social Media Funding ........................ 15 Pick Baby Feeding Bottles with Accurate Measures… ........... 16 … & Code of Practice for Marketing Infant Formula ............... 16 Infant Mortality at Record Low ................................................ 16 Maternal & Child Health: New Resources .............................. 16 The Economic Costs of Not Doing Exercise ........................... 17 Psychoactive Substances Bill ................................................. 17 Mental Health & Addiction: Service: Report ............................ 17 Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card ................................................ 18 Adult Palliative Care Services in NZ: New Resource ............. 18 New Support Services for Canterbury Men ............................ 18 Soft Drink: NZers’ Consumption… ......................................... 19 … & Sports Sponsorship/Unhealthy Food Links ..................... 19 Check Coal/Gas/Wood Appliances Now - for Later ................ 20 Be a Health & Disability Commissioner Advisor ..................... 20 Impact of Synthetic Chemicals on Our Hormone System ....... 20
Education/Training NCEA Level 2 Achievement Awareness Campaign ............... 20 IHC & Disabled Children’s Rights at School ........................... 21
What are these Rights? ...................................................... 21 Kohanga Reo Trust: Independent Advisor Appointed ............ 21 Good Uptake: Fonterra Milk for Schools Programme ............. 22 Increase in Prisoner Education .............................................. 22 Website for International Students in NZ ................................ 22 Broadband Access Bridges Educational Divides: UN............. 22 Employment Occupation Outlook Report .................................................... 23 Housing/Building New Social Housing Units Funded ......................................... 23 Housing Design Advice Service for Canterbury People ......... 23 White Roofs Could Counter Urban “Heat Islands” .................. 24 Energy EECA’s Energywise Home Insulation Subsidies .................... 24 Solar Generating100 GW Worldwide; Wind Up 20%.............. 24 Transport & Travel Vehicle Licensing: Changes Coming ...................................... 24 Five Million Faces @ Smartgate ............................................ 25 Commerce Commission on Wellington International Airport’s Profits ..................................................................................... 25 Tarawhiti Region’s Economic Potential/Transport Needs: Study ............................................................................................... 25 Justice/The Law Official Information Act Cover Extended ................................. 26 … & Information Sharing Bills Pass Final Reading................. 26 How Effectively Do the Police Enforce Drink Driving Laws? .. 26 Welfare Fraud Measures ........................................................ 27 New Criminal Procedure Coming ........................................... 27 Rangatahi Courts on Marae: An Initial Evaluation .................. 28 Prisoner GPS Monitoring Extended........................................ 28 Young Offenders Unit in Hawkes Bay .................................... 28 Parliament A Constitution Website for All ................................................. 28 Selection Process Underway: Youth Parliament 2013 ........... 29 Labour Portfolios & Rankings ................................................. 29 Pacific Parliamentary Forum .................................................. 30 Royal Succession Bill to be Introduced .................................. 30 Public Service/Local Authorities Mighty River Power Ownership: Supreme Court Decision ..... 30 Single Government ICT Contract Awarded ............................ 31 MBIE Wins Mobile Broadband Spectrum Award .................... 31 Not-For-Profits Social Enterprise Survey Results ........................................... 32 Changes to Financial Reporting for Charities: Free Workshops ............................................................................................... 32 … Templates for NFP Financial Reports… ............................ 33 …& Mentors Sought to Assist NGO Planning ........................ 33 Business Single Electronic “Window” For Importers & Exporters .......... 33 Making the Right Choices in Cloud Computing - Business Guidelines .............................................................................. 33 Investment & Innovation Needed for Food Export Growth ..... 34 Annual Company Digital IQ Survey Results ........................... 34 New & Improved EPIC Website ............................................. 35
1 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Women Business Leaders Add Stability ................................. 35 UK Wanderlust Readers Rate NZ in Top Three ..................... 35 Hotels Enjoy Strong January Activity ...................................... 35 Ancient Companies: How Ancient? ........................................ 35 Money Matters Government’s Half Year Financial Update ............................. 36 Kiwis Under-Insured…............................................................ 36 … & Illness & Financial Vulnerability: Report ......................... 36 Changes in Women’s Earnings: Report.................................. 37 All About the Starting Out Wage for Youth ............................. 37 Minimum Wage Up, Minimally ................................................ 37 Financial Advice to Credit Union Members: Simpler Rules .... 37 NZ Venture Investment Fund: More Funds Guaranteed ........ 38 $4 Million Lost to Scams......................................................... 38 Internet, ICT & Media More Cyber Threats Reported In NZ ...................................... 38 New Online News & Current Affairs Watchdog ...................... 39 Results of Review of Our 111 Service .................................... 39 Trans-Tasman Mobile Roaming: Final Report ........................ 39 New Auckland-Sydney Telecommunications Cable ............... 40 Telecommunications Services Regulations: Two Reviews ..... 40 4G Spectrum Auction Decision ............................................... 40 Health Information on the Cloud: Keep it Local ...................... 40
What is Cloud Computing ................................................... 41 15 Useful Social Media Related Terms .................................. 41 Telephone Scam Alert ............................................................ 42 Websites & Articles of Interest ................................................ 42 Treaty Matters Crown Signs Social Development Accord with Te Hiku Iwi .... 43 Waitangi Report: Ngati Kahu .................................................. 43 Arts & Culture March is NZ Book Month ........................................................ 44 Review of Five Professional Orchestras: Report Released .... 44 Reel Life: Film Shows in Historic Woolsheds ......................... 44 Fish & Ships King Salmon to Develop Four New Sounds Farms… ............. 45 … & New Guide: Setting Up/Running a Marine Farm ............ 45 Science & Technology National Science Challenge Panel Appointed ........................ 45 “Extinct” Seabird Discovered 50Km From Auckland ............... 45 Fragments of Unknown Continents Found ............................. 46 Handy Stats ............................................................................ 46 General Seasonal Climate Outlook: March - May 2013 ....................... 47 Urban Quality of Life Results Released .................................. 47 New Zealand in Profile: 2013 ................................................. 48 Fire Review Panel Report Released ...................................... 48 1-In-8 Young Kiwis Drink Their Breakfast ............................... 49 Australian & NZ Shoppers Differ On Priorities ........................ 49 Refugee & Asylum Seeker Numbers: 2012 ............................ 49 Refugee Road Safety Action Programme Funding Restored . 49 Conferences & Events ............................................................ 50 Awards & Opportunities .......................................................... 52 Appointments ......................................................................... 55
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 2
Consultation
Changes to RMA Planning, Consenting, Appeals Systems? The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) published a discussion paper which proposes big changes to planning, consenting, and appeals under the resource management system. Under the proposals:
• Part 2 of the RMA would be amended - updating the matters that are nationally important and dealt with by central government;
• planning would include housing affordability, development or services and facilities, and managing urban growth;
• district and regional councils would be able to jointly prepare a single plan for each district or area;
• there would be a 10-working-day time limit for straight-forward, non-notified consents, and some types of application would be processed without notification;
• affected parties’ opposition to the specific effects that projects will have on them would be limited;
• conditions councils would be able to place on consents would be limited;
• there would be changes to rules about consent fees;
• an “approved exemption” from consent requirements for technical or minor rule breaches would be allowed;
• costs associated with the Environmental Protection Authority’s nationally significant proposals process would reduce;
• an alternative Crown body could processing consents in areas facing particular growth management pressures; and
• consenting authorities would be able to prevent land banking.
Submissions close on 2 April 2013. A submission form is at www.rmreform.mfe.govt.nz.For a copy of the RMA discussion paper go to: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publicati=ons/rma/improving-our-resource-management-system.html
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Enduring Powers of Attorney Rules: Changes? The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is seeking feedback on the effectiveness of amendments made in 2007 to the enduring power of attorney provisions in the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act.
An enduring power of attorney is a legal document that allows a person to choose someone they trust to act on their behalf and in their best interest if they lose the capacity to manage their own affairs.
The 2007 amendments aimed to increase protection for people no longer managing their own affairs. They included strengthening witnessing requirements for people setting up an enduring power of attorney, and making sure that people acting on behalf of someone else are not able to benefit themselves or anyone else, only the person they are acting for.
Submissions close on 30 June 2013. An online questionnaire and more information are at http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/whats-happening/2013/enduring-powers-of-attorney-review.html. Public meetings will be held between April and June 2013. Dates and venues of these will be put on the page during March. Call 0800 273 674 for hard copies of a related questionnaire
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Revised Proposals on Auditing for Charities The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has published a second discussion paper on ways to improve the financial accountability of large and medium-sized charities. Proposals in this include:
• large registered charities being required to have their financial statements audited (a large charity’s operation costs will be $1 million or more for the last two financial years);
• medium-sized registered charities being required to have their financial statements either reviewed or audited* (the operating spending of a medium-sized charity will be $400,000 or more for the last two financial years);
3 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
• requiring people carrying out audits and reviews to have the qualifications set out in the Financial Reporting Bill currently before Parliament; and
• charities making changes to the way they check how well they are meeting the monitoring requirements in the Financial Reporting Bill, and the XRB (External Reporting Board) not-for-profit accounting standards that will come into force in 2015.
*A review provides limited assurance that financial statements do not have any known errors or departures from the accounting rules. An audit, on the other hand, gives a higher level of assurance.
Submissions close on 17 May 2013. They go to [email protected] or post to Auditing for Large and Medium Registered Charities, Commercial and Consumer Environment Branch, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, PO Box 1473, Wellington. More is at http://www.med.govt.nz/business/business-law/financial-reporting-framework-review/consultation-on-audit-and-assurance-for-registered-charities
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Church Census Underway A new nation-wide Church Census will be carried out in March and April 2013. Its main purpose is to provide new information to church leaders to help them plan at local, regional and national levels, but it is also expected to reveal, among other things, how often NZers go to church. The organisers expect to find many new independent churches of varying ethnicities. The same trend has been reported recently in England where it has been discovered that since 1980 between 5,000 and 7,000 new churches have started.
Past surveys suggest that one Kiwi in five attends a place of Christian worship at least once a month.
For more information email [email protected] or [email protected], or go to http://missionkoru.org/content/census-taking-pulse-now-2013-2014
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Maori Electoral Option This year’s Maori Electoral Option starts on 25 March.
Teams are now working in communities around NZ to make sure that Maori have all the information they need to make a choice about which roll they want to vote on - the Maori roll or the general roll.
People who indicated that they were of Maori descent when they enrolled will be sent a personalised option pack in the mail in late March. It will include detailed information about the option and the form needed to make their roll type choice.
The last consultation was in 2006.
To find the team working in your area go to www.elections.org.nz, or call freephone 0800 36 76 56
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Council Charging for Housing Developments: Options This discussion paper considers options for changing the way councils charge for new sections and other developments in their region.
Currently, they do this through development contributions that enable them to provide the necessary infrastructure to support new developments (e.g., local roads, water, wastewater, drainage networks, electricity, gas, and telecommunications services). However, section prices have more than doubled in the past decade, partly because of a sharp rise in these development contributions - the average charge nationally has increased from $3,000 per section to $14,000 per section over the past decade.
The discussion paper includes options for limiting how much councils can charge for development contributions, tightening the criteria for charging, bringing back an appeal system, providing discounts for certain types of housing, changing the timing of charging, enabling infrastructure systems to be provided in different ways, or abolishing the charges.
Submissions close on 15 March 2013.They go to Development Contributions Review, Local Government and Emergency Management Directorate, Department of Internal Affairs PO Box 805, Wellington 6140, email [email protected]. The discussion paper is at http://www.dia.govt.nz/vwluResources/Local%20Government%20Development%20Contributions%20Review%20Discussion%20Paper%20(pdf)/$file/Development_Contributions_Discussion_Paper_Jan2013.pdf
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 4
Child Restraints: Rules Amended Proposed changes to the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2013 dealing with child restraints would raise the upper limit for the compulsory use of child restraints from before a child’s fifth birthday to age six (i.e., before their seventh birthday) while keeping the requirement for children aged seven to use a child restraint if one is available.
The aim is to reduce preventable deaths and serious injuries to child passengers travelling on NZ roads. Children, because they are smaller and have a different body shape to adults, need additional seating equipment to keep them as safe as adults in a car.
Submissions close 3 April 2013. They go to [email protected], or to Child Restraints Amendment, Rules Team, NZTA, Private Bag 6995, Wellington 6141. More including an online submission form, is at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation/child-restraints-amendment/index.html
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Early Language Development: Survey A University of Canterbury (UC) survey of up to 3000 children (aged 16-30 months) will be the first comprehensive study on early language development in this country. Currently, there is very little factual information on, for example, when Kiwi children actually first start using words (on average), or when they start combining words into short sentences, or how many words NZ toddlers know when they are two and a half years old.
UC is asking parents of 16 and 30 month old children to complete a website questionnaire.
The website is at www.kidswords.org. If you would like to take part in this project and have a child who is between 16 and 30 months of age who currently lives in NZ, contact the University of Canterbury by emailing [email protected] , or phoning 03 364 2987, ext. 8501 or 7084
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Early Childhood Centres: ERO’s Review Process The Education Review Office (ERO) is proposing to spend more time in Early Childhood Education Services (ECEs) that need support, and to make fewer visits to those that are performing very well. It is planning to introduce four different review return times for most early childhood services and is looking for feedback on these.
Its plan is that it would review the performance of very well placed ECEs in four years’ time; well placed centres would be reviewed in three years; ECEs requiring further development would be reviewed in two years; and those not well placed would be reviewed by ERO again in consultation with the Ministry of Education.
An ERO survey on the subject closes on 15 March 2013. To complete it go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WW8287T
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Review of Ban on Parallel Imports of Films The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) is reviewing the temporary ban on the parallel importation of films in 2002, and it has published a discussion paper on the subject. The ban made it an offence to import into NZ (except for private and domestic use) copies of a film for nine months from the date that the film is first made available to the public (in NZ or elsewhere).
The paper describes the potential impacts of either allowing the ban to lapse, or be continued, and asks interested parties for further information.
Submissions close on 8 April 2013. They go to [email protected]. More, including a discussion paper, is at http://www.med.govt.nz/business/intellectual-property/parallel-importing-in-new-zealand/review-of-temporary-ban-on-parallel-importation-of-films
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5 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Threatened Status of NZ’s Aquatic Creatures The Department of Conservation is calling for submissions about any changes people have seen in NZ marine mammal, marine fish, marine invertebrate*, algae, freshwater fish and freshwater invertebrate populations. This is so it can revise the lists for these groups in the NZ Threat Classification System.
*Invertebrates are animals without a backbone, e.g., an insect or worm.
Consultation closes on 13 April 2013. Email your completed online questionnaire, or submission form to [email protected], or send it to Scientific Officer (Species), Terrestrial Conservation Unit, DOC, PO Box 10-420, Wellington 6143. 3057. The questionnaire/form and more information are at http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/consultations/current/new-listing-of-the-threatened-status-of-nz-aquatic-organisms/
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Foreign Charter Vessels: Changes to Regulations The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is proposing changes to fisheries regulations that would set in law decisions relating to the Foreign Charter Vessel (FCV) review. Proposals include:
• enabling the direct recovery of costs from vessel operators for observers on medium- and high-risk domestic vessels;
• enabling MPI to directly charge vessel operators for the costs of observers in a wider range of situations, such as when the vessel is delayed in port; and
• recovering costs relating to new employment and vessel safety responsibilities of observers.
MPI also wants to restrict all squid jiggers more than 46m in length from fishing in the territorial sea* from 1 May 2016.
*The territorial sea is the water extending up to 12 nautical miles from the coast of a State over which the State exercises sovereignty.
Submissions close on 22 March 2013. They go to [email protected] or to: M PI, Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, PO Box 2526, Wellington 6140, Attn: FCV Project Team, Sector Policy. More is at http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Consultations/Foreign+Charter+Vessel+review/default.htm
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Funding of Hospital & Community Medicines PHARMAC wants to set up a nationally-consistent list of pharmaceuticals to be funded within DHB hospitals and your feedback is sought on its proposals.
It also wants feedback on changes to the way some pharmaceuticals are funded, and on changes to the criteria for subsidies.
Submissions close on 28 March 2013. They go to [email protected] or to Funding Systems Development Manager, PHARMAC, PO Box 10 254, Wellington 6143. More is at http://www.pharmac.health.nz/news/item/proposal-relating-to-the-funding-of-certain-pharmaceuticals-in-dhb-hospitals-and-in-the-community
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Historic Places Trust Consultations There are several (closing dates and contact person for submissions are in brackets):
• Opou Station Stables (Former), Manutuke (21 March 2013 - [email protected]);
• Wakatipu Flourmill Complex (Former), Speargrass Flat (15 March 2013 - [email protected]);
• Ida Valley Flourmill (Former), Oturehua (15 March 2013 - [email protected]); and
• Altrive, Waipounamu (15 March 2013 - [email protected]).
More on all of them is at http://www.historic.org.nz/TheRegister/NotifiedProposals.aspx
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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 6
LINZ Consultation Land Information NZ (LINZ) is seeking submissions on its preliminary proposal for Mt Gerald pastoral lease tenure review.
Submissions close 26 March 2013. They go to pastoral&[email protected], or to Commissioner of Crown Lands, LINZ, Crown Property & Investment, Private Bag 4721, Christchurch 8140. More is at http://www.linz.govt.nz/about-linz/news-publications-and-consultations/news-and-notices/mt-gerald-tenure-review-notice-of-preliminary-proposal
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MPI’s System for Certifying Animal Products The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) proposes to change the way it charges people who use its electronic system for certifying animal products (E-Cert). It says the changes will benefit the people who use the system because there won’t be so much variation in the charges.
Submissions close on 29 March 2013. They go to B Whittington, Food Policy, MPI, PO Box 2526, email [email protected]
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Electricity Authority Consultation The Authority (EA) is consulting on ways of working out “loss factors”.
Distributing electricity businesses need to account for losses that arise from the inevitable physical loss of electricity in networks, and for also other losses from theft, metering errors, and data handling errors. They need a system for deciding on and allocating these losses.
The EA sets out two proposals for ways of doing this in its consultation paper on the subject.
Submissions close on 16 April 2013. Email them to [email protected] with “Consultation Paper—Loss Factor Methodologies” in the subject line. More information and a link to the discussion paper are at http://www.ea.govt.nz/our-work/consultations/retail/loss-factor-methodologies
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Regional Free Trade Agreement Consultation Submissions are sought on the negotiations coming up for the proposed 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Free Trade Agreement. Countries committed to the agreement include: NZ, Australia, the 10 Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) states (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Viet Nam), China, India, Korea and Japan.
The RCEP agreement would enable NZ to be part of a major trade initiative in the East Asian region as the countries in RCEP represent markets of more than 3 billion people, almost US$20 trillion in combined GDP and around 27 percent of world trade.”
It would cover trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement and other issues.
Submissions close on 8 March 2013. You can make an online submission at http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Trade-and-Economic-Relations/2-Trade-Relationships-and-Agreements/RCEP/0-Forms/RCEP-form.php. For more information go to http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Trade-and-Economic-Relations/2-Trade-Relationships-and-Agreements/RCEP/0-RCEP-Consultation.php
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NZTA: Recognising Hong Kong & Sth Korean Licences NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) wants comments on an amendment to the Driver Licensing Rule that would enable driver licences issued by Hong Kong and South Korea to be converted into an equivalent NZ licence without further testing.
Submissions close on 15 March 2013. They go to [email protected] or to Licence Recognition Amendment, Rules Team, NZTA, Private Bag 6995, Wellington 6141. More is at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation/licence-recognition-amendment/index.html
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7 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Wellington’s Homeless* People: Draft Strategy Wellington Council has launched its draft “Strategy to End Homelessness in Wellington by 2020”. Based on the principle that housing is a basic human right for everyone, priorities in the plan include improving the supply of affordable accommodation, reducing evictions, improving the kind of information that is collected about homeless people or those vulnerable to losing their home, and developing systems for making sure people leaving institutions like prisons or health facilities are housed and supported.
* The official NZ definition of homeless is not just related to rough sleepers. It includes people who may be couch surfing, in temporary accommodation such as a safe house, hostel or night shelter, and people living in uninhabitable housing.
Submissions close on Friday 3 May 2013. The strategy and a feedback form are available from the Wellington City Council Service Centre on Wakefield Street, or from local libraries. Both are also on the City Council website http://wellington.govt.nz/
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Rural
Northland in Drought The whole of the North Island is extremely dry, and a state of drought has now been officially declared in Northland.
A declaration about such a medium-scale event means that extra Government funding will now be available to local organisations like the Rural Support Trusts. In extreme cases there will also be Rural Assistance Payments (RAPs) available to farmers in severe hardship.
People affected should contact IRD if they need help or flexibility with making tax payments, and standard assistance is available from the Ministry of Social Development.
Many farmers have already taken practical steps to deal with the dry, such as destocking and switching to once a day milking.
The Ministry of Primary Industry (MPI) has put together a page of useful information on its website that could be helpful to farmers. The page considers the following questions:
• What effects do drier-than-normal conditions have in rural areas?
• What can farmers, growers and rural communities do?
• What organisations can help people manage through?
• What does it mean if a drought has not been officially declared even though an area is abnormally dry?
• What is the process for official declaration of drought?
• What criteria are used to assess whether a drought will be declared?
• What does a declaration of drought mean?
More is at http://www.mpi.govt.nz/environment-natural-resources/funding-programmes/primary-sector-recovery/droughts/dry-conditions-2012-13-faqs
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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 8
Rural Support Trusts Rural Support Trusts are able to help rural people and their families during and after extreme weather/environmental events affecting for example, pastoral farming, forestry, horticulture and other land-based activities. Many of the trusts also offer services in times of general hardship.
The trusts work with local Civil Defence and can provide information, and assistance during and following the event. This could include coordinating rescue and movement of stock, financial support, labour, technical information. They can also provide, or facilitate referral to, professional counselling, financial advice, and farm management support.
Help can also include support from mentors or colleagues from rural backgrounds, facilitation of financial assistance, Work and Income support, and labour assistance.
Rural Support Trust contact list Please call 0800 787 254 (0800 Rural Help) to directly contact your local Rural Support Trusts in the following regions:
• North Island regions: Northland including Rodney, Auckland, Waikato, Hauraki, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, East Coast, including Hutt Valley, Wellington, and Porirua; and
• South Island regions: West Coast, Mid-Canterbury (Ashburton), South Canterbury, and Southland.
Contacts details for the remaining Rural Support Trust regions are as follows:
• Ruapehu/Wanganui 07 893 8547
• Manawatu/Rangitikei/Kapiti 06 329 6860
• Marlborough/Nelson 03 578 9923
• North Canterbury 0800 277 845
• Otago 03 437 1544
Refer to www.rural-support.org.nz for more about what each group can offer and who to contact in your area.
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How Well MPI Deals with Pest Incursions: OAG Report The Auditor-General’s (OAG’s) report, “Ministry for Primary Industries: Preparing for and responding to biosecurity incursions”, looks at how effectively the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is preventing the establishment of pests and diseases that would damage our primary production industries, native flora and fauna, or our health.
The OAG is concerned that the Ministry is under-prepared for future biosecurity incursions. Responding to incursions has taken precedence over preparing for the potential arrival of other pests and diseases. Although the Ministry is making improvements, there is still a lot to do.
The OAG considers that, by and large, the Ministry has been successful at responding to biosecurity incursions. It has developed high-trust relationships with partners, and has improved biosecurity by sharing knowledge and fostering innovative practice.
The office made seven recommendations for the Ministry, including that it:
• makes all biosecurity planning more realistic by ensuring that plans reflect likely constraints on resources and reflect more accurately the capacity available to deliver them;
• completes response plans for high-risk organisms, including foot and mouth disease, and review them at regular intervals to provide assurance that they are fit for purpose;
• creates a plan to undertake carcass disposal across a range of outbreak sizes; and
• improves its staff capability by preparing a plan to deliver better response induction, training, and experience.
The report can be found at http://www.oag.govt.nz/2013/biosecurity
9 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
PSA Came From China? University of Otago scientists have published strong evidence that the PSA strains responsible for the outbreak in North Island kiwifruit orchards came directly from China, as did those responsible for the 2008 Italian and 2010 Chilean outbreaks of the disease. Kiwifruit canker, or PSA, has spread to more than 1000 NZ orchards since it was discovered in the Bay of Plenty region in November 2010. Combating the disease is expected to cost between $310 million and $410 million over the next four years - with the long term bill rising to between $740 million and $885 million.
More is at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10868294
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OSPRI- NZ’s New Biosecurity & Pest Management Body OSPRI New Zealand is the name of the new organisation being formed through the merger of the AHB (Animal Health Board) and NAIT (National Animal Identification & Tracing). It is expected to be up and running by the middle of the year.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1302/S00542/ospri-new-zealand-seeking-to-add-value-to-primary-sector.htm
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Technology Transfer in the Primary Industries: Report A new report from the Ministry of Primary Industry (MPI) is based on a recent survey of technology transfer advisers working with farmers and growers.
Technology transfer is the process of transferring technical knowledge to rural businesses and communities so they take advantage of new opportunities. The knowledge is needed because: farming has to increase productivity while farmers work within defined environmental limits; modern farming systems are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated; larger farms usually employ more staff; and there are increasing demands placed on farms because of the globalised nature of the industry.
The report says technology transfer has enabled farmers and growers to become world leaders in primary production during the last three decades. But, primary industry could do with a boost in the area: there are too few professionals, and those there are need to be working together more to share new knowledge and information.
The report, “Survey of Technology Transfer Services To Farmers And Growers In New Zealand”, can be downloaded from http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-resources/publications
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Rabobank Agribusiness Monthly February 2013 Highlights from this report include:
• global dairy prices continue to rise;
• Japanese beef import protocols will allow US beef exporters to source cattle up to the age of 30 months (previously 20 months) for export into the Japanese market; and
• record low US corn and soybean stocks continue to drive global grain markets.
Download the report from http://www.rabobank.com.au/Research/Documents/Reports/Agribusiness-Monthly-Feb13.pdf
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Latest Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot … The Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot has released its final report for the 2011–12 dairy season, which shows progress against all targets. There was better compliance with effluent management rules, along with steady progress on excluding livestock from waterways – which is now very close to the 90% target. Progress was also made on other targets. However, a number of challenges remain (e.g., the report shows the management of effluent discharge remains a priority area for dairy farmers to work on).
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 10
This is also the final report for the Accord, which expired in 2012. A new agreement (see below) has been developed between industry body DairyNZ and dairy companies to update and succeed the Accord.
A copy of the full Snapshot report can be found at http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-resources/publications.aspx?title=Dairying%20and%20Clean%20Streams%20Accord
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… & a New Dairy Water Quality Agreement A new set of national good management practice standards aimed at lifting environmental performance on dairy farms has been agreed between industry body DairyNZ and all dairy companies. The Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord will now be taken to farmers over the coming months before being finalised and formally launched in time for the 2013/14 dairy season (effective 1 August 2013). The accord updates and succeeds the Clean Streams Accord (see above) that was developed in 2003 with commitments that ended in 2012.
It covers five main areas: riparian (habitats along river margins and banks) management, nutrient management, effluent management, water use management, and conversions.
A summary of the previous Accord and a copy of the new Accord with questions and answers is at www.dairynz.co.nz
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ASB Rural Environmental Compliance Loan ASB has launched this country’s first Rural Environmental Compliance Loan, a low cost farming option to assist farmers to get the balance right between productivity – how much they produce, and environmental sustainability - how well they look after the environment (all the while complying with council environmental by-laws). Loans are available to NZ farmers for a maximum of $200,000 over a maximum five-year term.
More is at https://www.asb.co.nz/comply/
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Rural Property Update There were 399 farm sales in the three months to end of January 2013, compared with 382 farm sales in the three months to December 2012, an increase of 17 sales (+4.4%). In the year to January 2013, 1,454 farms were sold, 18.1% more than were sold in the year to January 2012.
The median (middle) price per hectare for all farms sold in the three months to January 2013 was $23,980; an 18.1% increase on the $20,299 recorded for three months ended January 2012. This was an increase of 3.9% compared to December 2102.
Grazing properties accounted for the largest number of sales with 44.1% share of all sales over the three months to January, followed by dairy properties (20.6%), finishing properties (17.3%), and horticulture properties (9.0%). Sales of lifestyle properties increased 22.2% (+273 sales), and prices reached a record high.
More is at https://www.reinz.co.nz/reinz/index.cfm?1CC3D519-18FE-7E88-4249-4CE523B4D44B&obj_uuid=22D1155E-906B-6820-AAE8-16B16E6DD7A7
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11 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Environment
Minister to Decide About Milford Dart Tunnel Proposals for the Milford Dart Tunnel through the Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks and the Fiordland Link Experience of a catamaran, all-terrain vehicle track and monorail through the Snowdon Forest are now to be decided by the Minister of Conservation rather DOC’s departmental officials. However, DOC’s advice to the Minister will be made public.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1302/S00359/fiordland-projects-to-be-determined-by-minister.htm
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Surrendering Units in Emissions Trading Scheme: Changes The Government has announced new restrictions on the surrender to the government of Certified Emission Reduction units (CERs), and Emission Reduction Units (ERUs) generated by large-scale hydropower projects and ERUs generated by industrial gas destruction projects.
Affected units brought into the NZ Emission Unit Register (NZEUR) after 17 December 2012 will no longer be eligible for giving up to meet an obligation under the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme.
This is because, as of 1 January 2013, only the countries that have taken an emission limitation and reduction commitment under the Kyoto Protocol’s second commitment period (2013-19 – CP2) may trade in CP2 Kyoto units. NZ is not one of these countries.
Units held in the NZEUR before 18 December are exempt from the restrictions, and units brought into the NZEUR through a forward contract that has been registered with the Registrar will be eligible for surrender until 1 June 2014.
More is at http://www.eur.govt.nz. A list of the restricted units is at http://www.eur.govt.nz/how-to/guides-hmtl/guides-pdf/Industrial%20Gas%20Destruction%20ERUs.pdf.
Emissions Trading Scheme Basics The NZ Emissions Trading Scheme is the system in which New Zealand Units (NZUs) are traded. Effectively, one NZU is the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent amount of certain other greenhouse gases.
The purpose of the scheme is to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in NZ. This is done by charging those who emit greenhouse gases while doing certain activities.
Most NZers won’t participate directly in the scheme. They may notice a small increase in energy prices as organisations that emit gases pass on their increased costs.
People and organisations who do participate directly will do so in different ways:
• some will have to surrender NZUs to the Government – for example, companies that mine natural gas, as this will emit greenhouse gases when it is used;
• some will earn NZUs from the Government – for example, owners of forests that absorb greenhouse gases; and
• some will be given NZUs by the Government – for example, companies that might face significant increases in energy costs, but are unable to pass these costs on to their customers. These groups and others can then trade NZUs, as those with spare NZUs sell them to those who have to surrender NZUs.
More about NZ’s Emission Trading Scheme is at http://www.climatechange.govt.nz/emissions-trading-scheme/index.html
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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 12
Nature Space Volunteers Plant One Million Plants Nature Space, a NZ-based ecological website and network of volunteers, recently reported that its volunteers have planted more than one million plants, along with eradicating over nine thousand possums and stoats. Nature Space is made up of 150 volunteer conservation groups with more than 20,000 members who work across the country restoring and protecting the environment in their local areas.
The Nature Space website was set up to the give conservation volunteer groups and individuals a place to promote their efforts and connect with other people doing similar work. The website allows members access to restoration resources, details of community projects and data storage.
To find out more (including details of Nature Space groups in your region) visit www.naturespace.org.nz or contact [email protected]
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Funding Boost for Rotorua Organic Waste Recycler… A total of $4.7 million from the Waste Minimisation Fund is going towards a project that turns sewage and organic waste (biosolids) into resources such as energy and fertilizer. The money will be used to design, engineer and build a full-scale plant at a Rotorua wastewater treatment facility, and research how the technology could be applied to other types of waste. The technology has been developed by Scion, a Crown Research Institute based in Rotorua, and successfully trialled by the Rotorua District Council.
The Rotorua plant aims to reduce the volume of biosolids going to landfill by 90% and cut greenhouse gases by up to 70%. Eventually, the technology will be made available to other wastewater plants around the country.
More on the Waste Minimisation Fund is at http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/waste/waste-minimisation-fund/index.html
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… & Restoring Lake Rotorua: MOU The Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective*, Federated Farmers, and Bay of Plenty Regional Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on a way forward together to reduce nutrients entering Lake Rotorua, while recognising the importance of farming to the local economy.
The MOU sets out the principles and processes they will use to meet nutrient reduction targets.
The farmers and the council will collaborate to achieve the sustainable nitrogen load by 2032, with 70% of the nitrogen reduction target for the catchment to be achieved by 2022.
*The Collective is made up of dairy farmers, drystock farmers and Te Arawa landowners within Lake Rotorua’s catchment.
More is at http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/farmers-agree-20-year-timeframe-restore-lake-rotorua/5/147693
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New North Otago Reserve Critically endangered plants and a rare limestone ecosystem have been protected by the purchase through the Nature Heritage Fund of a 20 hectare reserve at Gards Road, near Duntroon in the Waitaki Valley. The site, the first of its kind in the region, hosts a range of rare plants and it is also an important archaeological site with evidence of early Maori occupancy. The limestone beds boast a spectacular fossil record of dolphins.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/purchase-unique-north-otago-reserve-announced
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13 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Green Marketing – Hello Gen Y, Goodbye Baby Boomers Generation Y consumers (born 1977-1998) are replacing baby boomers (although boomers are still leading in many areas) as the key target age group for green marketers, says an article in the UK Guardian. The article goes on to say that the "born green" generation is more suspicious of corporations in general, and more eager to live a sustainable lifestyle, making them a perfect target for eco-branding messages.
More is at http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/blog/rise-generation-y-sustainable-marketplace
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Health & Welfare
New Workplace Health & Safety Agency The Government is going to establish a new, stand-alone workplace health and safety agency to work on improving this country’s workplace health and safety record. Setting up a stand-alone Crown Agent* was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy.
The new agency will enforce workplace health and safety regulations, and work with employers and employees to promote good workplace health and safety practices. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)’s workplace health and safety division will transfer to the new agency, which is expected to be up and running by December. Legislation is expected to be introduced to Parliament in June.
* A Crown Agent sits at arms-length from Ministers. This country’s other workplace health and safety regulators – the Civil Aviation Authority and Maritime NZ – are also Crown Agents.
For further information go to www.mbie.govt.nz/healthandsafety
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Reducing Surgical Site Infections: New Plan The Health Quality and Safety Commission is piloting a new patient safety programme involving monitoring, information sharing, and feedback, which aims to reduce surgical site infections.
Many infections at the site of surgery are preventable, but they are still the second most common healthcare associated infection. Currently 2-5% of patients undergoing surgical procedures develop these infections, which can have very serious consequences for both patients and health services.
Eight DHBs will be taking part in the pilot before the programme is rolled out nationally in July this year. In the first year of the programme hip and knee surgeries will be targeted.
More on the programme is at http://www.hqsc.govt.nz/news-and-events/news/793/, and more about surgical site infections is at http://www.hqsc.govt.nz/our-programmes/infection-prevention-and-control/projects/surgical-site-infection-surveillance/
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Sallies 2013 State of the Nation Report The 2013 State of the Nation Report (called “She’ll be Right”) identifies a mixture of success (improvements in 13 of 22 indicators it monitors) and failure in this country’s social progress over the past twelve months. While the report identifies significant positive progress in areas of pre-school education and crime and punishment, the performance in the areas of housing, child poverty, and youth employment are seen as less than satisfactory. Here are some of the larger movements:
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 14
Focus Indicator
Most Recent Result Annual Change
Children at risk Number of substantiated of cases of child abuse or neglect
21,125 –2.5%
Children and violence
Number of violent or sexual offences against children
5,517 +10.8%
Educational achievement
Gap between deciles 1–3 and deciles 8–10 schools in Year 11 Level 1 NCEA pass rates
28.4% +5.3%
Teenage pregnancy
Rate of pregnancy amongst 15 to 19 year-olds (pregnancies per 1,000 population)
44.1 –5.9
Overall crime All recorded offences as ratio of population (offences per 10,000 population)
8,923 –5.9%
Serious crime Recorded violent or sexual offences as a proportion of the population (per 10,000)
1,057 –6.8%
Incomes Average weekly wage/salary $1,043 +3.0%
Benefits and pensions
Total number of people receiving a benefit or pension
918,000 +2.1%
Living costs & food poverty
Annual number of food parcels distributed by The Salvation Army
54,594 +1.1%
Alcohol Availability of pure alcohol for consumption (litres per adult)
9.74 –6.2%
Drug-related crime
Number of recorded drug offences
22,052 +5.1%
Gambling Adult per capita spend on gambling
$619 +2.0%
The report is at http://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/uploads/file/20130211SPPUTSASotN2013Web.pdf
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Youth Mental Health & Social Media Funding A new fund has been established to support projects that improve youth mental health and emotional wellbeing using Facebook, Twitter, texting, and YouTube.
Five projects will each receive one-off grants totalling $100,000, from the overall fund of $2 million over four years.
They include a “mood diary” smart phone app developed by the Phobic Trust, a Youthline text-message counselling pilot, and a Zeal Voice binge drinking prevention programme.
A series of “LifeHack” weekends will be held in April 2013, where young people will team up with mental health experts, designers and developers, to co-create social media projects. The best ideas from each weekend will be supported by government and business to get them up and running.
A list of Social Media Innovation Fund grant recipients is at www.familyservices.govt.nz/SMIF. For more information about the Life Hack weekends visit www.lifehackhq.co
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15 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Pick Baby Feeding Bottles with Accurate Measures… According to the Ministries of Health and Consumer Affairs, some low-cost feeding bottles for babies sold in NZ have inaccurate markings, meaning some babies could be getting infant formula that is too concentrated. Some bottles overestimate the fluid volume by up to 40 percent. Formula that is too concentrated can cause babies to have problems like vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation.
There are accurate bottles, though. Bottles that state on the packaging that they comply with the EN14350 standard or have EN14350 stamped on the actual bottle should be accurate. This European standard requires bottles filled to the 100 ml mark to be accurate to within five percent.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1302/S00089/inaccurate-baby-feeding-bottles.htm
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… & Code of Practice for Marketing Infant Formula An updated voluntary Code of Practice applies to the marketing of infant formula products suitable for infants up to the age of six months. It also applies to all companies marketing infant formula in NZ that are represented by Infant Nutrition Council (INC). The code is based on the World Health Organisation's International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
The code of practice is at http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1302/INCCodeofPractice.pdf
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Infant Mortality at Record Low The number of infant deaths and the infant mortality rate were at record lows in 2012. A total of 256 infant deaths (under one year of age) were registered in NZ during this period, down from 290 in 2011. The infant mortality rate was 4.2 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2012, down from 4.7 in 2011 and 5.6 in 2002.
The lower infant mortality was due to a decrease in the number of Maori infants dying (82 in 2012, down from 123 the year before). The Maori post-neonatal mortality rate (infants aged four weeks and over) also dropped (in 2012 there were 2.5 post-neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births, down from 3.8 in 2011).
More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/births/BirthsAndDeaths_MRYeDec12.aspx
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Maternal & Child Health: New Resources A list of maternal and child health topics on the Ministry of Health’s website covers:
• nutrition and wellbeing during pregnancy;
• what to expect – finding your way around of the health system/how it works, including accessing a Lead Maternity Carer;
• maternal mental health – antenatal and postnatal;
• child growth and nutrition – promoting healthy eating, good nutrition and physical activity, immunisations, and feeding (breast/bottle/weaning); and
• child mental health and development – this covers infant and child mental health and attachment, child development and behaviour (including the developmental stages – what to expect).
More is at http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/life-stages/maternity-and-breastfeeding/maternal-and-child-health-resource-list
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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 16
The Economic Costs of Not Doing Exercise Physical inactivity is costing the country a fortune, according to a new joint local government study using an approach called full cost accounting (FCA*). The study shows that physical inactivity in the Auckland, Waikato, and Wellington regions - where about half the country’s population live - costs $648 million a year. So, for the whole country the estimated cost was about $1.3 billion in 2010, or 0.7% of total GDP.
Other findings from the study include:
• the costs of treating cardiovascular diseases attributed to physical inactivity are the highest and, of cardiovascular diseases, strokes are the costliest; and
• coronary heart disease had the highest indirect costs for all regions, followed by colorectal cancer in Wellington and Auckland (in Waikato, stroke was second highest).
*FCA is a type of accounting that looks at more than just economic measures. It also considers environmental and resource use effects, social/psychological effects (e.g., low self-esteem, reduction in civic participation), and cultural effects.
The report is at http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Costs-of-Physical-Inactivity
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Psychoactive Substances Bill This recently-introduced Bill would provide for:
• a regulator who would: oversee and approve/decline psychoactive substances*, issue a manufacturing code of practice and licences, and monitor the industry;
• offences and penalties for breaches with imprisonment for some offences, and fines of up to $500,000;
• restricted sales of products to people under 18; and
• establishment of an appeals committee.
*A psychoactive substance is a drug that can produce mood changes and distorted perceptions
The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2013/0100/latest/versions.aspx
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Mental Health & Addiction: Service: Report “Mental Health and Addiction: Service use 2009/10”: provides information on the care (service) provided between July 2009 and June 2010 (2009/10) by district health boards (DHBs) and non-government organisations to people with a mental illness or addiction. The main facts include:
• in 2009/10, 120,293 clients were seen by secondary mental health and addiction services (for example, psychiatry hospitals or specialist wards in general hospitals). The total number of clients seen increased by 8.1% from 2008/09;
• just over half (54%) of all clients seen were men;
• clients aged 15–24 years (youth) were most likely to be seen by secondary mental health and addiction services (3987.7 per 100,000 youth population);
• clients identifying themselves as Maori made up 22.4% of all clients seen. For Pacific peoples, this figure was 5.5% and 3.2% identified themselves as Asian;
• clients living in the most deprived areas were 2.7 times more likely to be seen by mental health and addiction services than clients living in the least deprived areas; and
• community teams saw more clients than any other team type.
More is at http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/mental-health-and-addiction-service-use-2009-10 (note: the report itself is only available as a soft copy)
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17 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card People are eligible for the Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card programme once they have collected 20 new prescription items (which now cost $5 each) from 1 February 2013. Family members, living in the same household, can pool their prescription items to reach this total. Once you receive your card, you do not have to pay any additional prescription charges until 1 February the following year.
By using the card, no-one will pay more than $100 on prescription charges in any one year.
It is easier if people use the same pharmacy regularly for their prescription items, but if they visit a different pharmacy, they can keep the receipts for any prescription items and have them added to their record at their regular pharmacy. Alternatively, people can collect all their prescription receipts and when they get to 20 new prescription items, take the receipts into any pharmacy and ask for a Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card.
More about prescription charges and the Pharmaceutical Subsidy Card is at www.health.govt.nz/medications or ask your pharmacist
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Adult Palliative Care Services in NZ: New Resource This is a resource for district health boards (DHBs) that describes the levels of palliative care* required in NZ. Its aim is to help funders and policy makers, plan and purchase accessible palliative care services of a good standard.
*Palliative care is an area of healthcare that focuses on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients. Unlike hospice care, palliative medicine is appropriate for patients in all disease stages, including those undergoing treatment for curable illnesses and those living with chronic diseases, as well as patients who are nearing the end of life.
The resource is at http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/resource-and-capability-framework-integrated-adult-palliative-care-services-new-zealand
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New Support Services for Canterbury Men Christchurch Women’s Refuge has received two separate grants from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) for services if offers to men.
The first will enable the refuge to sustain and expand ReachOut, the pioneering early intervention men’s service it has provided in North Canterbury for the past year, enabling it to begin extending into Christchurch. ReachOut male family violence specialists make contact with men who have been named on Police Incident Reports in North Canterbury, and offer individual support as well as help to make possible access to family support, specialist education programmes and other agencies. Men are also referred from other agencies, such as the Probation Service, and also seek help directly through the 0800 ReachOut telephone helpline, which is how the service will operate in Christchurch.
The second grant from DIA will fund a research project exploring potential temporary accommodation options for men who have been required by a Police Safety Order (PSO) or Protection Order to leave the home, or who have chosen to leave in order to prevent escalating violence.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1302/S00557/new-funding-secures-support-services-for-men.htm. For any concerns related to family violence in Christchurch, please call ReachOut on 0800 REACH OUT (0800 73224 688) or Christchurch Women's Refuge on 0800 1 REFUGE (0800 1 733 843).For concerns in other areas call the women’s refuge in your area check for the number in your telephone directory. In an emergency always call 111
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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 18
Family Violence: Some Useful Websites The following websites contain information that may be useful to you and your family:
• the Are You Ok -www.areyouok.org.nz website is full of information and support services contacts for families experiencing violence;
• for family and community services go to www.familyservices.govt.nz - it has a directory of social services in your local community;
• the Ministry of Justice, at www.justice.govt.nz, has information about protection orders;
• the National Network of Stopping Violence Services at www.nnsvs.org.nz has a directory of services nearest you; and
• for Women's Refuge go to www.womensrefuge.org.nz
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Soft Drink: NZers’ Consumption… When asked about soft drink consumption, people completing a Southern Cross Health Society survey of over 2000 NZers found that:
• the average consumption of soft drink in NZ is two servings per week;
• males drink more soft drink than females; and
• the largest consumers per week are those NZers aged under 40 years, and those with a household income of $70,000-$100,000.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1302/S00027/soft-drink-consumption-survey.htm
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… & Sports Sponsorship/Unhealthy Food Links Public health researchers from the University of Otago, Wellington (UOW) reviewed the websites of 308 NZ sports organisations covering 58 sports, and found that a quarter of websites had links to sponsors.
The sponsors were classified as healthy or unhealthy using the NZ Food and Beverage Classification System nutrient measures for energy, fat, salt, and fibre levels, and the study found that a third of food/beverage companies sponsoring sport could be classified as unhealthy.
There was a lot of variation between sports: rugby had 23% of brands and logos linked to unhealthy food, whereas netball had only 1% linked to unhealthy food.
The study also found that some sponsors continued to target children with additional marketing activities. This was also developed through access to regional clubs and youth players, where sponsors provided them with product samples, merchandise and vouchers for purchasing more of the product.
The researchers say that healthy food and beverage brands also sponsor sport, with rugby again coming out on top with 21% of logos linked to healthy foods and cricket next highest at 5%.
A press release is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1302/S00069/food-fizzy-and-football-unhealthy-food-and-drink-promoted.htm
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19 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Check Coal/Gas/Wood Appliances Now - for Later The Health Protection Agency HPA is advising people to have their fossil fuel and wood burning appliances – things like boilers, heaters, and cookers – and their flues checked by a registered engineer before the winter sets in.
Remember that rooms in which appliances are used need to be adequately ventilated.
While carbon monoxide (CO) is difficult to detect (it’s colourless and tasteless), certain things can suggest a fault with domestic appliances or flues: black sooty marks on the radiants (the bars above the gas flames) of gas fires, sooty marks on the wall around, or yellow instead of blue flames from gas appliances.
Symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, chest pains, nausea, and vomiting. The symptoms of people mildly poisoned are reversed when they breathe non-contaminated air, or are provided with 100% oxygen, but people severely affected can collapse.
More is at http://www.hpa.org.uk/NewsCentre/NationalPressReleases/2012PressReleases/121119Reducingtheriskofcarbonmonoxidepoisoning/
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Be a Health & Disability Commissioner Advisor The role of the Health and Disability Commissioner’s Advisory Group is to provide advice and feedback to the Commissioner on: how to handle consumer complaints about health and disability services; improving the quality of health and disability services; public interest issues; and promotion and education. Applicants need to have a working knowledge of and/or personal experience of the health or disability sector as a consumer.
Applications close 8 March 2013. Call 0800 112233 or 09 373 1025 or email [email protected]
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Impact of Synthetic Chemicals on Our Hormone System Many synthetic chemicals, untested for their disrupting effects on the hormone system, could have significant health implications according to the “State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals”, a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The joint study calls for more research to understand fully the association between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) - found in many household and industrial products - and specific diseases and disorders. The report notes that with better assessments and better testing methods, potential disease risks could be reduced, with substantial savings to public health.
A summary of the report is at www.unep.org/pdf/EDCs_Summary_for_DMs _Jan24.pdf and www.who.int/phe
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Education/Training
NCEA Level 2 Achievement Awareness Campaign In attempting new qualifications while undertaking tertiary study, many students are also completing NCEA – often at Level 2 (which has become an important and well regarded qualification, and is often a necessary requirement for the entry level of many jobs).
The NZ Qualifications Authority (NZQA) wants to make sure that people who have successfully gained NCEA through further study and workplace training are aware of their achievement. It is therefore encouraging students who didn’t get NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3 at school, but who have since gained more credits while undertaking other study, to get in contact so NZQA can confirm whether or not they have also successfully gained an NCEA qualification.
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 20
Students can contact NZQA on 0800 697 296 or [email protected] to discuss their record of achievement if they think they may have gained further credits towards NCEA achievement, or if still studying, they can also discuss this with their education provider
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IHC & Disabled Children’s Rights at School In 2008, IHC Advocacy lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission. It argued that disabled children experience discrimination due to barriers to enrolment, access to the curriculum and participation in school life when compared with the experience of their non-disabled peers. The complaint was accepted in late 2011 by the Office of Human Rights Proceedings, the body that decides whether they will give legal support to a case, and was filed in the Human Rights Review Tribunal in November 2012. The complaint is taken under Article 24 of the Convention, which cover the right to a quality education in the local community.
We’ll keep you posted.
More is at http://www.ihc.org.nz/items/ihc-hot-issues-february-2013/?utm_source=IHC+hot+issues+mail+list&utm_campaign=2a0535d445-Hot_Issues_February_2013&utm_medium=email#IHC
What are these Rights? Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities outlines what education rights mean. It includes the right to a quality, inclusive education in the local community, and life-long learning.
Section 2 of the Article specifies:
• persons with disabilities can access an inclusive, quality and free primary education and secondary education on an equal basis with others in the communities in which they live;
• reasonable accommodation of the individual’s requirements is provided;
• persons with disabilities receive the support required, within the general education system, to facilitate their effective education; and
• effective individualised support measures are provided in environments that maximise academic and social development, consistent with the goal of full inclusion.
The convention is at http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml
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Kohanga Reo Trust: Independent Advisor Appointed A former deputy Prime Minister and Attorney-General has been appointed as an independent advisor to the Kohanga Reo National Trust. The move follows last year’s Waitangi Tribunal report, Matua Rautia: the report on the kohanga reo claim.
The advisor will work with both the trust and the Crown to raise the educational achievement of Maori children, encourage the use of te reo Maori, and strengthen the kohanga reo movement to promote identity, language and culture.
The three will also focus on development of new policy, funding and regulations specific to Kohanga Reo, and the progression of a Kohanga Reo Bill.
Kohanga reo has more than 9,000 children enrolled – 5% of all the children enrolled in early learning in NZ.
A release is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/appointment-independent-advisor-k%C5%8Dhanga-reo
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21 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Good Uptake: Fonterra Milk for Schools Programme As of late February, more than half of the country’s eligible schools have expressed interest in Fonterra Milk for Schools. More than 1100 schools, representing about 191,000 kids, have registered their interest in the nationwide programme which will provide free milk to primary-aged children every school day. This is on top of the more than 110 schools already participating in Northland. Expressions of interest have come from a range of schools across all deciles from throughout the country.
The programme starts in Southland towards the end of Term 1 with Christchurch following a few weeks after. It’s expected by the end of Term 1 2014 all schools who want to take part in the programme will have access to milk every school day.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1302/S00824/fonterra-milk-for-schools-attracts-plenty-of-interest.htm
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Increase in Prisoner Education Two thousand prisoners are to be enrolled in an education programme leading to NCEA qualifications over the next two years, as a result of a new partnership between Corrections and the Open Polytechnic. As part of the “Get ahead with NCEA” programme, offenders will receive two hours of coaching a week on top of eight hours of distance learning. And, they will be able to study for an Open Polytechnic Certificate in Career and Self Development, a National Certificate in Employment Skills, a Certificate in Work and Life Skills, and NCEA Levels 1 and 2.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/increase-prisoner-education-reduce-crime
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Website for International Students in NZ A new website has been developed to provide advice and support for international students in NZ. It is described as a “one-stop shop” where the students can get information about their employment rights and responsibilities, health and safety in the workplace, work conditions attached to student visas, and settlement resources.
The site is at www.nzstudywork.com
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Broadband Access Bridges Educational Divides: UN A recently released United Nations report, “Technology, Broadband and Education: Advancing the Education for All Agenda”, argues that access to high-speed technologies over fixed platforms (computer-based) and mobile platforms (e.g., Android smartphones) can help students acquire the digital skills required to participate in the global economy and contribute to ensure their employability once they finish their studies.
According to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimates, the digital divide remains deep despite rapid technological advances. At the end of 2012, there were nearly 2.5 billion people using the Internet. However, only a quarter of these people are located in the developing world. There are also big inequalities in the cost of broadband, which in 17 countries still represents more than the average person’s monthly salary.
The report found that in developed countries, about 93% of 15 year olds have access to the Internet at school, with a ratio of eight students per computer. In contrast, only 3% of schools have Internet access in Kenya, and the ratio of computers is one for every 150 schoolchildren in most African countries.
More is at http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44220&Cr=&Cr1=#.USvmXh1miSo
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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 22
Employment
Occupation Outlook Report The Occupation Outlook Report, a report by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), examines 40 selected occupations to help students and parents better understand what jobs are needed in NZ. The report assesses future prospects for each occupation, as well as detailed information on where and what to study, income, and fees. The sorts of occupations covered include accountants, advertising and marketing professionals, bus and coach drivers, chefs, hairdressers, lawyers, sales reps, electricians, farmers and farm managers etc.
More is at http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/lmr/occupational-outlook/index.asp
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Housing/Building
New Social Housing Units Funded Government grants of $3.11 million have been given to help build 26 new social housing units in Auckland, Nelson, and Canterbury. These are the first grants from the new $104 million Social Housing Fund to assist families with acute housing needs.
The successful community housing organisations are VisionWest Community Trust in West Auckland, the Nelson Tasman Housing Trust, and ComCare Charitable Trust in Canterbury. These organisations will contribute $3.87 million of their own money, resulting in nearly $7 million in new housing developments.
The Social Housing Unit, which is responsible for allocating grants from the Social Housing Fund, will open another funding round later this month.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/3m-boost-social-housing
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Housing Design Advice Service for Canterbury People Enable NZ* has received $99,000 to provide advice to Canterbury people planning to re-build or renovate their earthquake damaged homes. It’s expected the service will be particularly useful for older people and people with disabilities.
Enable advisors will provide information on housing plans designed to be made accessible in the future with little or no additional cost, as well as equipment and modification services that will allow people to remain independent in their own homes.
*Enable NZ delivers a range of services for older people and disabled people. The services are contracted by the Ministry of Health, ACC and some District Health Boards.
Call 0800 ENABLE (0800 362253) for over-the-phone advice or to make an appointment to meet an advisor
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23 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
White Roofs Could Counter Urban “Heat Islands” Heat absorbed by black pavement and buildings in urban areas creates "urban heat islands," and large islands can affect the pattern of local jet streams during winter, according to computer-generated climate modelling done by scientists at the University of California, San Diego.
White roofs could help deal with the effect of these islands because they lower the surface temperatures of buildings. However, the reflective roofs could also affect rainfall, according to the researchers.
More is at http://www.theinternational.org/articles/332-scientists-confirm-urban-heat-islands-fa
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Energy
EECA’s Energywise Home Insulation Subsidies Energywise funding is available to help you insulate your home through the insulation programme “Warm Up NZ: Heat Smart”.
Find out more at http://www.energywise.govt.nz/funding-available
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Solar Generating100 GW Worldwide; Wind Up 20% For the first time, global solar electricity generation exceeded 100 gigawatts (GW). Globally, solar plants generate an equivalent amount of electricity as about 16 mid-sized nuclear plants.
Wind energy had a good year too, now standing at 282 GW worldwide according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). The industry grew 20% last year, adding 45 GW.
China has 77 GW installed, followed by the US (60 GW), Germany (31 GW), Spain (23 GW), and the UK (8.5 GW).
More is at: http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/24559?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Enewsletter&utm_campaign=E-Newsletter%202012#sthash.fJaQykFb.dpuf
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Transport & Travel
Vehicle Licensing: Changes Coming Changes to NZ’s warrant of fitness (WoF) system will see annual inspections for cars registered after 2000. The main changes to the transport rules are:
• an initial inspection for new cars, followed by annual inspections once vehicles are three years old;
• annual inspections for vehicles three years and older and first registered on or after 1 January 2000;
• six-monthly inspections for vehicles first registered before 1 January 2000;
• information and education to increase people’s awareness of regular vehicle maintenance; and
• extra Police enforcement activities.
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 24
The changes will be made in 2013, with the new inspection requirements planned to begin on 1 July 2014 (although there is flexibility for an earlier start).
Find out more about the changes at http://www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/Land/Pages/VehicleLicensingReform-QuestionsandAnswers.aspx
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Five Million Faces @ Smartgate SmartGate, Customs’ automated passenger processing system, recently reached a new milestone of over five million users. The system, which was introduced at airports in December 2009, has become increasingly popular, with over 65 percent of those eligible now using SmartGate to go through passport control faster.
The system uses advanced software to compare a person’s face with the digital photo in their ePassport chip through biometric identification (the automatic identification of people by using their physiological and behavioural characteristics).
Customs is looking at improving departures via SmartGate by removing the need for passengers to get a ticket at a kiosk first, so making it a one-step process. A “next generation” SmartGate Plus, which scans passports at the gate, will be trialled later this year. Back to top
Commerce Commission on Wellington International Airport’s Profits The Commerce Commission has released a draft report on how well regulations covering the amount of information that needs to be disclosed by each of the airports that are regulated (Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch) are working. Its recent draft report on Wellington’s airport says that the way the information disclosing system is working is generally promoting new systems, quality, and efficient pricing effectively. However, the Commission considers that the regulations have not been effective in limiting Wellington airport’s ability to extract excessive profits.
The Commission says that Wellington airport is likely to recover between $38 million and $69 million more from consumers between 2012 and 2017 than it needs in order to make a reasonable return. It thinks a reasonable return is around 7.1% to 8.0%; Wellington Airport’s expected return is 12.3% to 15.2%. The airport is challenging this draft report.
More is at http://www.comcom.govt.nz/media-releases/detail/2013/commerce-commission-final-report-on-wellington-international-airport-points-to-excessive-profits
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Tarawhiti Region’s Economic Potential/Transport Needs: Study The Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is going to work with local authorities in the Tairawhiti Region* to study the region’s economic potential over the next 30 years, and the appropriate transport system needed to service that growth. The next step is to draw up terms of reference for the study.
*Gisborne, Wairoa, Napier, and Hastings
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-and-tairawhiti-leaders-join-forces
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25 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Justice/The Law
Official Information Act Cover Extended The Government has officially responded to recommendations within the Law Commission’s recent review of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) and the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA). The Commission’s recommendations that the Government has decided to proceed with are:
• extending the OIA to the administrative functions of the courts, including information about spending, resources, and statistical information about court cases;
• supporting improved education and guidance from the Office of the Ombudsman – the independent authority that investigates complaints about release of official information, provides advice to government agencies, and investigates whether people have been treated fairly and reasonably by these agencies;
• introducing new protections for commercial information and clarifying how the legislation applies to commercially sensitive information; and
• introducing protections for third-party information and other issues related to the Privacy Act.
However, the Government has decided not to proceed with another of the Commission’s main recommendations: extending the coverage of the Act to include Parliament.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/collins-outlines-plan-improve-oia-law and at http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/8263257/Information-act-to-cover-court-aspects
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… & Information Sharing Bills Pass Final Reading Legislation to improve information sharing between agencies that deliver public services has passed its final reading in Parliament. The new laws aim clarify and improve the rules around how government agencies share personal information, while ensuring safeguards are in place to protect individual privacy.
The Privacy Act will be amended to allow new information sharing agreements between government agencies, and between government agencies and non-government organisations that deliver public services. The changes also enable agencies (such as medical professionals, social workers, Police, Civil Defence and others) to share personal information to address serious threats to public health or safety, or when a person’s life or health is threatened. Previously a threat had to be both “serious and imminent”.
In earlier stages of the Parliamentary process, this legislation was known as the Privacy (Information Sharing) Bill, but it was split into three Bills during the recent Committee of the Whole House stage: the Privacy Amendment Bill, the Tax Administration Amendment Bill, and the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Amendment Bill. The two latter Bills clear the way for the Inland Revenue Department and the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) to use approved information sharing agreements.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/bills-improve-and-safeguard-information-sharing-passed
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How Effectively Do the Police Enforce Drink Driving Laws? This is the central question answered in a recent OAG (Office of the Auditor-general) report, “New Zealand Police: Enforcing drink-driving laws.” The OAG says trends in breath-testing and indicators of reduced alcohol-impaired driving suggest that their enforcement work has had a positive effect.
The office found strengths in the way that Police carry out their enforcement work: the Police have a clear national strategy that officers understand well; this strategy is based on, and supported by, international research on deterring and detecting drink drivers; and officers strictly enforcing drink-driving laws - using consistent processes for testing drivers, and dealing with offenders and treating those apprehended with dignity and respect. Police officers use local knowledge, experience, and professional judgement to react to changing circumstances and priorities.
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 26
However, the OAG also found a need for Police to improve their assessment, measurement, and reporting of their enforcement work. OAG recommends that Police develop a clear and consistent set of national indicators to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of their drink-driving enforcement work.
The report can be found at http://oag.govt.nz/reports/2013/drink-driving
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Welfare Fraud Measures Three new ways of preventing and detecting welfare fraud, and catching people who commit it, have been announced.
The first is to amend the Social Security Act to create a new offence targeting partners or spouses of beneficiaries who are convicted of relationship fraud (which cost about $20 million last year). This will target about 700 such cases per year. Under the proposed amendments:
• fraud debt could be split across both partners;
• partners could face a fine of up to $5,000 or 12 months in jail; and
• the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) would have greater powers to seize assets owned or jointly owned by a spouse or partner.
The second is to introduce new ways of working with beneficiaries who have previously been dishonest with MSD (called “low-trust clients”). New measures for these clients (last year 714 people were convicted of welfare fraud, totalling $23.4 million) include:
• requiring them to access some or all services face-to-face;
• requiring extra verification of papers or evidence they provide; and
• redirecting part of their benefit directly to pay bills.
The third new measure is to formalise information sharing links between ACC, Inland Revenue, Housing NZ Corporation, NZ Police, and MSD. Together, these agencies will look at options such as targeting people of concern to several agencies, or running joint investigations.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/20_Feb_Welfare_Fraud_Full_Initiatives.pdf
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New Criminal Procedure Coming In July 2013, the final stage of Criminal Procedure Act 2011 will come into force. The changes aim to make the court system more timely, efficient and easy to understand – for all court users including victims, witnesses, and jurors.
Some of main changes are:
• reducing the number of offence categories to four;
• a defendant being able elect a jury trial if the offence carries a maximum penalty of two or more years imprisonment (currently, its 3 months or more imprisonment);
• increased flexibility to continue with jury trials when jury numbers fall to ten;
• having clearly defined grounds for granting of name suppression provided in statute (currently, there is broad discretion when it comes to granting name suppression); and
• changing the current paper-based technology for managing information in the courts to one that relies on modern technology (e.g., electronic filing of charges in courts).
The Ministry of Justice has put together resources explaining the changes and what they mean. These can be found at http://www.justice.govt.nz/courts/modernising-courts/new-criminal-procedure
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27 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Rangatahi Courts on Marae: An Initial Evaluation Nga Kooti Rangatahi (Marae-based courts for young Maori offenders) were recently evaluated for the first time.
The purpose of these courts is to deliver justice, and link Rangatahi/youth with their culture and the local Maori community. The system was set up because of serious concern about the disproportionate involvement of young Maori in the Youth Justice system and the rate of reoffending. The Rangatahi Court works within NZ’s existing legal system, using marae as a venue for the court and tikanga Maori as an approach.
The evaluators noted that participating agencies had assigned senior/experienced personnel to key roles within the courts (e.g., child, Youth and Family (CYF) supervisors, police prosecutors, court managers). They often had many years of experience with youth justice, and were generally acutely aware of the limited impact that traditional courts have had in addressing the needs and offending behaviour of this group of youth.
The marae venue was observed to establish a strengths-based process; rangatahi developed a stronger sense of cultural identity and self-identity, and left court with a better sense of purpose and a positive attitude.
Rangatahi who were identified as “success cases” shared some things in common: they had stable living arrangements; they were engaged in some form of education or training; they had active and innovative lay advocates and social workers; and their whanau had strong support from service providers.
More is at http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/r/rangatahi-court-evaluation-of-the-early-outcomes-of-te-kooti-rangatahi/publication
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Prisoner GPS Monitoring Extended GPS monitoring of offenders is to be extended to include prisoners on release-to-work schemes (when prisoners work in industries within a short distance of the prison). Low security prisoners will be electronically tracked while travelling between prisons and their workplace, as well as on the job.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/gps-monitoring-release-work-prisoners
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Young Offenders Unit in Hawkes Bay A 30-bed Young Offenders Unit has been opened at Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison. It will deliver a more structured approach to dealing under-20- year- olds, who will be required to take part in a daily routine which will include education, vocational training, and rehabilitative programmes.
A release is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/structured-approach-young-prisoners
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Parliament
A Constitution Website for All The Constitutional Advisory Panel is seeking submissions from the public about NZ’s constitutional arrangements in the first half of 2013. It recently launched a website to encourage all NZers to be part of the Constitution conversation. The website features resources and a submission guide. The guide includes questions about electoral matters, the role of the Bill of Rights Act 1990, and the place of the Treaty of Waitangi in our constitution. The Panel is also asking NZers to consider what their hopes and aspirations are for Aotearoa NZ and how they want our country to be run in the future. A submission form is included.
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 28
Other resources include postcards, factsheets, booklets, and short videos, a facilitator’s guide, quizzes and suggested activities for community groups, to enable them to host their own constitution conversations. An online bibliography provides a range of expert opinions on NZ’s constitution.
The Constitutional Advisory Panel will be meeting with groups around NZ over the next six months to listen to views about NZ’s constitution and to encourage people to make submissions. It will deliver its final report to Ministers by the end of 2013.
A reminder that submissions on the Constitution Conversation close in July 2013 and can be made online at www.ourconstitution.org.nz, and by post or email. You can find out more about the Panels work at www.cap.govt.nz and www.ourconstitution.org.nz, where all resources can be downloaded. You can also order printed resources by calling 0508 411 411
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Selection Process Underway: Youth Parliament 2013 The selection process for Youth Parliament 2013is underway; young people aged 16-18 are invited to contact their local MP and apply to represent their community. Held every parliamentary term, the upcoming Youth Parliament takes place on 16 and 17 July. It gives 121 young people the opportunity to debate legislation, sit on select committees, and ask oral questions of Cabinet Ministers.
As well as representing their community at Youth Parliament in July, Youth MPs will hold their position from 1 May to 31 December 2013. During this time, it is expected they will actively engage with their community to gain an understanding of the ideas and concerns of youth in the area.
As well, young aspiring political journalists, aged 16-24, also have the opportunity to contribute to the important role of the media in government. Ten Youth Press Gallery members are to be selected by the Parliamentary Press Gallery to report on the events of Youth Parliament 2013.
More information on becoming a Youth MP or Youth Press Gallery member, is available on the Youth Parliament website www.youthparliament.govt.nz
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Labour Portfolios & Rankings • 1 David Shearer – Leader, Security Intelligence Service, Science and Innovation;
• 2 Grant Robertson - Deputy Leader, Employment, Skills and Training, Arts, Culture and Heritage;
• 3 David Parker – Finance, Attorney-General;
• 4 Jacinda Ardern - Social Development, Children, Associate Arts Culture and Heritage;
• 5 Clayton Cosgrove – SOEs, Commerce, Trade Negotiations, Associate Finance;
• 6 Annette King – Health;
• 7 (Pending final Auditor General’s Report) Shane Jones - Regional Development, Forestry, Associate Finance;
• 8 Phil Twyford – Housing, Auckland Issues, Associate Environment;
• 9 Maryan Street - Environment, Disarmament and Arms Control, Associate Foreign Affairs;
• 10 Chris Hipkins – Education, Senior Whip;
• 11 Nanaia Mahuta - Youth Affairs, Maori Development, Associate Education ( Maori);
• 12 David Clark - Economic Development, Small Business;
• 13 Sue Moroney – ACC, Early Childhood Education, Women’s Affairs;
• 14 Su’a William Sio - Local Government, Pacific Island Affairs, Inter Faith Dialogue, Associate Foreign Affairs;
• 15 Phil Goff - Foreign Affairs & Trade, State Services, Defence;
• 16 Darien Fenton - Junior Whip, Labour (incl. Health and Safety), Immigration, Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage;
• 17 Damien O’Connor - Primary Industries, Food Safety;
• 18 Clare Curran - Communications and Information Technology Broadcasting, Open Government, Associate Economic Development;
29 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
• 19 Andrew Little – Justice, Tourism; and
• 20 Megan Woods - Tertiary Education, Associate Science and Innovation, and Associate Transport (Christchurch). Back to top
Pacific Parliamentary Forum New Zealand will host a Pacific Parliamentary Forum from 18-23 April 2013. It is being billed as an opportunity for Pacific politicians and leaders, and NZ Members of Parliament, to strengthen their networks in the region. The Wellington forum will focus on promoting regional cooperation, stronger governance, and building networks between leaders across the region.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1302/S00250/new-zealand-parliament-to-host-a-pacific-parliamentary-forum.htm
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Royal Succession Bill to be Introduced Legislation will be introduced to Parliament to clear the way for changes to laws dictating the line of succession to the throne. The Royal Succession Bill allows an elder daughter to precede a younger son in the line of succession, meaning the order of succession to the throne will no longer be based on gender.
The new laws will apply to any children in the Royal line of succession born after 28 October 2011. This means the change will apply to the child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, due to be born in July.
They will also allow a person married to a Roman Catholic to become King or Queen. Currently, prospective heirs who are married to Catholics are disqualified from succession. However, they will not allow a Catholic to accede to the throne. Rules which require the Sovereign to swear an oath to maintain the Protestant religion will remain unchanged.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/royal-succession-bill-be-introduced
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Public Service/Local Authorities
Mighty River Power Ownership: Supreme Court Decision The Maori Council recently appealed a High Court Decision dismissing its claim that restructuring ownership of Mighty River Power was contrary to section 9 of the State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986 and section 45Q of the Public Finance Act 1989, both of which prevent the Crown acting inconsistently with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The appeal went to the Supreme Court. This Court accepted that the sale will provide some impediment to reparation for Treaty claims in relation to the waters subject to water permits held by Mighty River Power. It then applied the test adopted by the Privy Council Broadcasting Assets case: that the Crown proposals will be inconsistent with the principles of the Treaty if they will “impair, to a material extent, the Crown’s ability to take the reasonable action which it is under an obligation to undertake in order to comply with the principles of the Treaty”.
The five judges unanimously concluded that the partial privatisation of Mighty River Power will not impair to a material extent the Crown’s ability to remedy any Treaty breach in respect of Maori interests in water, and the appeal of the Maori Council was dismissed.
The Court also held that the consultation which followed the Waitangi Tribunal’s urgent Freshwater Report was not shown to be inadequate.
However, it rejected the contention of the Crown that the Treaty compliance provision under section 45Q had no application to the sale of shares. It said that all Crown actions in relation to the ownership of mixed ownership model companies are subject to section 45Q.
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 30
Background The Waitangi Tribunal, in an urgent interim determination, found that Maori at 1840 had interests in water in the nature of ownership. It recommended that Crown and Maori should consult on how Maori interests and the Treaty guarantee of Maori authority in relation to their properties could be provided through shares in Mighty River Power with amplified rights.
Following this finding the NZ Maori Council, and others went to the High Court where it sought declarations that the proposed Crown actions were contrary to section 45Q (Public Finance Act) and section 9 (SOE Act). Its claim was dismissed. It then appealed to the Supreme Court, and was granted leave to bring the appeal directly to the Court because of the urgency in finalising the public offering of shares. The Supreme Court’s press Stop Press: pre-registration for Mighty River shares opened on 5 March 2013. The Government says the share offer system has been designed to discourage those outside NZ from participating. The share offer period itself is expected to open in mid-April and run for three weeks. To buy shares Kiwis would have to invest at least $1000, and they’d be guaranteed at least up to $2000 worth of shares.
The release is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1302/S00285/judgment-nz-maori-council-and-others-v-attorney-general.htm. The full text of the judgment and reasons is at Judicial Decisions of Public Interest www.courtsofnz.govt.nz
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Single Government ICT Contract Awarded Wellington company SilverStripe has won the contract for developing a single web platform for government agencies. A web platform is the underlying system which allows an agency to create and deliver websites. It’s said that having one common platform will enable government departments to share and reuse website features, thereby improving consistency and efficiency, and lowering costs.
More is at http://ict.govt.nz/programme/rethink-online/implementing-rethink-online/common-web-services/platform
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MBIE Wins Mobile Broadband Spectrum Award The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has received the 2013 Spectrum for Mobile Broadband Award at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The panel commented that NZ demonstrated the highest achieving strategy in ensuring the transparent and stable long-term ability to meet increasing spectrum demand.
The award also recognised the Government’s support for increased investment in mobile coverage through the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI).
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/world-class-spectrum-management-regime-recognised
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31 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Not-For-Profits
Social Enterprise Survey Results A survey run by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) indicates that social enterprises in this country are operating in a wide range of industries, have a range of approaches to supporting their many and varied missions, and serve many different types of beneficiaries.
For the purposes of the survey, “social enterprise” was defined as an organisation which has a social, cultural, or environmental mission, gets a big part of its income from trade, and reinvests the majority of its profit/surplus in the fulfilment of its mission.
The survey showed most social enterprises trade in their local area and focus on benefiting families, young people, and other social groups, although around 15% focus on environmental causes.
Other highlights from the survey:
• most social enterprises work in education and training (43%), social assistance services (22%), recreation and sport (17%), and arts and heritage (15%);
• charitable trusts make up 53% of organisations in the sector; 37% are incorporated societies, and 7% limited liability companies;
• around five percent of the organisations that responded to the survey are affiliated with Maori authorities;
• in addition to income from sales, government contracts provide significant income for 40% of the organisations (grants and donations are also important); and
• around 65 percent of the organisations felt they could benefit from external advice, particularly with developing marketing strategies and training in management skills.
Challenges faced by the sector include a more difficult trading environment caused by the economic downturn, and the need for funding to support development and growth. Other issues include changing market conditions; increased competition; demographic changes; availability and capability of workers; compliance costs; governance and management issues; and lack of capacity for growth.
A copy of the report summarising the survey findings is at http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Resource-material-Our-Policy-Advice-Areas-Community-Development-Policy?OpenDocument#survey
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Changes to Financial Reporting for Charities: Free Workshops There are changes ahead for charities - new financial reporting standards are being proposed, and are likely to take effect in the 2015 financial year. Once these are finalised, registered charities will have a new template for filing annual returns (see below). These will be required to keep your charitable status, and they will include some non-financial reporting on progress with fulfilling your charitable aims.
The Department of Internal Affairs’ Charities team, the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, the External Reporting Board (XRB), and Angoa have teamed up to run free workshops to explain these new proposals, and how they could affect your charity. The workshops are held throughout the country, from 1 March to the end of May, and are for three hours (morning or afternoon).
More, including dates, venues and registration details, is at http://www.charities.govt.nz/news/events/free-seminars-for-charities-how-to-make-a-submission-on-the-proposed-new-accounting-standards/
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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 32
… Templates for NFP Financial Reports… The NZ Accounting Standards Board (NZASB) has also developed two “fill-in-the-box” type reporting templates for not-for-profits (NFPs). One reflects the requirements of the draft simple format accrual standard*; and one reflects the requirements of the draft simple format cash standard. They use an excel workbook with the various parts of the performance report automatically linked. Each template is accompanied by a set of notes explaining how to complete it.
*Accrual accounting is an accounting method that measures the performance and position of a company by recognising economic events regardless of when cash transactions occur.
The templates are at http://www.xrb.govt.nz/Site/Accounting_Standards/Exposure_Drafts/NFP_Simple_Format_Reporting_EDs.aspx More on the reporting standards required is at http://xrb.govt.nz/Site/Accounting_Standards/Exposure_Drafts/Proposals_for_SFR_Stds_for_NFP_Entities.aspx
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…& Mentors Sought to Assist NGO Planning The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has opened a register for mentors to assist MSD-funded organisations in assessing, planning, and putting in place capability plans. Capability mentors are people with proven skills and experience in supporting and coaching community organisations to develop the organisational capabilities characteristic of strong, adaptable and smoothly running organisations.
The register is listed as closing on 14 March 2013, but it will remain open longer. More about the register and about applying is available on the GETS (Government tendering) site at http://www.socialdevelopment.org.nz/government-relationships/can-you-offer-mentoring-in-organisational-capability/
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Business
Single Electronic “Window” For Importers & Exporters A single “electronic window” for goods to pass safely through NZ’s border will be introduced in stages from April by Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
The Joint Border Management System will eventually provide a single electronic point of contact – the Trade Single Window – through which the import and export industry can deal directly with government agencies for customs and biosecurity requirements. It would also enable Customs and MPI to more effectively manage risks for goods crossing the border.
Companies will be able to submit a single application to both Customs and MPI to lodge import declarations. And they will be able to do so directly, not through a third party as they do now.
Customs and MPI are also working on a plan to join up MPI’s animal products and plant export certification systems in Trade Single Window.
Details are at www.customs.govt.nz/features/bordersector/jbms/Pages/default.aspx
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Making the Right Choices in Cloud Computing - Business Guidelines The Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) recently published a guideline for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMEs), to help them protect personal information when using cloud computing. Cloud computing is Internet-based storage, resources, software and information that is provided to computers and other devices on-demand (instead of using software installed on an individual computer).
The guidelines include a list setting out the most important questions for SMEs to think about, and ask prospective cloud providers about. These questions include:
33 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
• What information will you be sending to the cloud? (Some types of information are more sensitive or risky than other types of information);
• Will your cloud provider tell you if there's a security breach, or if the information is accessed by anyone other than you?
• Where will the information be stored? Some countries may not protect the information as strongly as you would like.
• Can you get the information back - quickly - if you want it?
• Will the cloud provider delete the information if you decide to move service, or if you don't need it any more?
The Guideline is at http://privacy.org.nz/assets/Files/Brochures-and-pamphlets-and-pubs/OPC-Cloud-Computing-guidance-February-2013.pdf
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Investment & Innovation Needed for Food Export Growth More investment and more new processed foods will be needed to double NZ food exports by 2025 according to a new report called “Driving Growth in the Processed Foods Sector.”
To double export sales in the food sector by 2025 NZ will need export growth of 7.7-9.3% per year for 15 years. And, if we managed this growth, it would lead to about $30 billion in new exports.
The report suggests that with investment, growth in the processed foods industry can continue to be driven through developing premium, innovative, niche, well-branded products. This means the country needs to move beyond its traditional mix of meat and dairy. Processed value-added foods, like infant formula, nutraceuticals,* and baked goods have the best potential for achieving the growth we need says the report.
* Nutraceutical - a combination of the words “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical” it describes a food or food product that reportedly provides health and medical benefits, including preventing and treating disease.
The full report is available at http://www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/food-beverage/pdf-docs-library/information-project/processed-foods-dec-2012-v1.pdf
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Annual Company Digital IQ Survey Results (PwC) has released the results of its 5th annual Digital IQ study. Digital IQ is a measure of how well companies understand the value of technology and weave it into the fabric of their organisation. The main findings of this survey as they relate to NZ include:
• business performance is strongly linked to whether technology is seen as a last thought or something that is part and parcel of developing a business strategy;
• cloud technology is becoming a real option for companies considering technology investments, yet there are still myths and misconceptions about security and its potential in supporting companies in transforming businesses processes;
• for a country as geographically dispersed as NZ, mobile technologies (e.g., smartphones tablets etc.) allow employees to work anywhere on any device, which suits the flexibility demanded by today's workers and customers; and
• the use of mobile technology should not simply be an after thought - because it can radically alter the way a company does business - so it needs to be considered and locked into a proper business strategy from the very beginning.
More is at http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1302/PwC_fifth_Annual_Report_Digital_IQ_Survey.pdf
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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 34
New & Improved EPIC Website The enhanced EPIC (ethnic people in commerce) NZ website is now live. The EPIC NZ website was started by the Office of Ethnic Affairs in early 2012 to provide an online networking platform for businesses and people within NZ to connect with the migrant population.
Features of the website include: improved searching, a new business discussion forum, social media integration with LinkedIn, and regular emails.
More is at www.epicnz.co.nz
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Women Business Leaders Add Stability A global investment bank has reviewed over two thousand companies to find out the performance difference of those with women on their boards. Credit Suisse’s research says it would have been better to have invested in corporates with women on their management boards than in those without. It also found that companies with one or more women on the board have delivered higher returns on equity and better growth, and there’s also less volatility and more balance between board members when women are on the board.
More is at https://infocus.credit-suisse.com/data/_product_documents/_shop/360145/csri_gender_diversity_and_corporate_performance.pdf%20%20
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UK Wanderlust Readers Rate NZ in Top Three New Zealand has again been voted as one of the top three countries visited by UK travellers in the Wanderlust Travel Awards 2013. It is the fourth year running that NZ has taken the bronze award in the Top Country category.
Air NZ jumped to second in the Top Airline category, partly because of the airline’s attention-grabbing Hobbit themed in-flight video.
More is at http://www.tourismnewzealand.com/markets-and-stats/united-kingdom/marketing-activity/uk-wanderlust-readers-rate-nz-in-top-three/
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Hotels Enjoy Strong January Activity New statistics from Tourism Industry Association NZ (TIA) show that the total national occupancy rate for TIA’s hotel sector members in January 2013 was 71.8%, one of the highest rates recorded in the last five years. A lot of this was due to the great summer we’ve been having.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1302/S00537/hotels-enjoy-strong-january-activity.htm
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Ancient Companies: How Ancient? According to a report published by the Bank of Korea in 2008 investigating 41 countries, there were 5,586 companies older than 200 years. From these 3,146 are located in Japan, 837 in Germany, 222 in the Netherlands and 196 in France. A total of 89.4% of the companies with more than 100 years of history are businesses employing fewer than 300 people.
And the oldest company: Japan’s Kongo Gumi which has been in the construction business since the year 578.
More is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_companies
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35 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Money Matters
Government’s Half Year Financial Update According to the Treasury’s December half-year economic and fiscal update, the NZ government had a smaller than expected first-half operating deficit after certain planned-for Treaty of Waitangi settlement costs didn't eventuate (the delay being caused by the complex nature of negotiations). Tax revenue was in line with forecasts. The operating balance before gains and losses (known as obegal) was a deficit of $3.19 billion in the six months ended 31 December 2012, 4.7% smaller than expected. The government's net debt of $59.1 billion, or 28.4% of gross domestic product, was 2% below what had been previously forecasted.
More is at http://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/media-speeches/media/20feb13f
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Kiwis Under-Insured… Research commissioned by the Financial Services Council (FSC) finds NZers are under-insured by about $650 billion. According to the Massey University research, most NZ families are at risk of financial problems if the main breadwinner becomes disabled for the medium- or long-term, and the family does not have disability insurance. The report finds families are not well insured against illness and disability - even though serious sickness is statistically more likely than death.
The research showed that the average main income earner’s life is underinsured by more than $85,000, and the average secondary earner’s life is underinsured by more than $60,000. Families are also underinsured against the potential impact of long-term illness on the primary income earner.
Respondents to a survey commissioned by the researchers indicated that they had a negative perception of insurance and the insurance industry, with more than half of the respondents reporting they were suspicious of insurance companies and 43% reporting that had trouble understanding insurance jargon.
The researchers concluded that families need to review their cover levels regularly and to be aware that although ACC provides disability cover for accidents it does not provide cover for illness, which is statistically more likely.
More is at http://fsc.org.nz/bulletin_display/x_blog_code/250.html
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… & Illness & Financial Vulnerability: Report New research from the Financial Services Council (FSC) has identified what is being called the “financial vulnerability gap”, into which thousands of NZ households are falling each year. This gap happens when the main income earner falls seriously ill for more than six months. Research findings include:
• 972,700 households (equating to 85% of people aged 18+) with annual incomes $20,000+ do not have income protection;
• each year the primary income earner in 14,980 of those households will fall seriously ill and be unable to earn for six months or more; and
• with sickness benefits means tested on total household income, thousands of families immediately face serious financial and emotional hardship.
Those who fall seriously ill and don’t have income protection insurance must rely on the State’s sickness benefit, which is based on total household not personal income. It pays a couple with or without children about $341.60 a week (at the M tax rate). However, this opens up a huge gap between what is provided by the sickness benefit – and what households need to pay their bills, after using up their savings, and sick and annual leave entitlements.
In cases of long term sickness or unemployment many households find they are too rich to get an income-related benefit but too poor to pay the rent or mortgage. The FSC research finds most households have little or no reserves and would very quickly find it very difficult to cope with loss of the primary income.
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 36
The FSC has now launched a new online calculator to help people instantly assess their vulnerability to under insuring for life, traumatic events, disability, and serious illness.
The calculator is at http://fsc.org.nz/Insurance/Insurance+Calculator.html. More about the issue of underinsurance can be found at http://fsc.org.nz/
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Changes in Women’s Earnings: Report This report, prepared by NZIER (NZ Institute of Economic Research), describes trends over the past 30 years that are behind changes in the economic returns to women’s skills (i.e., how much women are paid for the work they do). It also considers how these may affect what women are paid for the skills they contribute over the next 10 to 15 years.
The research concludes that women in NZ are more able and more likely to be economically independent today than ever before. However, it also concludes there is still much that can be done to improve outcomes for NZ women.
Details include:
• the earnings gap between men and women has narrowed as women have gained qualifications that enable them to enter well paid occupations;
• women of all ages and ethnicities are now more qualified than men, and young women are obtaining qualifications at a higher rate than men;
• occupational segregation between the genders has decreased in most highly skilled occupations (managerial and professional), remained similar for some skilled occupations (clerical), and increased for other skilled occupations (trades) and unskilled occupations;
• the remaining earnings gap seems to be due to differences in both the length of time women spend in the workforce and the greater tendency of women to work part-time (less than 30 hours a week);
• the average time in the workforce is converging for women and men; and
• the momentum of these changes seems to have applied more or less evenly to the main ethnic groups.
Download the report, “Changes in women’s earnings; key changes over the last 30 years and comments on the outlook for the next 10 years”, from http://mwa.govt.nz/documents/changes-women%E2%80%99s-earnings-2013
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All About the Starting Out Wage for Youth The Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee has reported on the Minimum Wage (Starting-out Wage) Amendment Bill.
The starting-out wage provides for eligible 16- to 19-year-olds to be paid at least 80 percent of the minimum wage. Three groups will be eligible unless they are training or supervising others: 16- and 17-year-olds in their first six months of work with a new employer; 18- and 19-year-olds entering the workforce after more than six months on a benefit; and16- to 19-year-old workers in a recognised industry training course involving at least 40 credits a year.
The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2012/0069/latest/whole.html
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Minimum Wage Up, Minimally The Government has raised the hourly minimum wage from $3.50 to $3.75, an increase of 25 cents. Back to top
Financial Advice to Credit Union Members: Simpler Rules The category that low-risk credit union savings products fall into has been changed to make it easier for credit union members to get easy access to advice. The change will allow all financial advisers (rather than just some) to give advice on certain credit union non-call savings products and term deposits. It is expected to come into force in the first half of this year.
37 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/improved-access-advice-credit-union-members
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NZ Venture Investment Fund: More Funds Guaranteed The Government has guaranteed another $60 million to the NZ Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF) to encourage more private investment into new venture capital funds.
NZVIF invests into venture capital funds and partners with angel investor groups* to drive investment into exciting young NZ companies with high-growth potential.
It will also support new investment through the $200 million Co-Fund established between NZVIF and the National Development Fund of Taiwan.
Since it was set up, NZVIF has invested $117 million into 126 companies. They have gone on to raise total investment capital of $700 million, and earned $1.25 billion (including export earnings of $945 million).
*An angel investor is an affluent person who provides capital for a business start-up (usually in exchange for a future benefit or ownership equity (the remaining interest in all assets after all liabilities are paid). A small but increasing number of angel investors organise themselves into angel groups or angel networks to share research and pool their capital as well as to provide advice.
More about NZVIF is at http://www.nzvif.com/
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$4 Million Lost to Scams Figures released by a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment-led Consumer Fraud Working Group show Kiwis lost close to four million dollars to scams last year. Out of the 4204 reports last year, 727 people lost money − an average of $5,464.55 per person. Many people reported losing a lot more. MBIE noted that losses reported by members of the public rose by more than $1.7 million between 2011 and 2012, despite 1309 fewer scams being reported. This is in part due to a marked increase in losses to investment-related scams.
The full scam statistics are available at: http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/scam-news/4-million-lost-to-scams and you can find scam-related news at http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/scam-news
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Internet, ICT & Media
More Cyber Threats Reported In NZ The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC*) has reported a significant increase in the number of reported attacks against NZ government agencies, critical national infrastructure and communication systems, and private sector organisations in 2012. In 2011, NCSC recorded 90 threats that meet the threshold which puts government or other critical national systems at risk; in 2012 there were 134 such threats.
*The NCSC is part of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), and supports government and critical infrastructure to protect themselves from cyber threats.
A copy of the report is available from www.ncsc.govt.nz and for help protecting your home or personal computer visit www.securitycentral.org.nz
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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 38
New Online News & Current Affairs Watchdog Since the Law Commission’s paper, “The News Media meets New Media” was published in December 2011, NZ television broadcasters TVNZ, SKY/Prime, MediaWorks TV, and Maori Television have worked with Radio NZ, The Radio Network, and MediaWorks Radio to provide an industry-led way of regulating the content of online news and current affairs.
The result of these deliberations is the Online Media Standards Authority “OMSA”, a new industry-funded self regulator.
OMSA will be publishing a code of standards and it will provide a free complaints process overseen by the OMSA Complaints Committee (chaired by retired Court of Appeal Judge, Sir Bruce Robertson and comprising four public members and three broadcasting industry representatives). The OMSA Appointments Panel will shortly start selecting OMSA Complaints Committee public members, and the complaints committee will be launched in the second quarter of this year.
OMSA will use a similar format to that used by the Advertising Standards Authority and the NZ Press Council.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1302/S00467/online-news-current-affairs-self-regulatory-body-launched.htm
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Results of Review of Our 111 Service This review looked at the operation of the 111 emergency calling service to the point where calls are handed over by Telecom to emergency service providers. It did not cover the response of emergency service providers to 111 calls. The review shows the service is working well; however, the roles of the two governance groups which oversee and advise government on the 111 service will be clarified.
The review has led to the development, for the first time, of “big-picture” objectives will guide the future development of the 111 service. They are:
• 111 calling is free of charge for genuine calls;
• 111 calling is accessible to all NZers who are connected to a public telecommunications network;
• 111 calling is of sufficient quality and clarity across all supported channels of communication;
• the availability of 111 calling on different devices and channels is transparent to users, and responds to evolving public expectations;
• 111 calling has a very high level of reliability;
• emergency service providers can obtain sufficiently accurate and reliable caller location information to respond promptly to emergencies; and
• the security of any information relating to 111 calls is preserved.
More is at http://www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/technology-communication/communications/emergency-call-services/111-review
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Trans-Tasman Mobile Roaming: Final Report In their final report on the matter the NZ and Australian governments have recommended that the two governments:
• require NZ and Australian regulators to collect and report regularly on wholesale and retail price trends for trans-Tasman roaming; and
• expand the remedies available to the NZ and Australian regulators for investigations into trans-Tasman roaming services, to include: regulated terms of access, wholesale price limits, retail price limits, and mobile local-access obligations.
Also recommended is an obligation on visited networks to offer home networks a mobile local-access service, and a corresponding obligation on home networks to offer that mobile local-access service to their end-users/or a retail obligation on visited networks to offer a mobile local-access service directly to inbound roamers.
The two governments say regulators should aim to cooperate on remedies rather than imposing them, and that they should be free to apply remedies, and also impose combinations of remedies.
39 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
More is at http://www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/technology-communication/pdf-docs-library/communications/mobile-phones/trans-tasman-roaming/TTR%20Final%20Report%20-%208%20Feb%202013.pdf
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New Auckland-Sydney Telecommunications Cable Telecom, Vodafone, and Telstra plan to jointly invest in constructing a new submarine cable between Auckland and Sydney. The new cable, tentatively titled the Tasman Global Access (TGA) Cable, is likely to be completed in late 2014. Reasons for the new cable:
• the growing importance of trans-Tasman internet traffic (or example, around 40 percent of both Telecom and Vodafone's international internet traffic is now Australia to NZ, versus just 10% in 2000);
• it makes it easier to market NZ as a potential location for international data servers;
• it improves this country’s connectivity with other parts of the world beyond Australia (e.g., Asia and the US); and
• the new cable will make NZ much less reliant on the existing cable system (for example, by being a backup if things go wrong with the existing system).
See the proposed cable route at http://twitpic.com/c4wu2k
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Telecommunications Services Regulations: Two Reviews Two scheduled reviews of the regulations for telecommunications services are starting now (the starting date of the one of the reviews has been bought forward to coincide with the other). The first is a review of the Telecommunications Service Obligations (TSO) required under section 101A of the Telecommunications Act 2001. The second is a wider review of the system for regulating telecommunications services in this country. The reviews will focus on the long-term interests of the people who use telecommunications services, taking into account the market structure, technology developments, and competitive conditions in the telecommunications industry at the time of the review.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/review-provide-certainty-consumers-industry
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4G Spectrum Auction Decision The government is to auction allocations for the radio spectrum band being set aside for fourth-generation, or 4G, mobile phones in the third quarter of the year. The 700 megahertz bandwidth which to be auctioned is becoming free as a consequence of the switch-over to digital television broadcasting.
The Government has also confirmed that no specific allocation of 4G spectrum will be set aside for Maori stakeholders. Instead, it is looking to set up a $30 million ICT development fund, focussed on the way government can help Maori get the best possible gains from the new technologies, and to “promote and support Maori language and culture in a digital world.”
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/next-generation-mobile-technology-step-closer
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Health Information on the Cloud: Keep it Local The National Health IT Board (NHITB) says there are risks associated with cloud computing - particularly when the cloud is operated overseas, outside the jurisdiction of NZ.
NHITB has announced that unless it has granted an exemption, all personally identifiable health information and core operational information must be retained within NZ.
It also says the risks of cloud computing could impact negatively on all health agencies, rather than only on the health agency holding health information in the Cloud. Maintaining clinician, patient, and public trust depends on managing risks relating to:
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 40
• data security and privacy in the Cloud;
• loss of control, and uncertainty over how Cloud providers’ (and the jurisdiction’s) health information security and privacy requirements fit with NZ’s;
• uncertainty about performance, reliability, and support; and
• unauthorised access or use of health information about NZers by the Cloud provider or third parties.
What is Cloud Computing Cloud computing provides access to computing resources over a network. The name comes from the use of a cloud-shaped symbol as a description of the complex infrastructure it contains. The user’s data and application processing sits in the Cloud and the user interacts with these services through the screen of a network enabled device. Cloud computing allows organisations to use computing resources on a pay-per-use or subscription basis without needing to maintain hardware and software locally. Cloud services can be either internationally based of based locally in NZ.
More is at http://www.ithealthboard.health.nz/content/use-cloud-computing-managing-health-information
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15 Useful Social Media Related Terms • connections - this is a bit like the online version of your business network connections. As a LinkedIn user, for
instance, these are other users you choose to “connect” with. What can you do if you are a connection in someone’s LinkedIn network? You can view their full profile instead of only their public profile, you can send them a message in private and share updates with them;
• circles - the community groups that can be built by users on Google+;
• meme - rhymes with “dream” and is catchphrase or concept that spreads quickly from person to person via the Internet;
• tweets - short updates or statuses posted on Twitter, limited to 140 characters;
• retweet (RT) - taking another Twitter user’s tweet and tweeting it themselves (the credit still goes to the original user that tweeted it, but the tweet appears in all the retweeter’s followers’ timeline);
• twebinar - this is like a live podcast/audio broadcast and Twitter as the backchannel for discussion;
• Tumblr - this is another blogging website and social networking platform. It enables users to share content and connect with others based on their blog entries, and like many other social media platforms, users are able to “follow” other users’ blogs;
• widget - is a mini application that performs a specific function and connects to the Internet;
• RSS (Really Simple Syndication) - a web standard for delivering content - blog entries, news stories, headlines, images, video - enabling readers to stay current with publications without having to browse to their content.
• tag - it’s a phrase or keyword that is added as an association with a blog, website or social network. Think of them as keywords that can help discussions;
• geotagging - the process of adding geographical identification to media, enabling others to know your location when you do so (commonly found on smart phone apps for social media like Twitter and Facebook);
• hashtag - a community-driven convention for adding additional context and metadata to tweets. The creation of a hyperlink on Twitter by placing the # sign in front of a word. This is now a hyperlink that once clicked on performs a search of that word within the Twitter website;
• pinning - is how to show that you like content on Pinterest. Once the content is “pinned”, it then appears on your own Pinboard;
• social graph - a visual representation of the different connections that an individual has within a larger social network; and
41 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
• social media optimization (SMO): it’s about making sure all the content you have, have created or have curated is available across the best media and easy to access by your target audience.
More is at http://www.louisfoong.com/social-media-lingo-terms-it-wont-hurt-you-to-know/
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Telephone Scam Alert Scammers claiming to be from the NZ Bankers’ Association are phoning members of the public and saying they are investigating banks charging excessive fees and offering compensation to affected customers. They then ask people to provide their bank account details so they can “refund” fees. This is a scam. Anyone receiving such a call should not provide any personal information.
This kind of scam is known as “phishing”. Phishing attempts are usually made by email or phone. They can also be made by text message. Phishing scams try to get your bank account numbers, passwords and credit card numbers.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1302/S00427/telephone-scam-alert.htm and for more information about phishing scams, and how to avoid them go to http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/scams/scam-types/banking-and-financial-scams
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Websites & Articles of Interest The latest quarterly report on the rollout of UFB (ultra-fast broadband) and the RBI (rural broadband initiative) shows fibre was rolled out to more than 33,000 end-users across the country during the last three months of 2012. Go to http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/UFB%20and%20RBI%20quarterly%20report.pdf
As more research results come to light, we are starting to see how our love of beauty is genetically hotwired. Go to http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/opinion/sunday/why-we-love-beautiful-things.html?_r=1&
How close to a train track can you set up a vegetable market? Amazing video from Thailand. Go to http://www.wimp.com/vegetablemarket/
For the 9-5 job search: a practical timeline, go to http://blog.simplyhired.com/2013/02/the-9-5-job-search-a-timeline-you-can-actually-use-.html#ixzz2LqlrJHTU
How to create a company culture that people will be excited to join (six tips) at http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225851
Fast Company releases its annual list of the world’s 50 most innovative companies at http://www.fastcompany.com/section/most-innovative-companies-2013
Images of the Australian Memorial design for National War Memorial Park in Wellington are at http://www.mch.govt.nz/news-events/ministers-releases/australian-memorial-design-national-war-memorial-park-welcomed
A new video (from Tauranga Hospital) lets the public see first-hand what a patient experiences during a heart treatment procedure (angioplasty or stenting) used to treat narrowed coronary arteries of the heart found in heart disease. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlKrDDdw3pY
People who eat a large variety of foods, considered an indicator of a healthy diet, are also the ones with the healthiest sleep patterns, according to a new study. Go to http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/256601.php
Apparently, any two pages on the web are connected to 19 clicks or less. More is at http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2013/02/any-two-pages-on-the-web-are-connected-by-19-clicks-or-less/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
The BBC explores the advent of connected cars and why cars are “the next digital playground.” Go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21411335
Companies are missing out on talent because their jobs websites aren't well suited for mobile devices, experts say. Go to http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/02/24/mobile-job-search/1938177/
View shortlisted images for the upcoming Sony World Photography Awards at http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/02/the-2013-sony-world-photography-awards/100454/
19 questions never to ask at an interview, but which were actually asked (for example, “Is the boss single?”), are at http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2013/02/15/what-not-to-ask-in-a-job-interview/
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 42
People who can unplug from work when they're home are more likely to recharge in their off hours and experience less job burnout, a Kansas State University researcher found. More is at http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-mental-work-life-recovery-job-stress.html
Peru's University of Engineering and Technology and marketing agency Mayo DraftFCB have built a billboard designed to capture the moisture in the air and convert it into drinking water. Go to http://www.psfk.com/2013/02/water-producing-billboard.html
A report from the World Wildlife Fund highlights innovative sustainable-business strategies from around the world. Highlights include Philips, which now sells lighting as a service that includes end-of-life recycling for fixtures; Belgium's Umicore, an "urban mining" outfit that reclaims metals from scrap materials; and PepsiCo, whose Indian division is saving water thanks to creative conservation solutions. Go to http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/working_with_business/green_game_changers/green_game_changers_insights_for_mainstreaming_business_innovation/
A fact sheet detailing the biosecurity precautions that aquaculture businesses can take to prevent transferring pest and diseases within NZ can be downloaded from http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-resources/publications
A recent MPI leaflet describes the Australian subterranean termite, Coptotermes acinaciformis, describing what this pest looks like, what to look out for and who to contact if the termite is suspected. Go to http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-resources/publications
A report from the UK-based Fairtrade Foundation says 70% of the world's food is produced by small farmers who are not adequately paid, putting them at risk of poverty and threatening the food supply. More is at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/press_office/press_releases_and_statements/february_2013/broken_food_system_fails_smallholder_farmers.aspx Back to top
Treaty Matters
Crown Signs Social Development Accord with Te Hiku Iwi The Crown has signed a Social Development Accord with Te Hiku o Te Ika as part of the iwi Treaty settlement. This Accord commits the Crown and ten government agencies (in particular, the Ministry of Social Development) to work with Te Hiku to improve social outcomes for the iwi hapu, and whanau. The agencies will be working alongside Te Hiku to determine what intervention is needed before they work together.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/crown-signs-social-development-accord-te-hiku-iwi
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Waitangi Report: Ngati Kahu The Waitangi Tribunal has released its report on an application by Ngati Kahu of the Te Hiku (Far North) region for the return of land within their tribal area and other assets.
The Tribunal found that redress for the wrongful dispossession of 70 percent of Ngati Kahu lands by 1865 is long overdue. However, the circumstances of wider Treaty settlement negotiations in the Far North did not warrant the use of its binding powers, as was requested.
The Tribunal recommended a package of redress including various forms of cultural redress, a commercial quantum based on a total figure of $42.518 million, and the return of a series of properties of significant commercial and cultural value within their rohe.
It also recommended the Crown seek to re-engage with Ngati Kahu and to make an offer based on the range of redress proposed in the report.
The report is at http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/news/media/ngtikahuremedies.asp
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43 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Arts & Culture
March is NZ Book Month Fiction or non-fiction, a book has the power to change your life. NZ Book month is held in March each year to encourage everyone to celebrate books and reading.
To find local and national events marking the greatness of books – and many great stories – go to the http://www.nzbookmonth.co.nz/section5.php?lln_eventsDate=2011-03
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Review of Five Professional Orchestras: Report Released This Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) report covers the NZ Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the Orchestra Wellington, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and the Southern Sinfonia.
The report examined the roles, activities, and business models of each orchestra and how they work individually and collectively to support artistic excellence and to provide access to live performances. It also looked at their relationships with the wider orchestral and performing arts sectors.
The reviewers did not recommend major structural changes, saying that the orchestras are working well, and improvements can be gained within the current arrangements. Recommendations include:
• more collaboration between the orchestras;
• Creative NZ and MCH developing a joint policy for orchestra funding and monitoring (previously funding was split between the two); and
• recognising the Auckland Philharmonia as the country’s first metropolitan orchestra.
The report is at http://www.mch.govt.nz/orchestrareviewfinalreport
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Reel Life: Film Shows in Historic Woolsheds Agriculture, history and incredible inventions from the Hawke’s Bay, Tararua, and Wairarapa regions are being showcased in all their cinematic glory by the NZ Film Archive and NZ Historic Places Trust (NZHPT). They are presenting a programme of films that spans the 20th century. The films will be screened in five NZHPT-registered heritage woolsheds. Entrance to all screenings (except opening night) is $5, door sales only. The programme is:
• 15 March: Maraekakaho Woolshed attic, SH 50. Pre-film drinks from 6.30pm, film screening 7.30pm, then supper, tickets $20;
• 16 March: Maraekakaho Woolshed, SH 50. Open Day 1pm - 6pm, screenings 2pm, 4pm and 7.30pm;
• 17 March: Aramoana Woolshed, 80 Shoal Beach Rd, screening 6pm;
• 19 March Elm Grove Woolshed, 48 Kempton’s Line, Greytown, screening 5.30pm and 7.30pm;
• 20 March: Elm Grove Woolshed, 48 Kempton’s Line, screening 2pm and 7.30pm;
• 23 March: Moanaroa, 3179 Coast Rd, Akitio, Open Woolshed 2pm - 6pm;
• 23 March: Akitio Station Woolshed, River Rd, screening 7pm; and
• 24 March: Annedale Station Woolshed, Annedale Rd, Tinui, rapid no.1543, screening 7.30pm.
More is at http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/about-the-archive/news/reel-life-in-rural-new-zealand/
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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 44
Fish & Ships
King Salmon to Develop Four New Sounds Farms… The final report of the Board of Inquiry on NZ King Salmon’s application to develop new marine farms in the Marlborough Sounds approves four new farms.
They will occupy six hectares of surface water space in the Sounds. King Salmon’s production is expected to grow from 7,500 to 15,000 tonnes per year, and a further 170 people will be employed.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister-welcomes-final-king-salmon-report
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… & New Guide: Setting Up/Running a Marine Farm The Ministry of Primary Industry (MPI) has published a guide to establishing and operating a marine farm in NZ. It covers: applying for a new marine farm, government iwi settlement obligations, farm structures, food safety regulations, biosecurity, water pollution, and national organisations and contacts.
You can down load the guide from http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-resources/publications
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Science & Technology
National Science Challenge Panel Appointed A panel of top researchers and some budding young scientists have been appointed to identify NZ’s National Science Challenges for the Government. It will be chaired by the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser.
The Government has set aside $60 million funding from Budget 2012 for new investment into the national science challenges. Cabinet is expected to make a decision on the final challenges in April. The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will then work with the science sector from May to August to develop detailed themes and projects and decide how selected Challenges will be led.
To see the panel’s Terms of Reference and criteria for selecting the National Science Challenges go to: http://www.msi.govt.nz/update-me/major-projects/national-science-challenges/
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“Extinct” Seabird Discovered 50Km From Auckland Researchers were thrilled to find that the sparrow-sized NZ storm petrel, thought extinct until 2003, is breeding on Little Barrier Island Hauturu in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. The seabird is listed as critically endangered by the International Union of the Conservation of Nature and finding the breeding site is vital for their conservation.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1302/S00542/extinct-seabird-discovered-breeding-50-km-from-auckland.htm
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45 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Fragments of Unknown Continents Found The islands of Reunion and Mauritius, both well-known tourist destinations, are hiding a recently discovered “micro-continent.” The continent fragment - known as Mauritia - detached about 60 million years ago while Madagascar and India drifted apart, and had been hidden under huge masses of lava. Such micro-continents in the oceans seem to occur more frequently than previously thought, says the study in the latest issue of Nature Geoscience.
More is at http://www.sci-news.com/othersciences/geophysics/article00899.html
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Handy Stats Recent information from Statistics NZ and other organisations includes:
• food prices up - food prices rose for the first time in five months in January, led by fruit, vegetables, and grocery items. The food price index climbed 1.9% in January, following a 0.2% decline in December. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/economic_indicators/prices_indexes/FoodPriceIndex_MRJan13.aspx
• January house data - 4,933 houses sold in January 2013, up 21% on January 2012. National median house price up 4.2% compared to January 2012, but eased 4.9% from December 2012. More is at https://www.reinz.co.nz/reinz/index.cfm?1CB561D5-18FE-7E88-42FB-507342EF7F81&obj_uuid=ED517886-C349-93B2-14E7-A9A7A0C7BBFE
• international visitors’ spending down - the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s latest quarterly International Visitor Survey shows a 6% drop in spending by international visitors since 2011 (bringing it to its lowest since 2001). The most significant aspects of the drop in spending are a decrease in UK visitors’ spend, and in the total amount that holiday visitors are spending. More is at http://www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/tourism/tourism-research-data/international-visitor-survey
• South island guest nights back up – in December 2012 (compared to previous month), NZ guest nights rose 3.1%, international guest nights rose 6.0%, domestic guest nights rose 0.6%, North Island guest nights rose 0.5%, and South Island guest nights rose 7.2%. Guest nights rose for all accommodation types except backpacker accommodation. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/accommodation/AccommodationSurvey_MRDec12.aspx
• online job vacancies increased in January – this rise follows two consecutive falls in November and December 2012, according to the latest Jobs Online report from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Specifically, skilled vacancies advertised online rose by 10.6% in January and all online job vacancies rose by 12.6% compared to December. More is at http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/jol/index.asp
• labour market weak - the unemployment rate fell to 6.9% in the December 2012 quarter, down from 7.3% in the September 2012 quarter. But, the labour force participation rate fell 1.2% to 67.2% (this means the number of people outside the labour force increased – which means fewer people working and looking for work). That is, more younger people are solely in study and more older people are entering retirement. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/income-and-work/employment_and_unemployment/HouseholdLabourForceSurvey_MRDec12qtr.aspx
• services sector picked up, but … - BNZ-Business NZ Performance of Services Index (PSI) rose 1.1 points in January to 52.6. The gain was driven only by new orders and sales while other measures were in contraction. More is at http://www.businessnz.org.nz/file/2413/January%202013%20PSI%20Release.pdf
• manufacturing expands, but ... – NZ manufacturing grew at the fastest pace in eight months in January, with the strongest growth in Canterbury/Westland (probably reflecting demand for building materials), but employment in the sector is shrinking. More is at http://www.businessnz.org.nz/file/2408/PMI%20Main%20Release.pdf
• strong quarter for retailers - after adjusting for seasonal effects, the volume of total retail sales rose 2.1% in the December 2012 quarter compared with the September 2012 quarter. The last time sales volumes rose as strongly was in the December 2006 quarter. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/RetailTrade/RetailTradeSurvey_MRDec12qtr.aspx
• Hobbit boost for Wellington - an economic impact report estimates the World Premiere of” The Hobbit – An Unexpected Journey” contributed $11,794,995 to Wellington’s economy during premiere week late last year. More is at http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1302/The_Hobbit_world_premiere_WCC_Coms.pdf
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 46
• alcohol availability - the volume of alcoholic beverage available for consumption (as opposed to actual consumption) in NZ fell 3.3% in 2012. Drop in beer volumes were partially offset by a rise in wine volumes. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/alcohol_and_tobacco_availability/Alcohol-available-for-consumption_MRYeDec12.aspx
• Chinese New Year affects visitor arrivals - the number of visitor arrivals in January 2013 (260,600) was down 2% from January 2012. This was mainly because this year’s Chinese New Year was in February (which affects when Chinese people travel offshore). However, more visitors from the US and Australia partly offset the Chinese drop. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/Migration/IntTravelAndMigration_MRJan13.aspx
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General
Seasonal Climate Outlook: March - May 2013 Rainfall totals for the March – May period as a whole are likely to be in the near normal range for most regions, except for the West Coast of the South Island, where normal to above normal rainfall is likely. However, because of the existing soil moisture deficits across the North Island and in the eastern South Island, soil moisture levels and river flows are expected to take some time to recover in these areas.
Soil moisture levels and river flows for autumn as a whole are projected to be normal to below normal for the North Island, as well as the eastern South Island, and near seasonal normal elsewhere. Autumn temperatures are likely to be above average in the South Island, and equally likely to be in the near average or above average range in the North Island.
Regional predictions for the next three months:
• Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty - temperatures are equally likely to be in the near average or above average range. March – May rainfall totals are likely to be in the near normal range. Seasonal soil moisture levels and river flows are likely to be in the near normal or below normal range;
• Central North Island, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wellington - temperatures are equally likely to be in the near average or above average range. Seasonal rainfall totals are likely to be in the near normal range. Seasonal soil moisture levels and river flows are projected to be in the near normal or below normal range;
• Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa - seasonal temperatures are equally likely to be in the near average or above average range. March – May rainfall totals are likely to be near normal. Seasonal soil moisture levels and river flows are likely to be in the near normal or below normal range;
• Nelson, Marlborough, Buller - March - May temperatures are likely to be above average. Seasonal rainfall totals, soil moisture levels, and river flows are all likely to be in the near normal range;
• West Coast, Alps and foothills, inland Otago, Southland - Autumn temperatures are likely to be above average. Seasonal rainfall totals are equally likely to be in the near normal or above normal range. March-May soil moisture levels and river flows are likely to be at near normal levels; and
• Coastal Canterbury, east Otago - March-May temperatures are likely to be above average. Seasonal rainfall totals are projected to be near normal, with soil moisture levels and river flows likely to be in the below normal or near normal range.
More is at http://www.niwa.co.nz/climate/sco/seasonal-climate-outlook-march-may-2013
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Urban Quality of Life Results Released The biennial Quality of Life survey measures the perceptions of over 5000 residents living in some of NZ’s largest urban areas. A majority of respondents (80%) rated their overall quality of life positively. Just under a quarter (24%) of all respondents felt that their quality of life had increased compared to 12 months earlier, 55% felt that it had stayed the same and 21% felt that it had decreased to some extent.
47 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Christchurch respondents were significantly more likely than residents from the other urban areas to state that their quality of life had decreased in the previous year.
The survey did not find any significant difference across the main urban areas in how often respondents had experienced stress in the previous year that had a negative impact on them or in general levels of happiness.
Under half (41%) of respondents across the urban areas said they had “more than enough” or “enough” money to meet their everyday needs for things such as accommodation, food, clothing and other necessities; a third (33%) said they had “just enough money”; and 22% that they did not have enough (up from 13% in 2010).
A total of 82% of respondents viewed their health positively, responding with a rating of either excellent (15%), very good (31%), or good (36%). Almost one in five (18%) reported that there had been a time in the last 12 months when they had wanted to visit a GP or a doctor, but hadn’t – the main reason provided by 46% was that it was too costly or expensive to go to the doctor.
Almost all respondents felt safe in their homes during the day (96%) and after dark (90%). Residents of Wellington and Dunedin cities were most likely to feel safe in their homes after dark, or walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark. But, feelings of overall safety in central city areas after dark were considerably lower with less than half (42%) stating that they felt “very safe” or “fairly safe.”
Only 19% of the survey respondents were regular users of public transport (two or more times per week). While three quarters (75%) of all respondents agreed that public transport was safe, and easy to get to (73%), considerably smaller proportions agreed it was frequent (56%), reliable (48%), or affordable (46%). Porirua, Hutt, and Wellington residents were more likely than those in other areas to rate public transport positively.
Full results of the survey have been posted on the Quality of Life Website: www.qualityoflifeproject.govt.nz
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New Zealand in Profile: 2013 A Statistics NZ brochure called “New Zealand in Profile: 2013” provides an overview of this country’s people, economy, and environment. Areas covered in the profile include: prices, social wellbeing, imports & exports, main trading partners, agricultural production, economy, demography, and much more besides.
More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/snapshots-of-nz/nz-in-profile-2013.aspx
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Fire Review Panel Report Released The report of an independent review into Fire Service functions and funding has been released. Amongst other things the review looked into whether current funding arrangements need to change or not.
The panel has recommended that insurance contracts remain the main source of funding for the Fire Service. But, it has proposed a wider base for collecting levies among property owners to fund the service, and also suggests extending the levy into the transport sector (which would mean that road users may have to pay more than they do currently).
The report indicates that about 16 percent of fire service callouts (in terms of numbers) were to vehicle-related incidents, but only 8 percent of service callouts were funded from vehicle insurance. It also indicates that nearly 94 percent of the Fire Service is funded from insurance contracts.
The panel wants more work done on the “free-rider” problem that has effectively meant those who have insurance pay for the fire call-outs to those who don't. But for non-residential property, it wants levies attached to premiums paid instead of the amount a property is insured for, and extended to all contracts for material damage, and not just fires.
View the report of the Fire Review Panel at http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Resource-material-Our-Policy-Advice-Areas-Fire-Service-Review
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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 48
1-In-8 Young Kiwis Drink Their Breakfast The total proportion of NZers who consume breakfast drinks in an average week has grown from 4.5% to 5.6% since 2010, the latest findings from Roy Morgan Research show. Young NZers are the most likely to consume breakfast drinks: 12.5% of Under 25s and 9.7% of 25-34-year-olds had a breakfast drink in the past week. Across the country as a whole, 22.7% of people report seldom having time for breakfast.
This attitude is similar across the Tasman, where 23.4% of Australians say they seldom have time for breakfast. There, however, breakfast drinks are not as popular: only 4.3% of Australians have had a breakfast drink in the last 7 days, and the proportion is lower across all age brackets.
More is at http://www.roymorgan.com/news/press-releases/2013/1946
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Australian & NZ Shoppers Differ On Priorities According to latest research from Roy Morgan Research, price matters most in both countries, but Australians and Kiwis disagree on what else they want from a department or electrical store - especially its interest-free terms, warranties, and location. For example:
• 81% of Kiwis and 74% of Australians (74%) aged 14+ rate price as an important factor when visiting an electrical goods or department store;
• although service and range of products make the top three in each country, NZ prioritises service; Australia, product range; and
• the greatest difference between the two countries is in concern for interest-free terms, with Australians around 60% less likely to consider this an important reason to visit a store.
More is at http://www.roymorgan.com/news/press-releases/2013/1944
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Refugee & Asylum Seeker Numbers: 2012 The numbers of refugees arriving in NZ under NZ’s Refugee Quota Programme is returning closer to the usual annual quota of 750 following a steep drop in the wake of the Canterbury earthquakes. In 2011/2012 a total of 774 refugees were granted residence under the programme, up from 705 in 2010/2011.
More is at http://www.hrc.co.nz/newsletters/diversity-action-programme/te-punanga/2013/02/looking-back-refugees-and-asylum-seekers-in-2012/?utm_source=te-punanga&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=February2013
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Refugee Road Safety Action Programme Funding Restored Funding of the award-winning Refugees as Survivors New Zealand (RASNZ) Refugee Road Safety Action Programme has been fully restored. A grant of $200,000 will allow its continuing operation for the next 5 years. The programme was created in 2004 by two former refugees; more than 3,500 new arrivals have successfully completed the course and graduated with learner’s licences over the past 7 years.
More is at http://www.hrc.co.nz/newsletters/diversity-action-programme/te-punanga/2013/02/refugee-road-safety-action-programme-2/?utm_source=te-punanga&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=February2013
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49 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Conferences & Events 2013 Neighbours Day Aotearoa Neighbours Day Aotearoa (NDA) on 23-24 March will give all Kiwis a great opportunity to connect with others in their immediate neighbourhood. Over the weekend, thousands of neighbours all around the country will gather together to get to know each other, and forge connections and support systems that hopefully will continue to enrich their lives long after the weekend has ended.
There is a Neighbours Day website - www.neighboursday.org.nz – and a facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/neighboursday - and you can email [email protected] for more information
2013 NZ CFO Summit This is being held on 12 March 2013 at Langham Auckland. It is billed as the key opportunity for finance leaders from all industries to examine issues and share insights and best practice.
More is at http://www.conferenz.co.nz/conferences/cfo-summit
Ko Awatea Institute for Healthcare Improvement Programme The Innovation College Programme runs from 14-15 March, Ko Awatea Centre, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland. It’s focused on building and extending the capacity of participants’ organisations to test new ideas quickly and efficiently.
More information is at http://koawatea.co.nz/programmes/innovation-college/
2013 Festival of Colour The 2013 Festival of Colour takes place from 16-21 April. It features an international mix of theatre, art, dance, and music including two world premieres, all set against the autumn scenery of the Southern Lakes region. In addition to Queenstown, the festival’s touring programme takes in Hawea, Luggate, and Cromwell while the Schoolfest programme sees artists and performers visiting local schools.
For more on the programme /to obtain tickets, visit www.festivalofcolour.co.nz
Aotearoa Digital Arts Network - Netwalking Aotearoa Digital Arts Network (ADA) are holding Netwalking - a series of walks, talks, and master-classes with UK-based media artist Simon Pope - between 16 March and 14 April 2013, and registration is now open. Venues are Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and a residency in Whanganui.
More is at http://ada.net.nz/netwalking/
NZ Wind Energy Conference & Exhibition The conference is being held on 20-22 March 2013, in the Old Town Hall, Wellington. It’s billed as the industry's chance to explore the opportunities and challenges in fulfilling its potential and involves a wide range of NZ and international speakers.
More is at http://windenergy.org.nz/events/2013-conference
NGO Working Group Workshop - Christchurch The Health and Disability NGO Working Group invites South Island non-profit providers to a free interactive workshop on collaboration and engagement on 12 March 2013 at the Legends Lounge, Level 3 Metropolitan Stand, Addington Events Centre, Twigger Street, Christchurch.
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 50
More information is here http://ngo.health.govt.nz/what-we-do/priorities-and-issues/innovation-and-collaboration. Register online at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YT6N9HN. This is a free event so places are limited
Ministry of Health Disability Consumer Forums The Ministry of Health has been touring several of the main centres talking to disabled people, their families, and friends about Ministry of Health programmes and projects. Topics include the New Model, respite, individualised funding, supported living options, and behaviour support. Dates for the fora yet to be held are: Christchurch (18, 19, 20 March); Dunedin (21 March); Invercargill (22 March); and Wellington (25 March).
To register email [email protected], call free phone: 0800 MOH FORUM (0800 664 367), or text: 021 209 5716. More is at More is at http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/disability-services/disability-projects-and-programmes/consumer-forums-hui-fono/2013-consumer-forums
PhysioForward 2013 This physiotherapy conference is being held 5-6 April 2013 in Dunedin (University of Otago). The main theme is the future of physiotherapy practice in a changing health delivery climate. There are four other themes: prevention, intervention, participation, and evaluation.
More is at http://physio100.otago.ac.nz/conference/
ILA 2013 Oceania Conference This conference is being held 22-24 April 2013, in Auckland (University of Auckland Business School). Its main theme is “Building the R&D of Leadership”.
More is at http://nzli.co.nz/64/conference
Learning@School Roadshow 2013 The Learning@School Conference Roadshow is designed as one full day of professional learning for the whole staff Sessions and workshops are based around current educational issues, themes, and future-focused research and trends.
Dates: 3 April - Whangarei; Fri 5 April - New Plymouth; 8 April - Palmerston North; 10 April - Napier; 12 April - Gisborne; 15 April - Dunedin; and 19 April - Nelson.
More is at http://learningatschool.core-ed.org/
10th NZBIO Conference NZBIO, a conference for the bioscience (to do with any of the life sciences) sector, is being held at the Langham Hotel, Auckland from 18-20 March 2013. It will cover all aspects of the bioeconomy - from food bioscience, to industrial, agricultural, and health bioscience.
More information is at http://nzbio2013.co.nz/page/home.asp
Rural General Practice Network Conference The 2013 conference is being held on 13-17 March 2013 at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. The theme is “Let’s Get Connected”. The conference will feature topics such as the Rural Broadband Initiative and technology in health and will also forge links with rural health and other groups such as the NZ Rural Hospital Network (NZRHN) and the newly-formed Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa NZ (RHANZ). There’s also a host of pre-conference workshops, concurrent sessions and keynote speakers.
More is at http://www.conference.co.nz/nzrgpn13
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51 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Awards & Opportunities Seeking: Champions of NZ Sign Language Deaf Aotearoa is looking for this year’s NZ Sign Language (NZSL) in Action Award winners. The awards acknowledge the significant contribution made by businesses, organisations, schools, and individuals throughout the country in supporting both NZSL and the NZ Deaf Community. The award categories are Magnet Youth; NZSL in Schools; NZSL Teaching; Interpreter of the Year; NZSL Champion; NZSL Employer; NZSL Accessible Service; and NZSL in the Media.
Entries close on 31 March 2013. For further information or to complete a nomination form please visit Deaf Aotearoa NZ - http://www.deaf.co.nz/ - or contact [email protected] for an entry form
Recognising Leaders in Access to the Arts Do you want to see an outstanding disabled artist recognised? Or how about a leader providing access to the arts for people in New Zealand? Nominations to Arts Access Aotearoa’s Big ‘A’ Awards 2013 are now open. There are several awards up for grabs; the:
• Big ‘A’ Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award - recognising an arts organisation, company, venue, or producer that best demonstrates its commitment to developing its audiences by becoming more accessible to the disabled community;
• Big ‘A’ Artistic Achievement Award - recognising the outstanding achievements and contribution of an artist based in New Zealand, who has a physical, sensory or intellectual impairment, or is a mental health service user;
• Big ‘A’ Creative Space Award - recognising the outstanding contribution and impact of a creative space that provides opportunities for people with limited access to make art, across any or all artforms;
• Big ‘A’ Community Partnership Award - recognising a mutually beneficial partnership between two or more organisations or groups actively engaged in a community-based arts project;
• Big ‘A’ Prison Arts Leadership Award - recognising the outstanding contribution of an individual using the arts as a tool to support the rehabilitation of prisoners and their reintegration into the community on release. The individual must be an employee, contractor or volunteer with the Department of Corrections; and
• Big ‘A’ Prison Arts Community Award - recognising the outstanding contribution of a community group or community organisation working with the Department of Corrections and using the arts as a tool to support the rehabilitation of prisoners and their reintegration into the community on release.
Nominations close on 15 March 2013. More is at http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/en/news/nominations-to-recognise-leaders-in-access-to-the-arts
New Zealand International Business Awards Categories for the 2013 awards are: Supreme Award, ANZ Best Business Operating Internationally – Under $10 million, ANZ Best Business Operating Internationally – $10 million-$50 million, ANZ Best Business Operating Internationally – Over $50 million, International success through innovation (supported by Callaghan Innovation), Most Innovative Business Model in International Business, Best Commercialisation of Intellectual Property in International Business, Business (supported by James & Wells), and Best Use of Design in International Business.
Entries close on 15 March 2013. More is at http://www.nzte.govt.nz/press-room/NZTE-Press-Releases/Pages/18-February-2013-Entries-open-today-for-the-2013-New-Zealand-International-Business-Awards.aspx
Te Waka Toi Scholarships The two Te Waka Toi scholarships are open to Maori studying on a marae or other formal tertiary institution such as an accredited university, whare wananga or polytechnic. The amount/offer for this funding opportunity is $4000.
The next round closes on 29 March 2013. More is at http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/en/getting-funded/find-funding-opportunities/te-waka-toi-scholarship/general-info
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 52
Orion Health Scholarship This University of Canterbury scholarship aims to enable students to fast-track their degree through participating in work integrated learning (this is where the time spent in the workplace is included as part of an academic program of study). At least five undergraduate student scholarships are offered. They include financial assistance to cover course fees as well as a ten-week summer internship at Orion Health.
Applications close on 31 March 2013. Forms are on the University of Canterbury Scholarships website. A release is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1302/S00125/orion-health-scholarships.htm
Choreographic Fellowship: Creative NZ This Fellowship is open to choreographers who have already produced a significant body of work. It will be awarded for a project and/or programme, offering the time and/or resources for the Fellow to commit to the project. The amount/offer for this funding opportunity is capped at $65,000.
Applications close on 15 March 2013. More is at http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/en/getting-funded/find-funding-opportunities/creative-new-zealand-choreographic-fellowship/general-info
Green Ribbon Awards: Nominations Open These awards are open to all people and organisations in NZ who are making a difference for our environment. Categories this year are: Protecting our biodiversity; Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions; Caring for our water; Minimising our waste; Protecting our coasts and oceans; Communication and education; Community leadership; Small business leadership; Large business leadership; Public sector leadership; and Green economy You can nominate yourself, your organisation, or product - or other people, organisations, or products.
Nominations on 25 March 2013. For more information/an online nomination form go to http://www.mfe.govt.nz/survey/x13granoms.htm
2013 Science Investment Round: Proposals In the2013 science investment round the focus will be on the Biological Industries, High-Value Manufacturing and Services, Energy and Minerals, and Health and Society research funds.
Proposals are due at noon on 3 April 2013 for the Biological Industries Research Fund, and at noon 4 April 2013 for other research funds, except for the Environmental Research Fund. Details are at http://www.msi.govt.nz/get-funded/research-organisations/2013-science-investment-round/
International Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research: Call for Research The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is part of the Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE – JPI). This programme involves 21 European Member States and associated countries who are committed to addressing the global challenges of agriculture, food security, and climate change. The big challenge is growing more food without growing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
Research needs to be done on this issue, and there are international funds available for collaborative research. Those who get through to the second stage will need to have their full proposal in by 3 September 2013.
The first stage of getting funds is to submit a letter of intent (by 27 March 2013). Find out more at http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-resources/news/funding-opportunities-on-agricultural-greenhouse
Volunteering Fund Applications Open The new funding round for the Support for Volunteering Fund is now open. The fund provides over $500,000 each year to projects and organisations that promote and support volunteering in NZ. The funding is divided between Volunteering New Zealand, regional volunteer centres, and selected projects in the volunteer sector. The focus for the current funding round are projects promoting information sharing, networking, and development of resources that support Maori, Pacific, and ethnic volunteering. The funders are also interested in projects responding to specific cultural values and needs or encouraging, recognising and promoting volunteers as community leaders.”
Applications close on 1 May 2013. Community Advisors in Department of Internal Affairs offices across the country are available to help with applications. More information is at www.communitymatters.govt.nz
53 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Outdoor Access Funding Applications The NZ Walking Access Commission has made up to $138,000 (including GST) available in this year’s access funding round, with a maximum allocation of $25,000 possible to any one organisation.
This year, the priority will be projects designed to obtain certain and enduring access to the outdoors, such as negotiations to secure access agreements, or support for the legal or survey costs of obtaining access. Other eligible projects include those that provide information about access, such as installation of signs, and projects that develop and improve walking opportunities by installing gates, stiles, and fences.
Applications close on 16 March 2013. More is at http://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/enhanced-access-fund/
RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Awards Entries are now open for the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Awards 2013. The supreme Enterprising Rural Women Award* will go to the winner of one of the following entry categories:
• Love of the Land - sponsored by Agrisea Limited – covering all land-based businesses, from animals to agriculture;
• Help! I Need Somebody - sponsored by Telecom – for businesses with a service-focus;
• Making it in Rural – for women involved in manufacturing or creative enterprises; and
• Stay, Play Rural - sponsored by Access Homehealth Limited – covering businesses engaged in rural tourism and hospitality.
*Each category winner will receive $1,000 in prize money and a trophy, with a further $1,000 going to the supreme winner.
Entries close on 15 March 2013, and entry forms are available at www.ruralwomen.org.nz
Race Unity Speech Contest Now in its thirteenth year of competition, the annual Race Unity Speech Awards will this year be on the Race Relations Day theme “My Dream for Aotearoa NZ…” The competition is being held in 12 regions throughout NZ, and is for students in years 11, 12, and 13. Speeches may be delivered in either Maori or English, and must be between 7-8 minutes long.
Regional competitions will be held between 20–27 March, with the deadline for entry between 11 and 18 March, depending on the region. National finals are on Saturday, 6 April 2013.
Those interested in taking part can request an entry form from the National Coordinator, Bev Watson, by emailing [email protected] or phoning or texting 021 257 6526 (please advise what region you are in so the appropriate form can be sent)
NZ International Business Awards Entries are now open for the 2013 NZ International Business Awards. They celebrate NZ business success on the world stage and recognise professional excellence and innovative practice. Past winners have included SMEs and large multinational organisations - from technology, health and design businesses, to those in the primary sector.
Entries close 15 March 2013. More is at http://www.nzte.govt.nz/latest-events/New-Zealand-International-Business-Awards/Pages/New-Zealand-International-Business-Awards.aspx
Racing Safety Fund Applications from all racing clubs and racing code bodies are now being accepted for the next round of the Racing Safety Development Fund, which supports projects around the country that improve racecourse health and safety standards. In the past this has included projects like improvements to gates, stables, and fences, and grandstand repairs.
Applications close on 31 March 2013. Information on how to apply to the Racing Safety Development Fund, and a copy of the application form, are available at http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Resource-material-Our-Policy-Advice-Areas-Racing-Safety-Development-Fund?OpenDocument or by calling (04) 495 6834
Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 54
Te Putea Whakatupu Trust 2013 Scholarships Applications are now open for 50 scholarships, worth $10,000 each, which form part of an expanding programme created by Te Putea Whakatupu Trust, an independent charitable trust set up as part of the Maori fisheries settlement.
Three individual scholarship programmes have been created to target specific areas of Maori economic development, including a new farming and agriculture scholarship being launched this year.
Applications for all the scholarships close 30 April 2013. More is at http://www.tpwt. Maori.nz/
Fulbright-Harkness NZ Fellowship … The Fulbright-Harkness NZ Fellowship offers the opportunity for an emerging NZ leader in any field of study or vocation, other than health care, to study or research in the US for a minimum of six weeks. Successful grantees will receive NZ$15,000 (plus a basic health benefit plan) towards a short fellowship programme of their own design at any US university or institution.
Applications close on 1 April 2013. More is at http://www.fulbright.org.nz/awards/nzscholar/harknessfellowships/
…Fulbright Travel, Specialist Awards The following Fulbright awards are also available:
• Fulbright NZ travel awards - these awards, valued at up to NZ$5,000, are for NZ academics, artists, or professionals to visit the US for 12 to 90 days in order to present their work to American audiences. About twelve awards are offered each year. More is at www.fulbright.org.nz/awards/nzscholar/travel
• Fulbright-Nga Pae o te Maramatanga travel awards in indigenous development - these awards, valued at up to NZ$5,000, are for NZ academics, artists, or professionals to visit the US for 12 to 90 days in order to present their work on a theme of indigenous development to American audiences. A small number of awards are granted each year. More is at www.fulbright.org.nz/awards/nzscholar/fulbright-npmtravel
• Fulbright specialist awards - these awards, valued at up to US$11,700, are for NZ academic institutions to host US academics, artists, or professionals for two to six week programmes of lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences, or symposiums. Up to six awards are granted each year. More is www.fulbright.org.nz/awards/nzinstitution/specialist
Applications for each of these awards close 1 April 2013. See www.fulbright.org.nz/awards or contact Ron Mitchell at Fulbright NZ for further information - [email protected] / (04) 494 1500
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Appointments The new Chief of Army will be Major General Dave Gawn. District Court Judge Mark Perkins has been appointed a permanent Employment Court Judge. Andrew McRae has been appointed Crown Solicitor for Timaru. Charles Chauvel has resigned from Parliament to take up a position with the United Nations in New York, advising on Parliamentary Development and Democratic Governance. Judge Carrie Wainwright has been appointed chair of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal.
Dr Richard Grant has been appointed chair of the Arts Council of Creative New Zealand. John McKinnon is the new executive director at the Asia NZ Foundation. Sir Michael Cullen has been appointed an independent advisor to work with the Crown and Te Kohanga Reo National Trust. Tim Fowler is the Tertiary Education Commission’s new chief executive. Rick Christie is the chair of the newly formed ServiceIQ (that unites three ITOs in the service sector, covering aviation, tourism, travel, hospitality, retail and wholesale). Howard Broad has been appointed as a commissioner of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission. Housing New Zealand’s new CEO is Glen Sowry.
Geoff Bascand has been appointed Deputy Governor and Head of Operations of the Reserve Bank. Sir Mark Solomon has become a director of the Maori Fisheries Trust, Te Ohu Kaimoana. The Royal NZ Navy Band’s new Director of Music is Lieutenant Commander Owen Clarke. Associate Professor Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban has been appointed a member of the Arts Board of Creative NZ.
55 –Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Members who have been appointed to the panel that will identify NZ’s National Science Challenges for the Government are: Prof William Denny, Dr Ian Ferguson, Prof Peter Hunter, Prof Mary O’Kane, Prof Jacqueline Rowarth, Prof Richie Poulton, Charles Royal, Prof David Penman, Elf Eldridge, and Rachael Wiltshire. Sir Ralph Norris and Whaimutu Dewes have been appointed to the board of the Treasury. Russell Watson, Maxine Moana-Tuwhangai, and Belinda Vernon have been appointed to the Maritime NZ board.
New members appointed to the Human Rights Review Tribunal panel are Gillian Goodwin, Deborah Hart, and Katherine Anderson. The establishment board for the new irrigation company that is being set up by the government (see February Bulletin for more details) are: Alison Paterson (chair), Debbie Birch, Michael Webb, Don Huse, Lindsay Crossen, Chris Kelly, and Graeme Sutton. Seven appointments have been made to the Archives Council Te Rua Wananga: new members are Dr Aroha Harris, Diane Morcom, Dr Gillian Oliver, and David Reeves.
Cheers, Craig
To be added to the mailing list contact: For editorial enquiries contact the editor: Rural Women NZ Craig Matthews (Editor) tel 04 473 5524 tel 04 473 5524 email [email protected] email [email protected]
Consulting Editor: Paddy Twist
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Bulletin Aotearoa March 2013 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 - 56
Telecom Payroll Giving Milestone Telecom and the Telecom Foundation came on board with the payroll giving scheme 18 months ago. The Telecom Foundation recently hit $1 million in donations to New Zealand charities, schools and community groups, leading the way in NZ corporate payroll giving. The scheme has enabled 20 percent of Telecom staff to support their favourite causes. Telecom is very proud of what its staff is doing for New Zealand. This means the generous Telecom people out there have collectively given $1 million dollars to any of the 25,000 registered and verified charities and schools throughout New Zealand. Every donation made by a Telecom employee has been matched by Telecom up to $1,000 for all charities that an employee donates to and $1,000 per school donation.This milestone is considered a really significant achievement for a new programme – especially because in New Zealand payroll giving itself is still very new.
More on the Foundation and what you can do can be found at telecomfoundation.org.nz
For general information on payroll giving and how to join it can be found at www.ird.govt.nz/news-updates/like-to-know-payroll-giving-updates.html
Rural work life balance
A love for the community is second nature to Fiona Thompson who grew up in a small rural town. This early foundation made her aware of some of the great benefits a rural lifestyle brings - character, a family atmosphere and community support in times of need.
Fiona is passionate about helping people. And becoming a Access support worker has pro-vided her the ideal pathway to balance her active role on the on the Nelson farm she and her partner work, with supporting people in their homes.
Fiona assists clients with anything from dressing, bathing and grooming, to helping them get in and out of bed, and providing peace of mind and more. Sometimes, Fiona’s visit may be the only contact her client has for several days. She also helps with household chores such as cleaning, cooking and shopping.
“The challenges I face each day always evolve into triumph in some way,” says Fiona. “Through hard work, love of people and passion for the community it’s a very rewarding life-style. Care giving is always challenging. I like supporting my clients through the sometimes tough psychological and physical obstacles at play during the healing process”.
The flexible hours of being a support worker are a perfect match with Fiona’s farming commit-ments and hobbies, providing her with a good work and home life balance.
Access has supported New Zealanders since 1927 when ‘bush nurses’ provided home care as part of the Women’s Division Federated Farmers – now called Rural Women New Zealand. Today Access, a not for profit organisation, remains owned by Rural Women New Zealand and sits at the forefront of the home and community health sector.
For more information or to learn more about the services we offer, phone Access on 0800 AT HOME (0800 284 663) or visit www.access.org.nz.
