bulletin aotearoa october 2012
DESCRIPTION
Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012TRANSCRIPT
OCTOBER 2012
Bulletin Aotearoa is brought to you with the help of the following sponsor partners:
Bulletin Aotearoa is a free monthly news digest produced by Rural Women New Zealand.
Our aim in producing this bulletin is to help build community capacity by circulating timely and relevant information, so people in rural and other communities are able to have their say on issues and changes that may affect them.
Our grateful thanks go to our sponsors who so generously support us to do this.
Bulletin Aotearoa may be copied in full or individual items reproduced, providing the source is acknowledged.
Paddy & CraigBulletin Aotearoa Editors
Mammary Memories
ISSN: 2230-6986
Click HERETo recieve Bulletin Aotearoa directly to your inbox each month.
Consultation Education/Training Changes to Vehicle Licensing & Warranting ............................ 3 2012/13 World University Rankings: We’re Up There ............ 19 Workplace Health & Safety: Have Your Say ............................. 3 NZ Education’s Smaller Spend, Bigger Gain: OECD ............. 19
.................... 3 Crown Minerals (Permitting and Crown Land) Bill ................ 19 Tertiary Education Performance Improves in 2011 ........................................ 4 Changing the Benefits System in NZ ............................. 19 Free Foundation Level Tertiary Education
..................... 4 Banning Gang Patches in Government Buildings ............................... 19 National Standards Info Available Online .................... 4 Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill
EmploymentPayment for Parent Carers of Disabled Adults ......................... 4 NZ Courts & Tribunals Fees Changes ...................................... 5 Care Workers & Sleepovers: Update ..................................... 20
............................................................. 5 Where Next For CER? Collective Pay Agreements: Private vs. Public ....................... 20 ......................................... 5 Ka Hikitia/Maori Education Strategy Employers & Employees Poles Apart: Survey ........................ 20
Solutions to Child Poverty ........................................................ 6 .......................................................... 21 Job Ad Numbers Rising ......................... 6 Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill (No 2) Telework Week: Support for Working From Home ................. 21
............................ 6 Parliamentary Privilege and Public Servants ................................. 21 Refugees & Employment: MBIE ReportLand Transport Management Amendment Bill ......................... 6
Housing/Building Health Practitioners Competence Act Consultation .................. 7 ................................... 7 ACC’s Annual Levy Rates Consultation Housing Market Picks Up in August ....................................... 22
.......................................................... 7 Youth Crime Action Plan Chathams Get Social Housing Grant ..................................... 22 ........................ 7 Ngati Whatua o Kaipara Claims Settlement Bill All Gas & Electrical Work to be Certificated ........................... 22
................................................ 8 Waitaha Claims Settlement Bill ...... 22 Chch’s Temporary Accommodation Allowance Extended .......................... 8 Tourism NZ’s Three-Year Marketing Strategy
Energy ...................................... 8 Review of Infant Formula Regulations ....................................... 8 Fungus to Control Wandering Willie? ....................... 23 Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report…All about Port Safety & Clean Sea Water… .............................. 8 … The NZ Energy Quarterly ................................................... 23 …& Shorter Consents for Discharges into Water ..................... 9
................................ 9 Transport & TravelRules for Government’s Buying PracticesAttendance at Gallipoli in 2015 ................................................. 9 ............................................................. 23 New Motorbike Rules ............................................................ 9 Fisheries Consultations 2012 Car Seat Belt Survey ..................................................... 24 ................... 9 Other Ministry of Primary Industries Consultations ....................... 24 EECA's Heavy Vehicle Transport Programme .................................. 10 NZ Historic Places Trust Consultations
Justice/The LawRural ............................................. 24 Crime Rate Lowest On Record*Look After Farmer Welfare: Study .......................................... 10 .................................... 25 Sentencing Statistics: Adults & YouthWho to contact if you, or someone you know, is stressed ... 10 ...................... 25 Rehab & Protection of Child Offenders: Report ......... 11 Use “White Space for High Speed Rural Broadband? ” ................................ 25 Ombudsman: Official Information Issues ........................... 11 Deer Tagging Requirements Now Changed ..................................... 26 New Powers for Immigration Officers .................................... 11 Animal Ethics Advisory Group Report Law Protects People on Jury Service ..................................... 26 ..................... 11 International Day of Rural Women - 15 October Detain Offenders at High Risk of Offending? ......................... 26
..................... 26 Environment Less Entitlement to Parole Hearings for Some?Law: Offending Against Police, Health, Fire Staff ................... 27 ................................ 12 AHB Now Under Official Information Act Victims’ Centre Gets More Funding ....................................... 27 ................................................. 12 Protection of Whitetip Sharks Public Private Partnership for Wiri Prison: Update ................. 27 ...................................................... 12 Bird of the Year Poll Open
.............................. 12 Public Service/Local Authorities Television Recycling Scheme Announced .......................... 13 Increased Penalties for Wildlife Smuggling? Review of Government Communications Security Bureau
(GCSB)Resource Explains Maori Interests in Fresh Water ................ 13 ................................................................................... 27 ............................................. 13 Wind Power's Massive Potential .................... 28 Web Services: New Govt Buying Arrangements ............... 28 Health & Welfare Local Body Elections: Donations Rules Changing?
Environment Canterbury Commissioners Stay On ................. 28 .................. 13 The Investment Approach to NZ Welfare System Ministry of Primary Industries’ Website Guide: Part 2 ............ 28 Links to Info on the Changes to Welfare System ................ 14 Rest Home Services & Care: OAG Follow-up ........................ 14 Not-For-Profits Older People’s Network Responds to Issues ......................... 15 ............................................. 29 Why Businesses Back Charities ................ 15 Pharmac Manages Medicines - & Medical Devices Playcentre Publications Now NFP Company ......................... 30 New Nurses Code of Conduct ................................................ 15
......................................... 16 Business Arthritis NZ’s “Fit for Work” Report .................... 16 High Ongoing Disability Levels Amongst Injured
Business Income Rebounds in 2011 ...................................... 30 Domestic Violence & Child Abuse – Another Inquiry .............. 16 NZ’s International Investments ............................................... 30 .......................................... 17 “Stub It Out”: Free Game for iPad
................................................................. 31 New Patents Bill… ..................................... 17 New Alcohol Drug Helpline for Youth ............................ 31 … & New Trade Mark Regulations Coming ................................... 17 Child Pornography Penalties Coming?
...................... 31 Intellectual Property Rights: Madrid ProtocolKXXD: Online Chinese Mental Health Programme ................ 17 A Good Place to Grow Business, But … ................................ 32 Director of Mental Health: Annual Report ............................... 18
........................................... 32 Customer Service Use Changing ..................... 18 No Point Nagging to Make People Lose Weight .................... 32 Bribery & Corruption: More Awareness Needed ................................................................. 18 Movember - & Son
................................................................... 33 Halal Guide to NZHearing Aid Fashions to Brighten Your Day ........................... 18 2012 Hospitality NZ Awards for Excellence ............................ 33 Nutrition: Organic Food vs. Conventional Food? .................... 18
1 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 2
Money Matters Incomes Change Little From June 2011 ................................. 33 NZ’s Global Competitiveness Improving................................. 34 IRD & MSD Begin Sharing Information Soon ......................... 34 Kiwis Are Good Financial Managers… ................................... 34 … But Not Perfect By Any Means .......................................... 34 Lower Passport Fees Round the Corner? .............................. 34 “Financial Arrangements” Rules Tightened ............................ 35 Financial Markets Conduct Bill: Update .................................. 35 Hoax Phone Calls Offering Tax Refunds ................................ 35 Tax Compliance: IRD Priorities .............................................. 35 Internet, ICT & Media NZ Praised For Web Use ....................................................... 36 .kiwi.nz Domain Name – Get Yours Quick .............................. 36 Changing Face of Cybercrime ................................................ 36
Lessen the Risk .................................................................. 36 Google Most Visited Website For NZers ................................ 37 Facebook in Te Reo Maori ..................................................... 37 Improving Broadband Information for Consumers .................. 37 A Really Horrible Scam… ....................................................... 37
A Handful of Sites ............................................................... 37 Treaty Matters Crown Offer Accepted by Ngai Tuhoe .................................... 39 Tamaki Collective Deed of Settlement Signed ....................... 39 Arts & Culture New National Opera Company ............................................... 40 NZ Stars at Frankfurt Book Fair .............................................. 40 New Arts Funding Scheme ..................................................... 40 All Systems Go For Len Lye Centre ....................................... 40 Te Waka Toi Awards For Maori Artists… ............................... 40 …& Creative NZ Toi Uru Kahikatea: Who Got What .............. 41 Fish & Ships Changes to Fishing Rules ...................................................... 42 New Marine Legislation Bill .................................................... 42 Fish Quota Owners Reduce Orange Roughy Limit ................ 42 Bottom Trawling “Ploughing” the Sea Floor ............................ 43 Science & Technology NZ Cow Bred to Produce Low-Allergy Milk............................. 43 Innovative New Uses for Flax Fibre ........................................ 43 Giving, Not Greed, Gut Reaction ............................................ 43 Tiny But Tough …. Really Tough! .......................................... 44 The 2012 Ig Nobel Prize Winners ........................................... 44 Handy Stats ............................................................................ 45
Statistics Made Available to More Researchers .................. 45 General Seasonal Outlook: October – December 2012 ....................... 46 Response to 22 Feb Earthquake: Report Released ............... 46 Review of Earthquake Commission ........................................ 47 Racial Discrimination in NZ .................................................... 47 Maori Viewpoint Survey Results ............................................. 47 International Religious Freedom: NZ Gets Thumbs Up .......... 48 All About Diwali ...................................................................... 48 National War Memorial Park Changing .................................. 48 Home is Where the Beer Is .................................................... 48 Conferences & Events ............................................................ 49 Awards & Opportunities .......................................................... 50 Appointments ......................................................................... 53
Consultation
Changes to Vehicle Licensing & Warranting The Ministry of Transport and the NZ Transport Agency are consulting on options for new ways to licence and warrant vehicles:
• warrant options range from yearly and six-monthly inspections to having the first inspection at three years - then annually, having inspection based on distance travelled, or having inspections at change of ownership;
• Certificates of Fitness options are about the frequency of inspections, and also about where and by whom they should be done;
• registration options include direct debit payments, email and text message reminders, early payment incentives/late payment penalties, removing some vehicles from the system, and changing/removing the licensing label; and
• transport service licences* options include removing transport services licensing, or not requiring commercial transport operators to be licensed.
*Transport service licences are for vehicles used in heavy goods services, passenger services (buses and taxis), rental or tow services.
Submissions close on 31 October 2012. Email submissions to [email protected] with Submission in the subject line, or post it to Vehicle Licensing Reform Submissions, Ministry of Transport, PO Box 3175, Wellington 6140. More is at http://www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/Land/Pages/vehiclelicensingreformconsultation.aspx
Back to top
Workplace Health & Safety: Have Your Say This consultation paper comes from the Independent Taskforce on Work Health and Safety, which has the job of recommending changes to reduce the rate of fatalities and serious injuries by at least 25% by 2020. Have your say on (amongst other things):
• the changes required to current workplace health and safety legislation and regulations;
• how economic and other incentives can better influence workplace health and safety outcomes (e.g., the HSE levy, enforcement actions, penalty levels);
• how workers’ perspectives can be taken into account when finding ways to improve workplace health and safety;
• the impact of changes on the businesses at the highest risk of fatalities and serious injuries, and on workers and firms in small and medium enterprises (SMEs); and
• the role of ACC when it comes to health and safety outcomes, including: ACC’s role in workplace injury prevention and rehabilitation, and how well it works with the health and safety inspectorate and other government agencies.
Public meetings will begin on 9 October.
Submissions to the taskforce close on 16 November 2012. An online questionnaire is at http://www.hstaskforce.govt.nz/consultation/. More, including a link to the consultation paper, is at www.hstaskforce.govt.nz The full meeting schedule is on the Taskforce’s website – www.hstaskforce.govt.nz
Back to top
Crown Minerals (Permitting and Crown Land) Bill This Bill aims to promote prospecting for, exploration for, and mining of Crown owned minerals. Among other things it would:
• simplify the permitting system, including the allocation of rights to prospect for, explore for, and mine Crown owned minerals, and getting a fair return to the Crown for them. There would be a 2-tiered system for permit management – Tier 1 for complex, higher-return petroleum and mineral activities, and Tier 2 for smaller operations. Tier 1 activities will be have more hands-on, co-ordinated management and regulations, and Tier 2 would be managed quite simply; and
3 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
• co-ordinate government agencies’ work in exploration and production health, safety, and environmental standards, introducing an initial assessment of health, safety, and environmental ability, and make regulations covering people’s day-to-day management of mining activities.
Submissions close on 2 November 2012. Two copies go to the Commerce Committee, Parliament Buildings, wellington, or submit online. The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2012/0070/latest/DLM4756113.html
Back to top
Changing the Benefits System in NZ The Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill would introduce new categories of benefit, and detailed rules for beneficiaries on these benefits. Main changes include:
• there would be three main benefits - Jobseeker Support (includes sickness beneficiaries) for people expected to be seeking work, Supported Living Payment (includes people on invalids benefit and people caring for the sick/infirm), and Sole Parent Support (for sole parent and widows with children under 14 years) - where part-time work is expected for people with children five years and over;
• drug testing where a beneficiary is referred to a job or training programme where drug testing is a prerequisite, and penalties for non-compliance;
• requiring parents of children over three years to enrol them: in preschool, in school at five/six years, and with a primary health care provider, and be up to date up-to-date with Well Child checks; and
• stopping benefit payments to beneficiaries with a warrant to arrest that remains unresolved after 28 days from issue.
Submissions close on 1 November 2012. Two copies go to the Social services Committee, or submit online. The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2012/0067/latest/DLM4542304.html See also the Health section of this issue
Back to top
Banning Gang Patches in Government Buildings The Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Bill introduces restrictions surrounding gang insignia being displayed on government premises. Its aim is to provide an environment free from gang intimidation in all buildings of Departments of the Public Service, Statutory Entities, and Local Authorities in NZ.
Submissions close on 31 October 2012. Two copies go to the Law and Order Committee, or submit online. The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/member/2012/0033/latest/versions.aspx
Back to top
Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill This Bill seeks to amend the Marriage Act 1955 to ensure that its provisions are not applied in a discriminatory way. It aims to ensure that all people, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity will have the opportunity to marry if they so choose.
Submissions close on 26 October 2012. Two copies go to the Government Administration Committee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington or submit online. The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/member/2012/0039/latest/versions.aspx
Back to top
Payment for Parent Carers of Disabled Adults The Ministry of Health is going to pay family carers who provide home and community support to their disabled adult family members following a Court of Appeal ruling in June 2012. A consultation paper describes some options for ways of paying the carers. Questions being asked include (amongst others):
• Should eligibility for payment be targeted?
• How should family carers be paid?
• What should family carers be paid for?
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 4
• Should a new family carer's payment be established through the welfare system?
Submissions close on 6 November 22012. You can complete an online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/familycarersconsult, complete a submission form and post it to Family Carers Consultation, Ministry of Health, PO Box 5013, Wellington 6145, or email [email protected]. More is at http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/consultation-paying-family-carers-provide-disability-support-2012
Back to top
NZ Courts & Tribunals Fees Changes This Ministry of Justice discussion paper on changes proposes changes to civil fees in courts and tribunals.
It says that fees for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Maori Land Court are about right, but that fees in the District Courts, High Court, Environment Court and Employment Court are currently too low. Fees are also considered too low in the Disputes Tribunals, the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, and the Legal Complaints Review Officer Tribunal.
It’s suggested that users should pay a filing fee of $30 in: the Accident Compensation Appeal Authority, the Accident Compensation Appeals (District Court Registry), the Human Rights Review Tribunal, and the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal.
The Ministry doesn’t think it’s appropriate to charge fees for the International Education Appeal Authority, the Legal Aid Tribunal, the Social Security Appeal Authority, the Student Allowance Appeal Authority, the Immigration Advisers Complaints, and the Disciplinary Tribunal and Review Authority (legal aid providers).
A new $600 fee is proposed for applications relating to commercial licensing disputes in the Copyright Tribunal.
Submissions close on 2 November 2012. They go to [email protected], or to Civil Fees Review, Ministry of Justice, DX SX10088, Wellington. The paper is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Civil_fees%20review_Consultation_paper.pdf
Back to top
Where Next For CER? A joint Australian and NZ Productivity Commission draft document identifies 20 policy-based ideas to promote closer economic relations between the two countries. It would like feedback on these ideas.
The two commissions say that the major things likely to deliver benefits to both countries are in areas like business law, occupational licensing*, rules of origin**, air services and shipping, and making it easier to allow money and people to move as freely as possible between the two countries. Also, each government has a lot to learn from each other when it comes to policy development and evaluation.
*Occupational licensing is the requirement to hold a license issued by a regulatory body or professional organisation, before practicing a trade, profession or other occupation.
**Rules of origin are the criteria needed to determine the national source a product comes from.
Submissions close 18 October 2012. The draft document can be downloaded from http://www.productivity.govt.nz/sites/default/files/trans-tasman-draft.pdf and instructions about how to make a submission can be found at http://www.transtasman-review.productivity.govt.nz/make-a-submission
Back to top
Ka Hikitia/Maori Education Strategy This five-year Maori education strategy is coming to an end, and a new one: “Ka Hikitia – Accelerating Success 2013–2017” is being developed by the Ministry of Education. A consultation paper called Me Korero-Lets Talk provides:
• a snapshot of what is happening currently for Maori learners in education;
• some ideas for making a difference over the next five years and beyond; and
• some questions about what you think works “on the ground” to raise achievement for Maori learners, and also what kinds of support people need to make things work better and faster.
Submissions close on 31 October 2012. They go to Ka Hikitia, c/o Ministry of Education, PO Box 1666, Wellington 6140, or answer online at: www.minedu.govt.nz/MeKoreroLetsTalk. More, including a link to the discussion paper/questions, is at http://www.minedu.govt.nz/theMinistry/PolicyAndStrategy/KaHikitia/MeKoreroLetsTalk.aspx
Back to top
5 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Solutions to Child Poverty A reminder that a paper from the Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty is still open for comment. The paper sets out proposed solutions to child poverty.
Submissions close on 12 October 2012. They go to [email protected], or you can complete an online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/child_poverty. Consultation seminars and hui are being held in some of NZ's main centres to give people the opportunity to give feedback on the group’s ideas. The paper and more information about the consultation events are at http://www.occ.org.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/9859/FINAL_EAG_Media_statement28_Aug.pdf
Back to top
Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill (No 2) Among other things this Bill would:
• introduce data-matching with the NZ Customs Service to locate borrowers in serious default when they enter or leave NZ;
• from 1 April 2014, broaden the definition of income for student loans to fit with the definition of income used for Working for Families tax credits and student allowances;
• require all borrowers who have income extra to salary and wages to make an end-of-year square-up repayment only if that extra income is $1,500 or more over the annual repayment threshold (currently $19,084); and
• make end-of-year square-up repayments payable on the borrower's terminal tax date, rather than being payable in instalments.
Submissions close on 31 October 2012. Two copies go to the Finance and Expenditure Committee, Parliament Buildings Wellington. The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2012/0056/latest/DLM4682902.html
Back to top
Parliamentary Privilege and Public Servants Parliament’s Privileges Committee has been asked to consider whether the decision of the Supreme Court in Attorney-General and Gow v Leigh [2011] NZSC 106 has implications for parliamentary privilege. The Court unanimously upheld decisions of the High Court and the Court of Appeal that public servants assisting Ministers to answer Parliamentary questions are not protected by absolute privilege against claims for defamation arising from what they say to the Minister. They are protected by qualified privilege, and the Court held that it is not necessary for the proper functioning of the House of Representatives for public servants to have any greater privilege than that.
Submissions close on 29 October 2012. Two copies go to the Privileges Committee, or submit online. The Terms of Reference are at http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/9AB8E3D2-B879-4AEE-981E-BE5F8F9B79CA/244282/DBSCH_PRIV_11058_Questionofprivilegeconcerningthed.pdf
Back to top
Land Transport Management Amendment Bill This Bill would:
• change the planning and funding system that channels around $3 billion of central government funding each year into land transport activities, including roading, public transport, and road safety;
• change the system for assessing toll road schemes; and
• set in law a new system for building a long-term partnership between regional councils and public transport operators called the “public transport operating model”.
Submissions close on 26 October 2012. Two copies go to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington. The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2012/0046/latest/DLM4662912.html
Back to top
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 6
Health Practitioners Competence Act Consultation A review of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act 2003 is now underway. This Act affects the way all health professionals practice in NZ. The review will look at how the Act is working within the wider health system, and how it could be improved (international trends indicate more emphasis on consumer protection, on standardising legislation and health institutions, and on improving the performance of health authorities). It will particularly focus on: ways to deliver the workforce required in future, the health and welfare of health professionals, a strong data collection system, and how well regulations will work over the next five to ten years.
Submissions close on 26 October 2012. They go to [email protected] or HPCA Submissions, Health Workforce NZ, National Health Board, Ministry of Health, PO Box 5013, Wellington 6145. More is at http://healthworkforce.govt.nz/HPCA-Discussion-Document or email [email protected]
Back to top
ACC’s Annual Levy Rates Consultation ACC sets separate levies to cover the costs of work-related personal injuries, non-work related personal injuries, and personal injuries involving moving motor vehicles on public roads. These levies are paid by employers, self-employed people, employees, and motor vehicle users. The 2013/14 levy rates ACC is proposing include:
• a 13% decrease in the average work levy, paid by employers and self-employed;
• a 12% decrease in the earners’ levy, paid by everyone in the paid workforce; and
• no change to the average motor vehicle levy, paid by motor vehicle owners and users.
Submissions close on 23 October 2012. Post submissions to Levy Consultation, ACC, PO Box 242, Wellington 6140, or email them to [email protected]. For more visit www.acc.co.nz/levyconsultation
Back to top
Youth Crime Action Plan Terms of reference for a Youth Crime Action Plan have been released. The plan is aimed at reducing offending by, and victimisation of, children and young people. Under it, frontline youth justice staff, service providers, families, schools, and communities would be more coordinated, and they would need to come up with practical solutions that make a real difference in communities and the lives of young people.
The terms of reference include improving efforts to intervene in youth offending earlier, particularly with young Maori, and creating a system for helping whanau and community groups develop local solutions.
Consultation is underway with frontline staff, non-government organisations, Maori (through a reference group and a series of hui), and other interested parties who regularly work with child and youth offenders. The plan is intended for release in early 2013.
The terms of reference are at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Terms_of_Reference_for_Youth_Crime_Action_Plan.pdf. Send your ideas for the Action Plan to [email protected].
Back to top
Ngati Whatua o Kaipara Claims Settlement Bill This Bill gives effect to the deed of settlement entered into by the Crown and Ngati Whatua o Kaipara on 9 September 2011 for the final settlement of the historical claims of Ngati Whatua o Kaipara.
Submissions close on 19 October 2012. Two copies go to the Maori Affairs Committee, Parliament Buildings, or submit online. The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2012/0043/latest/versions.aspx
Back to top
7 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Waitaha Claims Settlement Bill This Bill gives effect to the deed of settlement signed on 20 September 2011 in which the Crown and Waitaha agreed to the final settlement of the historical Treaty of Waitangi claims by Waitaha.
Submissions close on 19 October 2012. http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2012/0065/latest/versions.aspx
Back to top
Tourism NZ’s Three-Year Marketing Strategy Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) is seeking views on the development of its next three-year marketing strategy (the current three-year strategy finishes at the end of June 2013) This document guides the work it carries out to meet its objective of increasing the value of international visitors to the NZ economy.
TNZ has prepared an online survey for people to complete. All information will be treated as confidential and all feedback received will be considered.
Comments close on 17 October, 2012. The survey is at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BFQR3CV. More is at http://www.tourismnewzealand.com/news-and-features/latest-tourism-news/2012/10/seeking-your-input-to-tourism-new-zealand%27s-next-three-year-marketing-strategy/
Back to top
Review of Infant Formula Regulations This Food Standards Australia NZ (FSANZ) consultation paper (that is part of a review) looks at the regulation of infant formula products in the Food Standards Code. Products covered by the review included infant formula (for infants aged 0 to 12 months), follow-on formula (for infants aged from 6 to12 months), and infant formula products for special dietary use. The consultation paper covers a range of issues including how the current standards operate, composition of products, and labelling and advertising.
Submissions on the consultation paper close 7 November 2012. More is at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/reviewingstandard2915640.cfm
Back to top
Fungus to Control Wandering Willie? The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is seeking submissions on an application (from the Auckland Council) to introduce and release Kordyana sp., the Brazilian yellow leaf spot fungus, to control the weed Tradescantia fluminensis (also known as “wandering willie”).
Submissions close on 25 October 2012. More is at www.epa.govt.nz/consultations/Pages/default.aspx
Back to top
All about Port Safety & Clean Sea Water… Among other things, the Marine Legislation Bill would make changes relating: to port and harbour safety; enabling NZ to agree to three international maritime conventions, and change another one; and changes dealing with how maritime and marine protection rules are made.
It would also amend legislation to transfer the responsibility for regulation of discharges into the marine environment from Maritime NZ (MNZ) to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Discharges covered include offshore processing drainage; chemicals involved in drilling, and production, oily waste and garbage from offshore installations; production facilities on mineral mining ships; and dumping of waste.
Submissions close on 12 October 2012. Two copies go to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, or submit online. The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2012/0058/latest/versions.aspx
Back to top
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 8
…& Shorter Consents for Discharges into Water The current law allows for discharges into water where there are undefined “exceptional circumstances” for up to 35 years. As a result, consents have been granted that have polluted waterways under a provision not intended to apply this way. The Resource Management (Restricted Duration of Certain Discharge and Coastal Permits) Amendment Bill would limit the length of time for which granting discharge permit and coastal permit consents can be issued in exceptional circumstances to a maximum of five years.
Submissions close on 29 November 2012. Two copies go to the Local Government and Environment Committee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, or submit online. The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/member/2012/0036/latest/DLM4302902.html
Back to top
Rules for Government’s Buying Practices Draft rules have been developed for the way government agencies acquire and deliver goods and services. The aim is to modernise the government’s approach to procurement and encourage agencies to use more strategic approaches and commercial expertise when procuring.
Submissions close on 12 October 2012. More, including two online surveys, is at http://www.business.govt.nz/procurement/news/draft-new-rules-of-government-procurement-now-out-for-consultation
Back to top
Attendance at Gallipoli in 2015 The Defence Force’s Veterans’ Affairs Unit is consulting with the public about how to ballot attendance at Anzac Day 2015 in Gallipoli - the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landings on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey.
Submissions close on 25 November 2012. A survey and more information are at www.gallipoli2015.govt.nz
Back to top
Fisheries Consultations The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) wants feedback from stakeholders on its review of the Maui’s dolphin part of the Hector’s/Maui’s dolphin Threat Management Plan.
Submissions close on 12 November 2012. Fishing-related submissions go to [email protected] and non-fishing-related ones go to [email protected] or write to Maui’s dolphin TMP, PO Box 5853, Wellington 6011. More is at http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Consultations/Hector+and+Mauis+Dolphins+Threat+Management+Plan/default.htm
Back to top
Other Ministry of Primary Industries Consultations MPI is consulting on (closing dates are in brackets):
• Proposals to Amend (No.1) the NZ (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2012 (26 October 2012);
Submissions go to [email protected]. More is at http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/elibrary/industry/proposals-amend-nz-mrl-discussion-2012/index.htm
• Discussion Paper: Review of the Poultry NMD Programme's E. coli testing and Campylobacter Performance Target Limit (19 October 2012);
Submissions go to [email protected]. More is at http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/elibrary/industry/draft-poultry-nmd/index.htm;
• Standards for Cat and Dog Transitional Facilities (sets out requirements for constructing, maintaining, operating and approving temporary facilities for cats/dogs) (2 November 2012); and
Submissions go to [email protected]. Or to W Long, Animal Imports: Consultation on Cat & Dog Transitional Facilities, MPI, PO Box 2526, Wellington 6140. More is at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/biosec/consult/draft-catdog.tf
9 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
• Regulations for Pre-1990 Forest Land Offsetting in the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme Proposes changes to regulations for pre-1990 forest land, and would, among other things, define rotation periods for forest types, and set out how to work out the size of the forest needed to offset emissions from deforested pre-1990 forest land (19 October 2012).
Submissions go to [email protected], or to Forestry Regulations Consultation, Resource Policy, Ministry for Primary Industries, PO Box 2526, Wellington 6014. More is at http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-resources/consultations/regulations-for-pre1990-forest-land-ets-offsetting
Back to top
NZ Historic Places Trust Consultations Submissions are sought on the review of the registration of Port Craig Sawmill and Settlement.
Submissions close on 26 November 2012. They go to [email protected] or to Otago/Southland Area Manager, NZ Historic Places Trust, PO Box 5467,Dunedin 9058. More is at http://www.historic.org.nz/TheRegister/NotifiedProposals.aspx
Back to top
Rural
Look After Farmer Welfare: Study An AgResearch study has investigated the pressure farmers are under, and warned of the serious implications of poor farmer welfare. The main message from the research is that farmers and their families should seek help for stress before issues become crises. Top causes of stress are:
• high debt levels and other financial pressures;
• stress from workload relates to the sheer amount of work people have to do on farms;
• relationship difficulties with farm staff and in farm management;
• health issues causing stress for dairy farmers relate either to their own health or the health of their family members; and
• age-related conditions, which can present challenges while doing physical farming work, and a lot of farmers also have older parents to care for.
The research has been carried out over the past three years and will continue for at least another four. It is part of a Dairy Farmer Wellness and Wellbeing Project, co-funded by Hamilton-based industry good organisation DairyNZ and the Government's Primary Growth Partnership.
Farmer Wellness: a Scoping Study is at http://www.agresearch.co.nz/our-science/agricultural-systems/people-in-agriculture/docs/Waikato%20dairy%20farmer%20wellness.pdf
Who to contact if you, or someone you know, is stressed • your GP
• Rural Support Trust – 0800 787 254
• Lifeline 24-7 phone counselling service – 0800 543 354
• Depression helpline – 0800 111 757
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 10
Use “White Space for High Speed Rural Broadband? ” A new report suggests that using available television spectrum could be a low-cost, practical solution for people who live in areas where the terrain or remote location means that the usual ways of broadband are not practical or very expensive. For people in these areas the only option is satellite broadband, which is costly and is affected by weather conditions (other options can also be affected by trees). The report, called “TV White Space Technology for Rural Communications”, was funded by InternetNZ through its Community Projects Fund.
Access the report from http://www.ruralwomen.org.nz/_blog/News_and_Inspiration/post/TV_White_Space_Technology_offers_new_hope_for_rural_broadband/
Back to top
Deer Tagging Requirements Now Changed Deer farmers can now their animals with a National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme RFID tag, or an AHB barcoded primary tag, until deer join the NAIT scheme in March 2013, when NAIT tags become compulsory. Deer farmers who have already NAIT-tagged their animals, or plan to do so soon, won’t have to keep using AHB barcoded primary tags. Any existing, official ear tags should not be removed from older stock.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1209/S00672/change-in-deer-tagging-requirements.htm
Back to top
Animal Ethics Advisory Group Report The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) has issued its 2011 annual report.
It covers (among other things):
• Ministry for Primary Industry statistics for research, testing and teaching (RTT) involving animals in 2011 (the total number of animals reported as used in RTT for 2011 was 327,674, with the average over three years to 2011 slightly down on previous figures); and
• NAEAC’s focus on responsible use of animals, focussing on “the Three Rs: the replacement of live animals in experiments wherever possible, the reduction in numbers of animals as much as possible, and use of techniques and general husbandry to minimise or eliminate suffering.”
The report is at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/animal-welfare/naeac/annual-reports
Back to top
International Day of Rural Women - 15 October The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Rural Women celebrates and honours the role of rural women. It recognises rural women’s importance in enhancing agricultural and rural development worldwide.
People, government agencies, community groups and non-government associations celebrate the International Day of Rural Women with panel discussions, research papers, and conferences reviewing and analysing rural women’s role in society, particularly in areas such as economic improvement and agricultural development.
Here’s a selection of Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) activities being held in NZ to celebrate the day:
• South Canterbury and Marlborough RWNZ members are following an “Enterprising Women in the Pacific” theme, hosting a guest speaker from Tonga;
• Waipa King Country women are learning about latest scientific research on child brain development with Neonatal Unity for Mothers and Babies (NUMB) and the Brainwave Trust;
• the Lower North Island region is having a lunch at Woodville with guest speaker Dame Miriam Dell;
• Otago members are focusing on walking and the outdoors with a speaker from the Walking Access Commission;
• Moutere RWNZ branch is combining its 80th birthday celebrations and marking the International Day of Rural Women with a garden trail event, and walking is also the broad theme for Southland’s get together; and
11 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
• balloons feature in Hamilton’s Rukuhia branch celebration, as members present a car to Rainbow Place (a branch of Hospice Waikato) on 15 October. The car will be used by Rainbow Place’s therapists and nurses who travel some 2,600 kilometres each month providing support services to children and their families through serious illness.
For more information about RWNZ activities contact J Edkins, Communications Officer, Rural Women NZ on (04) 473 5524
Back to top
Environment
AHB Now Under Official Information Act Following the passing of the Biosecurity Select Law Reform Bill the Animal Health Board (AHB) is now subject to the Official Information Act (OIA). The AHB is an incorporated society that is legally responsible for managing and putting the National Pest Management Strategy (NPMS) for bovine tuberculosis in NZ into action.
The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2010/0256/latest/DLM3388104.html
Back to top
Protection of Whitetip Sharks From early 2013 Oceanic whitetip sharks will become fully protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. Taking whitetip sharks in NZ fisheries waters will be punishable with a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment for a maximum term of 6 months.
It will be compulsory to report accidental captures of the sharks, with fines up to $10,000 possible for non-reporting.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1209/S00427/endangered-whitetip-sharks-to-be-protected.htm
Back to top
Bird of the Year Poll Open The poll, in its eighth year, aims to raise the profile of NZ’s threatened and much loved bird species. In recent years, well-known NZers have acted as “campaign managers” for their favourite bird, and gone to great lengths to drum up votes. Previous winners include the tui (2005), fantail (2006), grey warbler (2007), kakapo (2008), kiwi (2009), kakariki (2010), and pukeko (2011).
Voting runs until 5pm, 10 October at www.birdoftheyear.org.nz and follow the competition on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ForestandBird and Twitter #birdoftheyear
Back to top
Television Recycling Scheme Announced A national scheme has been set up to encourage the recycling of unwanted televisions. The TV TakeBack programme aims to divert up to 500,000 televisions from going to landfill with a number of recyclers and retailers providing a nationwide network of subsidised options. The programme will also help educate people about the benefits of recycling and lay the foundation for a more permanent solution for electronic waste.
Hawke's Bay and the West Coast are the first regions to go digital, so they’ll be the first involved in the programme. From now until March 2013, the cost to recycle unwanted televisions in these areas will be subsidised. Note: there will also be a free period in Hawkes Bay and the West Coast between 13-28 October where no drop off fees will apply.
For more information about the programme, including where to find recycling drop-off points, go to: www.tvtakeback.govt.nz
Back to top
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 12
Increased Penalties for Wildlife Smuggling? A new Wildlife (Smuggling Deterrence) Amendment Bill would increase the maximum penalty for smuggling of native animals like tuatara, parrots, and geckos from 6 months imprisonment or a $100,000 fine to up to five years imprisonment and/or a $300,000 fine.
It will also allow certain DOC rangers some limited powers of arrest to ensure smugglers can’t abscond before police arrive. Rangers have successfully brought four prosecutions involving seven foreign nationals and 68 lizards since 2010.
The Bill will be introduced to the House later this year.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1209/S00144/harsher-penalties-for-wildlife-smugglers.htm
Back to top
Resource Explains Maori Interests in Fresh Water Te Wai Maori Trust, which was established by legislation through a nationwide agreement on fisheries, is developing online information about fresh water for people wanting to understand the discussion over Maori rights and interests in fresh water. The trust says there has been a lot of interest in the public discussion over Maori interests to fresh water and how it is affecting the sale of State-owned power generators.
The resource aims to make sure that both Maori and non-Maori are well-informed on issues around fresh water. It covers the reasons behind the Waitangi Tribunal claim, and what is at stake.
Go to www.waimaori.maori.nz/freshwater
Back to top
Wind Power's Massive Potential Two independent groups of scientists have discovered that wind power could be used to produce all the electricity needed in the world. Scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the US found that surface winds could produce at least 400 trillion watts of power - people worldwide are using 18 trillion watts of power. Another study indicated that the wind power available at most modern wind turbines' height is around 80 trillion watts.
More is at http://www.insidescience.org/?q=content/studies-show-wind-powers-massive-potential/782
Back to top
Health & Welfare
The Investment Approach to NZ Welfare System The Government is using a new approach to the welfare system using an “actuarial valuation” (a calculation of future liability) based on the lifetime costs of people on different benefit types, and the effect of changes in policy on people in the benefit system.
The valuation indicates that people on Unemployment Benefits (UB) make up a very small proportion of lifetime costs on welfare (5%) when compared to sole parents (23%) and people on Sickness (9%) and Invalid’s Benefits (24%). However, UB recipients receive the most support to get off welfare into work.
The actuarial valuation found the current lifetime cost of people on welfare to be $78.1 billion and the group with the highest lifetime costs on welfare are those who go on benefits before age 18. It indicates that just 4,000 16- and 17-year olds on benefits account for $1 billion of the lifetime costs.
13 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
The investment based approach takes a long-term view of each individual given their needs, challenges and prospects of a quick return to work. It also means intervening earlier, and investing in more support for those who’re capable of working but are likely to remain on benefit long-term without help. Money is spent where it will have the biggest impact, and that might mean getting treatment for a back injury, access to mental health services, or help to manage a pain related condition.
To read the full actuarial valuation go to: www.msd.govt.nz
Back to top
Links to Info on the Changes to Welfare System From 15 October 2012 there are changes to some benefits. Factsheets explain what these mean for people on DPB - Sole Parent, DPB - Women Alone, and Widow's Benefits, and to partners of people on a main benefit:
Domestic Purposes Benefit - Sole Parent factsheet - http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/dpb-sole-parent-oct-factsheet.pdf
Partners of a main beneficiary factsheet - http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/partners-oct-factsheet.pdf
Domestic Purposes Benefit - Women Alone factsheet - http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/women-alone-oct-factsheet.pdf
Widow's Benefit factsheet - http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/widows-oct-factsheet.pdf
People on a benefit having another child factsheet - http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/additional-child-factsheet.pdf
Long acting reversible contraception factsheet - http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/sng-contraception-oct-factsheet.pdf
Benefits stopped for those with arrest warrants – a press release is at http://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/newsroom/media-releases/2012/welfare-reform-paper-e-social-obligations.pdf
Pre-employment drug testing for jobseekers – a paper is at http://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/newsroom/media-releases/2012/welfare-reform-paper-e-social-obligations.pdf
Youth Services – go to http://www.youthservice.govt.nz/
A list of 43 community-based Youth Service providers is at http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/welfare-reform/list-of-providers.html
The Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill - press release covering the second reading of this Bill is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/social-security-youth-support-and-work-focus-amendment-bill-second-reading
Back to top
Rest Home Services & Care: OAG Follow-up The Auditor-General’s latest report looks at how well the Ministry of Health (MoH) and district health boards have dealt with recommendations about rest home services made in her 2009 report. She says that recommendations made in the 2009 report have been met, as:
• MoH has introduced an approach which combines audits previously done by DHBs and the “designated auditing agencies” (DAAs) that audit rest homes on behalf of the Ministry;
• it has introduced spot (unannounced) audits, and requires more frequent audits when it assesses risks as higher;
• it has re-introduced third-party accrediting of the auditing agencies; and
• the consistency and quality of rest home audits have improved.
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 14
However, she also says that certification and auditing systems need to provide better assurance about quality of care that’s being provided, and that there’s an opportunity to look at how to bring together clinical and audit information to improve it by:
• better assessing the quality of care being provided to rest home residents;
• making improvements to the standards that rest homes must meet; and
• continuing to improve auditing so people know the standards are being met.
The report is at http://www.oag.govt.nz/2012/rest-home-services-follow-up
Back to top
Older People’s Network Responds to Issues Police have established 33 Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) in 11 districts throughout the country to work with government and non-government groups to help identify and respond to older people’s issues within communities.
Office for Senior Citizens Volunteer Community Coordinators (VCCs) are also working with the NPTs in a move to keep older people safe at home.
The VCCs are a network of older people who carry out projects that enable communities to contribute to policy and service development for older people.
Over the next 12 months the plan is to link more VCCs to NPTs throughout the country.
A press release is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/older-volunteers-work-neighbourhood-policing-teams
Back to top
Pharmac Manages Medicines - & Medical Devices Over the next few years Pharmac is to extend its management of medicines to include hospital medical devices. The idea is to put in place a national procurement system managed by Pharmac. At the moment 20 district health boards currently buy about 250,000 types and brands of medical devices. They range from cotton wool swabs and pregnancy test kits to surgical implants, and they include 24 different brands of examination gloves, 13 different brands of disposable gowns, and 28 different brands of cauterising instruments for surgery.
Pharmac will work closely with Health Benefits Limited (HBL)*. Both will ensure that policies, procedures, and plans are established with clinical input, so that health professionals will know well in advance what the areas of focus will be, and they’ll have an opportunity to feed into and influence that process.
* HBL was set up by the government to help DHBs save money by reducing their administrative, support, and procurement costs.
A press release is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/smarter-purchasing-deliver-savings-health
Back to top
New Nurses Code of Conduct A new Nursing Council code of conduct, and professional boundaries guideline aims to give clear direction to nurses about the professional conduct that is expected of them, as well as being a resource for the public about what can be expected from a nurse.
The code has core values of respect (trust, partnership and integrity) and eight equally important principles. Over the next three years, all nurses will be required to complete professional development on professional boundaries and the code of conduct as part of their continuing competence requirements.
More is at http://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz/index.cfm/1,254,html/A-new-Code-of-Conduct-for-nurses%20
Back to top
15 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Arthritis NZ’s “Fit for Work” Report Arthritis NZ’s report “Fit for Work” looks at the burden of musculo-skeletal disease (MSD) in NZ and its financial impact, particularly in the workplace. MSDs are the leading cause of disability both in NZ and around the world, affecting one in four adults and accounting for 25% of the total cost of illness. MSDs are also the second largest category of conditions resulting in claims for sickness benefit.
MSDs can impact on a person’s work performance in many ways, affecting: stamina, concentration, rationality/mood, mobility, and agility. Also, people with MSDs are likely to have depression or anxiety problems related to their conditions.
The report says there are four main principles which GPs, employers, employees and the government should focus on if the working lives of workers with MSDs are to be improved:
• early diagnosis and intervention are essential - because the longer people are away from work the more difficult it is for them to return;
• identify where work is good – in some instances, staying at work on lighter duties or with adjusted hours may well be a better option than a prolonged absence from work;
• think beyond the physical symptoms - for example, also thinking about how MSDs can affect someone’s emotional state; and
• focus on capacity not incapacity - this recognises that most workers with MSDs can continue to make a great contribution at work if they are allowed to.
Download the report from http://www.arthritis.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/fitforwork.pdf
Back to top
High Ongoing Disability Levels Amongst Injured A University of Otago team has found high levels of on-going disability amongst people injured, even when not hospitalised. The team was not expecting such high levels.
The Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study (POIS) is tracking 2856 Kiwis who suffered an injury which resulted in them being placed on ACC’s entitlement claims register after either being hospitalised or receiving treatment without being hospitalised. Three months after the injury it was discovered that 39.4% of the 2079 people who were not hospitalised were dealing with disability, along with 53.6% of the 673 people in the hospitalised group.
These results challenge an often held assumption that people not admitted to hospital, don't have a serious injury or long-lasting disability.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1210/S00012/disability-high-amongst-non-hospitalised-injury-victims.htm
Back to top
Domestic Violence & Child Abuse – Another Inquiry The Glenn Family Foundation is launching an inquiry to find out why domestic violence and child abuse remains such a big issue in this country. The inquiry will produce an evidence-based Blueprint for the future – a model for addressing child abuse and domestic violence. Dame Catherine Tizard will be the inquiry’s patron.
More is at http://www.glennfamilyfoundation.org/ and people or organisations wanting to be involved can send an email to [email protected]
Back to top
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 16
“Stub It Out”: Free Game for iPad A University of Auckland research team have released a free iPad game app for people who are trying to quit smoking (an iPhone version is in the pipeline). “Stub It Out” tries to help Kiwis distract themselves from tobacco cravings. The aim of the game is to stub out tobacco products as they appear. Players capture stop-smoking products as they move through the levels, and points are expressed in minutes of life regained.
The free app is available from Apple’s App Store at http://bit.ly/QnTcna
Back to top
New Alcohol Drug Helpline for Youth The Alcohol Drug Helpline’s new youth service offers young people a safe and easily accessible way to talk about their alcohol and other drug use. People can get free confidential information, and advice and support about their own or someone else’s alcohol and other drug use. They have the choice of using a new texting service, or contacting the Helpline by phone or on-line chat.
Over the last year 1,247 young people aged 24 and under contacted the Helpline. The primary drugs identified by young people were alcohol (57%), cannabis (23%), and methamphetamine (9%).
Alcohol Drug Helpline Youth Service: 0800 787 984. 10am to 10pm every day. To text: Txt adh to 234 and Helpline will text you back. Website and online chat: www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz
Back to top
Child Pornography Penalties Coming? There are plans to increase maximum penalties for child pornography offences and to future-proof laws against advances in technology (e.g., internet, social media). Key aspects of new legislation include:
• increasing the maximum penalty for possession, import, or export of an objectionable publication from 5 years to 10 years imprisonment;
• increasing the maximum penalty for distributing or making an objectionable publication from 10 years to 14 years imprisonment;
• making it clear in the Classification Act that possession of objectionable material includes intentionally viewing material over the internet without consciously downloading or saving it; and
• creating a new offence of indecent communication with a child (anyone under the age of 16) which includes texting, online and verbal communication.
Legislation will be introduced to the House later this year.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/child-pornography-offences-increased-updated-new-technology
Back to top
KXXD: Online Chinese Mental Health Programme Kai Xin Xing Dong (KXXD) is an online programme give information about mental health to Chinese people, with the aim of reducing stigma and discrimination. It includes resources in Chinese and English for people who are experiencing mental health issues, and information about events in the community (other organisations can list information on the site). KXXD, which also offers workshops for professionals to help them work effectively with the Chinese community, is part of the Like Minds, Like Mine anti-discrimination education programme.
The site is at http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/kaixinxingdong/page/5-Home
Back to top
17 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Director of Mental Health: Annual Report The annual report of the Office of the Director of Mental Health has just been released by the Ministry of Health. Amongst other things it includes recent statistics on compulsory assessment and application for compulsory treatment orders, compulsory treatment orders, seclusion, electroconvulsive therapy, reportable deaths, death by suicide or suspected suicide, and detentions and committals under the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966.
The report is at http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/office-director-mental-health-annual-report-2011
Back to top
No Point Nagging to Make People Lose Weight University of Otago research suggests that middle-aged women (40-50) who eat healthily because they want to (for example, because they enjoy creating healthy meals, or who view eating healthily as integral to their lifestyle), have a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who do so in order to keep others happy (or who are nagged to lose weight).
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1209/S00041/reasons-behind-healthy-eating-may-be-crucial-to-womens-bmi.htm
Back to top
Movember - & Son 2012 is the year of Movember & Sons. This Movember all men are being encouraged to seek and share knowledge and wisdom with loved ones, to learn their family health history and predispositions and to understand the risks they face.
Last year, Movember included 850,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas across the globe raising a phenomenal NZD $156.1 million for prostate cancer and male mental health. The hairy movement will continue to grow in 2012, as 21 countries across five continents unite to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.
Sign up at http://nz.movember.com/news/view/id/3085/category/local/
Back to top
Hearing Aid Fashions to Brighten Your Day The International Federation for Hard of Hearing Conference in Norway reports it was delighted to see people from other countries wearing beads to brighten up and announce the presence of their hearing aids.
As a result of this, the fashion industry of NZ has been challenged by the National Foundation for the Deaf to design hearing aid accessories with Kiwi flavours that people living with a hearing impediment can wear to show their national pride and also their desire to communicate.
More is at http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/7675784/Hearing-aids-go-bling
Back to top
Nutrition: Organic Food vs. Conventional Food? New information has cast doubt on arguments that organically grown foods are more nutritious than conventionally grown foods. Researchers analysed 237 separate studies which compared the organic foods to conventionally grown foods. They did not find strong evidence that organic foods are more nutritious or carry fewer health risks than conventional alternatives. However, it was noted that organic foods can reduce the risk of pesticide exposure.
More is at http://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2012/09/04/is-organic-food-healthier-experts-respond/?utm_source=HEADS-UP+7-13+SEP++2012&utm_campaign=SMC+Heads-Up&utm_medium=email
Back to top
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 18
Education/Training
2012/13 World University Rankings: We’re Up There All but one of NZ’s universities are ranked in the top 500 universities in the world (apparently, there may be something like 17,000 universities around the world). The rankings of NZ universities are: 83 - The University of Auckland; 133 - University of Otago; 221 - University of Canterbury; 237 - Victoria University of Wellington; 308 - Massey University; 374 - University of Waikato; and 500= Auckland University of Technology.
The global top ten universities are 1 - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); 2 - University of Cambridge; 3 - Harvard University; 4 - UCL (University College London); 5 - University of Oxford; 6 -Imperial College London; 7 - Yale University; 8. - University of Chicago; 9 - Princeton University; and 10 - California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1209/S00066/201213-qs-world-university-rankings.htm
Back to top
NZ Education’s Smaller Spend, Bigger Gain: OECD The OECD’s “Education at a Glance 2012” gives a snapshot of global education and compares what’s spent in education by countries within the OECD. It shows that NZ spends just under the OECD average on educating students in primary schools through to tertiary institutions. However, our level of student achievement is near the top of the OECD in literacy, numeracy, and science.
More is at http://www.oecd.org/edu/eag2012.htm
Back to top
Tertiary Education Performance Improves in 2011 Tertiary education performance information for 2011 shows that the university, polytechnic, wananga, and private training establishment sectors have improved their course and qualification completion rates, and also improved student retention rates.
Course completion rates have risen from 77% in 2009 to 82% in 2011, with qualification rates over the same period increasing from 62% to 71%. Level 4 and above qualification completions also increased from 64% to 72%.
More is at http://www.tec.govt.nz/Learners-Organisations/Learners/performance-in-tertiary-education/Educational-performance-at-individual-tertiary-providers/
Back to top
Free Foundation Level Tertiary Education Seventeen Private Training Establishments (PTEs) will offer free foundation level tertiary education for the first time in 2013, getting around $12 million of funding for fees-free level 1 and 2 courses. The other $26 million allocated for free foundation courses has gone to six institutes of technology and polytechnics, and one wananga.
A press release is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/38m-dedicated-fees-free-foundation-level-learning
Back to top
National Standards Info Available Online National Standards information from almost 2000 primary and intermediate schools is now available on the Ministry of Education’s Education Counts website (around 200 have either not yet submitted data or their information is incomplete). The information has been published in the format that schools submitted it.
The Ministry advises that to get a good picture of their child’s school parents need to look at schools’ Education Review Office (ERO) and annual reports: these are also available on the Education Counts website. As well, they need to talk to principals, teachers, schools trustees, and other parents.
19 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
The information is at http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-a-school
Back to top
Employment
Care Workers & Sleepovers: Update The passing of the Sleepover Wages (Settlement) Act 2011 last October made big changes to the way sleepover services are funded. Previously, care workers were paid a shift allowance for their work, rather than the hourly minimum wage. Now, care workers are entitled to the full minimum wage (currently $13.50 an hour) and will receive gradual increases up to this amount by July 2013.
The Act introduces strong incentives for publicly funded health and disability employers to reach settlement because they will be eligible for contributory funding from the Crown to reduce back dated liabilities, and to support them to phase in the minimum wage. Also, if employers don’t join they will be required to pay 100% of the minimum wage from 1 July 2013.
Some $27.5 million has been set aside to assist Crown-funded employers in the health and disability sector to settle valid back wage claims, also up to $90 million over three years for the staged progression to the minimum wage.
Recently, the Sleepover Wages (Settlement) Act 2011 was extended to cover eight health-funded organisations. The move means employees of these organisations will be paid what is owed them under the Act. In addition, settlements of another 22 organisations have recently been finalised, or are close to it.
More is at http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/disability-services/sleepover-settlement
Back to top
Collective Pay Agreements: Private vs. Public According to Victoria University’s Industrial Relations Centre, workers on collectively-agreed employment contracts received an average 2% pay increase in the year to June 2012. Employees in the private sector received an average 2.6% pay rise. Workers in the public sector got an average 1.5% pay rise.
The survey also showed that the proportion of NZ’s workforce on collective agreements remained steady, as it has for the last decade, with one in five workers covered by this type of agreement.
More is at http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about/newspubs/news/newslatest#a118361
Back to top
Employers & Employees Poles Apart: Survey Findings from The Great NZ Employment Survey® show employers and employees are poles apart when it comes to understanding what each other wants. The results show 50% of NZ employees list having “fun and working with great people” as the most important factor in their employment followed by great pay, benefits, and career development. Employers meanwhile believe their product and brand reputation (71%) is the most important factor in attracting talent, followed by being a stable, market leader (68%). The pay packet ranks the second lowest in importance despite this being a high priority for employees.
Other findings include:
• ineffective leadership is the most highly rated barrier to better performance by employees, whereas employers think it is excess workload;
• 36% of employees refer to lack of motivation as a barrier to performance; and
• half of employers are looking to cut costs, and a third are focusing on staff numbers.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1210/S00011/employers-and-employees-are-poles-apart.htm
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 20
Job Ad Numbers Rising SEEK job ads are up 6.5% (year-on-year) on national basis. There were more job ads in all major cities and regions in NZ, with Wellington having the biggest increase (4.4%), followed by Auckland (2.9%) and Canterbury (2%). There was a rise in internet job advertisements, but a 2.6% fall in newspaper listings.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1209/S00462/job-ads-up-on-a-national-basis.htm
Back to top
Telework Week: Support for Working From Home This country’s first Telework Week will run from 12-16 November to promote employees using ICT to work away from their usual place of employment.
The aim is for businesses to learn more about telework and the options an ultra-fast broadband workplace provides, and then consider how it might benefit them and their employees.
The week will also provide a good opportunity to demonstrate other benefits of telework, for example the environmental benefits of reduced fuel consumption, less road congestion, and disaster recovery preparedness.
Telework Week is led by Cisco, in partnership with Crown Fibre Holdings, Vodafone, Datacom and NZICT, and is run in conjunction with Telework Week in Australia.
For more go to www.teleworknz.co.nz
Back to top
Refugees & Employment: MBIE Report The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) recently released several reports as part of its Quota Refugees Ten Years On programme. Former refugees have a strong sense of identity and belonging to NZ, as well as a desire to seek meaningful employment and contribute to life in NZ. The reports say that while employment was a help in integrating people who first came to NZ as refugees, it also is the main area in which there is still significant progress to be made: two-out-of-five former refugees were working and around half received government benefits as their main source of income.
Ideas around improving progress include:
• access to local work experience – including targeting employment services and using community networks – could be considered to improve employment outcomes (over and above access to training and education); and
• making sure that employment initiatives are targeted towards the needs of youth transitioning from education and training into employment.
The reports are available at http://dol.govt.nz/research/migration/refugees/quotarefugees.asp
Back to top
21 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Housing/Building
Housing Market Picks Up in August By the end of August, the number of home sales had climbed 16% (by 843 to 6,035) compared to the same month a year earlier, and was up 2.2% on July. The Auckland and Christchurch markets are particularly strong. Across the rest of the country sales volumes are continuing to rise, but prices continue to reflect the general caution around the economic outlook and turnover has not reached the pre-2008 long-term average.
More is at https://www.reinz.co.nz/reinz/index.cfm?1CB561D5-18FE-7E88-42FB-507342EF7F81&obj_uuid=C775A006-BD77-C29E-E208-988379AC79EB
Back to top
Chathams Get Social Housing Grant Ngati Mutunga O Wharekauri Asset Holding Co Ltd (NMWAHC) of Chatham Islands has received a grant of $400,000 to build social housing on the Chatham Islands.
The group recently built five new homes for low-income families after being part-funded by the Social Housing Unit. This grant will go towards building houses to rent to low income families – there isn’t any state housing on the Islands, and there are only small number of houses available for rent.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1209/S00352/chathams-social-housing-receives-boost.htm
Back to top
All Gas & Electrical Work to be Certificated From 1 July 2013:
• all gas and electrical installation work will require certification;
• gas and electrical tradespeople will be able to design their own certificates, and store and send them electronically – they won’t have to buy them from their worker registration board;
• all work classified as high-risk will have to be registered on a new publicly available database run by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE); and
• the fees charged by the Electrical Workers Registration Board for examination and licensing will be updated.
More is at http://www.dbh.govt.nz/update-gas-and-electricity-regulations
Back to top
Chch’s Temporary Accommodation Allowance Extended This allowance (TAA) will now be available until 1 March 2015. It can be used to cover rent, board, and motel stays. It is not means-tested and offers support of up to $330 per week, depending on the family commitments of the applicants.
More about the TAA is at www.quakeaccommodation.govt.nz, or call 0800 673227
Back to top
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 22
Energy
Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report… The 2011 report has been released. Highlights in this edition include:
• energy sector emissions down 1.9% from 2010 (mainly due to a 10% drop in emissions from electricity generation, thanks to high rainfall allowing a lot of hydro-generation, reduced demand in Canterbury following the earthquakes, and an increased use of wind and geothermal power);
• energy sector emissions up 31% from 1990;
• emissions from electricity generation down 10% from 2010; and
• domestic transport emissions up 63% from 1990.
The edition includes more information about changes in emissions from the domestic transport sector since 1990.
The report is at http://www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/energy/energy-modelling/publications/energy-greenhouse-gas-emissions
Back to top
… The NZ Energy Quarterly This has information about the supply of major fuel types, energy production, electricity generation, associated greenhouse gas emissions, and liquid fuel prices. This latest issue (for the June quarter of 2012) shows that:
• the renewable share of electricity generation fell to 64%;
• greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation were up 100% on the June 2011 quarter;
• domestic crude production increased 24% from the March 2012 quarter; and
• underground coal gasification* and production of coal seam gas has started in Huntly.
There is also information about the Electricity Authority’s (EA’s) review of electricity prices. The Electricity Authority (EA) has carried out a market performance review following a 16-day period of unusually high electricity prices in the South Island instantaneous reserves (IR) market. The item describes why this happened. The matter has now been referred to the Commerce Commission. * Gasification is a process that converts organic or fossil based carbonaceous materials into carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.
The Energy Review Quarterly is at http://www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/energy/energy-modelling/publications/new-zealand-energy-quarterly More on the EA Market Review of Electricity Prices is at http://www.ea.govt.nz/industry/monitoring/enquiries-reviewsinvestigations/2012/
Back to top
Transport & Travel
New Motorbike Rules Effective from 1 October are the following:
• a power-to-weight restriction for novice motorcycle riders. This replaces the current cc limit for novices;
• all motorcyclists, regardless of age, are to be subject to the same minimum time requirements at the restricted licence stage (currently, riders aged over 25 have a shorter time requirement before they can progress to a full licence); and
• motorcyclists can no longer complete an approved driving course (such as Defensive Driving) to reduce their time on a restricted motorcycle licence.
23 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
From 1 November 2012 the basic handling skills test will be strengthened so riders will need a higher level of basic skills required to ride on the road.
NZTA expects to introduce a new competency-based training and assessment option for new motorcyclists in late 2013.
More is at http://nzta.govt.nz/licence/getting/motorcycles/changes.html
Back to top
2012 Car Seat Belt Survey A recent survey of adult front seat occupants indicates that 96% of NZers wear their safety belts, up from 92% in 2003. However, 25% of the motorists who have died on the roads so far this year were not wearing safety belts. Men are more likely to put themselves at risk, with 5% of male drivers and 7% of male passengers not wearing their seatbelts, compared to 3% of female drivers and 3% of female passengers.
The 2012 Safety Belt Survey is available at: http://www.transport.govt.nz/research/Pages/Safetybeltstatisticsfrontseat2012.aspx
Back to top
EECA's Heavy Vehicle Transport Programme This programme aims to improve fuel efficiency of heavy vehicle fleets. EECA is offering performance assessments of (among other things) fleet management, fuel use, driver behaviour, vehicles types, and journey planning and dispatch.
Under the programme, heavy vehicle performance advisers review heavy vehicle fleet operations and identify where fuel efficiency gains could be made. Training can also be provided for heavy transport operators.
Email [email protected] or visit http://www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/heavy-vehicles
Back to top
Justice/The Law
Crime Rate Lowest On Record* There were 394,522 recorded offences in 2011-2012, compared with 416,324 the previous year. This was a 5.9% decrease in the number of offences recorded per 10,000 of population. This is the lowest number of offences in any year since 1988-1989, and the lowest crime rate per head of population since before electronic records began.
The largest decrease was in Canterbury District, where recorded crime fell by 11.7% (following the earthquake there was a sudden large decrease in recorded theft and property damage offences).
The latest figures also indicate that:
• acts intended to cause injury, (mainly assault-related offences), dropped by 6.8%;
• sexual assault and related offences increased by 3.6%;
• robbery, extortion and related offences were down by 8%;
• unlawful entry with intent/burglary/break and enter offences reduced by 3.4% (including a 1.6% reduction in dwelling burglaries);
• nationally, there were fewer stolen vehicles than the previous year (down 3.5%), and thefts from cars reduced even more (down 5.2%); and
• illicit-drug offences rose 5.1% (note: recorded offences for drug use and possession actually fell 5.6% - but there was a 72.2% increase in offences for dealing and trafficking).
* Note: this year’s figures do not include family violence statistics.
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 24
More is at https://www.police.govt.nz/news
Back to top
Sentencing Statistics: Adults & Youth Conviction and Sentencing Statistics for the year to June 2012 indicate:
• the number of criminal charges laid in court continues to decrease, down 8% since June 2011;
• the number of people charged in court continues to decrease, down 8% since June 2011; and
• the proportion of charges resulting in conviction has increased from 70% in June 2008 to 74% in June 2012.
Child and Youth Prosecution Statistics for the same period indicate:
• the number of children and young people appearing in court decreased by 8% (from 3651 to 3345); and
• the number of children and young people charged with an offence has decreased across most offence types.
The adult statistics are at http://www.stats.govt.nz/tools_and_services/tools/TableBuilder/justice-statistics.aspx, and child and youth prosecution statistics are at http://www.stats.govt.nz/tools_and_services/tools/TableBuilder/child-youth-justice.aspx
Back to top
Rehab & Protection of Child Offenders: Report The report of the Social Services Select Committee inquiry into the identification, rehabilitation, and protection of child offenders makes 31 recommendations covering: the identification of child offenders, effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes, the care and protection referral process, and the effectiveness of the care and protection model. The Committee’s report emphasised the importance of the early identification of children who offend, or are at risk offending, in order to improve life outcomes. This focus includes preventing children from offending or entering into a pattern of repeat offending and becoming youth or adult offenders.
In its response the Government has made comments against each of the recommendations made, agreeing, or agreeing in principle, with 26 of them. It will give further consideration to four others.
The Government response to the Report of Social Services Committee is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Government_response_to_the_Report_of_Social_Services_Committee_inquiry_into_the_identification.pdf
Back to top
Ombudsman: Official Information Issues In its annual report, the Office of the Ombudsman says it is seeing a “worrying trend” of agencies seeking to exclude certain types of information from the application of the Official Information Act (OIA). The Office first raised this concern five years ago, but it appears some agencies are still routinely drafting new or amending legislation in a way that means people cannot apply under the Act for access to information.
Over the past year the Office had referred to it (often at very short notice) several legislative proposals which seek to exclude the application of the OIA. The proposed Mixed Ownership Model, according to the Office, was the most significant of these.
This year, the Office received 1,236 Official Information Act complaints. For the second time in a row, this is significantly more than in previous years and it is the highest number for 11 years. The Ombudsman also noted a growth in complaints about delays by agencies in making decisions on official information requests.
The annual report can be found on www.ombudsman.parliament.nz and a press release at http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/ckeditor_assets/attachments/137/ar_2011-12_-_avoiding_the_oia.pdf?1348707559
Back to top
25 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
New Powers for Immigration Officers Immigration NZ officers now have powers similar to those of NZ Customs and Fisheries officers. They can now carry out searches at the border, and they can detain (for a limited period of time) people liable for deportation. They also have the power to obtain biometric information (like fingerprints), and they have more access to the records of education providers.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-powers-immigration-officers-protect-new-zealand%E2%80%99s-border
Back to top
Law Protects People on Jury Service Under the recently-enacted Juries (Jury Service and Protection of Particulars of Jury List Information) Amendment Act:
• access to jurors’ addresses on panel records is restricted;
• people can now apply to be permanently excused from service due to disability or for health reasons (court registrars also must permanently excuse people aged over 65 who request this); and
• people who have been sentenced to home detention for three months or more during the last five years cannot serve on a jury, and people serving less than three months’ home detention will be excused from service if they are summoned while serving their sentence.
The Act is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2011/0278/latest/versions.aspx
Back to top
Detain Offenders at High Risk of Offending? A recently introduced Public Safety (Public Protection Orders) Bill would allow the High Court to order offenders who pose a high risk of imminent and serious sexual or violent offending after they are released from jail, to be detained.
Public Protection Orders (PPOs) would see offenders held in a secure facility until the High Court is convinced they are safe for release.
Offenders subject to a PPO would be able to seek a court review of their detention, and if they no longer met the criteria, they would be released and placed on a protective supervision order.
A press release is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1209/S00270/new-orders-deal-with-highest-risk-offenders.htm
Less Entitlement to Parole Hearings for Some? The recently-introduced Parole Amendment Bill would amend the Parole Act 2002. It would reduce the number of parole hearings, and for many prisoners would increase the maximum time between parole hearings from 12 months to two years. For offenders serving long sentences (10 years or more), the maximum time between parole hearings would increase from three to five years. Offenders who refused to acknowledge their offending and had made little or no effort at rehabilitation would wait even longer for their parole hearing.
Under the current Act, the Parole Board is required to consider every offender who is eligible for parole at least once every 12 months. The Parole Board holds more than 6,000 parole hearings each year, and, on average, each offender has three hearings before they are approved for release. A third of offenders have four or more hearings.
The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2012/0073/latest/versions.aspx
Back to top
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 26
Law: Offending Against Police, Health, Fire Staff The recently-passed Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Act makes offending against law enforcement officers and health or fire emergency services first responders an aggravating factor at sentencing.
Previously, there was no requirement for a judge to consider whether the victim was a first responder when sentencing an offender.
The Act is at http://legislation.co.nz/bill/government/2010/0222/latest/whole.html
Back to top
Victims’ Centre Gets More Funding The Victims Centre (set in up in the Ministry of Justice in 2011) has been given further funding of $1 million to enable it to continue assist victims until June 2014. The centre helps victims get resources and support services from Government agencies.
Over the past year, the victims’ information freephone logged 17,734 calls - an average of 1478 per month, and 20,260 people visited the centre’s website.
The victims’ information freephone is 0800 650 654, and the Victims Information Centre website is www.victimsinfo.govt.nz
Back to top
Public Private Partnership for Wiri Prison: Update The SecureFuture consortium has been contracted to design, finance, build, operate and maintain a new 960-bed public-private partnership (PPP) prison at Wiri, South Auckland.
SecureFuture is made up of Fletcher Construction - who will design and construct the prison, Serco - who will operate it, Spotless Facility Services – who will be responsible for maintenance, and equity participants John Laing, InfraRed, and ACC.
The 25 year contract is worth around $840 million, and construction will begin soon, with the prison set to open in 2015.
The prison will operate within the current Corrections’ framework and it will have to comply with all relevant NZ legislation and international obligations. All prisoners will remain the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Department.
A release is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/contract-signed-new-ppp-prison-wiri
Back to top
Public Service/Local Authorities
Review of Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) The Cabinet Secretary has been seconded as an associate director and deputy chief executive of the GCSB for at least 3 months to “provide assurance to the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB director) that the bureau's activities are undertaken within its powers, and that adequate assurance and safeguards are in place”.
She will review the GCSB's collection and reporting systems and processes, provide assurance to the GCSB director that the its system has been reviewed, improved and is fit for purpose; and establish new approval processes for activity that support police and other law enforcement agencies.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1210/S00043/cabinet-secretary-seconded-to-gcsb-to-review-spooks.htm
Back to top
27 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Web Services: New Govt Buying Arrangements The Government has set up new procurement arrangements for web services. Led by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), it will allow government agencies to obtain online support and resources from an approved list of 42 providers.
The panel includes NZ owned and operated small-to medium-sized enterprises as well as larger companies offering a wider range of services.
Visit www.ict.govt.nz for more information
Back to top
Local Body Elections: Donations Rules Changing? Proposed changes to the donation provisions of the Local Electoral Act covering local body elections include (amongst other things):
• limiting to $1500 the size of an anonymous donation a candidate can retain;
• requiring any candidate receiving an anonymous donation of more than $1500 to pay the excess to the electoral officer, and requiring the electoral officer to pay the amount over $1500 to the local authority administering the election;
• expanding the current definition of “anonymous” to include situations where the candidate could not “reasonably know” the identity of the donor;
• raising the amount of a donation that the candidate must report in their electoral return from $1000 to $1500;
• requiring people who receive donations on behalf of a candidate to disclose the identity of the donor (if known) to the candidate; and
• tightening the current information disclosing and reporting obligations.
A new Local Electoral Amendment Bill is going to be introduced this month in order to give time for the changes by May 2013 (to give good time for those arranging and participating in the local authority elections in October 2013).
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1209/S00159/proposed-changes-to-local-electoral-law.htm
Back to top
Environment Canterbury Commissioners Stay On Commissioners are to continue to govern Environment Canterbury after the 2013 local authority elections. The Commissioners were appointed in 2010 following a review of Environment Canterbury’s performance. The current legislation states that their term was to end at the local government elections in 2013. However, a Bill amending this existing legislation means that commissioner governance will continue until the 2016 local authority elections. There will be a another Ministerial review in 2014.
More is at http://www.dia.govt.nz/Resource-material-Our-Policy-Advice-Areas-Environment-Canterbury
Back to top
Ministry of Primary Industries’ Website Guide: Part 2 Forestry in NZ - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-nz
International Forestry - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-nz/international-forestry
Montreal Process (measuring sustainable forestry management) - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-nz/international-forestry/montreal-process
Indigenous Forestry - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-nz/indigenous-forestry
South Island Landless Natives Act (SILNA) - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-nz/indigenous-forestry/south-island-landless-natives-act-silna
Illegal Logging - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-nz/illegal-logging
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 28
Crown Forestry - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-nz/crown-forestry
Forest Mapping - Wood Supply Regions - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-nz/forest-mapping-wood-supply-regions
Forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-the-ets
Post-1989 forest land voluntary participation - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-the-ets/post-1989-forest-land-voluntary-participation/post-1989-forest-workshop
Field Measurement Approach in Forestry: http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-the-ets/post-1989-forest-land-voluntary-participation/field-measurement-approach
Pre-1990 forest land: Deforestation obligations - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-the-ets/pre-1990-forest-land-deforestation-obligations
Pre-1990 forest land: Allocations and exemptions - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-the-ets/pre-1990-forest-land-allocations-and-exemptions
Sustainable Forestry Bulletins - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-the-ets/sustainable-forestry-bulletins
Forestry ETS Factsheet http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-the-ets/forestry-ets-factsheet
ETS Key Dates - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-the-ets/key-dates
ETS Glossary - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/forestry-in-the-ets/glossary
Forestry Statistics & Forecasting - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/statistics-forecasting
Forestry statistics - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/statistics-forecasting/forestry-statistics
Greenhouse Gas (reporting and forecasting) - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/statistics-forecasting/greenhouse-gas
Forestry Statistical Publications - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/statistics-forecasting/statistical-publications
Agricultural Production Survey - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/statistics-forecasting/agricultural-production-survey
MPI’s Funding Programmes - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/funding-programmes
Permanent Forest Sink Initiative - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/funding-programmes/permanent-forest-sink-initiative
Carbon Sequestration Rates - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/funding-programmes/permanent-forest-sink-initiative/carbon-sequestration-rates
Afforestation Grant Scheme - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/funding-programmes/afforestation-grant-scheme
East Coast Forestry Project - http://www.mpi.govt.nz/forestry/funding-programmes/east-coast-forestry-project Back to top
Not-For-Profits
Why Businesses Back Charities This HorizonPoll research finds that of the businesses it surveyed, 88% currently support community organisations. These businesses say they do so for the following reasons:
• it is the right thing to do (66%);
• it fulfilled wishes of directors or shareholders (39%);
• it fulfilled organisational goals or strategies (30%); and
• it improved staff moral and/or productivity (27%).
When businesses, were asked why they did not support community organisations, they said they either did not have the time, money or resources to spare, or that involvement with community organisations had no value for their organisation. Other findings include:
29 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
• businesses that have been running for up to 5 years are more likely to be increasing their support for community organisations, businesses 5-20 years old are likely to keep their levels of support unchanged, and businesses 20 years and older are moving to increase or decrease their levels of support;
• the decision to support a charity and which charity to support usually rests with the Director (72%) or CEO (56%);
• business support for community organisations is mostly cash (70%), then gifts in kind (35%), and finally knowledge and skills (27%); and
• the age of staff and the age of business decision-makers impact on how involved a business will become with a charity (for instance, employers and business owners aged 30-50 say they have other focuses and life priorities such as paying a mortgage, raising children, and they consider themselves to be time-poor).
Download the full report from http://www.horizonpoll.co.nz/attachments/docs/full-report-final-august-2012.pdf
Back to top
Playcentre Publications Now NFP Company The NZ Playcentre Federation is changing their publications arm into a not-for-profit publishing company. One of the reasons for this is to enable Playcentre Publications to expand into new local and global markets. In recent years several of its books have become standard text in Colleges of Education, and 7 of 11 of the Ministry of Education’s recommended ECE education programme books are Playcentre Publications.
To view Playcentre’s publications brochure go to http://playcentre.org.nz/pdf/NewPublicationsBrochureFeb2012.pdf To order a publication email [email protected]. To find playcentres in your area, see www.playcentre.org.nz
Back to top
Business
Business Income Rebounds in 2011 Total income for NZ businesses rebounded upwards in the 2011 financial year, mainly because of increased household spending and rising exports. Income for all businesses increased 4.7%, to $575.4 billion. The increase followed a 4.2% decrease in the 2010 financial year. In 2011, income from sales of goods and services (up $23.2 billion or 5.5%) contributed the most to the overall increase. In comparison, sales of goods and services fell $13.5 billion in the 2010 financial year.
Total income increased $7.6 billion (8.6%) for the manufacturing industry and $4.1 billion (14%) for the agriculture industry. Financial and insurance services showed the largest decline in total income, down $1.4 billion (2.2%).
More is at http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/businesses/business_finance/AnnualEnterpriseSurvey_MR11.aspx
Back to top
NZ’s International Investments For the year ended 31 March 2012:
• total foreign direct investment (FDI) in NZ was $97.3 billion (two-thirds of FDI in NZ was from Australia - mainly through the major banks - and the US);
• NZ’s overseas direct investment in Southeast Asia grew from $0.7 billion at 31 March 2008, to $2.2 billion at 31 March 2012;
• FDI from Southeast Asia has risen $1.0 billion since 31 March 2010, up to $3.0 billion;
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 30
• overall, NZ had $304.1 billion of overseas liabilities at 31 March 2012, and held $158.5 billion of assets overseas;
• NZ’s overseas liabilities are mostly (64.5%) in Australia, the US, and the UK; and
• on the assets side, 56.0% of NZ's investment abroad is held in those same three countries.
More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/economic_indicators/balance_of_payments/BalanceOfPaymentsYearEnded_MRYe31Mar12.aspx
Back to top
New Patents Bill… This Bill will replace the Patents Act 1953, which has a low limit for patentability compared with most other countries. This can disadvantage NZ businesses and consumers because technology may be freely available in other countries that have a tougher test for patentability, but not in NZ.
The system outlined in the Bill will set an “absolute novelty” standard, and examine patent applications for usefulness and the presence of an “inventive step” (that is, something not obvious to a person skilled in the art).
The Intellectual Property Office of NZ will need to increase the number of patent examiners and also the resources available for patent examination, with extra costs to be covered by increased fees to applicants.
The Bill will also simplify the process for granting a patent, and challenging one, and allow anyone, at any time, to apply for a grant of patent to be revoked. People will still be able to apply to the High Court for a revocation, though.
The Bill has been through Parliament’s Commerce Committee who recommended that it be passed with amendments.
The Bill is at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2008/0235/14.0/whole.html
Back to top
… & New Trade Mark Regulations Coming New trade mark regulations are being drafted and are expected to be in force by the end of the year. They will (amongst other things):
• introduce a new schedule of fees (there will be small fee increases);
• place electronic communication with the Intellectual Property Office (IPONZ); and
• make regulations needed to implement three international trade mark treaties in NZ (they include the Madrid Protocol (see below).
IPONZ has also introduced an online trade mark system this year, simplifying the process further. NZ will be one of the first OECD countries in the world not to charge a fee for certifying and transmitting international trade mark applications.
More, including a list of the new fees, is at http://www.med.govt.nz/business/intellectual-property/news/new-trade-mark-regulations-to-be-drafted
Intellectual Property Rights: Madrid Protocol The Madrid Protocol will make it easier for Kiwi business owners to register their trade marks in multiple countries, giving them the opportunity to protect their brands in nearly all major export markets with one international trade mark application.
The Madrid Protocol regulations will help NZ meet obligations for two other treaties; the Nice Agreement and Singapore Treaty. They will also align NZ's trade marking system with Australia, as part of the Government's Single Economic Market program, mandate the use of online trade mark filings, and introduce small fee adjustments.
More is at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/law/madrid/index.jsp
Back to top
31 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
A Good Place to Grow Business, But … New Zealand is the 11th best country in the world for supporting and enabling dynamic growing businesses according to the Grant Thornton Global Dynamism Index (GDI). However, the global ranking of 33 in economics and growth confirms that NZ needs many more growth companies. This country performed best in the labour and human capital categories where we were ranked fifth in the world. Singapore is currently ranked No. 1 with neighbours Australia in 6th place and the United States 10th.
A press release at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1209/S01090/nz-rated-11th-best-country-in-the-world-for-growing-business.htm, a summary pdf is at http://www.grantthornton.co.nz/Assets/documents/pubSeminars/Global-dynamism-index-2012.pdf, and all the data is at www.globaldynamismindex.com
Back to top
Customer Service Use Changing Recent survey results show that NZ consumers are increasingly likely to turn to mobile alternatives, such as smartphone apps, social media and websites, over traditional customer service channels (although face-to-face contact is still preferred). Findings include:
• live customer service is preferred for all queries, and is especially preferred for technical queries (93%), complaints (91%), billing-related queries (90%), and purchase queries (87%);
• 62% of NZ consumers prefer to try to resolve their queries on a company’s website before contacting a customer service centre (the figures for Gen Y consumers are even higher – 78%);
• 71% of NZ consumers don’t mind receiving text messages that provide updates on essential information;
• emails are still popular (64% of consumers have used email as a customer service channel);
• 12% of NZ consumers have used a smartphone app for customer service enquiries (figures are slightly higher among Gen Y consumers – 13% - and higher still for Baby Boomers - 15%); and
• 70% of NZ consumers would try to avoid using an automated response system (although these systems are seen as good for solving simple issues).
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1209/S00466/consumers-turn-to-smartphones-and-web-for-customer-service.htm
Back to top
Bribery & Corruption: More Awareness Needed Managing bribery and corruption risks is set to become a more important issue for organisations, particularly those with offshore operations. But according to the results of the first Deloitte Bribery and Corruption Australia and NZ Survey, many organisations either do not recognise the risks, or are not addressing them.
Survey results include:
• 34% of organisations have operations in high-risk overseas jurisdictions, but 48% of these have never carried out corruption risk assessment, and 21% do not discuss the risk of corruption at management or board level;
• only 25% of organisations with offshore operations have an in-depth understanding of relevant anti-bribery and corruption legislation, and 40% said they are not concerned about the risks arising from not complying with it;
• 14% of organisations that have never carried out a risk assessment have experienced a foreign bribery and corruption incident in the last five years; and
• 80% of organisations with offshore operations either do not think foreign bribery and corruption will be a high level risk to their business in the next five years, or say the risk is not applicable to their organisation.
The report is available at www.deloitte.com/nz/corruptionsurvey
Back to top
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 32
Halal Guide to NZ Tourism NZ and Christchurch International Airport have published “The NZ Halal Guide to NZ”. The guide provides general tourism information, and also a list of Halal classified restaurants and cafes, from halal-certified through to those which offer vegetarian dishes or vegan cuisine.
Muslim tourist spending is estimated to rise to more than 13 percent of global tourism spending by 2020. Indonesia and Malaysia are two of NZ’s growth markets and there are also Muslim tourism market opportunities for NZ in India and Singapore.
The guide is for travel trade and their customers, NZ embassies and other key offshore partners, also to travel agents and consumers at overseas events attended by Tourism NZ.
Tourism NZ also has underway a series of workshops for the tourism industry, aimed at providing information on how to meet the needs and expectations of the Halal and Chinese markets.
To view a copy of the guide go to http://www.tourismnewzealand.com/marketing-toolbox/halal-culinary-guide/
Back to top
2012 Hospitality NZ Awards for Excellence This year’s winners include:
• supreme award winner - Rydges Wellington;
• best new/redeveloped bar/restaurant - The Thomas Green Public House and Dining Room, Gore, Southland;
• best country hotel - The Duke of Marlborough Hotel, Russell, Bay of Islands;
• best restaurant - Soul Bar and Bistro, Auckland;
• best environmental, sustainable and ethical practice - Fiordland Lodge, Te Anau, Southland;
• best café - The Batch, Invercargill; and
• best bar - The Sprig and Fern Milton St, Nelson.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1209/S00967/diverse-range-of-winners-announced-in-hospitality-awards.htm
Back to top
Money Matters
Incomes Change Little From June 2011 New Zealand Income Survey results for the June 2012 quarter showed no significant increase in income from all sources since the June 2011 quarter. Between the two June quarters, average weekly income, for all people, from all sources, went up by only 1.8% from $550 to $560.
From the June 2011 to the June 2012 quarter, there was little annual increase in average weekly income from wages and salaries (for those receiving this source of income), up $6 (0.7%) to $806. This is the smallest change in weekly wage and salary income since the June 1999 quarter. Average hourly earnings showed little annual change – up 48 cents (2.4%) to $20.86.
The proportion of people aged 65+ who received income from self-employment was up from 6.0% in the June 2011 quarter to 7.5% in the June 2012 quarter. This represents a 25% rise over those 12 months.
More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/income-and-work/Income/NewZealandIncomeSurvey_MRJun12qtr.aspx
Back to top
33 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
NZ’s Global Competitiveness Improving New Zealand has risen to be ranked 23 out of 144 economies, in the latest World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Competitiveness rankings, reversing a previous decline in ranking.
Switzerland topped the overall rankings for the fourth year in a row followed by Singapore and Finland. The US declined for a fourth consecutive year (down to 7), Denmark (12) slipped out of the top ten, and Australia’s ranking was stable at 20. Despite declining three places, China (29) continues to be the most competitive of the large emerging BRICS economies (that is, Brazil, Russia, India, and China). Of the others only Brazil (48) moves up this year, with South Africa (52), India (59), and Russia (67) experiencing small declines in rankings.
A presentation summarising NZ’s competitiveness is at http://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/uploads/1/1/4/9/11495661/global_competitiveness_report_2012-13.pdf, and the full Global Competitiveness Report 2012-13 is at http://www.weforum.org/issues/global-competitiveness
Back to top
IRD & MSD Begin Sharing Information Soon Inland Revenue (IRD) and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) are to begin sharing information in the next few weeks to help prevent welfare fraud. The information being shared will initially covering PAYE earnings for about 320,000 working age beneficiaries. This is being done to enable MSD to correct entitlements when a beneficiary’s income changes, such as when they start a new job.
As part of the process MSD be writing to all beneficiaries whose information is being exchanged to notify them of this.
A press release is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/information-sharing-prevent-welfare-fraud
Back to top
Kiwis Are Good Financial Managers… According to MasterCard, Kiwis are proving themselves to be better financial planners than their Asia Pacific neighbours and are saving more amid global economic turmoil. New Zealand and Taiwan tied for first place for overall financial literacy across the Asia/Pacific region. Financial literacy means things like basic money management skills, responsible credit card use, savings behaviour, and investment knowledge.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1210/S00038/iwis-top-financial-literacy-and-management-in-asia-pacific.htm
Back to top
… But Not Perfect By Any Means Reserve Bank figures show Kiwis had $5.542 billion parked on the plastic at the end of July, of which $5.264 billion was on personal credit cards. Nearly two-thirds of the personal credit card debt is incurring interest and despite credit card rates of just 12% being available, the average interest rate on outstanding balances is 17.8 %. That equates to $638 million in payments going into the pockets of financial institutions over the past year.
More is at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10837993
Back to top
Lower Passport Fees Round the Corner? With online passports applications becoming available by the end of the year, lower passport fees are being considered. The current passport fee is $153.30 for a standard adult passport, and the change to a five-year passport (from a ten year one) has increased the volume of renewals, so there is a surplus in the account. Online applications will streamline the process of applying for a passport and also reduce processing costs.
Different options for fee reductions are being considered, including a lower fee for online applications.
Changing passport fees requires a change to regulations.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-considering-reduction-passport-fees
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 34
“Financial Arrangements” Rules Tightened An amendment is being made to the way short-term agreements for the sale and purchase of property or services are treated under the financial arrangements rules. These rules allow taxpayers to choose to treat short-term agreements for the sale and purchase of property or services as “financial arrangements” to minimise compliance costs. However, it has been possible to claim a deduction (for what is effectively capital expenditure) for either: the cost of acquiring agreements, or any losses on disposal of those agreements, by choosing financial arrangement treatment.
An example is: a company acquires the assets of another company, which includes profitable contracts for the provision of certain services. The purchase price for the contracts is $5 million. By electing that the service contracts be financial arrangements and then applying the financial arrangements rules, a tax deduction of $5million is available to the purchaser over the life of the contracts, resulting in tax savings of $1.4 million. If the contracts were treated as “excepted” financial arrangements (as they should be) the general deductibility rules would treat the amounts as capital (non-deductible) expenditure, in the same way that the income to the vendor would be capital and therefore non-assessable.
The amendment will apply retrospectively from the beginning of the 2008/09 income year.
A draft of the proposed legislation is at http://taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz/publications/2012-other-financial-arrangement-draft-legislation/overview
Back to top
Financial Markets Conduct Bill: Update Parliament’s Commerce Committee has made a number of changes to the Financial Markets Conduct Bill. The Bill now places more focus on civil liability and compensation, and reserves criminal sanctions to issuers and directors who are guilty of serious wrongdoing.
A press release is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1209/S00121/progress-towards-financial-markets-overhaul.htm
Back to top
Hoax Phone Calls Offering Tax Refunds Inland Revenue has issued a warning about hoax phone calls telling people they are eligible for a tax refund. Those making the hoax calls are claiming to offer a refund on the condition that people make an upfront direct payment to a bank account via Western Union. However, these calls are not from Inland Revenue and anyone who is called should not send money to the account number being provided under any circumstances.
To report suspicious phone calls or emails that target Inland Revenue customers, please send an email to [email protected]
Back to top
Tax Compliance: IRD Priorities Inland Revenue has launched “Helping you get it right: Inland Revenue's compliance focus 2012-13” which sets out what IRD’s priorities are when it comes to tax compliance.
The resource is at http://www.ird.govt.nz/aboutir/gettingitright/focus/compliance-focus-public-index.html
Back to top
35 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Internet, ICT & Media
NZ Praised For Web Use A new study by World Wide Web Foundation has placed NZ number 7 on a list of the world’s top 10 nations which use the internet to improve people’s lives. The study puts NZ one ahead of Australia. Sweden topped the index, ahead of the US. When it comes to the social impact of the web, NZ ranks third in the world. It ranks lower in economic impact (17), communications infrastructure (15), and web use (11). This country’s average Internet speeds are among the slowest of all developed nations.
More is at http://thewebindex.org/2012/09/2012-Web-Index-Key-Findings.pdf
Back to top
.kiwi.nz Domain Name – Get Yours Quick Kiwis have a new domain name extension in the .nz space, - .kiwi.nz. The extension is open for registration on a first come first served basis.
The launch of .kiwi.nz domain names was due to go through a “provisional registration” phase starting 11 September 2012. The full launch of the new domain name was dependent on .kiwi.nz reaching 500 provisional registrations within the first month, but, the uptake from NZ and international web users has exceeded all expectations - there were 500 registrations within an hour of the launch.
More is at http://freeparking.co.nz/
Back to top
Changing Face of Cybercrime The latest annual Norton Cybercrime Report calculates the direct costs associated with global consumer cybercrime at US$110 billion over the past 12 months (that’s an average of US$197 person). In NZ it’s estimated that more than 900,000 people fell victim to cybercrime in the past 12 months, suffering NZ $462.9 million in direct financial losses.
The figures show an increase in “new” forms of cybercrime compared to last year, like those found on social networks or mobile devices - a sign that cybercriminals are starting to focus their efforts on these areas. Mobiles are especially favoured because they contain a billing mechanism - their owners' cellphone account.
The report also indicates that many online adults are unaware about how some of the most common forms of cybercrime have developed over the years, and so they have a difficult time recognising how malware such as viruses, acts on their computer. Back to top
Lessen the Risk You can lessen your risk by:
• using a password to lock your smartphone or tablet;
• logging out after each social media session;
• checking links before sharing them;
• making sure your social media security is set to private;
• ignoring friend requests from people you don’t know; and
• choosing strong passwords.
More information on staying safe online is at http://www.securitycentral.org.nz/, and for more findings from the Norton Cybercrime Report globally and by country go to http://www.norton.com/2012cybercrimereport
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 36
Google Most Visited Website For NZers Not surprisingly new research has found Google is the most visited web site in NZ. But what surprised pollsters was that Facebook was knocked off second spot by TradeMe (81% of people use Google, 74.8% TradeMe, and 73% Facebook). Internet banking is fourth, with 62%. Other findings include:
• Stuff is the leading choice for online news with 51%, followed by TVNZ (35.9%) and the Herald (35%);
• 33.1% use Wikipedia;
• despite Google’s dominance as a search site, Hotmail (with 39.9% of adults visiting each month), beats Google’s Gmail on 30.9%; and
• niche sites like subjective and personal blogs, dating, and technology sites shared the lower end of national interest with under 10% engagement.
More is at http://www.horizonpoll.co.nz/page/252/google-tops-
Back to top
Facebook in Te Reo Maori The Maori Facebook translation of Facebook is available to install via a script which will work for users of Google Chrome (as Facebook no longer recognises minority languages).
The script can be installed from https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/cgopigcnpdephndgbdkbiapnepgdbjfd
Back to top
Improving Broadband Information for Consumers The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is developing regulations aimed at improving broadband product information for consumers. The proposed rules would require, among other things, information on the total cost of a service, broadband speed, data caps, and contract lengths to be disclosed.
The NZ Telecommunications Forum is also developing its own code of practice.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/broadband-product-disclosure-code-underway
Back to top
A Really Horrible Scam… Scammers are posing as “Murder Agents”, targeting NZers with disturbing emails.
The recipient is told that somebody close to them has hired a contract killer to settle a betrayal. The alleged killer claims to be watching the person's every move. They demand payment in return for sparing the person's life, and instruct them not to tell anybody.
This is a horrible scam, designed to prey on people's fear and emotions – but it is absolute nonsense. If you receive this email, just press delete. Back to top
A Handful of Sites The Government has developed a website to provide information about its intention to offer shares in four state-owned energy companies and to reduce the Crown’s majority shareholding in Air NZ. The energy companies are Genesis Energy, Meridian, and Solid Energy. To access this website, you need to provide confirmation that NZ is your country of primary residence. Go to https://www.governmentshareoffers.govt.nz/
Ever wondered what a composite school is? A socio-economic decile band? An ECE service type? ESOL? Instructional year levels? A glossary of words, terms and acronyms used in education is at http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/data-services/glossary
37 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
A report called Matatuhi Tuawhenua: Health of Rural Maori 2012, provides a snapshot of the health of Maori and non-Maori living in rural and urban areas. Comparisons are generally made for Maori across urban/rural categories and between Maori and non-Maori within each category. Go to http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/matatuhi-tuawhenua-health-rural-maori-2012
InternetNZ has awarded over $53,000 of community funding for three legal research projects. More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1209/S00673/internetnz-awards-funding-for-legal-research-projects.htm
A new Education Review Office (ERO) booklet, “How is my child doing?”, has suggestions for start-out questions that parents may wish to ask teachers in primary and secondary schools in relation to their child’s learning and wellbeing at school. More is at http://www.ero.govt.nz/Review-Process/For-Parents/ERO-Guides-for-Parents/How-is-my-child-doing-Questions-to-ask-at-school
Forbes annual ranking of the world’s most innovative companies can be found at http://www.forbes.com/innovative-companies/
LinkedIn survey identifies 13 office trends it says may well disappear over the next 5 years. The top 3: tape recorders, fax machines, and rolodexes. For more go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/26/linked-in-dying-office-trends_n_1916470.html?utm_hp_ref=small-business#slide=1571705
Some upmarket restaurants are uniting food with art by turning their dining rooms into art galleries as well hiring artists to redesign their interiors in any way they choose, all the way down to the cutlery. More is at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443995604578000141840105764.html?mod=dist_smartbrief
Baby boomers are surprisingly better at online job searching than the millennial generation, according to a recent survey. Twenty-somethings tend to be more optimistic about finding a job, but less tech-savvy than their older cohorts. More is at http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2012/09/25/four-ways-boomers-are-beating-millennials-at-the-job-hunt/
The Christchurch City Council has released seven detailed technical reports on slope instability on the Port Hills at www.ccc.govt.nz/porthillsgnsreports
Cool photos from around the solar system can be found at http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/09/around-the-solar-system/100368/
When the temperature in an office is 68 degrees or lower, employees in a Cornell University study made 44% more errors and were less than half as productive as when the temperature was set at a comfortable 77 degrees. Another study found that when people are cold, they're more likely to see others around them as less generous and caring, which can have an effect on workplace relationships. More is at http://www.fastcompany.com/3001316/want-more-productive-workers-adjust-your-thermostat
6 LinkedIn Habits to Quit: You’re Not on Facebook Anymore. More is at http://www.youtern.com/thesavvyintern/index.php/2012/09/18/6-linkedin-habits-to-quit-youre-not-on-facebook-anymore/
Stunning photos of space shuttle Endeavour's final flight. More is at http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/space-shuttle-endeavour-last-journey
Work nice with others: some sensible etiquette for co-working can be found at http://www.thedailymuse.com/career/work-nice-with-others-etiquette-rules-for-co-working/
A 19th century encyclopaedia includes some unusual advice for women hoping to "retain the adoration of husbands" by making themselves beautiful. Among the top tips: Rinse your eyes out with soap, eat sugar soaked in whiskey and perfume and be sure never to wash your face. More is at http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/140115
People who dine with friends or dates who order unhealthy and higher-calorie dishes tend to mirror their behaviour, according to research published in the British Journal of Nutrition. The behaviour explains why groups of friends tend to gain weight at the same time and women often put on pounds after starting a relationship, the research says. More is at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9514315/How-your-dinner-date-can-make-you-fat.html
Enormous daddy long-legs [tromp I’oeil, not real] overtake the Seattle Centre Armory. More at http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2012/09/enormous-daddy-long-leg-spiders-overtake-the-seattle-armory/
Your waiter is quietly judging you. Restaurant wait-staff have evolved a coded language with which to discuss, service, and gossip about diners (at least in high-end New York eateries anyway). Awkward customers may find themselves labelled a V.D.G. ("Very Difficult Guest"), H.W.C. ("Handle With Care"), or even an H.D. ("Heavy Drinker"). More is at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/05/dining/what-restaurants-know-about-you.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 Back to top
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 38
Treaty Matters
Crown Offer Accepted by Ngai Tuhoe Te Kotahi a Tuhoe have accepted the Crown’s offer to settle the historical claims of Ngai Tuhoe, and they will now work together to develop a Deed of Settlement by the end of 2012. Ngai Tuhoe did not sign the Treaty of Waitangi. They were in full control of their customary lands until 1865 when the Crown confiscated much of their most productive land, even though they were not in rebellion. Military campaigns against Tuhoe prisoners and civilians were described at the time as “extermination”, and the Crown employed a scorched earth policy in Tuhoe settlements in the Te Urewera. In 1875 the Crown threatened to confiscate Tuhoe’s interests if they did not sell a large area of land at Waikaremoana.
In 1896 Parliament enacted the Urewera District Native Reserve Act, providing for local self-government over a 656,000 acre Urewera Reserve. However, the Crown did not implement the self-government provisions of the Act and undermined its protective provisions. In 1954, without consultation, the Crown established Te Urewera National Park which included most of Ngai Tuhoe’s traditional lands. Today around 85% of Ngai Tuhoe live outside Te Urewera, and those who remain struggle to make a living.
The Crown offer includes redress valued at around $170 million,(this includes Tuhoe’s share in the Central North Island forestry on-account settlement in 2008). It also includes a commitment to an historical account of the relationship between the Crown and Ngai Tuhoe, acknowledgement of breaches of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, and a Crown apology. Both The Crown and Ngai Tuhoe have agreed that neither the Crown nor Ngai Tuhoe should own Te Urewera, which will have its own legislation and exist as a separate legal identity.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1209/S00138/crown-offer-accepted-by-ngai-tuhoe-settlement-negotiators.htm
Back to top
Tamaki Collective Deed of Settlement Signed The Crown has signed a deed to settle the historical claims of iwi and hapu over shared interests in the Auckland area, including maunga (volcanic cones) and motu (islands).The deed of settlement resolves some of the most complex overlapping claims and shared interests in the country, and vests the ownership of 14 maunga in the Tamaki Collective. They will be co-governed by a group made up of representatives of Auckland Council, the Tamaki Collective and the Crown. Title to four Hauraki Gulf islands (Rangitoto, Motutapu, Motuihe and Tiritiri Matangi) will be vested in the Tamaki Collective, which will then gift them back to the Crown. The summit of Rangitoto and two small sites associated with historical waka mooring will be retained by the Tamaki Collective. The settlement deed also provides for members of the collective to share a right of first refusal on Crown land in the Tamaki Makaurau area.
There will be no changes to public access and use rights for the people of Auckland, and third party rights including roads, buildings and leases will be maintained.
The redress will form part of the individual Treaty settlements of the iwi and hapu that make up the collective.
The deed and a summary are available on the Office of Treaty Settlements website www.ots.govt.nz
Back to top
39 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Arts & Culture
New National Opera Company The NBR NZ Opera and Southern Opera are to merge. The move means NZ Opera will now have bases in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch (so South Island opera lovers will be well served).
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1209/S00299/a-new-zealand-national-opera-company-is-born.htm
Back to top
NZ Stars at Frankfurt Book Fair The Frankfurt Book Fair (9-14 October), is the world’s largest book and media trade fair, with around 7600 exhibitors from 110 countries. NZ is Guest of Honour at the 2012 fair, and a record number of NZ books (83 titles as opposed to the annual average of 10) are being translated and published in Germany this year. Authors include novelists Patricia Grace, Emily Perkins, and Lloyd Jones, poets Bill Manhire and Kate Camp, and children’s author Kate de Goldi. There will also be a session dedicated to the late Margaret Mahy.
The fair’s arts and cultural programme features more than 100 performers, including Maori and Pacific cultural groups, and Weta Workshop’s Creative Director Richard Taylor will be keynote speaker at the StoryDrive conference, held during the Fair.
For more information on the Frankfurt Book Fair, go towww.nzatfrankfurt.co.nz
Back to top
New Arts Funding Scheme Creative NZ’s new Matched Funding Scheme will match a new donation or new business sponsorship to an organisation on a $1:$1 basis. It will also match existing donations and sponsorships if contributions are double that of previous years, also on a $1:$1 basis. A total of $180,000 is available for the Creative Giving Matched Funding scheme in the year ending 30 June 2013. The minimum donation or sponsorship to be matched under the scheme is $5,000 and the maximum is $20,000. No organisation can receive more than $20,000 in any financial year. The scheme will run over three financial years.
More is at http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/en/arts-development-and-resources/creative-giving
Back to top
All Systems Go For Len Lye Centre New Plymouth District Council has succeeded in securing the $10 million required to build a world centre for the works of celebrated NZ artist Len Lye. The Len Lye Centre will operate as a combined facility with the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. The targeted opening date for the new facility is early 2015.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1209/S00533/all-systems-go-for-len-lye-centre.htm
Te Waka Toi Awards For Maori Artists… These awards recognise achievement in oratory, literature, music, performance, object, and visual arts. Two scholarships are also awarded to emerging artists. 2012 winners are:
• Supreme Award: Dr Timoti Karetu (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngai Tuhoe) received Te Tohu Aroha mo Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu; a teacher and scholar, Professor Karetu was the inaugural Maori Language Commissioner, is a director of Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo (the Institute of Excellence in Maori Language), and is chair for Te Kohanga Reo National Trust. He also has expertise in Maori performing arts and has written many books on Maori language and the arts.
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 40
• Lifetimes of service to Maori arts - NgaTohu a Ta Kingi Ihaka: Esther Kerr Jessop (Ngai Tai) – performing arts; Mita Mohi (Ngati Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa) – for preserving Maori martial arts; Hohipera Williams (Te Whakatohea) - for service to her marae, community and Ringatu church in Opotiki; Manuera Tohu (Ngati Kahu) - an authority on tikanga and whakapapa; and Maruhaeremuri Stirling (Ngati Porou, Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngati Kauwhata, Ngai Tahu) was honoured posthumously for her role in revitalising te reo Maori in Canterbury over many years;
• Strengthening the Maori language - Te Tohu Aroha mo Ngoi Kumeroa Pewhairangi: Professor Pou Temara (Ngai Tuhoe) for knowledge of whaikorero (oratory), whakapapa (genealogy), and karakia (incantations);
• Making a difference to the arts - Te Tohu Toi Ke: Tama Huata (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Porou); and
• Two emerging artists were awarded Nga Karahipi a Te Waka Toi: Rongomaiaia Te Whaiti (Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Kai Tahu, Rangitane), a painter; and Kingi Pitiroi (Ngati Tuwharetoa) who produces ta moko, three dimensional works, painting, reo Maori, and kapa haka.
More is at http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/en/about-creative-new-zealand/newsletters/2012-september-newsletter#Te-Waka-Toi-Awards
Back to top
…& Creative NZ Toi Uru Kahikatea: Who Got What Creative NZ’s Toi Uru Kahikatea grants support established arts practitioners, groups and arts organisations to develop professional skills, resources and networks, present/tour/distribute NZ arts to a wide range of audiences, and strengthen organisational development. 2012 grants to existing CNZ clients went to:
• Theatre: Indian Ink Theatre Company, $197,000, 2013; Red Leap Charitable Trust, $212,000, 2013; Silo Theatre Trust, $420,000, 2013;
• Literature: Auckland University Press, $50,000, 2013; Auckland Writers and Readers Charitable Trust, $168,000, 2013-2014; Michael King Writers Studio Trust, $147,920, 2013-2014; Penguin Group, $20,500, 2013; Random House NZ Limited, $36,500, 2013; Victoria University Press, $38,500, 2013; University of Otago College of Education, $36,850, 2014-15;
• Music: Audio Foundation, $248,500, 2013-2014; Centre for NZ Music (SOUNZ), $422,500, 2013-2014; Strike Percussion Limited, $110,000, 2013;
• Dance: Okareka Dance Company Limited, $586,875, 2013-2014; Pacific Dance NZ, $100,000, 2013; and
• Wider visual arts including craft/object, media arts and inter-arts: Artists Alliance, $83,500, 2013; Blue Oyster Arts Trust, $207,000, 2013-2014; Enjoy Public Art Gallery, $199,492, 2013-2014; Intercreate Trust, $75,000, 2013-2014.
New CNZ clients receiving funding are:
• Theatre: Kila Kokonut Krew, $100,000, 2013; The Basement Theatre Trust, $171,000, 2013-2014;
• Multi-artform: Christchurch Arts Festival, $450,000, 2013-2015; Taranaki Arts Festival Charitable Trust, $240,000, 2013 & 2015; WOMAD NZ Charitable Trust, $70,000, 2013-2014;
• Literature: Christchurch Book Festival Trust, $50,000, 2013-2014; Publishers Association of NZ, $32,000, 2013; Randell Cottage Writers’ Trust, $66,000, 2013-2015; Te Waka Taki Korero – Maori Literature Trust, $169,750, 2013-2014;
• Music: Tihi Limited $236,000 2013-14; and
• Wider visual arts including craft/object, media arts and inter-arts: Aotearoa Digital Arts Network Trust, $119,360, 2013-2014; Circuit, $190,000, 2013-2014.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1209/S00067/creative-new-zealand-awards-52m-for-arts-development.htm
Back to top
41 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Fish & Ships
Changes to Fishing Rules The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is:
• increasing the total allowable catch (TAC) for red gurnard, john dory, elephantfish, dark ghost shark, and porae;
• continuing to reduce the TAC for five bluenose stocks, to help the bluenose fishery to rebuild;
• including school shark to Schedule 6 of the Fisheries Act 1996, which could reduce current annual costs to commercial fishers of $190,000;
• changes to the deemed value rates* across 41 fish stocks; and
• a change to deemed values for snapper.
*Deemed values are set for each fish stock in the Quota Management System (QMS). They are set at a level to discourage fishers from targeting fish in excess of the annual catch entitlement, and at the same time encourage them to land and report unintended by-catch.
More is at http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-resources/news/fishing-changes-announced
Back to top
New Marine Legislation Bill Amongst other things, this Bill (which has been through its first reading) would make amendments to the Maritime Transport Act 1994 that would:
• amend the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effect) Act 2012, by transferring some discharge and dumping of waste functions from Maritime NZ to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA);
• increase the amount of compensation payable for incidents like the “Rena” grounding*;
• amend the convention that establishes an internationally applicable alcohol limit for merchant seafarers;
• clarify the relationship between national navigation safety standards, local navigation controls, and the responsibilities of the regional councils; and
• reinforce councils’ involvement with the NZ Port and Harbour Maritime Safety Code.
* Stop Press: a few days ago, the Government and Daina Shipping Company (owner of the “Rena”) reached a financial settlement in respect of the ship’s grounding. The company will pay $27.6 million to settle the claims of the Crown and public bodies including Maritime NZ, Bay of Plenty District Health Board, Environmental Protection Agency, the Minister of Local Government (signing as the territorial authority for Motiti island), and the NZ Transport Agency. Daina Shipping Company will make an additional payment of $10.4 million to the Crown, reflecting their reduced salvage costs.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/marine-legislation-bill-first-reading
Back to top
Fish Quota Owners Reduce Orange Roughy Limit NZ fish quota owners have decided to forego fishing an increased orange roughy stock in the interest of long-term sustainability. This will allow the stock to continue rebuilding, and allow more time for stock status information to be collected. The quota owners made this decision in spite of a recent stock assessment that showed an increase in the orange roughy stock on the Chatham Rise, east of NZ. Quota owners also agreed to voluntarily reduce the catch limit for a second orange roughy stock on NZ’s mid-East coast.
Phased catch limit reductions have been in place for this orange roughy stock since 2008 to enable the stock to rebuild. The quota owners for this stock include NZ’s largest deepwater fishing companies.
A press release is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/decision-orange-roughy-fishery-welcome
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 42
Back to top
Bottom Trawling “Ploughing” the Sea Floor The practice of bottom trawling in the fishing industry is drastically changing the shape of the sea floor, according to US scientists, who have documented the “smoothing” impact of trawling on the submarine landscape. They say that this leaves the seafloor looking like a ploughed field, and that it could affect ecosystems adapted to live in the rough and ragged submarine terrain. While they take their information from a US example, the authors say that that NZ is among the world's bottom trawling hotspots.
More is at http://www.nature.com/news/fish-trawling-reshapes-deep-sea-canyons-1.11356?utm_source=HEADS-UP+7-13+SEP++2012&utm_campaign=SMC+Heads-Up&utm_medium=email
Back to top
Science & Technology
NZ Cow Bred to Produce Low-Allergy Milk AgResearch scientists have genetically engineered the first cow (“Daisy”) that may the first in the world to produce hypo-allergenic high-protein milk. The team were successful in greatly reducing the amount of beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), a milk whey protein which is not in human breast milk and which can cause allergic reactions. Two to three percent of infants are allergic to cow's milk, and BLG allergies make up a large part of that percentage.
The next step will be to breed from Daisy (if she is fertile) and find out more information about the milk she produces.
More is at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10837834
Back to top
Innovative New Uses for Flax Fibre Victoria University work in preventing deterioration of some of NZ’s oldest Maori cloaks has revealed potentially valuable anti-fungal properties in harakeke, or native flax. This could lead to a range of new products. One possibility is the development of innovative textiles that are protected from fungal attack by natural, environmentally-friendly means. Another is the development of packaging for food such as fruit which spoils easily.
More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1209/S00073/innovative-new-uses-for-flax-fibre.htm
Back to top
Giving, Not Greed, Gut Reaction A new study indicates that our intuitive response is to cooperate. Across a series of experimental games, researchers found that players were most cooperative with others when forced to make decisions quickly, but became more selfish if given more time to make choices.
More is at http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v489/n7416/full/nature11467.html?utm_source=HEADS-UP+21-27+SEP++2012&utm_campaign=SMC+Heads-Up&utm_medium=email
Back to top
43 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Tiny But Tough …. Really Tough! Tardigrades - also known as "waterbears" and "moss piglets" - are tiny eight-legged creatures with a startling ability to survive in extreme environments by entering a hibernation-like trance (some have been revived after 100 years). Scientists have found the critters living beneath glaciers and in boiling springs, and some of them survived being exposed to the vacuum of outer space for 10 days. While the arthropods are capable of surviving in space, most scientists say they likely evolved in hostile environments on Earth.
More is at http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2012/09/how-does-the-tiny-waterbear-survive-in-outer-space/
Back to top
The 2012 Ig Nobel Prize Winners The Ig Nobel Prizes honour achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think. The prizes are intended to celebrate the unusual, honour the imaginative — and spur people's interest in science, medicine, and technology. This year’s winners:
• Psychology Prize: Anita Eerland and Rolf Zwaan [The Netherlands] and Tulio Guadalupe [Peru, Russia, and The Netherlands] for their study "Leaning to the Left Makes the Eiffel Tower Seem Smaller";
• Peace Prize: The SKN Company [Russia], for converting old Russian ammunition into new diamonds;
• Acoustics Prize: Kazutaka Kurihara and Koji Tsukada [JAPAN] for creating the SpeechJammer - a machine that disrupts a person's speech, by making them hear their own spoken words at a very slight delay;
• Neuroscience Prize: Craig Bennett, Abigail Baird, Michael Miller, and George Wolford [USA], for demonstrating that brain researchers, by using complicated instruments and simple statistics, can see meaningful brain activity anywhere — even in a dead salmon;
• Chemistry Prize: Johan Pettersson [Sweden and Rwanda]. For solving the puzzle of why, in certain houses in the town of Anderslov, Sweden, people's hair turned green;
• Literature Prize: The US Government General Accountability Office, for issuing a report about reports about reports that recommends the preparation of a report about the report about reports about reports;
• Physics Prize: Joseph Keller [USA], and Raymond Goldstein [USA and UK], Patrick Warren, and Robin Ball [UK], for calculating the balance of forces that shape and move the hair in a human ponytail;
• Fluid Dynamics Prize: Rouslan Krechetnikov [USA, Russia, Canada] and Hans Mayer [USA] for studying the dynamics of liquid-sloshing, to learn what happens when a person walks while carrying a cup of coffee;
• Anatomy Prize: Frans de Waal [The Netherlands and USA] and Jennifer Pokorny [USA] for discovering that chimpanzees can identify other chimpanzees individually from seeing photographs of their rear ends; and
• Medicine Prize: Emmanuel Ben-Soussan and Michel Antonietti [France] for advising doctors who perform colonoscopies how to minimize the chance that their patients will explode.
More is at http://www.improbable.com/ig/
Back to top
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 44
Handy Stats
Statistics Made Available to More Researchers Recent changes to the Statistics Act 1975 mean that Statistics NZ can consider applications for its statistics from any statistical researchers – including people in professional research businesses, academics, and local government researchers. Previously only researchers for government agencies could access the information.
An application will only be approved if the Government Statistician is satisfied that: the data is needed to complete genuine research or statistical purposes; the person has the necessary research, knowledge and skills to carry out the work; and the person has made a statutory declaration that the information will be used only for the purposes of that research or statistical project.
More is at http://www.stats.govt.nz/tools_and_services/services/microdata-access.aspx
Recent information from Statistics NZ and other organisations includes:
• debt in the agricultural sector rises above NZ$49 billion for the first time - up 4.5% year-on-year – more at http://www.interest.co.nz/rural-news/61355/debt-agricultural-sector-rises-above-nz49-billion-first-time-45-year-year
• slight rise in housing consents – South Island consents rose, North Island consents fell (most of the movement due to apartments). More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/Construction/BuildingConsentsIssued_MRAug12.aspx
• exports to Australia fall in August - exports fell $172 million (17%) in August 2012 compared with August 2011, led by petroleum and products. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/imports_and_exports/OverseasMerchandiseTrade_MRAug12.aspx
• visitor arrivals from Australia and China rise - in August 2012 overall visitor arrivals (178.300) were up by 1% on August 2011. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/Migration/IntTravelAndMigration_MRAug12.aspx
• net loss of 300 migrants in August - this figure is similar to the average net loss of 200 migrants over the last 7 months, but the net loss of migrants to Australia in the August 2012 year was 40,000, the highest ever recorded. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/Migration/IntTravelAndMigration_MRAug12.aspx
• food prices fall for the year, but edge up in August – fell 0.5% in the year to August 2012, despite a small rise (0.1%) in August. Big year-on-year rise in kumara prices, but big drop in broccoli prices. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/economic_indicators/prices_indexes/FoodPriceIndex_MRAug12.aspx
• manufacturing sector contracts during August - according to the latest BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI). More is at http://www.businessnz.org.nz/file/2342/PMI%20August.pdf
• nationwide residential property values continue to rise says August QV index - values have risen 1.6% in the past three months, 4.8% over the past year, and are now only 0.4% below the market peak of 2007. More is at
• seasonally adjusted guest nights fall – they fell 8.9% in July 2012 (after 2 months of gains) compared with June 2012. Domestic guest nights fell 11%, while international guest nights fell 3.8%, North Island guest nights fell 11%, while South Island guest nights fell 3.7%, and guest nights fell for all accommodation types, but particularly for hotels and motels. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/accommodation/AccommodationSurvey_MRJul12.aspx
• retail card spending rises - electronic card spending in the retail industries rose 3.0% in August 2012, when adjusted for seasonal effects. Fuel retailing (up $67 million or 10.8%) was the main contributor to this rise. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/businesses/business_characteristics/ElectronicCardTransactions_MRAug12.aspx
• local authorities spent more than they earned (June 2012 quarter) - by $145 million to be precise after adjusting for seasonal effects. Operating income for the quarter was $2.2 billion. More is at http://stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/government_finance/local_government/LocalAuthorityStatistics_MRJun12qtr.aspx
45 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
• NZ commodity prices halt 7-month slide, rise 0.5% in August, led by dairy - the rise in the ANZ Commodity Price Index means the index is now 15% weaker than a year ago. In August, five commodity prices rose, five were unchanged, and seven fell. More is at http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1209/S00095/nz-commodity-prices-snap-7-month-slide-rise-05-in-august.htm
• spending rise in August 2012 year – Paymark, which processes about 75 percent of all electronic transactions in NZ, reported a 5.5% rise growth during the year ending August 2012. Nationwide, during August, the number of monthly card transactions was 5.9% higher than a year ago, with credit card transactions (up 6.0%) increasing slightly faster than debit cards (up 5.8%). More is at http://www.paymarkmediaroom.co.nz/rebound-in-spending-during-august.html
Back to top
General
Seasonal Outlook: October – December 2012 A borderline or weak El Niño forecast for late spring. Regional predictions for the next 3 months are:
• Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty - temperatures likely to be in the near average or above average range. Seasonal rainfall totals, soil moisture levels, and river flows are equally likely to be near normal or above normal;
• Central North Island, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wellington - temperatures likely to be near or above average. Near normal or above normal late spring rainfall is expected, while soil moisture levels and river flows are likely to be above normal;
• Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa - temperatures forecasted to be in the near average or above average range. October to December rainfall totals, soil moisture levels, and river flows are all likely to be close to normal;
• Nelson, Marlborough, Buller - temperatures likely to be near average or above average. Seasonal rainfall totals, soil moisture levels, and river flows are all expected to be near normal or above normal;
• West Coast, Alps and foothills, inland Otago, Southland - temperatures are likely to be in the near average or above average range. Late spring rainfall, soil moisture and river flows are likely to be close to normal values for this time of the year; and
• Coastal Canterbury, east Otago - temperatures are likely to be in the near average or above average range. Near normal seasonal rainfall totals, soil moisture levels, and river flows are likely.
More is at http://www.niwa.co.nz/climate/sco/seasonal-climate-outlook-october-december-2012
Back to top
Response to 22 Feb Earthquake: Report Released The independent review of the response to the 22 February Christchurch earthquake has just been released. The report concludes that, overall, the emergency response worked well. The earthquake was an unprecedented challenge and emergency services have been commended for their impressive overall response and courageous efforts. The actions of voluntary groups also greatly reduced the level of hardship in the community.
However, the reviewers name several areas in the response which could be significantly improved. They relate to reducing duplication of control, training/experience of leaders, information flows, links between community and official workers, the siting of the Ministry of Civil Defence in the Department of Internal Affairs, and the need to make the preservation of business and jobs an objective of the Response.
More is at http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/memwebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/For-the-CDEM-Sector-Publications-Review-of-the-Civil-Defence-Emergency-Management-Response-to-the-22-February-Christchurch-Earthquake?OpenDocument
Back to top
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 46
Review of Earthquake Commission A Treasury-led review of the Earthquake Commission Act 1993 will also look at the Earthquake Commission (EQC) itself, including:
• the types of property the Earthquake Commission insures, including the structure and extent of EQC cover;
• how the Earthquake Commission prices its insurance;
• the institutional structure and design of the Commission, including its roles; and
• the financial management of the Crown’s risk exposure and how it should be financed.
The review objectives are to:
• support the contribution of a well-functioning insurance industry to economic growth opportunities in NZ;
• minimise the financial risk to the Crown associated with private property damage in natural disasters;
• support an efficient approach to the overall management of natural disaster risk and recovery; and
• minimise the potential for property-owners to experience socially unacceptable distress and loss in the event of a natural disaster.
The Terms of Reference for the review are at http://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/reviews-consultation/eqc/pdfs/eqc-rev-tor-sep12.pdf
Back to top
Racial Discrimination in NZ A recent report called “Working together: Racial discrimination in NZ”, which looks at whether NZers feel racially discriminated against, is based on information from 17,271 respondents.
It indicates that one in ten people aged 15 years or over reported experiencing some form of discrimination in the last 12 months – that’s about 343,000 Kiwis. To be counted as having experienced discrimination, respondents had to report that they had been treated unfairly or had something nasty done to them because of the group they belong to or seem to belong to.
Racial discrimination (because of skin colour, nationality, race, or ethnicity) was the most common form of discrimination people experience. People who identified as Asian reported the highest levels of racial discrimination in any setting, followed by Maori and Pacific peoples.
An estimated 77,700 people, or 2.3% of respondents, reported experiencing racial discrimination in employment situations (while working or when applying for/keeping a job). This rate is similar to those who have experienced racial discrimination while on the street or in a public place, with 2.5% of respondents (an estimated 85,200 NZers) reporting this.
The report is at http://www.stats.govt.nz/%7E/media/Statistics/browse-categories/people-and-communities/asian%20peoples/working-together-racial-discrimination.pdf
Back to top
Maori Viewpoint Survey Results Horizon Research has released its Maori Viewpoint 2012 report (based on a survey the company did in August), tracking the views of Maori nationwide on issues ranging from their personal household financial position to their iwis' performance. Amongst the findings:
• an increasing number of Maori feel the country is headed in the wrong direction (71.8% compared with 63.1% in May 2011);
• Maori are increasingly dissatisfied with the Government’s handling of the economy, more are reporting their household financial positions are worse than a year ago, and more expect them to worsen in the next year;
• 5% more are involved in iwi affairs than in 2011 (a third are not active in iwi affairs);
• the number who feel better informed on iwi issues has risen from 41.7% to 55.1%;
• fewer (56.5%) feel iwi consultation is inadequate (72.3% in May 2011), and 82.3% want more involvement with their iwi; and
47 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
• over the next three years, health, unemployment, and secondary education are seen as the most important priorities for Maori.
There is a press release at http://www.horizonpoll.co.nz/page/253/survey-shows-maori-unhappy-with-economy-iwi-point-to-policy-priorities and more detailed survey findings can be found at http://www.horizonpoll.co.nz/attachments/docs/horizon-research-maori-viewpoint-2012-report-t.pdf
Back to top
International Religious Freedom: NZ Gets Thumbs Up The US State Department’s annual International Religious Freedom Report examines the state of religious freedom in every country in the world and reports on recent developments. The NZ report, while containing a few inaccuracies (such as the religious affiliation of Maori) paints a generally very positive picture of religious freedom here.
Read the report (which you can search by country, region etc.) at http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm#wrapper
Back to top
All About Diwali Diwali, which actually falls on 13 November this year, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Hindus worship goddess of good fortune and beauty Lakshmi, god of wisdom and auspiciousness Ganesh, and mountain Goverdhan on this day. Also on this day, the coronation of Lord Ram was held, Lord Hanuman was born, Lord Vishnu returned kingdom to monkey king Bali of Kiskindha, Lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi married, Lord Krishan killed demon Narakasur, and ancient king Vikramaditya was crowned. On this day of forgiveness, festivities, and friendliness; families and friends get together for worship followed by a sumptuous and elaborate feast. It is also considered a harvest festival. Besides Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and some Buddhists also celebrate Diwali.
More is at http://www.merinews.com/article/auckland-organizing-citywide-diwali-style-home-decoration-competition/15875666.shtml
Back to top
National War Memorial Park Changing The recently-passed National War Memorial Park (Pukeahu) Empowering Bill provides the statutory authorisations and consents necessary for landscaping the National War Memorial Park in Wellington, and moving a stretch of State Highway 1 on Buckle Street underground. State Highway 1 will be diverted via a temporary road to the north of where it currently runs, in order to do the underground work. Construction of the main underground road will begin in early 2013.
More is at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/national-war-memorial-park-pukeahu-empowering-bill-passed
Back to top
Home is Where the Beer Is About 1.5 million Kiwis aged 18+ drink beer in an average four week period and are more likely to do so in a private home than at a licensed venue, according to the latest findings from Roy Morgan Research for the 12 months to June 2012. Seventy percent of Kiwi beer drinkers drink beer at home, while the second most popular place for Kiwis to drink beer is at a friend or relative’s home (39% of beer drinkers). A bar, tavern or pub (33%) is the most popular on-premise location for drinking beer, followed by a café or restaurant (18%).
Full Release: http://www.roymorgan.com/news/press-releases/2012/1813
Back to top
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 48
Conferences & Events Diwali Festivals These AsiaNZ festivals are being held in Auckland on 13/14 October 2012, and in Wellington on 21 October 2012. The celebrations will include cultural performances, classical music, Bollywood dance competition, and a fashion parade. They will also include food and craft markets, Rangoli kids art workshop, Rangoli art demonstration, a Sitar and Tabla workshop, talks on “My India Experience” by experts, street theatre and shows, and lighting displays and decorations.
If you want to volunteer at the Wellington Diwali festival, contact Murali Kumar at [email protected]. More is at http://www.asianz.org.nz/our-work/arts-and-community/festivals/diwali-festival-lights
2012 Volunteering Auckland Biennial Conference 2012 This is being held on 5/6 November 2012 at the Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre, Auckland. The goal is to better understand the challenges and opportunities for 2013 and beyond for engagement of volunteers, volunteers themselves, and for community/corporate/government leaders in promoting and building volunteering.
More is at http://volunteeringauckland.org.nz/news/conference
2012 ANZSOC Criminology Conference The Australia & NZ Society of Criminology (ANSOC) is holding its conference on 26-29 November 2012. The venue is Nga Wai o Horotiu Marae, AUT University, Auckland, and the theme is “Public Criminologies: Crime, Power and Marginalisation”.
More is at http://www.anzsoc.org/cms-conferences/index.phps
Business Technology Show - ITEX This is being held on 7 November 2012, at the Crowne Plaza, Auckland. ITEX covers a range of topics including cloud, analytics, BYOD, governance, and leadership.
More is at http://www.conferenz.co.nz/conferences/itex-new-zealand
My Biz Expo This expo runs from 14-16 October 2012 It is billed as three days for businesses looking to grow, where business owners can compare the market offerings. The venue is the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland.
More is at http://www.mybizexpo.co.nz/?gclid=CO-0tojS7bICFXBUpgodXkcA-g
Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability. ASIS and the IHC Foundation are holding this conference on 7-9 November 2012 at the Wellington Town Hall.
More is at http://www.asid-2012.org.nz/
Hospice New Zealand The 20th Hospice NZ Palliative Care Conference will take place 14-16 November 2012, The Langham Hotel, Auckland.
More is at www.hospice.org.nz/education-and-training/conferences
49 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Archives & Records: ARANZ Conference The Archives & Record Association of NZ is holding a conference called "Inside and Outside the Box" at Te Papa, Wellington on 23/24 October 2012 (post conference meetings and workshops are on 25 October).
More is at http://www.aranz.org.nz/Site/events/Conferences/2012_Conference.aspx
NZ Federation of Vocational & Support Services (VASS) National Conference Called “People, Place, Belonging”, this is being held on 31 October-1 November 2012 at the Headingly Centre, Richmond, Nelson. It will offer presentations, workshops, and conversations of interest to disabled people, their families, providers, and government officials.
For more go to www.nzvass.org.nz
Annual Grasslands Conference The theme of this conference is “Opportunities of Changing Land Use”. It will be held in Gore, from 6-8 November 2012.
More is at http://www.grassland.org.nz/
Inaugural Niue Language Week… This is being held on: 7-13 October 2012. The goal of the week is: “Ke fakamau, fakamanatu mo e fakaaoga tumau e Vagahau Niue”, that is, “the maintenance, retention and development of Vagahau Niue (Niue language).”
More is at http://www.hrc.co.nz/race-relations/vagahau-niue-week-07-13-october-2012
NZ Council of Social Services Conference Taupo Council of Social Services is hosting this year’s NZCOSS conference, which has the theme of “Meeting the future, engaging youth in the community and voluntary sector”. It is being held at the Suncourt Hotel and Conference Centre on 24-26 October 2012.
More is at http://www.nzcoss.org.nz/conference-2012/
Women’s Refuge Conference 2012 This is being held on 26/27 October 2012 at the Winery, Riverlands, Blenheim. It brings together international and national academics and practitioners in the fields of intimate partner violence, gender violence in marginalised communities, and men, masculinity and law.
More is at https://womensrefuge.org.nz/WR/Events/Women%27s%20Refuge%20Conference%20Wh%C4%81nau%20of%20tomorrow%20Building%20Safer%20Futures.htm
Awards & Opportunities Global Executive Leadership Programme to Help Boost Exports Expressions of interest are being invited for the Global Executive Leadership Programme, which provides an opportunity for senior managers the chance to learn first-hand from leading global entrepreneurs via a programme that spans NZ, the US, and China. Up to 25 NZ chief executives, directors and senior managers will be selected for the programme which starts on 12 February 2013.
Applications close on 31 December 2012. For more information, visit www.globalexecutive.co.nz
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 50
Medibank Community Fund NZ organisations running programmes that improve the health and well-being of local communities can apply for funding from the Medibank Community Fund (MCF). The fund supports grassroots initiatives throughout NZ and Australia that encourage healthy eating, physical activity, or community connectedness. Grants are allocated regionally and vary in value depending on the project.
Applications close on 7 December 2012. Application forms and more information are at http://www.medibankcf.com.au/community.shtml. along with a summary of 2011 and 2012 grants
AGMARDT Agribusiness Innovation Grants AGMARDT provides seed funding for businesses and industry groups to develop and evaluate innovative ideas to a stage where they can attract other funding for further development through to commercialisation.
Applications close on 31 October 2012. More is at http://www.agmardt.org.nz/grant_applications/agmardt_agribusiness_innovation_grants/
Primary Growth Partnership The Ministry for Primary Industries is calling for applications for its co-investment fund, the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP).
The PGP is a government-industry programme which invests in programmes of research and innovation that will boost the growth and sustainability of NZ’s primary, forestry, and food sectors.
Applications close on 16 October 2012. More is at http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-resources/news/primary-growth-partnership-round-eight-opens
ITRI internship in Taiwan Asia:NZ invites third and fourth-year science, IT, and engineering students to apply for an eight-week internship at the research and development campus of the Indu. Knowledge of Mandarin Chinese is useful, but not required.
Application deadline is 22 October 2012. Send your CV, academic transcripts and a brief covering letter to [email protected], with "ITRI Internship" in the email subject line. More is at http://www.asianz.org.nz/our-work/action-asia-business/grants-and-internships/itri-taiwan
Intercultural Innovation Award 2012 The BMW Group Award for Intercultural Innovation is open for innovative and sustainable projects around the world that encourage dialogue and cooperation among people from different cultural backgrounds. Not-for-profit organisations working in migration and intercultural awareness who want to expand their range of action, are eligible to apply.
Applications close on 10 October 2012. More is at http://interculturalinnovation.org/the-award/
NGO Social Work Study Awards - 2013 Around 70 NGO Social Work Study Awards will be available for the 2013 academic year. Up to $33,244 (Inc. GST) is available for each award: Students/tauira can receive help with their course fees of up to $3,500 per year and up to $10,500 in total over the duration of their award. Employers can also receive help (e.g., help with study expenses, to cover for the employee’s position while they are studying and on their final 3-month external placement).
Applications close on 12 October 2012. More is at http://www.familyservices.govt.nz/working-with-us/programmes-services/connected-services/ngo-social-work-awards.html
NZ Mental Health Media Grants The Mental Health Foundation, in association with the Ministry of Health's Like Minds, Like Mine Programme is offering grants for journalism projects focusing on increasing understanding and reducing stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.
Applications close on 5 November 2012. More is at www.mediagrants.org.nz
51 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
2013 Be. Leadership Programme The Be. Leadership programme has been created to strengthen and promote a cohesive and significant leadership community to improve accessibility. It aims to develop individual and collective leadership excellence in people with access needs.
For more information, go to http://www.beaccessible.org.nz/be-leadership/apply, contact [email protected], or call 0800 Be in touch (0800 234 686)
Decorate Your Home Diwali Style A citywide competition on decorating homes “Diwali style” is being held in Auckland, challenging people to decorate their homes honouring Diwali, Hindu festival of lights.
The competition is called “Spice up your home”, and there is an overall winner”, a runner-up, and a People’s Choice award. Winners receive prizes, bragging rights, and a sign to display outside their home.
The competition closes on 5 November 2012. More is at http://www.barfoot.co.nz/Info/News/Stories/Diwali-Festival-of-Lights-Competition.aspx
University of Auckland Residency at Michael King Writers’ Centre This residency enables an established writer to spend six months from July to December 2013 at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport. The writer also receives an office in the English Department and is supported by a $30,000 stipend. Writers of fiction, poetry, drama, and non-fiction can apply.
Applications close on 12 October 2012. Application forms and further information are available on the Centre’s web site www.writerscentre.org.nz
South Island Rural Schools Gardening Grants Rural Women New Zealand is teaming up with Meridian to give away gardening grants to two South Island rural schools. Each is worth $2000.
Applications close on 27 November 2012. More is at http://www.ruralwomen.org.nz
North Island Rural Schools Gardening Grants Rural Women New Zealand and Farmlands are giving gardening grants to six North Island rural primary schools, with each winning school receiving $2000 in prize money.
Applications close on 2 November 2012. More is at http://www.ruralwomen.org.nz/ruralschoolgrants
New Fund: Offshore Development Partnerships The NZ Partnerships for International Development Fund will make up to $32 million per year available for NZ organisations, including NGOs, state agencies and private organisations and businesses carrying out development work off-shore. The fund includes a “matched funding” model where applicants are required to also invest in the activity. Funding recommendations will be made by the International Development Advisory and Selection Panel.
Applications close 16 November 2012. Applicants will be notified of the Panel’s decisions in March 2013. Information on the Fund is at http://www.aid.govt.nz/funding-and-contracts/nz-partnerships-international-development-fund
Lottery National Community Lottery Community funding is available for projects, activities, resources, or services that have a community or social service focus, and which help connect communities, improve well-being, and the quality of people’s lives. You need to apply to the national committee if you are: a national organisation, an organisation affiliated to a national organisation, making an application for a project or service with a nationwide benefit, or if your application benefits three or more regions.
Applications close on 24 October 2012. More is at http://www.communitymatters.govt.nz/Funding-and-grants---Lottery-grants---Lottery-Community
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 52
Peace and Disarmament Education Trust Scholarships The Peace and Disarmament Education Trust (PADET) is a charitable trust that advances education and promotes international peace, arms control, and disarmament. It funds not-for-profit projects and scholarship topics that support these objectives.
Applications close on 31 October 2012. More is at http://www.communitymatters.govt.nz/Funding-and-grants---Trust-and-fellowship-grants---Peace-and-Disarmament-Education-Trust
IHC’s Good Neighbour Gardening Competition This competition is open to IHC service users and support staff, and there are over 60 prizes to be won.
Entries close on 9 November 2012. More is at http://www.ihc.org.nz/newsevents/ihc-good-neighbour-gardening-competition/
Appointments Richard Mann has been appointed High Commissioner to South Africa. Tim Anderson has been appointed Trade Commissioner to Indonesia. Rebecca Kitteridge has been seconded to review the Government Communications Security Bureau. Alan Bollard is the next leader of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation's (APEC) Secretariat.
John Morris has been appointed as a member of the Education NZ Board. Elisabeth Welson has been appointed to the Commerce Commission as an associate member. Helene Quilter will take over as Secretary of Defence on 1 December 2012. Gavin Walker has been appointed as the new chair of the NZ Superannuation Fund Guardians board. Courtney Johnston has been appointed director of Hutt City Museums. Sharyn Westlake has been reappointed as a member of the Chartered Professional Engineers Council. David Smol has been appointed chief executive of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. The Motor Industry Association’s (MIA’s) new chief executive officer is David Crawford. Robin McNeill is the new president of the Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ. Mike Tana is the Public Service Association’s (PSA’s) new president. The Halberg Trust’s new chief executive is Geoff Burgess. Nigel Gaynor is the new music director for the Royal NZ Ballet.
Michelle Hippolite has been appointed chief executive of Te Puni Kokiri. Tony Forster has been appointed Chief Inspector for Mines in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s High Hazards Unit. Susan Yerex has been appointed as a director on the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Board. Glen Sowry is the new chief executive of Housing NZ. Denise Ewe, Veer Khar, Pefi Kingi, Joseph Liava’a, David Lui, Shana Malio, George Ngatai and Parmjeet Parmar have been appointed to the Film and Video Labelling Body. Dr Jo Cribb is the new chief executive of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. The NZ Dairy Industry Awards Trust has a new chair, Teresa Moore. The new chair of the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) is Dr Sisira Jayathissa. Lesley Francey will be the new president of the Tertiary Education Union.
Traci Houpapa has been appointed chair of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW), Galia BarHava-Monteith has been appointed deputy chair, and Dr Airini and Norah Barlow have been appointed as new members of NACEW. Therese Arseneau and Kate Burtt have been appointed to the board of The NBR NZ Opera. The Independent Taskforce on Workforce Health and Safety will be chaired by Robert Jager, and taskforce members are Paul Mackay, William Rosenberg, Mavis Mullins, Michael Cosman, and Paula Rose.
Donald Best, Marie Brown, and Georgia Farmer have been reappointed for second terms to the NZ Symphony Orchestra board. Aloysius Teh has been appointed to the board of the Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa), and Dr Michael Bassett has been reappointed for a further one-year term. Members of the new Hospital Redevelopment Partnership Group supporting building of Canterbury DHB’s $500 million plus hospitals are Evan Davies (chair), Bruce Matheson, Tony Sewell, and Dr Margaret Wilsher. The Group will also include ex officio members representing the Ministry of Health, Treasury, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, and Canterbury District Health Board. NZX has appointed Simon Power and Therese Walsh to its board.
Two members to the Electrical Workers Registration Board, Neil McLeod and Shane Dolan, have been reappointed, and there are two new appointments to the board: Melbourne Orange and William Waterworth. Murray Burns and Nicholas Fleckney have been appointed to the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board. Rt Hon Wyatt Creech has been re-appointed as chair and David McFarlane as deputy chair of the Fire Service Commission Board. Rangi Wills has also been appointed to this board.
Sir Ralph Norris has been appointed to the Auckland University Council, and Dr Royden Somerville QC and Mr Stephen Higgs both join the Council of Otago University. Paula Rebstock has been appointed as chair of ACC’s board, and new board members are deputy chair Trevor Janes, Professor Des Gorman and Kristy McDonald QC. Howard Small has been appointed to, and Peter Hays re-appointed to, the board of Auckland War Memorial Museum. Kerryn Downey and Claudette Hauiti, have been appointed to, and James Doughty re-appointed to, the board of MOTAT.
53 –Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524
Playcentre Publication’s new board of directors is: Morna Haist (chair), Ginnie Denny, Ro Parsons, Marion Pilkington, and Emma Jane Hordy. Cheers, Craig and Paddy To be added to the mailing list contact: For editorial enquiries contact the editors: Rural Women NZ Craig Matthews/Paddy Twist tel 04 473 5524 tel 04 473 5524 email
Rural Women NZ, [email protected], 04 473 5524 Bulletin Aotearoa October 2012 - 54
[email protected] email [email protected]
Rural Bulletin/Bulletin Aotearoa© All rights reserved
This publication is entitled to the full protection given by the Copyright Act 1994 and Amendment (new technologies) 2008 to the holders of the copyright.
Reproduction of parts of the publication is permitted for purposes of informing and educating individuals and communities and must acknowledge the publisher Rural Women NZ.
Copies that are reproduced on other websites or sent through other databases remain the property of Rural Women NZ under the Copyright Act 1994 and Amendment (new technologies) 2008.
Telecom welcomes seven rural communities to its Smartphone Network.
Telecom New Zealand has welcomed seven more rural communities to faster mobile voice, text and broadband via its smartphone network following the installation of equipment in rural areas around New Zealand.
The communities which span the length of the country, from Northland through the Waikato to Southern Otago, are now able to access fast mobile voice, text and broadband. They are:
Baylys Beach: new XT coverage to the Baylys Beach area near Dargaville
Bunnythorpe: additional network coverage and capacity to Bunnythorpe village located midway between Palmerston North and Feilding
Kaitangata: extended coverage to Kaitangata and the lower Clutha River Valley Plain
Leithfield: new or improved XT service within the township of Leithfield, east towards Leithfield Beach and west beyond Balcairn as far as Marshmans Road
Paparoa: new XT coverage to Paparoa and the surrounding highway SH12 between Ruawai and Maungaturoto.
Waitoa: improve the capacity and coverage of the existing network coverage in the Waitoa area, located between Te Aroha and Morrinsville. Coverage includes SH26 and the roads and farms nearby to the Waitoa Dairy Factory
Ngahinapouri: improve rural coverage in and around Ngahinapouri including SH39.
These new sites are part of Telecom’s commitment to rural New Zealand communities to ensure its world-class mobile and broadband network is accessible to individuals and businesses across the country.
Telecoms Community Relations Manager Emma Blackmore says, ‘It’s important all New Zealand communities are able to access mobile services and this investment will enable residents and visitors to the area to make the most of our smartphone network.
The role of telecommunications in rural New Zealand has evolved from an important service to an essential one with people becoming more reliant on their mobile phones as their primary form of connectivity.
Faster broadband and mobile services are vitally important for the success of rural businesses, education, health provision, and in bringing rural communities together.’
To find out more about our Smartphone network coverage, please visit www.telecom.co.nz/coverage or visit your local Telecom store. Click stores to find the one nearest to you.
Career gateways and personal
development
Access Homehealth prides itself on having a highly trained workforce. Having our own NZQA accredited training divi-sion, Amida Training, gives us a real advantage, and plays an important role in maintaining performance levels across all of our core activities. And our support workers appreci-ate the personal development opportunity to gain NZQA qualifications. For those looking to extend their career path, this relevant training provides a valuable asset and gateway into the more advanced areas of care. Amida also delivers a range of industry standard training to other organisations, anything from health & safety to diabetes education and cultural awareness. We are often asked where the Amida name came from. Nicky Scott, Amida Training Operations Man-ager explains; “Amida is the name of a Buddhist entity who achieved enlightenment. Although Amida was worthy of being promoted to the heavens, he chose to remain with human beings to help them to salvation and to be an advocate for them. Amida represents the force of life that brings solace to all people. We chose the word to represent the generosity of support workers who choose to bring sol-ace and support to their clients, often without thanks.”For more information on Amida Training go to www.amida.co.nz
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.
Applications for 2013 open
Rural Women New Zealand
Growing Dynamic Leaders course
Would you like to spend a couple of days in Wellington at the end of February being inspired by other RWNZ members who are visionary, engaging and lively? The Landcorp-sponsored Growing Dynamic Leaders course is a chance to network, and also to meet politicians and policymakers, learn about effective lobbying, and hone your presentation and interviewing skills. For more information go to www.ruralwomen.org.nz and search for Growing Dynamic Leaders 2013.