Kate Wilkinson
Release

A new High Hazards Unit is to be established following reviews of the Department of Labour’s resources dedicated to the petroleum production and mining industries, Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson announced today.

The new unit will include three inspectors and a chief inspector for each industry, along with three further administrative and research support staff.

It will be funded through surpluses in the Health and Safety in Employment Memorandum Account at a cost of approximately $1.5 million in new funding annually.  

Kate Wilkinson Labour
Release

New laws to better manage freedom camping will take affect in time for the Rugby World Cup with the passing of the Freedom Camping Bill tonight, say Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson and Minister for the Environment Nick Smith.

“Freedom camping is an important part of our tourism industry and is a great Kiwi tradition and we want to see that continue,” Ms Wilkinson says.

“The presumption is that freedom camping is allowed except where councils and the Department of Conservation have specifically prohibited it.

Nick Smith Kate Wilkinson Conservation Environment
Release

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson has condemned the brutal assault endured by Waikato Conservation Board Chairman Arthur Hinds at the Tairua Community Hall on the weekend.

Mr Hinds is currently leading a private landowner 1080 operation at Whenuakite, which includes his own property, another private property and some conservation land.

He was arriving at a community-led meeting about marine protection on the Coromandel when he was allegedly attacked by anti-1080 activists outside the hall.

The assault has been reported to police.

Kate Wilkinson Conservation
Release

A Ministerial Inquiry will consider the operation of Foreign Charter Vessels (FCVs) in New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters.

Initiated by Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister, Phil Heatley and Labour Minister, Kate Wilkinson, the inquiry will consider all key issues relevant to the use of FCVs.

Mr Heatley says while full terms of reference for the inquiry have yet to be established, it is important for both the Government and our fishing sector to affirm New Zealand’s international reputation as a world-leading fisheries manager.

Phil Heatley Kate Wilkinson Fisheries and Aquaculture Labour
Release

The cap intended to be placed on aircraft landings at Milford Aerodrome will be removed and concession applications reactivated for affected operators, Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson announced today.

The concept of a cap was introduced under the Fiordland National Park Management Plan in 2007 as a means of managing the accumulative adverse effects of aircraft activity.

Using the limit established in the Park Plan, DOC ran a competitively contested allocation process for those wishing to land at Milford.

Kate Wilkinson Conservation
Release

Minister for Food Safety Kate Wilkinson today welcomed the appointments of Andrew McKenzie and Neil Walker as New Zealand’s new members of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand board.

Andrew McKenzie has a background in veterinary public health and food safety, food regulation, international trade and financial management. 

In particular, he has an extensive knowledge of the New Zealand food regulation system as he led the New Zealand Food Safety Authority from its inception in 2002 until 2010. 

Kate Wilkinson Food Safety
Release

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson today announced the appointment of James Guild as the new chairperson of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Board following the retirement of Sir Brian Lochore.

The QEII Trust works to blend farming and conservation to protect rare, threatened, and significant indigenous biodiversity, special landscapes and other open spaces through the use of covenants.

“I am delighted that James Guild has agreed to take on this important role,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Kate Wilkinson Conservation
Release

Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson says a new safety policy developed and released by Federated Farmers is a welcome addition to ongoing work aimed at reducing accidents in the agriculture sector.

“Federated Farmers deserves to be congratulated for proactively providing its members with advice on meeting their workplace safety responsibilities.

“Farmers are responsible for what happens on their land and it’s important they take charge of protecting their families and workers from hazards,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Kate Wilkinson Labour
Release

The Green Party’s opposition to the Freedom Camping Bill shows it puts people camping where they like ahead of responsibility to our environment, Environment Minister Nick Smith and Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson say.

The Bill passed its First Reading in Parliament yesterday with only the Green Party and former Conservation Minister Chris Carter opposing it.

Nick Smith Kate Wilkinson Conservation Environment
Release

A new Chief of the Employment Relations Authority has been appointed by Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson.

Alastair Dumbleton will lead the organisation through to May 2015.

“The ERA is a very valuable part of New Zealand’s employment relations system. Its members investigate and resolve employment relationship problems and Mr Dumbleton has vast experience in this area,” Ms Wilkinson says.

“Mr Dumbleton was the Authority’s inaugural Chief from October 2000 to December 2003.

Kate Wilkinson Labour
Release

The Government has welcomed the report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment on the use of 1080 as the most effective tool available for pest management in New Zealand.

“Our most challenging environmental problem is introduced pests such as possums, stoats and rats threatening the survival of our native species,” says Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson.

“We’ve now had two comprehensive and independent reports into the use of 1080 at considerable public expense.

Kate Wilkinson Conservation
Release

Health and safety management is improving but New Zealand can do better to reduce death and injury rates at work, according to a new indicator report released today.

Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson says for the first time key health and safety statistics have been brought together in an annual State of Workplace Health and Safety in New Zealand report.

It tracks progress towards five key targets: fewer injuries and fatalities, less occupational disease, lower economic cost, improved industry and employee engagement and increased response to Government activity.

Kate Wilkinson Labour
Release

Paid parental leave payments will increase from 1 July 2011, putting extra money into the pockets of families with new babies.

Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson says the maximum parental leave payment will increase by $17 from $441.62 per week to $458.82 per week.

The minimum payment for self-employed parents will also increase from $127.50 per week to $130.00 per week.

"The arrival of a new baby is a major event for any family and any increase in financial support at this time is always helpful," Ms Wilkinson says.

Kate Wilkinson Labour
Release

Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson has today launched a new plan aimed at bringing down the high injury and fatality rates in the construction industry over the next three years.

“Construction is New Zealand’s sixth biggest industry and in the last five years 54 workers have died on construction sites in this country,” Ms Wilkinson says.

“Working with machinery, heavy materials and at height can be dangerous, but it is simply not good enough that some of these workers are exposed to unacceptable hazards.

Kate Wilkinson Labour
Release

The Department of Conservation will receive $1.5 million in Budget 2011 to help the Te Araroa Trust substantially complete the Te Araroa Trail Long Pathway from Cape Reinga to Bluff, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

The funding has been reprioritised from Vote Tourism and will enable the Trust to substantially complete a number of  sections of the trail totaling 244km.

Kate Wilkinson Budget 2010 Conservation Budget 2011
Release

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson will join volunteers and artists from the Pew Charitable Trust aboard the HMNZS Otago today on a resupply mission to the Kermadec Islands.

“The Kermadec Islands are an amazing conservation haven and DOC works hard to preserve them,” Ms Wilkinson says.

“Raoul Island, where DOC staff are based, was struck by Cyclone Bune on March 28 and this resupply mission will enable repair work to be carried out on damaged buildings.

Kate Wilkinson Conservation
Release

An independent audit of the safety of New Zealand’s underground coal mines has found that while some improvements can be made there is no evidence that a dangerous situation is imminent at any of the four mines, says Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson.

The audit was ordered by Cabinet following the Pike River mine explosions which killed 29 miners in November last year.  Four mines were audited – Huntly East, Spring Creek, Roa and Burke’s Creek.

Kate Wilkinson Labour
Release

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson has welcomed a new Forest & Bird project to preserve a Marlborough population of a critically-endangered South Island bat.

At the launch of the Te Hoiere Bat Recovery Project at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve today, Ms Wilkinson said the pest control project provided an important safety net for the bat population.

Kate Wilkinson Conservation
Release

Today marks International Workers’ Memorial Day – a time for workers and employers to reflect on the importance of health and safety at work, says Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson.

Last year 77 people died at work in New Zealand. Of those, 29 were the Pike River miners.

“No one should be injured, let alone die from doing their job and it’s appropriate that today we reflect on those who have suffered because of their work,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Kate Wilkinson Labour
Release

The New Zealand Government’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science Directions and Priorities 2010-20 framework document has been officially launched at Parliament this evening by Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson.

“I am pleased to host the formal launch of the Antarctic science strategy for the next decade to 2020. It is an important event to mark the passing of the document from government to the science community - from policy setting to policy implementation,” says Ms Wilkinson.

Kate Wilkinson Conservation
Release

The amount of time New Zealanders spend volunteering for conservation work is exceeding expectations, with thousands of people wanting to make a difference, says Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson.

“Over the past eight months the Department of Conservation estimated individual volunteers contributed 23,241 workday equivalents when engaging in a vast number of DOC projects around the country.

“That’s about 5000 more workdays than DOC had anticipated, which is fantastic,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Kate Wilkinson Conservation
Release

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson says the passing of internationally regarded conservationist Don Merton is a sad loss for New Zealand, however his legacy lives on.

A senior member of the Department of Conservation’s scientific staff prior to his retirement in 2005, Don was involved in the recovery of many bird species and developed vital techniques to help threatened species.

Kate Wilkinson Conservation
Release

A new independent statutory hunting body is to be established to improve the management of game animals in New Zealand, Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson and UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne announced today.

The creation of the Game Animal Council forms part of the National Government’s confidence and supply agreement with UnitedFuture.

Kate Wilkinson Peter Dunne Conservation
Release

Businesses and employees will enjoy greater certainty and flexibility at work with changes to the Holidays and Employment Relations acts due to take effect tomorrow, says Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson.

“The Government worked hard last year to produce a package of changes that will encourage employers to hire, reduce compliance costs and give employees greater choice with how they take their holidays,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Changes taking place tomorrow include:

Kate Wilkinson Labour