Craig Foss
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A new Land Transport Rule will help increase efficiency and ease congestion on our roads by enabling trucks to carry more freight, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

The new Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (VDAM) rule makes small adjustments to the rules covering height, width and weight limits for trucks and some buses.

“Maximising the potential of our heavy vehicle fleet will increase capacity and improve productivity across the transport sector,” Mr Foss says.

Craig Foss Transport
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A new community-based driving programme in Eastern Bay of Plenty will help young people take advantage of employment opportunities in the region, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

The NZ Transport Agency is investing $116,000 in the Ōpōtiki Community Driver Mentor Programme to help more teens and young adults gain their restricted licence. 

“This programme will help open up the world for young disadvantaged drivers — providing more freedom, mobility and employment opportunities,” Mr Foss says.

Craig Foss Transport
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Small Business Minister Craig Foss says the Taking Care of Business roadshow has been so successful, more events are likely next year.

“Over five months, more than 2000 business owners and operators attended 22 Taking Care of Business events around the country, from Invercargill to Whangarei,” Mr Foss says.

“Every event got bigger and better and the feedback from attendees was outstanding.

Craig Foss Small Business
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A major road safety campaign to help visitors understand and prepare for driving in New Zealand is now underway, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss announced today.

“Summer is on its way and so are many international visitors. New Zealand roads can be challenging, particularly in and around some of our most popular tourist spots,” Mr Foss says.

Craig Foss Transport
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Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today announced a $175,000 grant for the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association’s (RNZRSA) support services programme.

“Staff and volunteers at RSAs all over the country work tirelessly to support our veterans,” Mr Foss says.

“In particular, RSA Support Advisors help ensure veterans are aware of and have easy access to support services from a variety of providers, including Veterans’ Affairs.

Craig Foss Veterans’ Affairs
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A range of regulatory changes combined with record investment will further improve cycle safety this summer, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“Cycling is an increasingly popular mode of transport, past time and sport. It’s also a vital part of a safe, sustainable, connected and integrated transport system,” Mr Foss says.

“The Government is making a range of regulatory changes to help ensure cyclists stay safe on our roads, and that all road users are aware of their responsibilities.”

Craig Foss Transport
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An online tool enabling business owners to quickly and easily search their company name, domain name and trademark has been used more than one million times, Small Business Minister Craig Foss says.

ONECheck, available at business.govt.nz, helps Kiwi business owners make informed decisions about their name and branding by gathering all the relevant information into one free, easily accessible tool,” Mr Foss says.

Craig Foss Small Business
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Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today announced the appointment of two new members to the Veterans’ Advisory Board.

Mr Foss last month directed the Board to consider and provide advice on New Zealand’s repatriation policy.

The two new members, Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Sir Wira Gardiner KNZM and Kevin Brady CNZM, will serve on the Board for the duration of the repatriation project.

“Sir Wira and Mr Brady bring a wealth of public sector and governance experience to the Board,” Mr Foss says.

Craig Foss Veterans’ Affairs
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Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today announced four new appointments to the Veterans’ Health Advisory Panel.

The new members are:

  • Wing Commander Dr Paul Nealis as Veterans’ Affairs ex-officio nominee;
  • Professor Te Kani Kingi;
  • Mr Clive Banks;
  • Mr Daniel Patrick.

“The new members have a wide range of health expertise, including a focus on public and social policy, mental health, data analytics, and budget management,” Mr Foss says.

Craig Foss Veterans’ Affairs
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Revenue Minister Michael Woodhouse and Small Business Minister Craig Foss today welcomed a survey showing small businesses are continuing to spend less time on tax compliance.

“Inland Revenue’s emphasis on providing customer-centric services that enable businesses to spend less time on compliance and more on growth is paying dividends,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Craig Foss Michael Woodhouse Small Business Revenue
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Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has welcomed the choice of design for the French memorial at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.

“On Armistice Day, it’s fitting the chosen design has been unveiled,” Ms Barry says.

“The memorial, Le Calligramme, was designed by the award-winning Auckland firm Patterson Associates and takes inspiration from the work of French poet Guillaume Apollinaire.

Maggie Barry Craig Foss Arts, Culture and Heritage Veterans’ Affairs
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Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says a new Speed Management Guide released today will modernise New Zealand’s approach to managing speed and enable a limit of 110km/h on some roads.

“The Speed Management Guide combines a wide range of information to help councils, the New Zealand Transport Agency and other road controlling authorities decide where and when to make safety improvements or changes to speed limits,” Mr Foss says.

Craig Foss Transport
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Small Business Minister Craig Foss says five more locations are being added to the hugely popular Taking Care of Business roadshow.

“More than 1200 business owners and operators have so far attended a dozen events around the country, from Invercargill to Hamilton,” Mr Foss says.

“Five new events will be held in Porirua, Masterton, Rotorua, Christchurch and Blenheim, in addition to those in Whangarei and Auckland already scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Craig Foss Small Business
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Small Business Minister Craig Foss today announced a new appointment to the Small Business Development Group (SBDG).

Jerry He has been appointed to the SBDG for a 33 month term, expiring 30 June 2019.

“As Sales Director at Auckland food technology company New Zealand Green Wave Limited, Mr He has skills in business and entrepreneurship, as well as sound knowledge of exporting, particularly to China,” Mr Foss says.

Craig Foss Small Business
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Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says more stringent requirements for water damaged vehicles will provide additional safety assurances for vehicle owners and all road users.

From today, all electronic and pyrotechnic safety components, including airbags, sensors, pre-tensioner seatbelts and wiring, must be fully replaced on imported and domestic water damaged vehicles.  Previously, only those items below the water line were required to be replaced.

Craig Foss Transport
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The government is committing $100,000 to help Havelock North Village get back on its feet following the gastroenteritis outbreak, Small Business Minister Craig Foss says.

“Two weeks ago the village was nearly empty — our business owners, their staff and customers either too unwell to venture out or too busy caring for sick loved ones,” Mr Foss says.

Craig Foss Small Business
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Seafarers with most older domestic certificates will be able to continue using them without the cost of moving to a new modern ticket, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

Maritime NZ’s new seafarer certification system, SeaCert, was introduced in 2014, creating a single cohesive framework with clear career pathways and internationally recognised certificates.

“Many seafarers with older tickets have said they simply want to carry on doing what they’ve been doing, without facing additional training and costs,” Mr Foss says.

Craig Foss Transport
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Cabinet will consider a recommendation to allow Inland Revenue to waive interest on late payments of taxation for businesses affected by the Havelock North gastroenteritis outbreak, announced Revenue Minister Michael Woodhouse and Small Business Minister Craig Foss.

“Inland Revenue already has the ability to waive penalties for late payments, but due to the impact of the outbreak on businesses, Cabinet will consider enabling interest to be waived for late PAYE and provisional tax payments, due later this month,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Craig Foss Michael Woodhouse Small Business Revenue
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Improving the availability of quality information about New Zealand’s disabled community will lead to better decision-making by government agencies, Statistics Minister Craig Foss and Disability Issues Minister Nicky Wagner say.

The Ministers today opened consultation on the development of a Disability Plan to ensure government agencies have the data necessary to make informed, evidence-based policy decisions.

Craig Foss Nicky Wagner Customs Statistics Disability Issues
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Local councils and tourism operators are on the right track installing ‘Drive on Left’ signs at campervan and rental car carparks, intersections and popular tourist spots, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“Record numbers of tourists are travelling to New Zealand — 3.3 million in the year to June — and many are opting to self-drive,” Mr Foss says.

“The ‘Drive on Left’ signs will help visitors safely negotiate busy driveways and intersections.”

Craig Foss Transport
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Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today announced the appointment of Cathy O’Malley as Chairperson of the Veterans’ Health Advisory Panel.

“Ms O’Malley has senior governance experience within the public and private sectors and has studied health organisations and leadership at the prestigious Harvard Business School,” Mr Foss says.

Craig Foss Veterans’ Affairs
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Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss is today congratulating the Community Driver Mentor Programme (CDMP) on helping 500 young people successfully sit their restricted driver licence test.

“The CDMP is an excellent example of communities, volunteers and businesses coming together to help improve the lives of young people,” Mr Foss says.

“Having a licence can open up the world for teens and young adults — providing more freedom, mobility and employment opportunities.

Craig Foss Transport
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Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today launched the 2016 Battle of Passchendaele Multi-Media Competition.

“The Battle of Passchendaele was one of New Zealand’s most deadly conflicts during the First World War. On just one day — 12 October 1917 — more than 845 New Zealanders were killed and more than 2700 wounded,” Mr Foss says. 

“This annual competition, open to all year 13 students enrolled in a New Zealand secondary school, helps ensure New Zealand’s sacrifice on the Western Front is not forgotten.”

Craig Foss Veterans’ Affairs