More young people are achieving higher qualifications, welfare dependency continues to fall and Kiwis are doing more of their government transactions digitally, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Paula Bennett say.
The Government today published the latest update of progress against the ten challenging targets set three years ago by the Prime Minister.
Tax provisions to ensure community housing providers can continue to offer housing support to New Zealanders will give the sector the certainty it needs to keep growing, Ministers Paula Bennett and Todd McClay say.
“Some community housing providers risk losing their charitable status by supporting people into home ownership,” Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.
“We are of the view these providers give invaluable service and as such we want to ensure they are not worse off financially,” Mrs Bennett says.
New appointments to the Local Government Commission will continue to foster strong and effective local democracy, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett says.
Sir Wira Gardiner has been appointed as Chair, and Mr Leigh Auton has been appointed as a member. They join Commissioner Janie Annear, who has been reappointed. The appointments are for a three year term, commencing 1 August 2015.
Strategic thinking about property needs for Government agencies in Wellington will deliver savings for taxpayers, State Services Minister Paula Bennett says.
The Property Management Centre of Expertise (PMCoE) today moves into the second phase of the Wellington Accommodation Project – Tranche Two (WAP2).
“WAP2 outlines a plan to optimise leased office space in Wellington so that agencies can continue to deliver outstanding public services and save taxpayer dollars,” Mrs Bennett says.
The pace of the Government’s rebuild and repair of social housing in Christchurch continues to progress at top gear, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.
Housing New Zealand (HNZ) has now repaired more than 4,000 of its quake-damaged properties. With this achievement, HNZ enters the final phase of its earthquake recovery programme that will see up to 5,000 earthquake-damaged homes repaired by the end of 2015.
Announcements today on local government reorganisation applications place communities firmly at the heart of decisions about their own local democracy, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett says.
The Local Government Commission (LGC) announced it would not proceed with draft proposals in Wellington and Northland, and would return to those communities to work with them on options for change.
“I have heard these communities say they are up for change, just not in the shape of the initial reorganisation proposals,” says Mrs Bennett.
An establishment board will be formed to assess whether local government’s management of the risks from natural hazards to infrastructure and other assets can be strengthened.
The $1.6 million initiative will be jointly funded by the Crown and Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), Local Government Minister Paula Bennett and Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye say.
The Government Inquiry into the escape of Phillip John Smith / Traynor has been extended by two months, State Services Minister Paula Bennett says.
“When the inquiry was announced in November 2014 I made it clear the six month period proposed for its completion might be extended because it is important New Zealanders get answers to the many questions around the escape,” Mrs Bennett says.
New Zealanders frustrated with loopy rules and regulations will have more time to submit to the Rules Reduction Taskforce, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett says.
“Given the success of the process, I have decided to extend the closing date for submissions from 1 June to 15 June 2015 to ensure as many people as possible can have their say,” says Mrs Bennett.
The latest public sector staff capping report shows the Government’s commitment to providing better front-line services and keeping back-office numbers down is paying off, State Services Minister Paula Bennett says.
“Across the board, the Government has set out a plan for a public service that puts New Zealanders first, ensuring taxpayers’ dollars are being spent on services that deliver real results for those most in need.
Law changes to help grow an innovative social housing sector and house more vulnerable New Zealanders passed into law today.
Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says the Social Housing Reform (Flexible Purchasing and Remedial Matters) Bill is a crucial part of the Government’s reform programme to put tenants first and increase the supply of housing that suits their needs.
Putting tenants first and promoting housing independence is central to the Government’s continued investment in social housing, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.
“Budget 2015 ensures the Government can take the next crucial steps to provide more social housing for those New Zealanders who most need it.
“Housing needs range from emergency and social housing right through to affordable housing and we are focused on helping people on that journey to housing independence where appropriate.
The first ever survey of how ratepayers view the performance of their local government is being welcomed by Local Government Minister Paula Bennett.
The inaugural New Zealand Local Government Survey, released today, is part of Local Government New Zealand’s (LGNZ) ongoing work to lift performance across the sector.
Results show public satisfaction with local government is generally good but that its reputation for providing value for ratepayers’ dollars needs improvement.
Tauranga and Invercargill have been selected as the first regions for the proposed transfer of Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) houses to registered Community Housing Providers (CHPs), Ministers Bill English and
Coordination between agencies has seen the Crown continue to reduce its property footprint and pay less for office space, State Services Minister Paula Bennett says.
The Property Management Centre of Expertise (PMCoE) today released the fourth Crown Office Estate Report showing the Government is making good progress creating more effective, flexible and agile workplaces.
State Services Minister Paula Bennett leaves today to represent the Government at World War One commemorations being held at sites significant to New Zealand on the Western Front in France.
“Our two nations share a special bond because of the immense sacrifice our troops made so far from their home and loved ones,” says Mrs Bennett.
“It’s an honour to make this journey and pay tribute to the memories of the brave men and women who gave their lives for their nation.”
The Government is continuing to back the recovery of central Christchurch, with about 350 public servants to relocate into a major new development, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and State Services Minister Paula Bennett have announced.
A new 8500 square metre office building to be constructed on the corner of Hereford Street and Cambridge Terrace – the site of the former central police station – will be tenanted by staff from the Ministry of Education, Housing New Zealand Corporation and the Ministry of Health.
Information about what social housing is needed and where has today been made available to housing providers for the first time says Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett.
“The Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) Purchasing Intentions information release is the first of its kind, and marks a milestone in the Government’s Social Housing Reform Programme,” says Mrs Bennett.
Local Government Minister Paula Bennett and Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today welcomed the publication of the final report of the Crown Manager for Christchurch City Council’s building consenting functions.
“Substantial progress has been made during Doug Martin’s tenure, with the Council now processing consents on time and to a high quality standard, leading to their reinstatement by International Accreditation New Zealand as a Building Consent Authority in December,” says Mrs Bennett.
Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett today announced details of the Government’s funding boost for emergency housing providers, and a comprehensive funding review of the sector.
“In January the Prime Minister announced Government plans to support the emergency housing sector with a $500,000 cash injection alongside a wider review of funding, as part of our Social Housing Reforms,” says Mrs Bennett.
Vulnerable families and single people in need of housing in Christchurch will be better supported by a new short-term housing service, says Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett.
The Government is working with two community housing providers, Comcare and VisionWest, who will provide short-term accommodation alongside support services for up to 30 households at a time.
Sustainable workforce solutions were at the centre of discussions between Government Ministers and tourism industry representatives in Queenstown today.
Streamlined immigration rules were announced last month as a short term solution to help employers in Queenstown through this period of high demand.
