New Zealand has been ranked 13th in the Global Competitiveness Index 2016/17 – up three places since 2015/16 and up ten places since 2012/13.
The index, which ranks a range of economic and social indicators, assesses the competitiveness of 138 economies and provides insight into the drivers of productivity and prosperity.
The announcement of four major founding partners for Project Taranaki Mounga is a significant step on the road towards a Predator Free New Zealand, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry say.
The Ministers announced the new support for the $24 million project, which will have substantial conservation and economic benefits for Taranaki, at a ceremony in New Plymouth today.
Finance Minister Bill English and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce have today acknowledged the release of the Productivity Commission’s draft report New and Emerging Models of Tertiary Education.
“The report was commissioned to investigate how trends in technology, tuition costs, skill demand, demographics and internationalisation may drive new and changed business models and delivery models in the tertiary sector,” Mr English says.
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has today welcomed figures that show the impact of New Zealand’s academic research has been rising when compared with the rest of the world.
A report released today, Profile and Trends, New Zealand’s Tertiary Education Research, shows the rate of citation of New Zealand’s research is now 1.26 times the world average.
Economic Development Minster Steven Joyce today opened New Zealand’s first orbital launch site, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, on the Mahia Peninsula on the North Island’s east coast.
“I congratulate Chief Executive and founder Peter Beck and his team who have worked hard to achieve this,” Mr Joyce says. “It is their innovation and perseverance that has made this day possible.
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has today released an exposure draft of a bill that makes a range of changes to tertiary education legislation.
The proposed Education (Tertiary Education and other Matters) Amendment Bill makes a number of largely technical proposals for legislative change which:
• increases the flexibility of funding
• further strengthens monitoring and compliance
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman say the Government is investing $3 million via the Major Events Development Fund to showcase Kiwi culture, arts, innovation and hospitality during the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017.
“This investment will help New Zealand and the seven host regions to showcase what the country has to offer and to capitalise on the expected 20,000 international visitors,” says Mr Joyce.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today released a detailed report on the economy of the West Coast that outlines significant potential to attract new investment and diversify the economy of the West Coast region.
As part of the Government’s Regional Growth Programme, the Tai Poutini West Coast Regional Growth Study identifies and explores opportunities to achieve growth in investment, incomes and employment in the region.
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Communications Minister Amy Adams have today officially opened a technology hub to support new and emerging businesses in Westport.
Enterprise Precinct Innovation Campus (EPIC) Westport, a branch of EPIC Christchurch, provides co-working spaces for local companies looking to be innovative and develop local capacity in digital technology.
“Co-working spaces foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing, start-up businesses are typically the generators of new ideas, products and services,” Mr Joyce says.
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Education Minister Hekia Parata have today announced the release of a new Youth Guarantee Secondary-Tertiary pilot programme, DualPathways.
DualPathways students will be enrolled part-time in secondary school at Year 12 or 13 and part-time in either tertiary education or industry training. The programme will come into effect next year and replaces a small scale Secondary-Tertiary pilot that finishes in December this year.
The Government has today signed a contract authorising Rocket Lab’s space activities from New Zealand, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.
Rocket Lab, founded by New Zealander Peter Beck, intends to start its launch operations from the Mahia Peninsula later this year. These operations will include the first commercial space launches from New Zealand.
“This contract is an important milestone in the work the Government is doing to support the development of a New Zealand-based space industry,” Mr Joyce says.
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Education Minister Hekia Parata have today welcomed a report which shows the performance of New Zealand’s education sector, at all levels, compares well with those of other developed countries.
The OECD Report, Education at a Glance 2016, measures 35 countries on the output of educational institutions, the impact of learning, financial and human resources invested in education, and participation.
The Government has agreed to fund half the cost of Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL), Associate Finance Minister Steven Joyce and Transport Minister Simon Bridges have announced.
The Government and Auckland Council today signed a Heads of Agreement, under which the Crown will fund 50 per cent of the CRL. The total cost of the project is estimated to be between $2.8 billion and $3.4 billion, and the Crown will make its 50 per cent funding progressively available once a Sponsors’ Agreement is in place.
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced a total investment of over $209 million over the next five years in new scientific research projects through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) 2016 Endeavour Fund.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Communications Minister Amy Adams today launched a new guide to attract more investment in New Zealand’s fast growing technology sector.
The Investor Guide to the New Zealand Technology Sector has been brought to life by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Technology Investment Network (TIN). It provides investors with the most recent data and insights to encourage them to make informed investments in New Zealand’s thriving technology sector.
New Zealand’s average annual wage has increased by 25 per cent to $58,000 since 2008, while low inflation means much of the increase is lifting the spending power of Kiwi families.
“Delivering a stronger economy for Kiwi families remains front and centre of the Government’s busy work programme, and it is helping to drive up incomes across the country,” says Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce.
Regulatory Reform Minister Steven Joyce and Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Regulatory Reform, David Seymour have today introduced a bill which will get rid of 124 redundant laws from New Zealand’s legislation.
The Statutes Repeal Bill will remove 124 pieces of legislation, and parts of eight other Acts.
“Originally we had 120 laws slated for removal. That number has now increased to 124. Overall, through this bill the number of public Acts on the New Zealand law books will reduce by more than 10 per cent,” Mr Joyce says.
Tertiary Education Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has today congratulated all eight of New Zealand’s universities who are ranked in the top 450 universities worldwide, according the annual Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.
The QS Rankings were released today and show six New Zealand universities have improved in the rankings, while all eight are ranked in world’s top 450.
New data from the Treasury shows that income redistribution across New Zealand’s income tax and support system continues to increase, with the top 10 per cent of households forecast to pay 37.2 per cent of income tax in 2016/17, compared with 35.5 per cent in 2007/08.
“This latest data confirms that New Zealand’s income tax and support system significantly redistribute incomes to households in need,” Acting Finance Minister Steven Joyce says.
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today that the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge will invest $826,000 in 10 ambitious new research projects to develop disruptive technology for industry.
“The pace of technology change is accelerating so it’s important that our high-tech firms have access to the right know-how to build the sorts of innovative products that will help them to succeed in highly competitive global markets,” Mr Joyce says.
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has today announced a new appointment to the board of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
Dale Karauria, currently chair of Careers New Zealand, an organisation whose functions are soon to be transferred to the TEC, will help oversee that transfer in her new role as member of the TEC’s board.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Transport Minister Simon Bridges today announced the Government will seek to include additional electric vehicle providers in the All-of-Government (AoG) Vehicles contract to help further enhance the availability of electric vehicles in New Zealand.
“Electric vehicles are a growing industry and New Zealand should benefit from technological advances as they come onto the market,” Mr Joyce says.
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has today welcomed figures that show 56 per cent of New Zealanders aged 25-34 years old now hold a higher-level tertiary qualification.
A report released today - Profile & Trends 2015: Tertiary Education Outcomes and Qualification Completions, showed that last year there were 138,000 tertiary qualifications completed by New Zealanders and 22,500 qualifications by international students at tertiary providers across the country.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce leaves for Japan and Korea today for a four-day trip to advance New Zealand’s business, innovation and education interests and promote New Zealand as an investment destination.
Mr Joyce will visit Tokyo, Seoul and Busan to meet with Japanese and Korean ministers, officials and business leaders.
“Japan and Korea are huge economies and important partners for New Zealand – both feature in our top six export destinations,” Mr Joyce says.
